3.3 Results students: questionnaire

outcomes student has clearly explained their generic, technical and social emotional skills that must be achieved during internship. KB from Germany told me that the most important thing is to have a reliable and trustworthy intermediary partner and the host. In case of having problems with the students, the person from abroad can help immediately. Because of that, she has the possibility to send students with special needs (ADHD, health problem). The students get support all the way through the whole process (before, during and after internship). In order to ensure learning progress, regular contact with the student takes place through skype. SU from Finland is sending only a group of students (8-10 students) together with accompanying teacher. The students do not need detailed preparation before the internship. They know they will be together with their classmates and their teacher. Many of them are below 18 years old. Their parents feel safe about sending their kids for internship abroad. The disadvantage mentioned by SU is that many of them lack commitment in the process. They know teacher will buy the tickets, find accommodation and talk to the host. They are very passive during the stay, do not challenge themselves enough to take action. Many of them do not improve English skills because they know that the teacher will do the translation. Furthermore, the social relation with students and teachers from Finland is also limited, which affects their social skills. The main advantage is that students are staying with a person that will take care of them. Moreover, the teacher will make sure that students achieve all skills that were agreed before. The teacher is also responsible for making the assessment of the learning unit with the contact person abroad.

3.3 Results students: questionnaire

The results from students’ questionnaires are presented in Excel spreadsheet (see questions and answers in appendix 2).

One of the questions was “Why do you want to have your internship abroad?” 80% students answered that they would like to get professional experience in different countries. Few would like to just travel and explore the word. I also asked students “Are you concerned of something before leaving? If yes, of what?” More than half answered that they are concerned, for example of being away from home for so long time, some about the work they have to do during internship, if they packed all staff and have all needed documents. On a question, “Did you get enough help from your mentors?” 100 % answered yes. I am very happy to hear that. Furthermore, 93% students answered at they are well prepared for internship. The next very important question for my thesis was “What are the challenges you may face during the internship? 47% answered that they may be challenged by language and communication with other people. Few of them mentioned the task that they have to do during the stay, adaptation to new working environment and culture, traveling alone. One student mentioned the food. Few answered that they are happy to travel two and two, this makes them more relaxed.

On the question “How will you deal with the challenges?”, many answered that they will take it as it comes. They will be open minded and talk about the issues with their colleagues. They will try getting to know the culture and the people. Some mentioned that it is important to be positive. In order to supply student’s answers and to look into their satisfaction after they completed the internship, I decided to use the questioner made by ERASMUS+ office. The two tables below were downloaded from Mobility Tool after the end of students internship in 2018: - table 2, shows the students satisfaction from internship abroad, - table 3 students self-evaluation of the internship abroad.