Doing a Work-Study Programme Abroad in 2026

Work-study abroad offers all the "classic" benefits of work-study (immersion in the professional world alongside your studies) while also bringing the many specific advantages of an apprenticeship abroad. It is a chance to discover another culture, improve your command of a foreign language and, why not, build an international network: skills that are highly sought after in the job market. Let's now look more closely at how work-study abroad works.

Why do a work-study programme abroad?

Any work-study experience is beneficial because it connects you in a concrete way with the professional world. Work-study abroad takes you a step further, bringing greater openness, adaptability and responsibility.

In a globalised job market, having a first professional experience outside France is a real asset. Your international mobility proves that you know how to step out of your comfort zone, work in a new environment and adapt to other cultural codes. The student shows they are able to fit in anywhere, a quality that international recruiters value highly.

Working abroad is not just a change of office: it is also a change of reference points. Of language, of mindset, of pace. Every day spent in a company abroad helps you better understand intercultural differences, gain independence and confidence, and develop a more open view of the world.

Going on a work-study placement abroad is often a considered choice, which involves choosing a country, a sector and a company in line with your goals. This work of projection gives meaning to your path and allows your career plans to mature, sometimes even to change direction.

Is it possible to do a work-study programme abroad in 2026?

It is of course perfectly possible to do a work-study programme abroad, in 2026 as in previous years, provided you understand the legal framework and the steps to plan ahead. Unlike a simple internship abroad, work-study involves a much more tightly regulated contractual dimension.

In France, work-study is based on specific contracts (apprenticeship contracts or professionalisation contracts) that follow precise rules. These contracts are valid within France, but can sometimes be made compatible with mobility abroad if certain conditions are met: a company with subsidiaries abroad, specific academic partnerships, tripartite agreements and so on. Hence the importance of being supported by your institution.

The European Union encourages the mobility of young people in training. Schemes such as Erasmus+ allow some work-study students to receive financial and logistical support to go abroad while remaining under academic supervision. Beyond Europe, many business schools, including EDC Paris Business School, are developing partnerships with companies and institutions around the world, making it easier to set up hybrid pathways. Erasmus+ also requires you to apply through your institution.

Doing a work-study programme abroad often takes more preparation than in France: visa, contract, social security cover, accommodation, work-study calendar and so on. It is therefore essential to start early, but nothing is impossible. Better still, this preparation is in itself a professionalising experience.

Where and how can you find an international work-study placement?

First rule: don't go it alone. Talk about your plans with the people around you: lecturers, former students, family, friends and so on. Any of them could be a way in to a company abroad. Also think about approaching your school's careers services: at EDC, a dedicated team supports students in their search for international assignments and provides an exclusive database of offers.

Some platforms specialise in internships and work-study abroad: GoAbroad, ErasmusIntern, Globalplacement, or LinkedIn with its international filters. Focus first on companies with a global presence or offices in Europe, which are often more familiar with the principle of work-study.

Abroad, expectations regarding CVs, cover letters and interviews can vary. A piece of good advice: adapt. Find out about the customs of your target country. Prepare in English, but also in Spanish, German or the local language if need be. And don't forget to highlight your personal qualities: independence, adaptability, curiosity. These are often what make the difference.

Among the programmes at EDC Paris Business School, the Master in Audit and Management Control is particularly well suited to a work-study programme abroad. Why? Because it trains experts who can operate in all kinds of environments, including multicultural ones. Through rigorous, results-oriented teaching, this master prepares future auditors and management controllers to steer a company's financial performance, wherever it is in the world. The emphasis is on analysis and anticipation, but also on a detailed understanding of strategic issues. A true passport to the international stage, in a sector that knows no borders.

EDC also offers three other programmes that are particularly relevant for students with an international outlook: the Master in International Business, focused on companies' global strategies; the Master in Sales Management and Business Development, ideal for those who want to develop commercial skills on a global scale; and the Master in Digital Marketing, designed for future digital marketing experts in an international and constantly changing technological context.

What administrative steps are involved in an international work-study programme?

A work-study programme abroad can't be improvised. Once you have found the opportunity, you need to prepare for another key stage: the administrative steps. Visa, contract, social security cover and more: so many things to plan ahead so that you can leave with peace of mind. It is best to get well organised!

In Europe, freedom of movement makes things easier: French nationals do not need a visa in the Schengen area. However, if you are going to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia or another country outside Europe, you will generally need to obtain a visa or a specific permit in order to work, even on a work-study basis. Each country has its own rules, timescales and requirements. Hence the importance of starting as early as possible.

If you are going on an apprenticeship contract, certain conditions must be met for the contract to remain valid, even when it is partly served abroad. In particular, the employer must be based in France, or be a foreign subsidiary of the group.

One question that must not be overlooked is your health cover abroad. In Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to treatment on the same terms as local residents. Outside Europe, it is often necessary to take out additional international health insurance covering care, accidents and even repatriation. Some companies offer group policies to their work-study students, but this is not systematic.

Finding accommodation, opening a local bank account, registering your address with the authorities and so on: these steps vary from country to country. Fortunately, many students who have already had the experience share their tips online, and EDC can also put future work-study students in touch with its alumni network abroad. It is often those who have been there before who give the best practical advice!

Work-study abroad: the most attractive destinations

Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland are among the most accessible destinations for work-study. Geographical proximity, no visa requirement and strong economic ecosystems: these countries offer an excellent balance between quality of life and career opportunities. Germany is particularly popular in the fields of engineering, finance and management control. Spain and the Netherlands, for their part, attract marketing, communications and international trade profiles.

Despite Brexit, the United Kingdom remains a destination of choice, particularly London, a true global economic hub. Be aware, however, that administrative procedures have become more complicated since the UK left the EU. Switzerland, for its part, offers a very high-quality working environment, particularly in finance, luxury and consulting, but entry conditions are strict and expectations are high.

North America continues to inspire dreams. Canada appeals with its multiculturalism, its dynamic job market and its welcoming attitude towards young graduates. The United States, despite a more complex visa system, offers exceptional opportunities, particularly in tech, business development and digital marketing, provided you prepare your application carefully and can demonstrate strong motivation.

For students looking for a complete change of scene and accelerated skills development, Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai above all) are destinations with great potential. In these regions, innovation, rapid growth and intercultural challenges turn every assignment into an intense learning experience. A real way to stand out on a CV.

How can you make the most of your work-study experience abroad once you are back?

For your work-study programme abroad to be more than a nice line on a CV, you need to learn to capitalise on the experience. What interests a recruiter is not only the fact that you worked abroad, but what you gained from it. What challenges did you take on? What skills did you develop? The strength of your story can make the difference in an interview.

Independence, open-mindedness, stress management and the ability to work in an intercultural environment are all soft skills that you have surely strengthened during your time abroad. Don't hesitate to link them to concrete examples from your assignment or your daily life abroad. That is what will make your experience more compelling.

Working abroad also means making contacts: colleagues, managers, sometimes partners or clients. Don't lose touch: connect on LinkedIn, nurture the relationship, ask for recommendations. An international network can open other doors for you tomorrow, and already shows today that you can build relationships across borders.

Finally, your international work-study programme may have helped you refine your career choices, discover a sector or a profession from a different angle, or confirm your wish to work abroad in the longer term. Build this experience into your overall plan.

Doing your work-study programme abroad is an exciting project and one that always pays off. But whatever you do, don't leave it until the last minute! Define your objectives well in advance, contact your Apprentice Training Centre (CFA) and approach the companies that interest you with motivation and professionalism. Bon voyage, you won't regret it!