A Study of the Experiences of International Students in Obtaining Training Placements in Central Finland

Abstract

One of the many experiences a student may meet during his or her time in the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences is that of the internship and practical training period. This thesis focuses on the various experiences of the students. The main objective is to find out the experiences of international students in their quest for obtaining practical training placements in Central Finland, and what can be done to improve their chances of finding suitable internship placements. The research was carried out via interview and questionnaire. Most of the data was gathered in a face-to-face interview. For those unable to meet due to various constraints, they were given the questionnaire to be filled in and returned via email. Some input was also given from the author’s own experiences as an international student searching for internships in Finland. The minor details of the results varied from person to person, but much of the overall facts are that the students would like to do their training placements in Central Finland and help is required to allow more of them to do so. The reasons for the current unsteady success rate can be attributed to a lack of language skills, location of the placement, or just an overall complete lack of placements that would accept the student(s). In the end of the thesis, possible solutions are given which may be implemented by the school and the students.