Slovakia : Postgraduate study

Work placements and internships

Work placements and internships are most likely to be found in international companies in Slovakia, in professional areas such as accountancy, consulting, law and IT. A few may be found in Slovak companies in these fields.

Exchange programmes

Slovakia is a member of two major international exchange programme organisations, AIESEC Slovakia and IAESTE - The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience - Slovakia . Both provide technical and professional work experience placements for students and recent graduates. Applications should be made from your home country.

Teaching schemes

The most likely employment for British and Irish graduates in Slovakia is teaching English in primary or secondary schools or possibly within a university. Most opportunities are in private schools in the large and medium-sized cities. State schools are more likely to require teaching qualifications and experience; they will arrange work visas and permits, but salaries are usually lower than in private schools.

Teaching provides the major area of temporary work programmes, whether for a teaching English as a foreign language organisation, or within the state education system.

In Bratislava, the British Council Slovakia English Language Resource Centre is a useful contact point to find out about available teaching vacancies and to advertise your services. The British Council Slovakia  has English Language Outreach Centres based in local libraries and universities in five cities across Slovakia.

For details of language schools in Slovakia visit the Green Pages - Language Schools in Slovakia  listings.

For teaching posts, producing fliers that advertise your services as a native-speaking tutor can attract private students. Student notice boards in English language bookshops, libraries and student common rooms can also be a useful advertising point.

For graduates with specific skill sets (e.g. in environmental management, media, etc.) there may be occasional opportunities in non-governmental organisations (e.g. international foundations or the development arms of international governments) or in English language newspapers, such as the Slovak Spectator .

Volunteering

There are limited teaching and conservation volunteering opportunities for foreign nationals in Slovakia. SOL - Sharing One Language  recruits around 30 graduates per year who are willing to spend at least one academic year teaching in state schools in several east central European countries, including Slovakia.

INEX Slovakia  organises international work camps for several types of activity including environmental and social welfare. Camps last two - three weeks and require 300-400 volunteers each summer. Applications should be made direct to INEX in Slovakia.

Organisations involved in wildlife and environmental conservation include the Slovak Wildlife Society  and BTCV International . They are involved with conserving wildlife including bears and wolves in the Carpathian mountains, in eastern Slovakia.

Casual work

Relatively high levels of unemployment and low wages make casual work an unrealistic option for non-Slovaks.

Gap year opportunities

See the Teaching and Volunteering sections above for opportunities suitable for a gap year. Ski resorts may provide opportunities for tour operator reps for three to five month seasons. Experienced reps, particularly with relevant language skills, are preferred. There are few ski tours to Slovakia from Western Europe but this may change as Slovakia’s tourist industry grows. Have a look at gap year for more general gap year advice.