FAQ Internship Abroad

There is a wide range of possible internships abroad. You can find a brief overview of possible internship opportunities in the area of social sciences here. However, the search for a suitable internship and your application is up to you. In order for your internship to be recognised as academic achievement and to be funded by the Erasmus+-program, your internship has to be related to your degree.

The Global Office (GO) offers consultation hours specifically for questions regarding internships abroad. You can find all further information and contact details here.

You can also find worldwide internship vacancies in internship databanks such as Erasmus Intern or World Unite. Further internship databanks and current international internship vacancies can also be found on the website of the Global Office and at the DAAD.

Yes, an internship abroad can also be recognized as a mandatory internship within your degree program. The prerequisite is that there is a connection to your field of study. Additionally, you are generally required to explain your experiences and their benefits regarding your career path in an internship report or during a study day. Please note that the procedures and requirements for recognizing your internship may vary depending on your degree program and study regulations. Here, you can find an overview of the program-specific requirements for the Faculty 03.

Here, you can find reports about internships abroad from students of Goethe University (across all faculties; the faculty can be selected as a filter).

Here, you can find comprehensive information on preparing for an internship abroad, provided by the Global Office.

To minimize intercultural misunderstandings and to fully embrace new experiences in your host country, we recommend intercultural preparation for your internship abroad. This can be achieved, for instance, by taking advantage of the various workshops by the Career Services (particularly those with an international focus), Kompass International, the International Student Gathering (IST), and/or the Buddy Program. 

During your stay abroad, you can also act as a "correspondent" for your peers, for example, by sharing your daily experiences on social media through the „studieren weltweit“ platform.  

After returning, you can also reflect on your experiences by participating in the DAAD's "Back-to-School" program.

Erasmus+: Internships in an EU member state as well as in Iceland, Norway, Turkey, and Macedonia may be eligible for financial funding through the Erasmus+-programme. This applies to both mandatory and voluntary internships as part of your degree. It is important that you apply for funding at least two months before you start your internship abroad at the Global Office of Goethe University. Additionally, your internship abroad must be related to your degree. You can find further important information regarding the application process here. You are currently eligible to receive financial funding between 690€ and 740€ depending on the target country. Further information can be found here.

Further funding opportunities: Outside of the Erasmus+-framework, you can also receive financial funding through the PROMOS scholarship and other DAAD scholarships. You can find a detailed list of possible funding options here.

During your internship abroad, you may in principle also receive financial support through the so-called “Auslands-BAföG" (Federal Student Financial Aid for Studies Abroad). However, it must be a mandatory internship lasting at least twelve weeks if it is completed outside the EU. On the official website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, you can find all relevant information regarding Auslands-BAföG.

Please make sure to submit your application in good time, i.e. at least six months before your departure.

We strongly encourage you to apply, as the higher funding rates for studies or internships abroad mean that many students are eligible for BAföG who would not qualify for domestic support due to their parents' income level.

Your eligibility must be signed by the Examinations Office or the Department of International Relations of Faculty 03. Therefore, please contact the Department of International Relations for form sheet 06. 

If you intend to apply for or receive this support in addition to other scholarships or funding programs, you may be required to declare this to the relevant authorities.

Yes, you can complete an internship abroad with child(ren). Support is also available for your stay. Here, you can find information from the Global Office on the topic of "Going abroad with child(ren)."

The Department of International Relations of Faculty 03 or the Examination Office of Faculty 03 has to confirm the subject relevance of your internship. Please fill out this document in advance and send it electronically to international@soz.uni-frankfurt.de or fb03@soz.uni-frankfurt.de.

It is up to you to decide whether to apply for a leave of absence. However, if you are on leave, you are not allowed to earn academic credits during this period. Accordingly, a leave of absence due to an internship abroad can only be granted if the internship is not mandatory since mandatory internships should earn credit points according to your study regulations. However, a leave of absence might be necessary for other reasons, depending on your personal situation. You can find all information about leaves of absence at Goethe University on this page.  

The Erasmus+ Learning Agreement Student Mobility for Traineeships is signed by three parties: Your internship coordinator, you as the student, and the coordinator of the Department of International Relations of Faculty 03. However, the Learning Agreement for Traineeships can only be signed by the Department of International Relations of Faculty 03 if your internship is related to your degree.

Yes, but internships in the UK are a bit more difficult to organise due to Brexit. As the current information situation changes frequently, you can find all the latest information regarding the procedure and application for a visa for an internship in the UK on the website of the Global Office.

The length of your internship abroad may vary depending on your study regulations (for a mandatory internship) and the funding (for Erasmus+ a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 5 months).

There is no universal answer to this question. For internships in EU countries, you generally do not need a visa or a residence/work permit if you are a German citizen. For non-European countries, the requirements may depend on factors such as whether your contract is governed by German or foreign law, whether you receive compensation from the internship provider, or whether you are subject to taxation abroad. It is best to inquire directly with your internship provider for clarification!

 For stays outside of Europe, a passport is generally required, depending on your nationality. Make sure to check the validity or expiration date of your documents and the deadlines for applying for a visa with the relevant authorities, if necessary.

For Erasmus+-funded internships abroad, there are mandatory insurances such as health insurance, international accident insurance and liability insurance. This must always be checked with your internship employer and the funding agency. You can find detailed information here.

This matter, along with all health insurance-related questions, should be discussed in advance with your internship provider. Often, students can access discounted rates or special offers, depending on their health insurance provider. In some cases, insurance coverage for stays abroad is automatically included, for example, through certain credit cards. It is advisable to consult the relevant institutions ahead of time.  

Don't forget to register on the Federal Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list (ELEFAND) if you posses the German citizenship, and review the general safety precautions provided by the DAAD. Additionally, check for any required travel vaccinations, as you may not be allowed entry into the country without them!

The time required to find a suitable internship can vary significantly. Some institutions require applications to be submitted a year in advance of the planned start date. Additionally, keep in mind that applications for financial support for your internship typically need to be submitted beforehand (such as for programs that are only offered once a year, like the Carlo-Schmid-Program). 

Some companies may take longer to process applications, while others offer positions on short notice and with minimal effort. In general, it is advisable to plan for at least three months of preparation time.

Each country has its own housing platforms (e.g., idealista for Spain, leboncoin for France, etc.). In other countries where shared apartments (WGs) or student dormitories are common, it is worth checking WG-Gesucht. There are also internationally recognized platforms that can be used for shorter stays. For non-European countries, your internship provider may be able to assist you especially larger companies often have a guide for interns that includes such information.

Yes, it is possible to apply for additional funding for sustainable travel, as long as certain criteria are met. You can find more detailed information here.

Here you can find all the information from the Student Services of Frankfurt am Main regarding the refund of your semester ticket.

Not necessarily. This is dependent on your funding scheme and your study regulations.

We are happy to advise you personally. If you have any questions, you can seek advice from the Global Office (contact) or the Department of International Relations of the Faculty 03 (international@soz.uni-frankfurt.de).