Shine in your international internship interview
with Stud&Globe’s complete guide 🌐
Doing an internship abroad is much more than a line on your CV — it’s a
human, linguistic and professional adventure that opens up new perspectives.
But before you take off, there’s one key step you can’t skip: the
interview. Whether it’s online or over the phone, this is your moment to show who you really are: your motivation, your energy and your ability to adapt to a new environment.
At Stud&Globe, we support hundreds of students every year in their search for an internship abroad. Here are our 5 essential tips to stand out and turn your interview into a real success.
internship
abroad
1. Breathe — it’s a conversation, not an exam
Recruiters primarily want to get to know you — they’re not trying to trick you. Think of the interview as a
conversation: they want to understand your personality, your motivation and what you can bring to their team. The goal of a video call is to see what you convey through the way you speak (sociability, kindness and energy).
Stay smiling, keep a positive attitude, and show your enthusiasm. Your body language matters just as much as your words. Even through a screen, your energy makes a difference. 💬
2. Be yourself, even if your English or Spanish isn’t perfect
Your interviewer may ask you a few questions in English or Spanish to assess your level
— don’t panic if you’re not fluent. Nobody expects perfect grammar. What recruiters really look at is your ability to rephrase and get your message across.
Why? Because that’s exactly what you’ll be doing during your internship. When a client speaks to you, they won’t be focusing on your mistakes; what truly matters is how you listen, understand their needs and respond clearly. Show that you’re attentive, smiling and a good listener — that’s what will set you apart.
And if you don’t understand a question? No problem — politely ask them to repeat.
That’s also a sign of professionalism and active listening.
3. Prepare your pitch and link your background to the internship
Before the interview, take a few minutes to think about your background:
- what you’ve already done,
- what you’re doing now,
- what you want to do next.
Connect the skills you’ve developed (customer relations, organisation, team management, communication…) with what you’ll be able to bring to the company.
“Thanks to my previous experiences, I’ve learned to adapt quickly to multicultural environments — a real asset for this international internship.” 🌎
4. Show interest in the company (not just the internship)
A successful interview is also one where you show you’ve done your homework. Explore the company’s website, its sector, recent projects… Recruiters love curious and engaged candidates.
You can ask questions at the end of the interview, for example:
- “What does a typical day look like for an intern in your team?”
- “What qualities do you value most in your interns?”
➡️ This shows that you’re already picturing yourself in the role.
TO REMEMBER!
An internship should be a two-way learning experience: don’t make it all about you — show what you can bring to the team.
5. Make the most of video calls: your secret weapon for a successful interview
Good news: a video interview is often less stressful than an in-person one. You’re in your own environment, you can keep your notes nearby, and you have both sound and visuals to better understand your interviewer. Set up your space: neutral background, good connection and a natural smile.
And don’t forget: a short pause always feels less awkward on video than over the phone! 🎥
📚 Revise before your interview: classic questions in 3 languages
Here are the
most common questions
asked in internship interviews abroad.
Read them carefully and practise answering them in all three languages: it will help you feel more confident and fluent.
| 🇫🇷 French | 🇬🇧 English | 🇪🇸 Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Peux-tu te présenter et parler un peu de ton parcours ? | Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? | ¿Podrías contarnos un poco sobre ti y tu trayectoria? |
| Qu’est-ce qui t’a motivé à choisir cette destination ? | What motivated you to choose this destination? | ¿Qué te motivó a elegir este destino? |
| Pourquoi as-tu choisi ce poste en particulier ? | What attracted you to this position? | ¿Qué te atrajo de este puesto en particular? |
| Pourquoi souhaites-tu rejoindre notre entreprise/école ? | What made you want to join our company/school? | ¿Por qué decidiste unirte específicamente a nuestra empresa/escuela? |
| Comment ce stage s’intègre-t-il dans ton projet professionnel ? | How does this internship fit into your career goals? | ¿Cómo se integra esta práctica en tus objetivos profesionales? |
| Quels atouts penses-tu pouvoir apporter à notre équipe ? | What strengths do you believe you can bring to our team? | ¿Qué fortalezas crees que puedes aportar a nuestro equipo? |
| As-tu déjà visité cette ville/pays ? | Have you ever had the opportunity to visit this city/country? | ¿Ya has tenido la oportunidad de visitar esta ciudad/país? |
| Quelle expérience as-tu dans un poste similaire ? | Do you have any previous experience in a similar role? | ¿Tienes alguna experiencia previa en un puesto similar? |
| Qu’espères-tu retirer de ce stage ? | What do you hope to gain from this internship? | ¿Qué esperas obtener de estas prácticas? |
| Quelles sont tes principales qualités et points à améliorer ? | How would you describe your strengths and areas for improvement? | ¿Cómo describirías tus principales fortalezas y tus áreas de mejora? |
🧠 Tip: also prepare 2 or 3 questions to ask the recruiter at the end of the interview. It shows your interest and professional maturity.
And remember: an interview is, above all, a human encounter — so be yourself, keep smiling and remind yourself why you want to live this international experience. Every conversation is a chance to learn and grow.
At Stud&Globe, we help you prepare your interview, your application and your departure abroad. Our team is here to support you from A to Z — from the first contact right through to your arrival on site 🌎
© Stud&Globe – Support for Erasmus+ mobility projects for schools and vocational programmes.
