Traineeships Abroad

Tips for searching a traineeship abroad

The search of a traineeship abroad is done on an individual basis, the following information resources might be used:

• ErasmusIntern.org (by Erasmus Student Network)
• Czech centres
• HIGHERED Talent Network (exclusively for FIR and FBA students)
• MyInternship.eu
• AIESEC
• InSIS – Final Reports – Work placement (list of all realized work placements by VSE students – filter by country, faculty, programme etc.)
• Erasmus student’s reports database (final reports of students from other Czech universities, VSE is not included; choose Type of mobility: For Placements)

 Experience of students

VoteWatch, Belgium

I work as a research assistant in a non-profit think tank named VoteWatch, where we analyse every vote that takes place in the European Parliament. I enjoy my work very much, it includes both quantitative and qualitative research which makes it even more interesting. We present the facts to the world. Since this organisation is in Brussels and I am lucky enough to be able to go to the office to work, in the post-pandemic world this makes the experience even more meaningful.

I have studied International and Diplomatic Studies at VSE and to be able to work in Brussels feels like a dream come true. It is the perfect city for anyone who wants to work in Politics. There is politics everywhere you look in Brussels, almost everyone I meet there has to do something with Politics and that makes this experience even more exciting for me.

Iranda Chaki (FIR), VoteWatch, Belgium

CzechTrade Santiago de Chile, Chile

I am grateful that VSE gave me the opportunity to gain work experience in a country like Chile. The local market is characterized by many specifics and the CzechTrade has always helped Czech companies to enter the market with their products. Every successful business case and a new Czech footprint in the world has always made me very happy; whether it was water tanks, PVC floors or a smart irrigation. I gained insight into many different fields and was able to try out how international trade works in practice.

The country itself has a lot to offer to every traveller: from the Atacama Desert in the north, through the metropolis of the Santiago de Chile with more than 6 million inhabitants in the middle, to the Patagonia in the south. You don’t meet many foreigners here at this time, therefore I value the opportunity to spend more time with employees from the embassy, where the CzechTrade office is located. And also with local Chileans, who were always friendly and welcoming.

Jaroslav Glisník (FIR), CzechTrade Santiago de Chile, Chile

Wu Do Surf School, Portugal

For my traineeship, I travelled to the “end of the world”, the westernmost place in Portugal. During my stay in Sagres, I learned more than I could have imagined. I have improved mainly my communication and soft skills, which I needed there every day and I will use them in the future. Life here is completely different and one must be able to adapt to very unexpected situations, so the process of learning and improvement is taking place constantly. I have gained many experiences that I will never forget.

Štěpánka Friedlová (FBA), Wu Do Surf School, Portugal

Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Austria

I didn’t believe you could fall in love with a city. I am excited about my research stay in Vienna. I enjoy the beautiful campus, which was designed by Zaha Hadid. The whole university is an inspiring place for me thanks to the academics who I can discuss my dissertation with. I can meet the authors of the works that I present in my dissertation in person, and I had the honour to present some of my work in front of them at a local seminar. Vienna is a beautiful city that is not afraid to combine modern architecture with the traditional one, and the romantic atmosphere of Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Beethoven is present everywhere you go.

Nikola Frollová (FBA), Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Austria

West Ham United, UK

During my traineeship, I was creating statistical surveys to help physiotherapists to prevent injuries among players. I have created various models to point out what players should focus on more and what can be improved so that injuries do not occur that often. Every day spent abroad on my own helped me to grow a lot. To have a chance to see how it works in a foreign company, how another culture works and what it is like to take care of yourself in a foreign country is an invaluable experience. I am glad that the VSE has given me this experience.

Kateřina Svitková (FIS), West Ham United, UK

CzechTrade, Paris

A traineeship in the CzechTrade is a great opportunity for everyone who are not scared of challenges and want to improve their foreign language skills! Thanks to my traineeship in Paris I learned that the Czech export is not by a long shot only cars and that skilful Czechs have definitely a lot to offer to the world. When I managed to interconnect a Czech producer with a French customer, it always gladdened my heart with a feeling that the role of the CzechTrade abroad is indispensable. 😊

Marek Pokorný (FIR), CzechTrade Paris

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Marek Pokorný (FIR) – CzechTrade Paris, France

„Many people have told me that it is not possible to go abroad during the COVID pandemic, and when I do it, I will not enjoy it at all. Reality? Yes, my journey was more like a roller coaster ride than a prudent Parisian walk, but I experienced much more. It was surprising from the very beginning, as the German border with the Czech Republic closed just before I left in February. It was necessary to cancel a cheap bus ticket and travel by air. Before working at CzechTrade, I needed to improve my French a bit. Thanks to the cold in my apartment, I had the opportunity to practice my French with electronics retailers about suitable heating soon after my arrival. I had an even better lesson of French next day. I had to complaint the heating, because right after the first connection, it “exploded” in my apartment. My feelings in those moments would surely be defined like culture shock, but I would rather call it a bad luck…

But during the first month I discovered the beauty of Paris with everything. Typical weekend demonstrations, daily routine in the form of buying fresh baguettes, confusing road traffic. I began to feel like a real Parisian. When it warmed up, I joined active runners in the Luxembourg Garden, where it was no exception to meet vital 80-year-old runners. With quality French food, I finally came to their savoir-vivre. 😉

When I was fulfilled with the French atmosphere, I switched to the Czech island, which is located on 18 rue Bonaparte. This house was the seat of the provisional Czechoslovak government before the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, and that is why I always entered here with due respect. The work at CzechTrade was diverse, although often responsible – from a checking of the post to an important conference, the purpose of which was to connect the Czech manufacturer with potential French customers. During the internship, I often began to realize how important is the role of CzechTrade as well as Czech Centers and CzechTourism offices in the world. We can be justifiably proud of their great work. 😊

I would like to tell other students not to hesitate and not to give up their dream destinations under any circumstances. Ideal conditions will never occur and it is a shame to let such an opportunity pass through your fingers!“