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Internships
- How important is it to have experience in the particular field I am applying for?
If you do not have professional experience you should have an educational background in the area of your internship. The aim of the program is to give you professional experience in an international setting, which also improves your language and communication abilities. - How do I know whether my experience is enough for the internship?
Whether or not your past experience is enough for a certain position or not is ultimately up to the company. We have had students accepted in internships that we were surprised at and ones not accepted that we were very surprised at as well. Many factors play into whether a student is accepted or not in a company, and, unfortunately, we cannot control most of them. However, we ask for your top three areas of interest and guarantee you a placement in one of them. Therefore, if you are interested in research, you can make "research" one of your choices. This leaves it open to let us send your dossier to a variety of companies within that realm. - When I write my cover letter, how can I highlight my skills to efficiently match one internship position or another if my top choices are in three very different areas and I don't know which one I would be assigned?
If you like, you can write three different cover letters for your three different areas. However, many students have areas that are not that vastly different, and therefore, can get away with just using one. This is up to you. - Are there other companies besides the one listed on the website in which internships are offered?
We place in many more companies that those just on the website or overviews. In fact, we often find internships with completely new companies based on a student´s request. We cannot guarantee an internship with a specific company, but we can pitch you to them. We just cannot guarantee your acceptance. - Is it possible to apply for more than one internship in case my first choice isn't available?
We will ask you for 3 choices on your internship questionnaire. We will try to place you in choice 1, but if it is not possible will go with number 2 and so forth. - Is there more specific information about the exact tasks?
The exact tasks are never decided before the company meets with you personally, because they cannot ascertain from a resume your language ability, which will have a great bearing on this.
Language ability - I was wondering what the chances of finding an internship having only taken one semester of French in college.
Intermediate level is required. The French course in Brussels is now 1 month, instead of 2 weeks, to give you a higher level for the internship. If your level is low, you need to be much more flexible with the internship, because it is harder for us to place you. - How do you determine language efficiency in order to assign the internships?
We do not determine language efficiency. We send your (supposed) language level to the company (either that the school has told us or yourself, which is why it is important to try and give us the accurate level), and if it is too low for them, they turn the candidate down. It often depends on the different responsibilities the student might have there. - What level of proficiency is required to acquire an internship in Brussels? Or is that something that is determined by the company?
All companies desire the highest level of language and communication proficiency possible. Some will accept lower levels, but the work is more routine. Very technical professions usually are okay with more English and less French or Spanish. It depends a great deal on the candidate and his or her motivation and interpersonal skills. - I have had two semesters of college Spanish and I speak another romance language, French, fluently. What can I expect?
After the crash course you should be able to converse basically in Spanish. I think you will learn fast if you speak a another romance language.
Money Questions - At what point is the $300 deposit needed? Can I send in my application first and then send in the deposit when I hear back from you?
The 300 euro deposit is needed in order to begin searching for the internship. Without it, we have no guarantee that you will participate. You are welcome to send your application at any time though. - What would you recommend as a fair amount of spending money to cover transportation, food costs, etc.?
We recommend that you anticipate between 150 Euros and 350 Euros per month depending on your life habits (diet, travel, entertainment, purchases). When you first arrive you will need money to buy a cell phone and transportation pass. You may also have to give your landlord/lady a deposit for your room or pay your first month's rent. - Should I bring traveller's checks or use ATM machines?
Don't bother with traveler's checks because pretty much nobody accepts them and you wind up losing money to cash them. Stick with the ATM. - Is the company I shall be interning with found before I pay the fee?
Yes and if we do not find you a placement in one of the fields you request, then you will not pay for the internship. The registration fee is necessary to begin working on finding you your placement and it can be applied to the classes or any other of our services. The payment for the services provided is due right before your arrival.
Scheduling - Are the French language classes that last for four weeks part of your 2-3 month internship period or do you come early for them?
The 4-week language classes are normally taken alone for the first two weeks and then together with the internship for the next two weeks. The internship would then continue on for the rest of the period. We normally count the two or three months from the time you begin your classes. However, we have had students who have come early to do the classes alone. Also, at times, the company´s desired start date for you may be slightly different than what I mentioned and, for example, you might be taking both the classes and the internship at the same time from almost the beginning. This all depends.
Lodging - In the shared apartments, would it be okay to have friend visit for a while when they are in town?
In reply to your question, it is not allowed to have friends spend the night because of the extra utility costs and because the apartments are equipped for a certain number of students.
Several solutions come to mind. We could find you a studio apartment which allows friends (as if it were your own studio). This is a deluxe accommodation which provides nicer decoration, daily cleaning, T.V., more security (24 hours), linen service and Internet access. The cost of the studio is 740 Euros/month with a 75 Euros accommodation placement fee.
