International mobility is a mandatory step in the training of engineers. However, at Arts et Métiers, international mobility is much more than just an internship abroad: it is a human and professional adventure that transforms a career path. Anthony and Fabian, two engineering apprentices, chose to immerse themselves in new environments: one in Bavaria (🇩🇪), the other in Bristol (🇬🇧), at the heart of large-scale projects. Between steps, challenges, discoveries, and learning experiences, they look back on a memorable experience.
Finding an internship abroad: a proactive approach
For Anthony, personal networks and initiative were key:
" My search for mobility required me to seek support from my team, conduct extensive personal research, and send out unsolicited applications. "
Fabian, for his part, was able to adapt his project to make it compatible with companies' expectations:
" I was initially aiming for a three-month internship, but I refocused my search on a six-month assignment, which was more consistent with the schedule for my final year of work-study. This choice transformed the experience into a real end-of-studies project. "
From first impressions to culture shock
Once they arrived, both described a rapid but motivating change of scenery.
For Anthony, discovering a new region in Germany was accompanied by a real pleasure in integrating into the local culture, despite some initial hesitations.
Fabian, meanwhile, recounts the disconcerting but stimulating transition from his student life on campus in Paris to integrating into a new company and a new working environment in a new country. " Everything is new: the faces, the pace... This mixture of excitement and adaptation creates a real dynamic that is a source of motivation."
Integrating into the company... and into a new environment
Anthony's professional integration was made easier by the presence of other young French people on VIE programs in his company, which helped him adapt to local customs more quickly.
Fabian had to be patient to understand how a large-scale international project was organized, but he quickly found his bearings, particularly by joining a local running club.
Highlights: between technical achievements and personal discoveries
The two students remember different highlights. For Anthony, Bavaria's cultural richness, hiking in the great outdoors, and visiting cities such as Munich and Salzburg made his stay memorable.
" This internship was an opportunity for me to get closer to nature and have powerful human experiences. "
Fabian remembers two highlights: his first visit to the nuclear construction site—an impressive experience—and his participation in the Bristol Half Marathon, a symbol of his integration into the local community.
What mobility has taught them
Professionally, Anthony highlights the demanding nature of the layout engineer position:
" I discovered the qualities required for this job: rigor, big-picture thinking, and the ability to collaborate with numerous technical interfaces."
Fabian, meanwhile, broadened his understanding of nuclear issues in the United Kingdom, while developing his language skills and ability to adapt in a multicultural environment.
Any advice for future mobility candidates?
Their joint recommendation: be bold, be open, but prepare your project well:
" You have to be credible with recruiters, remain open to opportunities, and above all, don't see the internship as a mere obligation, but as a real chance to stand out."
If I had to do it again...
If the opportunity arose again, they would not hesitate to leave, this time aiming for an even more exotic destination to take their personal experience even further. For them, undertaking a long-term mobility program was a real advantage, and they do not regret choosing to stay longer than the mandatory minimum of 12 weeks.
A formative experience on all levels
Anthony and Fabian embody the richness and diversity of the international mobility opportunities offered at Arts et Métiers. Thanks to their commitment, openness, and curiosity, they have returned enriched on a human, professional, and cultural level.
Like Anthony and Fabian, turn your internship into an ambitious, structuring, and inspiring project. International mobility is not just a line on a resume: it is a step that can redefine your career path.
For AMTalents, the CFAArts et Métiers runs five of the school's specialized engineering programs, international mobility is an important step in the training of apprentices. AMTalents' goal is to provide the best possible support for mobility projects so that this experience is a real asset, both professionally and personally.
It is with this in mind that the position of international mobility advisor was created and made permanent within the CFA, thanks in particular to ESF+ co-financing obtained in December 2024 as part of the call for projects "Promoting European mobility for learning purposes for all."
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