Graduate internships abroad

Why do an internship abroad after graduation?

Doing an internship abroad is a highly educational experience that enriches not only your resume but also your personal and cultural journey.

It allows you to:

  • develop soft skills such as adaptability, intercultural communication, and the ability to navigate new and challenging environments;
  • improve your language proficiency by using a foreign language daily in a professional context;
  • gain insight into international work environments with different methodologies, approaches, and corporate cultures compared to those in Italy;
  • increase your competitiveness in the job market by building a more open, dynamic, and international profile—study-abroad experiences are highly valued on graduates’ résumés;
  • build a global network of contacts that could be valuable for future collaborations or career opportunities.

It can be activated once you have completed your studies and only after your academic record has been updated by the relevant offices.

The regulations of graduate internships abroad are different from those in Italy and change from country to country:

  • in some countries the extracurricular internship may not be paid;
  • in some countries you may need an entry visa;
  • in some countries only curricular internships for students are allowed (check with the host institution if local regulations allow internships for recent graduates).

After agreeing with the Host Organization on the internship content, the modalities, schedule, and location, it is important to remember to prepare the required documentation, the internship agreement, BEFORE the internship begins, following the accreditation of the Host Organization on the Politecnico portal.

To begin an internship abroad, it is first necessary for the Company/Institution to accredit itself to the service by registering HERE.

Following the accreditation request, the employer will receive a confirmation email, with a link to validate. After the validation they will receive the credentials to access the platform, complete further information and attach a copy of the company registration report/certificate (officially translated into English) or, in its absence, a copy of the identification document of the legal representative or his/her representative in section called "Request Internship Agreement". This serves as official recognition of the request by the Company/Institution, while it will not be used for any other aims.

Example PORTAL HOMEPAGE screenshot

PRIVACY POLICY ACCREDITATION of Companies/Institutions

At the end of this procedure, the Company/Institution will be on the list of hosting companies/institutions and you will be able to proceed to fill out online the internship agreement necessary to start the internship abroad (tab "internship" on your personal page). 

The Internship Agreement is a document that the intern must fill out online and that it must be appovated BEFORE the beginning of the internship. 

This document contains: 

  • your data;
  • infromation on the employer and your "company/institution tutor," the person identified at the company level who will follow the intern in his/her training; 
  • information about the "academic tutor", a professor of the Polytechnic of Turin identified by the trainee who is responsible for verifying the acquisition of the expected skills and consistency with your academic path; 
  • the time and dates of the activity; 
  • the training objectives and the main activities of the internship.

Once the online form has been completed, the agreement must be printed, signed by the intern, signed by both tutors, and then sent via email by the host organization to tirocini@polito.it at least 7 days before the internship start date. The University, after obtaining the signature of the Career Center Service Manager, will initiate the procedure and forward a copy of the document via email to the Host Organization.

When your internship is over, you need to return your internship booklet (duly signed by both your tutors) to the Office, preferably, within 15 days of the end date of your internship. 
You also need to fill out an online evaluation questionnaire (go to your personal page of the Teaching Portal – click STAGE tab - select your internship).   


TEMPLATE Internship Agreement (graduate)

Before travelling to a foreign country for your internship (even if the country belongs to the Schenghen Area), verify with the embassy/consulate of your host country if you need an entry visa. This depends on your nationality and current domicile. 
It is the responsibility of the intern to gather the information, also with the help of the host entity, and obtain the necessary visa for the internship. 
For non-EU nationals and citizens, support can also be sought from the IMMIGRATION DESK.

If you're an EU citizen, health assistance is guaranteed in EU countries only for emergencies or medical treatment necessary by the European Health Insurance Card. If you travel to Extra-EU countries, you must take out a private health insurance policy, valid for the entire period of stay abroad. It can be useful to take out a policy privately even if you travel to EU countries. On the website of the Ministry of Health there is specific information for each country, which you are kindly requested to read.
If you are a Non-EU citizen, before you leave, check with the consular representations of the country of destination as to what the requirements are for health insurance.

Useful links:

  • www.esteri.it/maew
  • ww.viaggiaresicuri.it
  • reopen.europa.eu/it

It is also recommended that you register your trip on the Dove siamo nel Mondo website, run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, so that the Italian diplomatic network abroad always has your updated contact information.

The Erasmus+ Traineeship Program allows graduates to undertake an internship experience (unpaid with salary) in European countries at companies, Research Centers, Training Centers with a registered office or branch within the countries participating in the ERASMUS+/PROGRAMME COUNTRIES program. 

From 2 to 6 months of internships (full and continuous) can be funded, within 12 months of graduation, with different monthly amounts depending on the host country, as indicated in the call for applications.

More information on the page dedicated to BANDI per MOBILITA' internazionale studentesca.

Contacts

You must open a TICKET from your personal page on the teaching portal - ‘Internships and Career Services’ section. If necessary, we will contact you to arrange a telephone appointment.

Emails sent by students to tirocini@polito.it will not be considered; it is always necessary to open a ticket. The email address is reserved for host organisations!

PLEASE NOTE: for questions relating to internships or theses in companies but concerning the teaching load and its modification, deadlines for graduation or those relating to the payment of fees, requests for certificates, information on mobility calls and residence permits, please contact the relevant offices (Careers Office, Fees Office and General Secretariat, International Mobility Office and Immigration Help Desk).