Internship, Thesis or Semester Abroad - this is how to go abroad!
Would you like to improve your foreign language skills? Gain specialist insights into other cultures and ways of working? Then a study-related stay abroad is the right decision. On these pages of the HSWT you can find out how to plan your stay abroad and which options are open to you - a semester abroad, an internship, a Bachelor's or Master's thesis abroad.
We would like to support you in your stay abroad during your studies, which is why the staff of the International Office will be happy to help you. Make an appointment now!
Preparation & Planning for Study Abroad
- Language Skills
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put your language skills to the test: You can find courses and language tests at the Language Centre.
- Choose the Host Country
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and find out about possible universities of applied sciences or companies.
- Creditable Study Achievements:
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find out which courses can be recognised and, together with your International Affairs Officer of your department and prepare a Learning Agreement.
- What are the Entry and Residence Regulations?
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Remember that it can sometimes take a long time to obtain the necessary papers.
- Insurances
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find out how your health, accident and liability insurance cover abroad is covered by your existing insurance.
- Clarify the Financing or
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apply for a scholarship. Here you will find all the information on funding opportunities.
- Make an Appointment with the International Office:
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We support you in your project!
After your return
- Submit Closing Documents
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Confirmation of the host institution, transcript of records, etc.
- Write an experience report
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4 weeks after your return, you submit your personal experience report to the International Office.
- Allow Benefits to be credited
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The examination board of your department is responsible for the recognition of academic achievements. You must submit an application for recognition to the examinations office. Here you can find the exact procedure for the recognition of study and examination achievements gained abroad at the HSWT. Information is also available at "AN!" of the German Rector's Conference (HRK).
Study abroad
You have various options for studying abroad: Either a stay during your studies, a so-called semester abroad, is an option for you, or you go to another country after graduation for the purpose of postgraduate or supplementary studies. In addition to studying at a partner university, you can also organise your own studies abroad as a freemover.
Detailed information about studying abroad as well as exciting online reports by students can be found at studieren-weltweit, "PROMOS bewegt!" and at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
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Study at a Partner University
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When studying at a partner university the conditions of the student exchange (admission, waiver of tuition fees, recognition of academic achievements, etc.) are already regulated by the universities. Among other things, you can count on reliable support from the partner universities, which has been established through corresponding agreements.
Within the framework of certain cooperations, there is the possibility to participate in the Erasmus+ Programme and receive a partial scholarship. All cooperations of the HSWT within the framework of Erasmus+ with programme countries and the SEMP programme with Switzerland are available in our portal for Erasmus+ partner universities.
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Study as a Freemover
In the case of a self-organised semester abroad, students apply to a foreign university of applied sciences themselves as so-called freemovers and independently of the contacts of the HSWT. This can be advisable if the relevant department does not have a partnership with a university in the desired host country.
Freemovers usually pay the tuition fees at foreign universities themselves, which can vary greatly depending on the country and the university of applied sciences. You should therefore find out about suitable funding opportunities. Be aware of the deadlines and formalities at foreign universities, which often differ considerably from those in Germany.
Country information on studying abroad
- Info about Different Countries
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The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides comprehensive information in the alphabetical country list.
- USA
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Comprehensive information services are offered by the Amerikahaus and GOstralia!-GOmerica!
- Australia / New Zealand
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In addition to the aforementioned GOstralia!, the Ranke-Heinemann Institute also provides information on studying in Australia and New Zealand.
- Great Britain
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The British Council provides information about a stay in the UK.
Internship abroad
Through an internship abroad, you gain work experience in an international environment and expand key qualifications such as communication and cooperation skills. You gain knowledge about foreign cultures and markets. You can also make contacts with future employers at an early stage.
Here you can find the various options for an internship abroad during your studies:
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Mandatory Internship
In principle, you have the option of completing the compulsory internship in a foreign company, business or university of applied sciences.
Early consultation with the internship officer of your degree programme is absolutely necessary in order to implement the project according to the respective requirements and to ensure recognition.
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Voluntary Internship Abroad & Graduate Internships
Within the framework of a voluntary internship, e.g. during the semester break, it is also possible to carry out a shorter, practice-related stay abroad. The Erasmus+ programme offers financial support for this under certain conditions.
If you decide to gain experience abroad directly after completing your studies as part of a graduate internship, this is also possible. In this way, you can make a sensible transition to professional life or to a later postgraduate degree programme.
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Internship Database
![Eine Weltkarte mit Praktikumsorten im Ausland]()
With our internship database (internal area), we would like to make it easier for you to find a suitable company for an internship abroad. Here you can find companies where HSWT students have completed internships in recent years. Please note that these are not recommendations.
Thesis & Short Stays Abroad
Writing a Bachelor's or Master's thesis abroad is another way to spend time abroad as part of your studies. This has the advantage that the duration of studies is not extended and students are not bound to the lecture times of the foreign university of applied sciences.
You can also gain subject-specific experience abroad during a short stay at a foreign university of applied sciences: Participating in a summer school or a language course lasts only a few weeks and can still be rewarding and make your CV more versatile.
Information on short stays at a glance
- Bavarian University Centres
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The Bavarian university centres regularly offer summer schools in India, China, Southeast Europe and Latin America, among other places.
- DAAD
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The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a wide range of language & summer courses.
- German Farmers' Union
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The association arranges internships abroad that are specifically tailored to people interested in agriculture and students of green professions.
- German-French Youth Office
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The FGYO offers both internships in France and university courses for students.
Experience Reports from Students
Would you like to know how other HSWT students experienced their stay abroad or which experiences were particularly valuable and which were more difficult? The following reports from our students give you personal insights and make you want to know more!
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