Schlagwort: ‘Architecture’
My Internship in Amsterdam
- Architecture M. Sc.
- Netherlands, Amsterdam
- Buro Kettinghuls
- 09/2025 – 02/2026
During my Erasmus internship, I had the opportunity to live in Amsterdam and work at the architecture office buro Kettinghuls for six months.
Application/Finding an internship
About five months before starting my internship, I applied to many different architecture offices in the Netherlands, as I was particularly interested in improving my Dutch language skills and experiencing an international working environment. After several applications, I was fortunate to receive an offer from buro Kettinghuls in Amsterdam. With my internship, I then applied for an Erasmus grant.
Accomodation & Living expenses
©International Office
One of the biggest challenges was finding accommodation. The housing market in the Netherlands is extremely competitive, especially in Amsterdam. When searching for housing, it is important to respond to as many listings as possible and as quickly as possible. Temporary accommodation is generally easier to find than long-term rentals. I stayed in one shared apartment room for the first two months and then moved to another shared flat for the remaining four months. Although I had to move, it allowed me to get to know two different neighbourhoods and experience different parts of the city more closely. In general, living expenses are higher than in Aachen, particularly when eating out, which is why I mostly cooked at home. Supermarket prices also vary considerably, with stores like Dirk and Aldi typically being more affordable than Albert Heijn.
Everyday life/ the internship
©International Office
My working hours were from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every day, we had lunch together in the office, usually consisting of homemade salad, bread, and cheese. This was a nice moment to connect with colleagues and as we were an international team it was fun to talk about different cultural experiences. During the internship, I worked on different projects and was given a variety of tasks. I drew plans, prepared visualisations, built models and supported the team in ongoing design processes. My colleagues provided guidance and were always willing to explain things, which helped me learn a lot in a short time. We also went on an office excursion to visit projects and construction sites in Almere, which was particularly exciting because I could see how plans are realized in practice. I really appreciated that there were two other interns at the office, as we would sometimes meet for a coffee before work or make plans together for the weekends, which truly enhanced my overall experience.
Free time/tips
©International Office
Besides work, I spent most of my free time exploring the city. Cycling is definitely the best way to get around Amsterdam, as it is fast and ideal for discovering different neighbourhoods. Especially during my first weeks in Amsterdam, I always took different streets with my bike. Over time, I visited many new places while also quickly finding my favourite bars and cafés. In September, ESN organized a picnic where I met other international students. From then on, we started organizing a monthly board and card game evening in a bar, which became a regular highlight. I also took advantage of the cultural opportunities the Netherlands has to offer. I highly recommend getting a Museumskaart, which allows you to access most museums in the country for a year. For everyone who is interested in photography, I can especially recommend Huis Marseille and Foam. Many Dutch cities are easy to reach by train, making day trips very convenient. I visited Utrecht and Haarlem with friends and also went on a bike trip to the sea, which was a wonderful experience.
Conclusion
I can highly recommend doing an Erasmus internship in Amsterdam. The city offers the cultural and social opportunities of a large metropolis, yet everything is easily accessible, almost like in a smaller city. Even though moving alone to a new city where you do not know anyone can feel intimidating at first, it is absolutely worth stepping out of your comfort zone. The experience helped me grow, both professionally and personally, and created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.
My Internship at an Architecture Office in Brussels
- Architecture M.Sc.
- Belgium, Brussels
- Mamout Architects
- 06/2025 – 01/2026
Application/Finding an internship
I chose the city before looking for architecture offices because the place itself was very important to me. After finishing my Bachelor’s, Brussels felt like the perfect next step – it’s close to my hometown, yet offers a completely different language, culture, and atmosphere. I was especially drawn to its multilingual and diverse character, with French and Flemish spoken and many international residents because of the EU institutions. This creates a very inspiring environment with active, creative communities and people working in fields that interest me most. The city is dynamic and always full of life, offering new experiences every day. I discovered most of the architecture offices I applied to through conversations with students who had already gone through the process, which was extremely helpful when I felt unsure and a bit overwhelmed at first. Since Brussels was the only city I seriously considered, I applied to several studios I liked and after a few weeks received an acceptance, which confirmed that choosing Brussels was the right decision for me.
