IAESTE Traineeship

Do you have a mandatory internship coming up or would you like to broaden your horizons by going abroad? Choose an internship in more than 80 countries worldwide and gain valuable work experience for your future career.

Who are IAESTE internships for?

Within IAESTE, students of all levels, including PhD students, as well as recent graduates up to one year after completing their studies, can participate in internships. Specific requirements regarding the field of study or number of completed years always depend on a specific internship offer; however, in general, students can apply already after their first year. Internships take place in private companies, research institutions as well as universities, depending on a specific offer. You may participate in a maximum of two IAESTE internships (only one per academic year). The age limit is 18–30 years.

Why go on an IAESTE internship?

• Paid internship: All IAESTE internships are paid. The remuneration depends on the specific offer but is always set to cover at least basic living costs, including accommodation.
• Go anywhere in the world: IAESTE currently operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. You can choose an internship in neighbouring countries or destinations such as Japan or Brazil.
• Flexible internship duration: Most internships last between two and three months and are ideal for the summer period. However, internships may range from six weeks up to one year in general. For many internships, you can choose both the duration and the specific dates according to your preferences.
• Recognition of mandatory internship: If you are a first-year Master's student and have a mandatory internship requirement in the summer semester, your IAESTE internship may be officially recognised by your academic supervisor, subject to prior agreement.
• IAESTE is here for you: From submitting your application, through the selection process, visa procedures, and arrival abroad, right up to the doors of your new workplace – IAESTE members are available to support you throughout the entire process.
• Friends from all over the world: We connect trainees and organise a rich social programme, so you will never be bored in your free time and will quickly make friends from all corners of the world.
• An advantage for further studies: An international internship can significantly help with further studies and thesis writing and represents a major advantage when applying for PhD programmes.
• Already graduated? No problem: Graduates can also participate in the IAESTE internship programme, provided the internship starts within one year after graduation.

Internship offers

Within the IAESTE internship programme, you can apply for two main types of internships:

Exchange internships – These internships are reserved exclusively for students of Czech universities. The main application rounds take place every year during February and March. At any given time, you may apply for only one internship offer. Applications take place in three rounds:

• Round 1 – All applicants for a given internship offer are invited to an interview. Based on the interview, the best candidate is selected and invited to prepare a nomination.
• Round 2 – Internships not filled in the first round are published again. All applicants are invited to an interview, after which the best candidate is selected and invited to prepare a nomination.
• Round 3 – Remaining unfilled internships from the second round, if any, are published again. Applications are processed on a First Come, First Served basis, with the first applicant being invited to an interview.

Global internships – These internships are open to students from all over the world throughout the year. The Global internship offers are continuously updated. You may apply for up to two internships at the same time, provided they are in different countries. All applicants are automatically invited to prepare a nomination. Exchange and Global internships applications cannot be combined.

Internship deadlines 2026

Exchange internships:

• Publication: 13th of February at 8:00.
• Round 1: 16th of February (8:00) – 19th of February (23:59).
• Round 2: 20th of February (10:00) – 28th of February (23:59).
• Round 3: from 1st of March.

Global internships:

• Published and open for applications throughout the entire year.

Application process

A brief overview of available internships can be found at the link here or on our social media (see Contact). To access detailed internship offers, you must first register on the Exchange platform here. All applications, administration, and communication take place within this system. You will need a CV in English to register successfully. Registration itself does not oblige you to submit an application. To apply for an internship, follow these steps:

1.      Verify that you meet the basic eligibility requirements – student or graduate (up to one year after graduation) of a Czech university; age 18–30; a maximum of two IAESTE internships (only one per academic year)

2.      Carefully review the internship offer available in the Exchange platform (the so-called O-form). Make sure you meet all employer requirements and check whether student status is required (especially important if you are applying as a graduate).

3.      Read experiences of students from previous years and consider the overall costs of your stay.

4.      Apply for the internship – In the Exchange platform, click on “Express Interest” for the selected offer and complete a short application form. For Exchange internships, you may apply for only one internship at a time. For Global internships, you may apply for up to two internships simultaneously if they are in different countries. Exchange and Global internships cannot be combined.

Have you completed all the steps? Congratulations on your successful application! We will contact you soon regarding the next steps.

Interview

If you applied for an Exchange internship, you will be invited to an interview. The interview will be conducted in English (or another main working language of the internship). We will focus primarily on your studies, experience, and motivation. The date and time will be agreed in advance by email. The interview may take place in person or online. You will be informed of the result once all applicants have been interviewed. If you are selected as the best candidate, you will be invited to prepare a nomination (see below). If you are not selected, do not worry – you can still apply for other available internships, and we will be happy to help you choose a suitable one.

