Beyond Finland: How I Landed an Erasmus Internship Abroad

Have you ever struggled to find an internship that truly fits your expectations? You are not alone. Many of us plan and hope to secure an internship in Finland, but this may not work out for everyone. However, not finding an internship in Finland doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone. As a student at the University of Turku, you also have the opportunity to apply for exchange studies or an exchange internship abroad. This path can take you beyond your comfort zone, introduce you to new cultures, and give you valuable international experience. In this blog post, I will share my experience of completing an Erasmus internship abroad and what the journey taught me.

The Erasmus Internship Program

As a first step, you can find detailed information about the Erasmus exchange program on the University of Turku intranet. Internships can last from 2 to 12 months, depending on the agreement with the receiving organisations. I would attach the relevant link here for your review.

Erasmus+ Internships in Europe

1. How to Apply: Step-by-Step

The initial requirement for the Erasmus internship program is to receive acceptance from a professor, research group, company, or other organisation where you would like to work. You can begin by drafting professional emails and sending them to potential supervisors or organisations to express your interest in working with them. After receiving acceptance from a company or research group, the responsible person or supervisor in that organisation must complete and sign the Learning Agreement.

Pro Tip: The most challenging stage of the application process is completing the Learning Agreement, because the application remains incomplete without it. It is also the stage that requires the professor’s signature. Completing this step as early as possible makes the entire application process much smoother.

It is important to note that if you wish to receive an Erasmus grant, there are specific deadlines for grant decisions. Your Erasmus application documents must be submitted before the relevant deadline to be considered during that application period.

Once all required documents have been completed and signed, they should be submitted to the Email provided on the UTU intranet. You will then receive a response regarding the decision within the following days. Upon receiving the decision and detailed information about the grant, and once all the necessary details have been completed, you will be ready to travel to your destination.

2. Things to Know Before Travelling to the Destination Country

• It is strongly recommended to secure a housing option and a backup plan just in case before travelling to the destination country. Facebook marketplace or housing groups often seem to be the easiest places to find accommodation; however, you should avoid making any financial transactions until you have arrived and viewed the place in person.

• If your internship lasts longer than three months (over 90 days), it is important to contact the relevant authorities in advance to clarify visa or residence permit requirements, especially if you are a non-EU citizen.

• Regarding funding, the grant amount will also be communicated once the decision is made; however, the grant will be received after you arrive in the destination country. I would advise that you have funds with you for the time that you will be there before receiving the grant.

Beyond the lab:

During my internship in Tallinn, I worked 30 hours per week, which gave me meaningful time to grow beyond the lab.

Living in a new country pushes you in ways you don’t always expect, navigating unfamiliar systems, managing tight timelines, and balancing work with settling into a new environment.

These challenges, as demanding as they can be, are also where the most personal growth happens. I became more independent, more adaptable, and more confident in handling the unexpected. On top of that, exploring Tallinn’s beautiful old town, travelling on weekends, and building friendships with colleagues from different backgrounds added a richness to the experience that no classroom could replicate.

3. Ready to Take the Leap?

An Erasmus internship is a chance to grow personally, build an international network, and see the world while studying. If this sounds like something you would like to explore, here are some helpful links to get you started:

UTU Career Services – Opportunities and career support from UTU.

Euraxess – European portal for research jobs.

Sirop.org – Database for research internships.

yours,
Channeh