Exchange in Japan, internship in Mexico: Which destinations FIR students visited in 2021?
International in every aspect. This is the motto of the Faculty of International Relations not only in a sense of studies and education. Thanks to the significant support of the mobility – study exchanges and work internships – FIR students can travel the world and experience life in renowned universities, international corporations or public institutions representing the Czech Republic abroad.
In the year 2021, total amount of 313 FIR students chose to travel abroad, from which 274 opted for the study exchange stay and 39 experienced the work internship that helped them to gain credits into the study plan. 153 students were from undergraduate bachelor studies together with their 160 older colleagues from the master’s degree.
Travels according to the countries
1. Germany
In the year 2021 the most popular country for students was Germany, which was visited by 45 students from which 41 chose the country for their study exchange and 4 for their work internship. These students were working for instance in companies like Henkel or CzechTrade Düsseldorf. Favourite universities were Hochschule Mainz / School of Business, Otto-Friedrich_Universität Bamberg, Universität Mannheim / School of Business or Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin.
2. France
The second most visited destination during student mobilities of FIR students in the year 2021 was France with total amount of 41 students from which 37 went to France to study and 4 to work as an intern. Students were working in companies like Lasvit Paris or in the Czech Centre in Paris. They studied in universities like ESC Rennes School of Business, Audencia Business School, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, EM Strasbourg Business School or Sciences Po Paris.
3. Austria
The third most preferred country was Austria that was visited by 26 FIR students, 21 went there for studies and 5 to work. Companies where students completed their internship were Czech Trade Vienna, Henkel CEE or OSN institutes in Vienna. Universities FIR students chose for their studies were Management Centre Innsbruck, Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien or Johannes Kepler Universität Linz.
Study exchanges according to universities
What universities did our students chose in 2021 most often for their exchange?
Management Centre Innsbruck (Austria) – 13 students
Norwegian School of Economics (Norway) – 8 students
ESC Rennes School of Business (France) – 7 students
University of Barcelona / Faculty of Economics and Business (Spain) – 7 students
Hochschule Mainz / School of Business (Germany) – 6 students
Syddansk Universitet / University of Southern Denmark (Denmark) – Faculty of Business and Social Sciences – 6 students
Work internships according to institutions
What institutions did FIR students work for during their 2021 internships?
CzechTrade Düsseldorf (Germany) – 3 students
European Parliament (Belgium) – 3 students
CzechTrade Paris (France) – 2 students
The UN Geneva (Switzerland) – 2 students
CzechTrade Mexico City (Mexico) – 2 students
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in London (United Kingdom) – 2 students
The most distant destinations
What were the most distant destinations students travelled to?
Lucie, Mexico City
This year, I decided for a little more exotic country and went for an internship in foreign office of CzechTrade in Mexico City.
From the job perspective, the internship fitted me well because I had a chance to learn many new interesting skills from the field of International Trade. For instance, I helped to organize big aviation fair and through this I could have attended many business meetings. Moreover, I got an opportunity to write an article about successful story of Bohemia Sekt that entered the Mexican market at that time. This company exports its goods to the country thanks to the support of CzechTrade Mexico.
The internship enriched me also from the personal point of view because living in such a distant country is always a great challenge. Mexicans are, though, extremely helpful, nice, and cheerful, so I was able to find new friends easily. Together we were traveling a lot, and, in our leisure, we have discovered many beautiful spots and sights.
(CzechTrade Mexico City)
Eliška, Vienna
Foreign internship was a perfect experience for me to travel and try to live abroad, work in foreign language and get a little more independent. It is not just about working but about many other skills that man can gain through the internship.
If you live abroad, things that are usually automatic at home for you can represent a challenge because you need to step out of your comfort zone. To get lost, to find yourself again, to adapt, to get all necessary documents, to get to know people and find contacts, to overcome (little) obstacles that you encounter every day. Exploring, food tasting, fears, homesickness, saying goodbye to all that the internship offered you and looking forward to going back home. This all is an internship.
If you are hesitating if to go or not: I have also doubted but, in the end, I don´t regret!
(CzechTrade Vienna)
Marek, Tel Aviv
To apply for an internship, I was led by curiosity to live abroad for a while during my studies. Israel was my number one choice! From the beginning of my studies at Prague University of Economics and Business, I was dreaming about long-term visit of Israel.
To and from the Embassy where CzechTrade has its offices I have always walked by foot. During my working hours together with the director and his assistant, we were dealing with assistant services for Czech companies that were trying to expand to the Israeli market. Approximately once a week, we went to visit the Czech Dome in Jerusalem with the director, where CzechTrade has its office with Czech Centres and CzechTourism.
The internship completely fulfilled my expectations. I have learnt new working skills, I got enriched personally and my dream of visiting the historical town of Israel came true.
(CzechTrade Tel Aviv)
Kateřina, Monterrey
I have decided for Mexico from many reasons. First was that I wanted to practise my Spanish, secondly, I wanted to travel as far from home as I could. I could not choose better.
Mexico is truly a beautiful country. Each country has something to offer. During my last trip, I have discovered the nicest place in the world. It is a little town Puerto Escondido that is located on the west coast of the Oaxaca state. The beach Carrizalillo is the most gorgeous beach I have ever been to and I dare to say I have seen some already.
If somebody is doubting whether to go for an exchange or not, just go! To Mexico or anywhere else you wish. It is a priceless experience and you will remember it for the rest of your life. But if you don´t know where to go and Mexico is affordable for you, don´t hesitate and choose this marvellous country. I promise you will not regret!
(Tecnológico de Monterrey)