Accomodation & Living expenses
Before I moved to Brussels for my internship, I had a bit of free time and decided to volunteer at a music and cultural festival to help with the setup. Working together on the festival was a great way to meet people quickly and start creating my first memories in the city. It really helped me to make initial contacts, and in the end I even found my first shared apartment in Brussels through these connections. In terms of housing, I would describe Brussels as fairly average for a European capital when it comes to rent prices. Groceries, however, are relatively expensive, which I didn’t fully realize before moving here. Over time, you get to know the city better and discover alternatives, like the local markets, which have a great atmosphere and where you can buy fruit and vegetables for much less than in the supermarket.
Everyday life/ the internship
My everyday life during the week was mainly shaped by my full-time internship. From Monday to Friday, I worked in the office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., building models, drawing plans, creating 3D models, visiting construction sites, preparing presentations for clients, and enjoying lunch breaks with my colleagues. The office was quite small, with only four employees and one other intern, which was ideal for my first long internship because I quickly understood how everything worked and gained insight into all parts of the projects. The main working language was French, which was challenging for me at first. I often felt unsure in conversations and meetings, but week by week I noticed clear progress. Using a new language every day took a lot of courage, but it also strengthened my self-confidence and made me more open and independent.
Free time/tips
After work and on the weekends, I spent my time exploring the city and meeting new people. From the beginning, living in a shared flat was important to me because it’s the easiest way to make contacts. At the same time, I also enjoyed discovering Brussels on my own, walking through different neighborhoods and getting to know the city at my own pace. Brussels never disappointed me – there is always something going on. It offers a lot of culture, impressive architecture, many young people, and in my opinion a very diverse nightlife scene, which made my time there both exciting and inspiring.
Conclusion
Going to Brussels for my internship was a great decision, and I can honestly say that I learned a lot and also grew personally during my time there. It was very enriching to step out of my comfort zone and experience completely new things. Already during the internship, I realized that eight months in the city would not be enough, because Brussels has so much to offer. I also made some wonderful new friendships that I want to continue developing, and I feel so comfortable here that I would like to do another internship and even my Master’s in the city. After eight months, the city finally feels familiar – I have a routine, a great social environment, and yet I have still barely scratched the surface of everything Brussels has to offer.
©International Office
My Internship at an Architectural Office in Vienna
- Architecture M. Sc.
- Austria, Vienna
- Jadric Architektur ZT GmbH
- 09/2024 – 11/2024
My Erasmus+ internship in Vienna was an unforgettable experience that gave me both professional growth and cultural enrichment. From the very beginning, it was a journey filled with excitement, opportunities and memorable moments.
Finding the internship was relatively straightforward. I applied online to a small architecture firm with five employees and was lucky to receive a direct offer after an online interview. The team was incredibly welcoming and the atmosphere at work was open and familiar. We always took breaks together, which helped me integrate into the group quickly and feel like a valued member of the team. Since the team was international, we spoke exclusively English at work. This not only created a collaborative and inclusive environment but also allowed me to enhance my professional English skills, especially in areas like technical terminology and day-to-day communication.
To find an accommodation in Vienna, however, was more challenging. I searched for a room to sublet via WG-Gesucht.de and found the housing market to be quite competitive, but with persistence and a bit of luck, I managed to find a room in a shared apartment. It was a beautiful old-style building in a central location, which made exploring the city easy and enjoyable. Living with three roommates added to the experience, as we often shared meals and made trips through the city. While rents in Vienna are relatively affordable, everyday living costs were slightly higher than in Germany, though prices in bars for example were similar or even slightly lower.
My everyday life revolved around the internship and exploring the city. At work, I had the opportunity to engage with a variety of tasks and learn from experienced professionals. The close-knit team created a supportive environment that allowed me to grow both creatively and technically. Outside of work, Vienna offered a wealth of cultural activities and countless opportunities for exploration. From visiting museums and historical landmarks to discovering cozy bars and cafes, there was always something to do. One common stereotype about Viennese people is that they can be at times rather unfriendly, but my experience was the opposite. I found people to be open and approachable, especially once you started a conversation. This friendliness made navigating a new city much easier and helped me feel at home.
For anyone considering an internship in Vienna, I recommend making the most of the city’s rich cultural scene. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit exhibitions and historical buildings, enjoy traditional Viennese coffee houses and relax in the many green spaces the city has to offer. Vienna is also well-connected, making it easy to take weekend trips to other parts of Austria or nearby countries.
In conclusion, my internship in Vienna was an enriching experience that I would recommend to anyone considering doing an internship abroad. The combination of professional development, cultural exposure, and personal growth made it a truly unique opportunity. If you embrace the challenges and immerse yourself in everything the city has to offer, Vienna will leave a lasting impression on you.
