Finland : Work experience

Work placements and internships

CIMO (Centre for International Mobility), organises and administers many of the scholarship, exchange and practical training programmes available in Finland. This includes their own trainee programmes as well as ones offered in trade centres, cultural institutes, international organisations and the civil service.

Traineeships are open to international graduates as well as students who have completed at least one year of university study. They are most common during the summer (June-August), but may also take place at other times of the year. The minimum training period is one month and the maximum is 18 months. See Discover Finland for further information.

Exchange programmes

CIMO (Centre for International Mobility) is the national agency for IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) in Finland, which arranges about 200 exchanges a year with other IAESTE countries.

It is used by students wishing to obtain technical experience abroad. The majority of the exchanges take place between May and September and last between eight to twelve weeks. Applications are made through the IAESTE office in the student’s home country.

CIMO is also the national coordinator of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme. If you are in vocational training your institution may offer this project which is used to arrange training exchanges. Contact your university department for more information.

Teaching schemes

For graduates interested in teaching English, there are opportunities in private schools and kindergartens, folk schools and colleges. There is also the option of freelancing. Visit Keltaiset Sivut - Yellow Pages Finland to find organisations that run English language schools in Finland (use the search criteria: kieliopisto).

Volunteering

The  programme operates in Finland and offers voluntary work in community service projects. The majority of projects last between six to twelve months. See the website for further information. 

Other volunteering opportunities that exist in Finland, include projects with International Voluntary Service (IVS) in Britain, British Council - Finland and Concordia International Volunteers.

Casual work

There are many opportunities for seasonal, summer work. Roles are available in the horticultural, agricultural, catering and tourism sectors. Part-time work is not as common in Finland as in other European countries.

Gap year opportunities

Gap Year opportunities include administration or hospitality roles at hotels, ski resorts or even Santa Claus' Village in Lapland. Childcare and au pair opportunities with local families are also available. More information can be found on Esprit Santa's Lapland, Natives and gap year.