Internships - Mouv Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur

Send speculative applications

If you are a student, your best bet is to contact the international relations department or the department that looks after internships. These departments have often established partnerships with organisations overseas and can give you lists of companies. They may also have an alumni book that gives exclusive information on internships for future graduates.

Think about applying to French companies operating overseas, companies with subsidiaries in France and local businesses in your preferred destination country.

www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays

Check out business directories for more contacts and ideas.

Applying to offers on specialist sites

The French and international press are more likely to advertise jobs rather than internships, but some websites have services specifically targeting work placements. Research how reliable these services are and if there are any costs attached.

Some sites advertise internships overseas that comply with the European Quality Charter on Internships.

You can also check out tons of job opportunities in Europe on Drop’pin, the European Commission’s job mobility portal (internships, jobs, work/study programmes) https://ec.europa.eu/eures/droppin

Internships at a European institution or international organisation

Applying to an international organisation can be a scary prospect. However, European institutions (Commission, Parliament and Council) advertise internships, some paid and not all open for everyone to apply to.

If you have completed three years in higher education (Bac+3, preferably to Masters level) and you have certain skills (in specific areas, logistics or interpreting, for example), try your luck.

United Nations agencies also advertise internships on their websites.

Important: most international organisations require applications to be sent in more than six months in advance and have very strict application processes in place (online forms, specific language levels and areas of expertise required, etc.).

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The MAEDI takes in students for internships and offers positions overseas. Students are often required to go through the ministry whose staff will establish initial contact and approve the application. The internship will be conducted in a diplomatic or consular mission (political chancellery, press service, cooperation and cultural action department, consular section). Maximum length: 6 months. Minimum qualifications: three years in higher education (Bac+3), preferably to Masters level.

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/emplois-stages-concours/stagiaires/

Using the services of a private organisation

There are even organisations that take care of every aspect of sorting out an internship for you, from finding a position to accommodation to insurance. It’s worth knowing, however, that future employers will be much more impressed if you organise everything by your own initiative…

Be careful: there are many companies proposing their services on the Internet so watch out for scams. Make sure you read carefully all terms and conditions, the cost of their services and what they include. Ask for precise details on accommodation (is it individual or shared? Clean? Available? Close to the place of work?). Make sure you are reimbursed for any costs incurred if you are not offered an internship by the end of the process. Only pay 20-30% of the cost asked for at registration. Demand a written contract setting out all of the terms and conditions agreed. Never make a remote payment without getting a signed contract first.

Preferably, use a certified organisation, based in France so they are subject to French law and affiliated with French professional federations governing language holidays/tours (L’Office, UNOSEL, etc.) and as such are required to comply with a specific charter.

Internships with the OFAJ (French-German Youth Office)

There are plenty of avenues to explore thanks to cooperation between France and Germany, including internships for between one and six months. Who is entitled? Holders of the baccalaureate (high school diploma), young graduates from higher education or vocational courses, job seekers or those in the process of changing careers.

The OFAJ places interns, takes care of the legal aspects and oversees interns during their placement.

Internship grants for students in Spain

Dialogo is a French-Spanish association that offers grants (conditions apply) for students doing internships in Spain.

www.dialogo.es

OFQJ (French-Quebecan Youth Office)

For student internships, there are agreements in place between educational institutions in France and Quebec (Canada). For job seekers and recent graduates, ‘young worker mobility’ internships and continuous improvement internships are a great way to gain professional experience as part of this youth mobility programme in Quebec. www.ojqj.org

FAJE : professional internships

For job-seeking graduates under 30 who hold a baccalaureate or have completed three years of higher education (Bac+3) and are a resident of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Paid training and guidance for eight weeks in the region followed by a six-month internship in a company or organisation abroad.

Grant of €700 during the work placement overseas and additional travel allowance.

http://www.regionpaca.fr/se-former/vie-etudiante/insertion-professionnelle-des-jeunes-diplomes-faje.html

Erasmus+ higher education internships

This programme gives students internship opportunities from the first year of university up to doctoral level. The internship is managed by the higher education institution and the receiving institution which sign a Learning Agreement with the student. Recent graduates can carry out an internship in this programme provided they are selected for an internship in their final year of study to be carried out in the year after graduation. www.generation-erasmus.fr

Erasmus+ vocational training internships

Trainee teachers and vocational trainees, including apprentices, can apply for an internship grant for companies in Europe or vocational training in Europe including an internship with a company. For internships from 2 weeks to 12 months. Almost all expenses are covered. Recent secondary education graduate teachers and newly qualified apprentices can carry out an internship abroad in the year after graduation. This programme is not open to applications directly from individuals, candidates must apply through the institution to which they are enrolled.

www.generation-erasmus.fr

Language assistants (for students)

The post of language assistant consists of working as a French language assistant (conversation, culture and civilisation, etc.) for around 12-14 hours a week (depending on the country). Contact your international relations department and your tutor.

Criteria: applicants must be aged between 20 and 30 (35 for some countries) and have completed at least 2 years of a Bachelor’s degree. Destination: choose from 20 participating countries. Length: 7 to 11 months. Applications must be sent to your institution in November for positions starting the following September.

www.ciep.fr/assistants-francais-a-letranger

Students wishing to work as a language assistant in another European country can also apply to do an internship through the Erasmus+ programme.

Financial assistance and grants

If you are not applying through a specific programme and your internship is unpaid, you will have to make sure you find additional funding to support you.
National schemes and grants in France :
First contact your international relations department and the CROUS (public service for students under the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research) that proposes international mobility funding: €400 towards mobility for grant students who want to carry out an internship abroad of 2-9 months as part of their study programme and who apply in the Dossier Social de l’Etudiant from the CROUS www.etudiant.gouv.fr

Planning

See :

How to research ? What opportunities are out there ?

To improve your chances :

Send speculative applications

Applying to offers on specialist sites

Internships at a European institution or international organisation

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Using the services of a private organisation

Internships with the OFAJ (French-German Youth Office)

Internship grants for students in Spain

OFQJ (French-Quebecan Youth Office)

FAJE : professional internships

Erasmus+ higher education internships

Erasmus+ vocational training internships

Language assistants (for students)

Financial assistance and grants

Departmental and municipal grants

Vaucluse :

And don’t forget !

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