Internship for Students from Abroad

Internship – international students coming from outside Finland for the internship

Are you looking for an internship placement in early childhood education in Oulu, in Finland? Please read the following criteria to find out whether you may be suitable for an internship placement in Oulu, in Finland. Please note that all the following criteria need to be met. 

  • The student studies currently early childhood education and care, or similar field.
  • The internship is part of the studies, and lasts about 4-12 weeks.
  • The school, university or other educational institution (later referred as “sending organisation”) is willing to make an internship contract (partnership contract) with the City of Oulu’s early childhood education.
  • The sending organisation, or the intern, pays the internship fee.

Please note that the instructions on this page apply to early childhood education students coming to Oulu from abroad for an internship. These instructions do not apply to early childhood education students already living and studying in Oulu as these students follow the existing contracts and procedures with the University of Oulu / Oulu University of Applied Sciences. 

**Frequently asked questions**

Am I paid for the internship? 

No, the intern is not paid for the internship by City of Oulu’s early childhood education. The intern may apply for funding, for example from Erasmus+. 

How much is the internship fee?

Basic fee 700 € for the first student, and 400 € for the following students receiving the introduction session at the same time (i.e. the fee is less per student, if there is more than one student from the same sending organisation). Optional: Dedicated instruction discussions 55 € / hour based on the number of instruction discussion hours required during the internship (agreed before the internship); and lunch at the ECEC centre (rate confirmed annually). It is possible to bring your own meal with you. All the fees include VAT. The fees are for 2026-2027. 

What does the internship fee cover? 

The internship fee covers the overall administrative work and communication, online introduction prior to arriving in Oulu, briefing session in the beginning and reflection session in the end of the internship, designated internship mentor/supervisor (one of the ECEC staff members), assessment of the student (as per sending organisation’s instructions), and certificate. 

How to proceed?

  1. In summary, please discuss first with your sending organisation about the above-mentioned criteria of the internship.
  2. If the criteria are met, you or your sending organisation can send a message to eduoulu(at)ouka.fi Please provide the needed information to demonstrate that the criteria are being met.
  3. Then, the intern’s suitability will be checked, paperwork will be done, and intern placement at early childhood education and care centre will be sought. 

Please note that the sending organisation needs to check the suitability of the intern including matters required by our legislation e.g. criminal record clearance and tuberculosis clearance.

What kind of place is Oulu, Finland?

There are so many ways to describe Oulu! 

  • Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026.
  • Oulu is a university city with over 215 000 habitants.
  • Oulu is by the sea and surrounded by nature, and Oulu has four seasons.
  • The city centre is very compact, and it is easy to walk – or cycle – everywhere.
  • Oulu has the 3rd busiest airport in Finland, with train connections to northern, southern and eastern Finland.
  • Job shadowing visit (often 1-2 weeks). Please read more job shadowing information in here and send a request for the rate. Please note that the rate is less per person, when there are at least two participants.  
  • ECEC visit (1-6 hours, possible to have visits to different centres). Please read more ECEC visit information in here and send a request for the rate. Please note that the cost is based on the duration of the visit and the same rate applies for up to 20 participants. 

Find out more about what you can do in Oulu on VisitOulu’s website! 

Not all the criteria are met, but I still would like to visit early childhood education and care (ECEC) centre in Oulu, in Finland. Are there any other options?

If the internship is not suitable option, there are other options: 

  • Job shadowing visit (often 1-2 weeks). Please read more job shadowing information in here and send a request for the rate. Please note that the rate is less per person, when there are at least two participants.  
  • ECEC visit (1-6 hours, possible to have visits to different centres). Please read more ECEC visit information in here and send a request for the rate. Please note that the cost is based on the duration of the visit and the same rate applies for up to 20 participants.