How to Enhance the Experience of European High School Students Undertaking Internships in Krakow
Rosińska, Ewelina (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051411710
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051411710
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores the Erasmus internship program in Kraków, focusing on the experiences of students who participated in internships across various sectors, including hospitality, logistics, and education. The main objectives of the study were to assess the students' overall satisfaction with the program, evaluate the support they received from their mentors, and identify key factors contributing to their personal and professional development. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including a survey and interviews, to collect data from 47 Erasmus par ticipants between January and March 2025.
The theoretical framework for this study is based on the concepts of international internships, mentorship, and cultural exchange. The data was analyzed through statistical methods for the quantitative results and thematic coding for the qualitative responses. The findings reveal that the majority of students were satisfied with their internships, with significant improvements in professional skills such as time management and problem-solving. Moreover, participation in extracurricular activities organized by the Erasmus program was found to positively correlate with overall satisfaction.
The results of the study contribute valuable insights into the Erasmus program’s effectiveness and highlight areas for improvement.
Recommendations include enhancing pre-internship prep aration, providing additional language support, and aligning internship tasks more closely with students’ academic backgrounds. The findings suggest that while the program offers substantial opportunities for growth, there is room for further development in terms of mentorship and task relevance.
The theoretical framework for this study is based on the concepts of international internships, mentorship, and cultural exchange. The data was analyzed through statistical methods for the quantitative results and thematic coding for the qualitative responses. The findings reveal that the majority of students were satisfied with their internships, with significant improvements in professional skills such as time management and problem-solving. Moreover, participation in extracurricular activities organized by the Erasmus program was found to positively correlate with overall satisfaction.
The results of the study contribute valuable insights into the Erasmus program’s effectiveness and highlight areas for improvement.
Recommendations include enhancing pre-internship prep aration, providing additional language support, and aligning internship tasks more closely with students’ academic backgrounds. The findings suggest that while the program offers substantial opportunities for growth, there is room for further development in terms of mentorship and task relevance.