How to apply for an Erasmus+ internship?

Have you been thinking about applying for an Erasmus+ internship but you have some doubts about the programme? You don’t know where to find a company that could hire you? Are you struggling with the documentation? Don’t worry, I was in your shoes too. In this article I will do my best to explain to you how to successfully apply for an Erasmus+ Traineeship.

My name is Julia, I’m 24 years old and I come from Poland. I’m writing this article from beautiful Split, where I’m currently working as Digital Marketing Assistant as a part of an Erasmus+ internship. I’m really enjoying my experience in Croatia and so can you! Let me share all my knowledge with you so you could also depart for this unforgettable adventure abroad! No stress, it is easier than you think!

Some universities already have databases with recommended internship offers in which you can participate. You can also start your own search on different webpages with job opportunities. However, I recommend the website that I used myself – The Erasmus Intern Traineeship Portal, developed by the Erasmus Student Network. There you can find many Erasmus+ traineeship opportunities from companies and contact them directly via the website. New offers are posted on The Erasmus Intern Traineeship Portal every day, so you will easily find a great internship that will be a perfect match for you.

You can do your Erasmus internship for a period of 2 to 12 months. Just remember that you have 12 months of mobility for each cycle of study. So, if you have already been on Erasmus during your current cycle, the amount of time left is limited. Quite confused? I will explain it to you with my own example.

During my master’s degree I went to study abroad as an Erasmus Student. I spent 10 great months in Belgium and after returning I wanted to depart on Erasmus again. As I had already spent 10 months of my mobility, I still had two more months left (out of 12 months in total). So, I decided to do 2-month Erasmus traineeship to take full advantage of all the opportunities I have!

But remember – you have 12 months to use for your physical mobility per each cycle of study:

• during the first study cycle (Bachelor or equivalent) including the short-cycle;
• during the second study cycle (Master or equivalent);
• during the third cycle as doctoral candidate (doctoral level).

Of course, that’s what I did myself! Right after graduating and obtaining master’s degree I departed to Croatia to start my 2-month Erasmus internship. You can complete the internship up to 12 months after graduating. The important thing you need to have in mind is that you need to apply for the program while you are still a student, so before your graduation.

The application process for an Erasmus internship may vary depending on the university. In my case I needed to fill the Application Form and the Application for departure that I found on my university’s website. Then I brought these documents to the International Office along with my studies’ grades. After being hired I asked the company to fill the Company Form and Learning Agreement with all the internship details. And then, all I had left was to sign the Contract with my university.

It might seem a lot but I assure you, it was really a quick and easy process. However, it is best to first contact the International Office at your university to find out what it will look like in your case.

Obviously you need to get hired to depart on Erasmus. So how can you increase your chances of getting hired by a great company? You need to be well-prepared and show the company that you are a professional candidate for a given position. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-written resume and cover letter – they are like your business card. Make sure to present all your best skills and assets, and take care of the appearance of the documents – they must be legible and clear.

Have you been invited to an interview? Great, you have to prove yourself on this one too! Make sure to tell what motivates you to take up this internship and what good you can bring to the company. Ask questions and above all, smile 🙂

I hope you will find my little guide helpful for you in going on an Erasmus internship. Remember that your Erasmus adventure does not have to end when you graduate. You have a lot of possibilities to go abroad, so don’t hesitate, take advantage of the opportunities you have and enjoy your life to the fullest! Good luck!

You can find more information about Erasmus opportunities here.

We offer a variety of positions within our company:

• digital marketing assistant
• graphic designer
• English language ⁠teacher
• administrative assistant

Send your CV and a motivation letter, and we’ll schedule an interview!