Traineeships all over Europe

Where the Fun begins

It's November! The summer and the end of the university year seem to be far. Even though university students doing their Bachelor's or Master's last year can start to think about: how to continue? For them, the traineeships might be the first step in the labor market as a real experience in the word of challenge and compulsory execution. Even if you are in a need to find a job, or just want to pick up work experience this three stories about traineeships might be interesting for you


By ZSUZSA SZABO (zsuzsa.szabo@wavemagazine.net)
from Szeged, HUNGARY


Anett Sóti was an Erasmus trainee; Adrienn Tóth went abroad by AIESEC and József Császár spent six weeks at the European Parliament. They are at the age of 21-22. Erasmus and EP traineeship are available in the European Union, but the AIESEC also can be reached outside the EU.

Anett (22) is just writing her final thesis on the effect of falling down the Iron Curtain in '89, and looking for some possibilities to continue her master studies abroad or doing European Voluntary Service (EVS - by the European Commission). Her three months traineeship in Berlin was the second time she used Erasmus: she spent half a year there before. She became an abroad - addict.

Anett had a traineeship at the Hungarian Cultural Institute - Collegium Hungaricum in Berlin.

- This Erasmus traineeship was more serious compared to the scholarship. I really worked here, and it gave me lots of non-formal knowledge by experience - says Anett for WAVE magazine.

She used the language as a tool of understanding and not as a homework task at a language faculty. In this traineeship everybody has a mentor. University students at the end of their studies can apply and find the organization where they want to work. Anett chose a Cultural Institute.

- Making the Hungarian culture better known and more popular is a noble and good aim.

She helped with literature, musical and fashion projects where the styles are blending, sometimes the movies were mixed with DJ-s to show the Hungarian contemporary culture.

- When I picked up the phone at the reception I didn't even know what language they will speak: English, German or Hungarian. Some people wanted to buy a CD from a famous Hungarian singer, and another time a laughing boy wanted to divorce from his Hungarian girlfriend, and he needed an interpreter! - told Anett.

In an international environment the workers' customs might be different. "It was nice to get to know the others' corporate culture. I got a feedback that it's nice to work with me."

It's possible to get a traineeship from three to six months, with some financial support which is different country by country, but never enough to live by. This year the Hungarian monthly support was in average 380 Euro. According to the German embassy in Budapest, 647 Euro is enough to live in Berlin per month.

AIESEC traineeship

Adrienn (21) has just finished her three years of business studies and a compulsory traineeship in Lithuania. As an Aiesecer (youngsters who are the members of this international organization) it was obvious for her to use its possibilities.

She worked at logistics company in Kaunas. First she had to deal with the Hungarian market, then as she did her job well she got the Slovenian market. She did environmental analyses to her employee. She will do her final thesis on the differences in corporate culture between Hungary and Lithuania.

- People are more rigid there, it's hard to get closer to them. But from my overall point of view the whole corporate culture is more relaxed than the Hungarian one. At my workplace there were many girls and boys around 25, they were nice, tall, and playing basketball - this might be the secret of beauty - explains Adrienn for WAVE magazine.

The AIESEC organization prepares you before the traineeship, and doesn't leave the trainees alone. "A nice buddy - we say the mentor this way- takes care of you. Both the Lithuanians and the international trainee company were very nice!" They still keep contact, due to the social networks on the net.

- I'm a long-term member in the organization. You have to be at least a short-term-member to search in the database.

It costs different amount of money in the 107 country of the world where AIESEC exists. The fee is 150 Euro in Hungary, 60 Euro in Romania, and 300 Euro in Austria. All the trainees get the 150% of the local minimal salary.

The university is freedom, the work is responsibility. This is the first idea what Adrienn told me when I asked her about what she learned during her stay. "It is a responsibility to make talks. Actually I got a feedback, that I do it well." She also developed in her problem solving and her language skills. Besides the nice parties she experienced how living far from home is.

Being a trainee at the European Parliament

Józsi (21) is running between English lessons he was giving to his mates and bookkeeping classes where he studies. He is busy, but likes to be busy. He spent six weeks in Brussels instead of the official four. From April to May 2009 he worked for one of the Hungarian departments, with other 25 trainees.

- I was the youngest, since there were many guys doing their first or second Masters degree. But I could compete with my translating skills, since I speak four languages!

His first task was to guide the tourists, then to make transcripts and summaries for one of the Members of the European Parliament.

- Once I had to organize a meeting with all the MEPs during just one morning! I learned a lot in organizing, and of course in everyday living."

This Free Europe Program is connected to the European People's Parties. The criteria is at least three finished university years, good language knowledge, being between the age of 21 and 33, with adaptability to the new environment. It promises paid accommodation and travelling.

It was the first time for Józsi to live alone, abroad for a longer period. "The bad part is that I didn't meet so many foreigners, because I had many tasks during the day. Besides the Hungarian group grow great!" As Józsi told it could contain Belgian beer-tour, watching the Champions League in the Parliament and fun.

Józsi liked Brussels, and he would like to go back. "The city is great, you can listen to classical music at the metro stations, after 9pm the 'strange people' come out. Generally the streets are tidy and people are diverse, and you can find your favorite places to go out easily."


(Published: 11.11.2009.)