Alternatively, we could arrange for your friend to rent her own room for 20 Euros a night (cheaper and better than a hostel). We would need the dates of arrival and departure. - I would like to know if it is possible to rent an apartment for the 3 months? My father and some other friends and relatives will be coming to visit me during my time there. They would be no more than two or three at a time. (I know my father wants to visit for two to three weeks and my brother wants to come out during his visit). I've also got a few friends who want to come out.
Regarding your housing inquiries, we wish that the housing situation in Madrid compared with the convenience of the housing situation in your country. Sadly, landlords here make it difficult for anybody (especially foreigners) to rent apartments for the time period that you are staying for. In addition, there is a lot of clerical "red tape" that must be attended to before any sort of agreement is reached between landlord and owner.
We will place an ad for you in the local classifieds here for a two-room apartment, but we do not expect much response. As mentioned, landlords here usually only rent to people who are likely to stay for a long time (at least a year in most cases), and require several months' deposit, and a guarantees from place of employment.
As an alternative, some of our student apartments have individual rooms for rent for the price of 20 euros/night. In this way your family or friends can be with you and the living conditions are better.
General - I have heard of other similar programs offering internship placement in Spain. Is there anything that makes your program different?
Besides the cost and the flexibility in contracting only the necessary services, Eurointerns is a source provider for Spanish students and is well familiar with the corporate culture here. Being located in the region of placement gives us an edge and an advantage for introducing students into the work environment. To elaborate on this idea, if one is 3 to 6 thousand kilometres away, control of the project is only possible through partners or subcontracted services. Most consumers prefer going directly to the source of a service (because of cost sometimes, because of logistics others). Intermediaries are cumbersome and not cost-effective, so we have cut them out. - I have not yet graduated university. Will this factor be a problem?
We have no age restrictions except that you must be 18 yrs. of age to participate. - I don't know if this programme suits me because I am not a student anymore, but a formed professional. I have been working as such for the last two years.
If you can get us the documentation in time we will process your application. We would guarantee you the placement. Being a student is not a requirement. - I am currently studying outside the United States and would be going directly to Spain without going home. Will this be a problem?
50% of our applicants now are Europeans, 45% North Americans and about 5% from other countries. There are no visa requirements for North Americans or Europeans. - Might there be time to do other things in addition to doing an internship, such as take classes. Is it is easy to enrol in such classes?
Yes, probably. There will be time to see a lot. Some of our interns pick up extra hours at their firms and get a small scholarship. Others pick up some classes teaching English. You could take further language classes, dancing classes, etc. - If I wanted to only do the internship provided by your company, would it be enough to occupy my time?
The internships are part time. Many participants travel on the weekends. Otherwise they spend their time in language classes and cultural and social pursuits. - I am wondering what are the chances of continuing with employment after completion of the 3 months? I am looking for a way to employment in Spain - i.e. getting a work visa. Is this something your company provides?
Only about 2% of our interns are offered paid work because of restrictions in European and U.S. law. About 10 % stay in the country longer than the 3 months which the program provides, or return after leaving for a short excursion. Spain is the most visited country in Europe for long term tourism. Belgium is very popular because of its location and international atmosphere, having an enormous expatriate community and many services.
We would like to make very clear that obtaining a work permit is almost impossible. Be very cautious of programs that offer storybook versions or marketing hype. The labour laws are very strict and there are no programs which are legal and allowed to offer work. Eurointerns has strictly educational objectives. - How closely do you work with members of your program? In other words, is help available to adjust to the culture shock?
There is an activities club at school that is extremely helpful in adjusting to life. We can sent you a copy of their program. We also have the housing and internship coordinators as well as the director of the language school that is available for support. The program itself encourages independence and self sufficiency; we are geared towards aspiring professionals. - Can I get credit for classes or the internship?
There are different ways to go about achieving credit for the courses. - Direct Enrolment with permission from your school: we have had students enrol independently and then we have sent their college Registrar a transcript in order for them to receive the credit. If your advisor or registrar is interested in this, please have them contact us for more information about our program.
- Students who do not register through their own school or through those listed above may also receive credit through Academic Assessment Associates International (AAAI www.aaaixcredit.com). The student must ask for permission from their home school to do the program, and once approved, pay a credit fee to AAAI. Then the student receives transfer credit for our program.
- At which school/language institute are the language lessons conducted?
We work with a number of schools according to availability, location within the city and student needs. All are centrally located near a metro stop, fully equipped, offering limited free Internet connection, have a developed activity program and quality certification. All our schools specialize in the teaching of the host country language to foreigners.
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