Studying at a Czech university may be the main reason you came here - but what about extending this opportunity and gaining new professional skills and experience?

I am a 22-year-old French Erasmus alumna in Czechia, and I am about to share my story and advice on finding an internship abroad, as I did in Prague during my Erasmus exchange.

Turning My Erasmus Stay into Professional Experience

I studied international relations at Metropolitan University Prague during both the winter and summer semesters. In the future, I would like to work for an international cooperation organisation or perhaps in diplomacy.

Prague seemed like a good place to look for an internship because I still had my flat, the cost of living was affordable for a student, and the city had a very convenient public transport network. I was already considering an internship abroad in my field, so doing one in Prague would bring even more value to my professional journey.

I arrived determined not to miss any opportunity Prague offered me.

When I received an official invitation from the French Embassy in Prague to attend a Student and Alumni Meetup, I was surprised.

What an honour!

I was excited to visit the embassy and meet new people. The event was a valuable opportunity for both national and international networking. It also offered a quick insight into working in international relations and diplomacy, while introducing students to organisations and possible professional opportunities.

For students of international relations, political science, or really any academic background, my advice is simple: accept invitations to embassy meetups and similar events whenever you can.

The Conversation That Led to My Internship

During the evening at the French Embassy in Prague in December, a bingo game was organised as an icebreaker. Afterwards, representatives from the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, known as DZS, held short media interviews with students.

I volunteered to go first because that was exactly why I had come to the embassy: not to miss any opportunity offered to us as Erasmus students.

I had a very pleasant conversation with members of the DZS team and stayed in touch with them on LinkedIn. Later, when I decided that I wanted to complete an internship, I contacted them.

DZS had not published an internship vacancy, but I wanted to strengthen my professional skills and gain international experience before beginning my master’s degree back home in France.

I therefore sent a spontaneous application through LinkedIn to the contact I had made at DZS. I included my CV and a motivation letter. I applied to many other organisations in both Czechia and France - but DZS accepted me.

Sometimes, You Just Have to Ask

I was surprised by how straightforward the process turned out to be, even though I do not speak Czech.

As an EU citizen, I did not need a visa to complete my internship in Czechia. The administrative process was therefore manageable in my case. I mainly needed to arrange the required insurance, including accident insurance, and provide some personal information about my professional interests and motivation.

Editor’s note: The exact administrative requirements may depend on a person’s nationality, internship arrangement, insurance status, and host organisation. This information should be verified before publication.

The main thing you need is enough courage to send the application.

What I Gained from Working at DZS

DZS is the Czech national agency responsible for international cooperation in education, and it was exactly the kind of professional experience I was looking for.

The internship gave me a fresh insight into a different working culture, helped me improve my communication skills in English, strengthened my digital skills, and allowed me to build an international professional network.

The internship was unpaid because it was short-term. However, for me, the experience itself was valuable. It confirmed my professional ambitions and helped me better understand the kind of work I would like to do in the future.

From the beginning, I had wanted to contribute to international partnerships and cooperation between countries. Working in education and culture introduced me to another possible direction within this field.

This internship brought real added value to my academic and professional journey.

Contributing to Czechia Alumni

During my internship, I helped with the administration of a new platform that was preparing to launch: Czechia Alumni.

I became familiar with the content being created for the platform and learned how the agency managed its online work through the content management system.

I also wrote articles about the experiences of the Erasmus community in Czechia - including this article about professional opportunities in the country.

It was interesting to experience Prague in a new way. I had moved from being an Erasmus student to becoming an international intern.

From Erasmus Student to International Intern

Balancing work and personal life was more difficult during my internship than during my university semesters.

I had new responsibilities and less free time. I was also working at DZS in June, when the academic year at Czech universities was coming to an end. Many of the people I had grown close to were gradually leaving Czechia.

It was a transition. It was not completely unexpected, but it was still emotionally difficult.

This is something worth considering before applying for an internship abroad, particularly when you do not already know many people in the country.

But the good news is that in Czechia - and especially in Prague - it is easy to meet new people, go out, and create new memories. I felt confident enough to accept the internship, even though I knew I would sometimes feel nostalgic for my Erasmus life.

My Advice for Finding an Internship Abroad

Do not hesitate to attend embassy meetups, university events, career fairs, and networking opportunities.

Be bold enough to introduce yourself and speak to people. Research the real working and living conditions in the country and organisation you are considering. Apply early, and apply to several companies, agencies, institutions, and organisations rather than relying on only one possibility.

Prepare for interviews in advance, but do not be discouraged when an organisation has not advertised an internship. A spontaneous application may still lead somewhere.

The administrative paperwork, interview process, and whether an internship is paid or unpaid will depend on the organisation and the individual arrangement. Ask questions and make sure you clearly understand the conditions before accepting an offer.

Networking opened the door, but sending the application was what allowed me to walk through it.

Why I Recommend Prague and Czechia

I would recommend Prague and Czechia to people who enjoy living in an international environment while discovering the culture of one particular country.

It is a good choice for those who appreciate a comfortable lifestyle, manageable cities, convenient public transport, and the opportunity to become familiar with a language and culture they may not have known much about before arriving.

For students and young professionals who need to think carefully about everyday costs, Czechia may also offer a more affordable experience than some other European destinations - although living costs will always depend on the city, accommodation, and personal lifestyle.

Courage Creates Opportunities

I am leaving Czechia with one clear lesson: you need to build courage and create your own network if you want to move closer to your professional ambitions and dreams.

No one can take every step for you.

I am returning to France more determined and mature than ever.

By Eloïse Pellerin, French Erasmus alumna and intern at Czechia Alumni