Before you start looking for an internship, you should know the terms and characteristics of the different internship options that are available in Germany for international students and job seekers. It makes a huge difference for you and for the internship provider whether you do a mandatory internship or a voluntary internship. Here are the most important common types of internships in Germany: Mandatory Internship: Just as the name indicates, these internships are integrated into a degree and are a fixed component of the study program. If you do not complete it, you will be missing a requirement for graduation. The study and examination regulations contain the exact rules for the compulsory internship. It lasts between two months and a half. During the compulsory internship, you are not entitled to a salary or vacation, however, you are still covered by health insurance as usual. Having said that, most of the companies however do offer some kind of compensation, for those the general rules for "working as a student" apply. Make sure that the internship contract clearly states that the internship is a mandatory one. Both the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes  at CBS include a mandatory internship. The timing depends on the course of study. For the International Business course, for example, the compulsory internship is completed between the fourth and fifth semesters. You spend the semester break before the compulsory semester abroad doing the internship. It lasts at least 8 weeks with a working time of 38 hours per week. Voluntary internship: A voluntary internship is always a good idea, whether between the time after high school and university, during semester breaks or while waiting for an apprenticeship or a job after graduation. You are free to negotiate the content and duration. If it lasts longer than three months, you are entitled to minimum wage. Internship abroad: The term does not have any formal characteristics or legal consequences. Both a mandatory internship and a voluntary internship can be completed abroad. Unfortunately, finding these kinds of internships is not that easy.