Nomination

If you successfully pass the interview for an Exchange internship or apply for a Global internship, you will be invited to prepare a nomination. Based on this document, the foreign employer decides on your acceptance. The nomination must be submitted within 7 days of the invitation or by the deadline stated in the O-form, whichever comes first. The nomination consists of the following documents and is generated automatically in the Exchange platform:

·       O-form (automatically attached from the Exchange platform)

·       Student Nomination Form (without diacritics, completed and signed; generated in the Exchange platform)

·       Motivation letter in English

·       Structured CV in English

·       Transcript of records in English for all years of study (or Diploma Supplement), confirmed by the university and including the grading scale

·       International language certificate or IAESTE Language Certificate (confirmed by the university or a language school)

·       Confirmation of study in English (original confirmed by the university)

·       Recommendation letter in English (optional but recommended)

·       Scan of a valid passport

·       Passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)

An example of a completed nomination is available here. In addition to preparing the nomination, you will be asked to review and sign the Terms and Conditions for participation in the IAESTE international internship programme and to submit proof of payment of the trainee fee.

Trainee fee

Before your nomination is sent abroad, you will be asked to pay a trainee fee of CZK 5,000. For Exchange internships, the full amount must be paid before sending the nomination. For Global internships, a deposit of CZK 2,000 is paid before sending the nomination and the remaining CZK 3,000 after receiving acceptance. After completing the internship and submitting the Trainee Report and the Internship Feedback inluding photos, you are entitled to a refund of CZK 3,500. The full amount is refunded if:

a.      you are not accepted by the employer.

b.      the internship position is cancelled by the employer.

c.      you are unable to participate for medical reasons (based on a medical report).

d.      IAESTE fails to deliver the documents required to carry out the internship on time.

e.      you do not receive an acceptance decision within 8 weeks of sending the nomination and decide to withdraw your application.

If the internship is cancelled by the student for any other reason, the full amount is forfeited to IAESTE without compensation.

Between nomination and acceptance

Your nomination is sent to the IAESTE Czech Republic National Committee, from where it proceeds to the national committee of the host country and subsequently to its local committee. The local committee then contacts the company or institution where the internship will take place. The employer may wish to speak with you online or by phone to verify your language skills, experience, motivation, and expectations (usually stated in the O-form). You will be informed of any such interview by the IAESTE Czech Republic National Committee.

Acceptance or rejection is entirely at the employer’s discretion. You will receive an email notification from IAESTE Czech Republic. If you contact the IAESTE Czech Republic National Committee, your local committee (UCT Prague) must be informed. Contacting the employer or foreign IAESTE committees before acceptance is strictly prohibited. If the employer or foreign IAESTE committee contacts you directly, always include IAESTE Czech Republic (outgoing@iaeste.cz) in copy or inform them promptly. This is an international rule, and violation results in automatic exclusion from the IAESTE internship programme. If you are not accepted, do not be discouraged – you can still apply for another internship.

Acceptance

Have you received your acceptance decision? Congratulations! Before packing your bags, make sure to complete the following steps:

1.      Carefully read all acceptance documents.

2.      Safely keep the N5a “Acceptance Note”, which serves as proof of your acceptance into the IAESTE programme and may be required by immigration authorities.

3.      Complete the N5b “Confirmation of Acceptance” in the Exchange platform within 14 days of acceptance.

4.      Complete additional forms:

a.      Arrival Note – arrival details including a photo

b.      Emergency Contact Form – contact details of close persons (usually your parents)

c.      Insurance of Liability

5.      Arrange travel insurance including accident and liability coverage.

6.      If necessary, you may contact the employer or foreign IAESTE committee, always copying IAESTE Czech Republic (outgoing@iaeste.cz).

7.      Prepare and print all information and contacts provided by the foreign IAESTE committee. If you do not receive any information at least 14 days before departure, contact IAESTE Czech Republic to follow up.

We also recommend using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs service DROZD (Voluntary Registration of Citizens Travelling Abroad), which provides information and assistance in case of emergencies during your stay abroad.

End of internship

After completing your internship and returning home, you will be asked to complete several final formalities. In case of any doubts, please re-read the Terms and Conditions for participation in the IAESTE international internship programme, which contain detailed instructions.

·       Complete the Trainee Report (TR) and the Internship Feedback (IF) and upload photos to the IAESTE internal system.

·       After completing TR, IF, and uploading photos, request the refund by email to outgoing@iaeste.cz. The email must include the internship number, reason for refund, and bank account number. Photo requirements are specified in the Terms and Conditions (at least 5 photos, including at least one of you, your workplace, accommodation, and tourist attractions).

Financial support

As with other types of international internships, you may apply for Erasmus+ funding to co-finance your IAESTE internship. Applications follow the rules and deadlines of the International Office, and you will find them here. The financial demands of the stay and the amount of the granted scholarship are assessed individually based on your planned costs, income, and the available budget of the International Office.

Contact

Questions big or small, general or specific…that’s what we’re here for! Feel free to contact us by email or on social media and follow us so you don’t miss any of our events.

Mail: out.vscht@iaeste.cz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iaeste.vscht

Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iaeste-v%C5%A1cht?trk=similar-pages

IAESTE CZ: https://www.iaeste.cz/

Exchange platform: https://iaeste.smartsimple.ie/s_Login.jsp

Facebook internship group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4517176771712525