Erasmus+ Internships for Ukrainian Students in Slovakia

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian education system has faced unprecedented challenges. Thousands educational institutions and facilities, including schools, colleges, and universities have been destroyed or damaged. Thousands of students were forced to leave their homes, disrupting their education and career aspirations.

At WorkSpace Europe, we have been at the forefront of international Erasmus+ internship mobility, coordinating life-changing opportunities for university students across Erasmus+ program countries. When the European Commission introduced flexibility in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we knew we had to act.

A Unique Opportunity for Ukrainian Students

We adapted our Erasmus+ mobility projects to provide Ukrainian higher education students with a fully supported internship experience in Slovakia. Our program offers:

• Internships within our network of well-known international companies in Slovakia
• Erasmus+ grants to support living expenses
• Accommodation and relocation assistance
• Visa and legal permissions assistance
• Comprehensive support before, during, and after mobility
• Trips, cultural events, social & networking activities 

For many Ukrainian students, Erasmus+ was previously known only as a study exchange program. Today, it has become a lifeline, offering them a chance to rebuild their future, gain valuable professional experience, and integrate into a new environment - all within the framework of the unique European Union’s Erasmus+ program.

Real Impact, Real Stories

Since launching this initiative in 2022, our project has been a remarkable success. We have proudly hosted over 50 Ukrainian students, each with their own story of resilience, ambition, and achievement.

Meet Kristina, Kateryna, Valeriia, Svitlana, and Anna

..our first brave Ukrainian interns. Discover their journeys, experiences, and advice for future trainees as they embrace new opportunities and redefine their futures.

“Be positive and be thankful for the opportunity given to you!”

Kristina Komova, a graduate student from the Faculty of Foreign Philology and Social Communications at Sumy State University, Ukraine, embarked on her Erasmus+ internship journey on April 6th. She joined the Customer Care Team of a global company in Bratislava, gaining hands-on experience in an international business environment.

Reflecting on her journey, Kristina shared:

“When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, our universities and schools stopped functioning. Erasmus+ became a real opportunity to survive and continue developing. Thanks to WorkSpace Europe for providing this internship opportunity for students from my university - that’s exactly why I chose this program.”

Through this experience, Kristina has not only advanced her professional skills but also found a path to stability, growth, and a brighter future.

Kristy enthusiastically recommends this program to Ukrainian students, emphasizing that it offers a valuable opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience, significantly improve English skills, and even earn a stipend along the way. Her journey doesn’t end here - Kristy’s internship was extended, allowing her to further develop her skills and continue benefiting from this life-changing experience.

“Do not be afraid of starting something new even if you have zero experience!“

Kateryna Hrek, another Sumy State University student from Ukraine, is currently an intern in the Parts Logistics Department at an international business company in Bratislava.

Her role involves creating tracers, providing invoices, returning labels, and working with stakeholders. Now, she is responsible for managing logistics operations across several European countries, monitoring reports for delays and carrier performance.

“This whole field is new to me, but it’s incredibly interesting. Thanks to this experience, I now understand logistics as a complete process. Before, I only saw it from a customer’s perspective—now, I realize how much effort and coordination it takes to ensure parcels arrive on time.”

Through her Erasmus+ internship, Kateryna has gained hands-on experience, a fresh perspective on the logistics industry, and valuable international work skills that will shape her future career.

Kateryna shares that the biggest benefit of participating in the program has been gaining firsthand insight into how major international companies operate, along with the rich cultural and personal experiences she has had along the way. But her journey didn’t stop there - Kate received a job offer after her internship and is now thriving in both her career and life in Slovakia, an opportunity she says would have been difficult to achieve without joining our program.

                                                                                        
"Be ready to work hard and adapt to the rules of your company!"

Valeriia, a student of International Economic Relations at Uzhhorod National University, Ukraine, saw the Erasmus+ internship as a real-world opportunity to develop essential professional skills.

“This is a real experience that teaches me how to interact in the workspace and communicate in a business environment. The program seemed interesting and valuable for gaining new practical experience.”

She highlights the unique advantage of the program - the ability to work and learn simultaneously. According to Valeriia, students who are self-motivated and independent can significantly boost their CV by gaining international work experience, business communication skills, and exposure to a cross-cultural environment.

“The three most indispensable lines in a CV come from just three to five months of traineeship. This experience can truly accelerate career growth.”

Through this program, Valeriia is gaining the insights, competencies, and confidence needed to succeed in today’s global business world.

"Don't be nervous - believe in yourself more and seize every opportunity!"

Svitlana Hisem, currently in her 2nd year of a master’s degree in Business Management at Kyiv National Economic University, sees her Erasmus+ internship as a game-changer for her personal and professional growth.

“This opportunity has opened up a world of new perspectives for me. I’ve become more confident, developed critical thinking, and learned to embrace challenges and take risks. Most of all, I love working with people from different countries and discovering new cultures.”

Through this international work experience, Svitlana has significantly improved both her soft and hard skills. For her, the most valuable part of the experience has been working with her coordinator, who treats her as a colleague rather than just an intern.

“He is always ready to support me and guide me through tasks if I struggle. In addition, I genuinely enjoy my work environment—this is the first time in my life that I wake up every morning excited for the workday ahead. The office atmosphere motivates me to learn more and improve my skills every day.”

Beyond work, Svitlana is making the most of her time abroad—hanging out with other interns and seizing every opportunity to meet new people.

"Don’t be afraid to take risks. If life challenges you, embrace it."

Anna Kurylo, a student at Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, is currently gaining hands-on experience as an intern with the WorkSpace Europe team.

Her role is dynamic and diverse—she is involved in writing articles, designing flyers, reaching out to potential partners, and managing communications. Each task gives her valuable insights into the world of international collaboration and professional growth.

“Try it, it’s extremely interesting and useful! Never be afraid to take a step in the wrong direction, because it might open up an exciting new world for you and lead to the career of your dreams.”

Through this internship, Anna is not only developing her skills but also embracing new challenges that could shape her future career.

The girls firmly believe that when an internship opportunity arises, you should take full advantage of it. Internships offer a unique chance to apply practical skills, gain hands-on experience, and get a real taste of the professional world that awaits after graduation.

Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, students can take this experience beyond their home country—enhancing their language skills, immersing themselves in new cultures, and forming lifelong connections with people from around the world.

At WorkSpace Europe, we are committed to empowering Ukrainian students by continuing to provide these life-changing international opportunities.

Karol Ovesny, Director

Anastasiia Shevchenko, Project coordinator

Anna Kurylo, Erasmus+ trainee