Questions & Advice
Denmark is the best place to learn about new trends and cutting edge technology and work with professionals.
You can have professional experiences here that you can’t have anywhere else. Doing an internship in this exciting country will strongly enhance your future career and will set you ahead of your fellow students
Do I understand the international competition?
In today’s globalized world, competition has increased heavily. You do not only compete with local people but with people from all around the world. This also applies when searching for an internship in Denmark.
Do I see the internship as a investment?
The aim of an internship is gaining practical experience in your field. By doing an internship abroad, you additionally add an international background to your portfolio. All this will later enhance your career and opens doors for new opportunities – in short, your qualification increases.
To benefit from all this, you will need to invest: time, energy and money. This investment now will then later pay off when standing out of the mass of standard applicants for a job position.
Do I have realistic expectations?
What many students don’t realize is that most companies treat hiring interns with the same level of dedication (if not more) as they do hiring regular full-time employees.
When applying for an internship in Denmark you will face lots of competition. Not only are you competing with Danish applicants but also with other international students who seek an internship in Denmark.
The more previous experience you have, the more flexibility you bring along and the better your skills, the higher are the chances of being chosen by a host company. Potential host companies are not just waiting for you.
You should also keep in mind that by giving you the chance to gain practical experience, a company has to invest lots of time and resources. Thus, be realistic.
Yes. For non-EU citizens, an internship is generally considered as work, even if it is unpaid. Therefore, a work permit is usually required.
Language test requirements
Can I just send in a certificate or letter from my school/university?
No, a certificate or letter from your school or university verifying your proficiency will not be sufficient to meet the English requirements.
Do you accept Third Country Applications?
Agri LIDA do not accept Third Country Applications. Applicant must be enrolled in an education program in their home country and must apply from their home country.
Third Country Applications are more difficult because they usually require more documentation and are under more scrutiny from the authorities.
Refusal in a third country is more likely than at home. It’s important to note that applications from “higher risk” nationals will likely still receive additional scrutiny, no matter where you’re applying from.
If you’re from a “higher risk” country, consular officers might infer that you are intentionally trying to avoid applying from your home country and instead choose an embassy or consulate more likely to approve your visa or have faster processing times.
This tactic is often referred to as “consulate shopping,” and it can make the visa process more difficult.
While proficiency in Danish can be advantageous, many internships, particularly in larger companies and startups, operate in English. It’s always advisable to check the language requirements for each specific internship.
Can I apply directly for an open positions?
Open positions displayed on our website are potential internship opportunities. You cannot apply directly for a position but get the opportunity to be placed in similar internships through our placement program.
Should I contact agri LIDA to arrange an interview?
No, if agri LIDA wants to interview you, either in person or by phone or online on TEAMS, we will contact you, based on the contact details you provide on your application.
When to Apply for an Internship?
Most students will complete an internship during their junior or senior years to increase the chances of the internship leading to a job offer, but, it is becoming more and more common for students to hold internships throughout the entire duration of their college career in order to gain experience.
Can I apply for more than one position? Or change my information after I’ve submitted it?
Unfortunately you can only apply once, and you can’t change information once it’s submitted. Make sure you’re happy with the internship you’re applying for before you submit it. You won’t have the chance to alter it at a future date.
Why don`t I see the name of company in the offer? How can I know it?
In each of the offers you’ll see the description of the company, the position, the tasks and responsibilities, requirements etc. but you’ll not find the name of the company because our goal is to send our partner companies only those profiles that first of all match their requirements.
Do I have to be from a farm?
No, you don’t! We have students every year who come from suburbs, large cities or simply non-agricultural rural areas, who go on to establish their own farm, to manage an existing farm or to any number of positions in the agri-business industry.
That said, students are still required to have some agricultural experience to make sure this is the right program for them.
How much does this program cost?
Student services and student fees vary depending on whether you are a EU student out-of-EU student.
Do you guarantee i will get work permit?
No, we cannot guarantee you a work permit. This is an important point to understand right at the outset. agri LIDA, nor any other company, can not guarantee to get you the work permit.
Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?
All fees are non-refundable and will not be returned if your visa application is refused by SIRI.
What if I want to appeal against the refusal?
Follow the instructions which are laid out in the refusal letter which is sent to you in case your visa has been refused.
Can I reapply if my visa was refused?
You are free to reapply at any time if your application has been refused. There is no time gap to be observed after a refusal to make a fresh application. However, it is recommended that you meet the reasons for the earlier refusal before submitting a new application. Submitting a new application will not necessarily lead to the visa being granted.
Who should I contact to find out why my visa was refused?
You will receive a letter from the Embassy in your return application that will mention the reasons for refusal.
How long will my profile remain active in the database?
We will retain your information in our candidate database for six months. If your personal or employment information changes, we recommend you update your personal profile. At a minimum, your profile should be updated every twelve months.
What type of training your Program has to offer?
horticulture
agriculture
animals ( dairy, swine, equine, mink, horses)
What are the weekly working hours?
37 hours
Am I entitled to get paid holiday?
You will receive 5 weeks paid holiday during your 12 months. If you
don’t take leave, you will receive the pay for those 5 weeks.
My University is willing to pay for my internship assignment. What should I do?
Academic or government institutions may wish to enter into a formal agreement with agri LIDA by contacting Kristina Cesnaite Larsen or Ove Eenberg Larsen. Click here
When can I start my internship?
We accept applications year around.
Will I have to pay any taxes?
Yes, when you come to Denmark to work and earning money you must pay tax. Precisely how much depends on variables such as: How much tax you paid, what was your income, what is your nationality, how much time you remained in Denmark and more.
Where will I live and how much will this cost?
When you arrive a furnished room or an apartment wil be waiting for you. Before you agree your particular placement you will receive all needed information concerning your pay, accommodation, responsibilities etc.
How long can I participate in The agri LIDA Program?
Up to 18 months. Shorter internships are available. Internships for short periods (one, two or maximum three months) are occasionally available EU Citizens.
Is it easy being an intern?
You will be doing a lot of work. Expect it. In your first few weeks, your work’s quantity and novelty can be stressful — you will likely struggle to complete tasks that you know other people find easy.
That’s fine, it happens to every intern and you’ll get past it. Please remember, no job is perfect. It won’t all be easy, and there may well be some things that you may not like.
Be prepared for it to be tough; that is all part of the adventure, and this is what will make it feel all the more worthwhile long after you have returned home.
Is there a trial period?
You are subject to a one month trial or probationary period, your employer has the right to terminate your employment with 14 days’ notice within the first month.
What happens if my contract is terminated during the trial period?
If the intern’s host terminates the agreement, the host must employ the intern until a new internship with a different host can commence. Alternatively, the intern host must pay for the intern’s return journey to his/her home country.
Can I be fired at an internship?
Yes, you can be terminated or released. Internships are job preparation experiences and failure to perform carries the same type of penalties as do regular jobs. While interns might be expected to make some mistakes, they do need to be able to fulfill the basic requirements of the position.
If you have had conversations about topic, pointed out the inappropriate behaviors in question and explained that this needs to be fixed in the future and you still failing to follow instructions and unwilling or unable to improve. This might be a situation that lead to termination.
Am I guaranteed an internship placement?
No, there are no guarantees that you will get the position advertised.
This is a competitive process and internship opportunities are not guaranteed for any candidate.
In most cases there will be multiple applicants for each position and even in cases where there is only one applicant, the host organizations are under no obligation to take an intern if they decide the applicant is not the right fit for the position. The decision is wholly up to the hosting organization.
What the agri LIDA program does is help make you more “attractive” to a potential employer in a competitive job market. We want you to be successful and will try to help you any way we can!
Do I get Internship certificate?
After the completion of an internship every intern is entitled to a internship certificate which bears agri LIDA Senior Executive Signature.
What is the working language of the internships?
The working language in all our programmes is Danish / English.
You need to provide a proff of English language skill, with minimum level B1.
Language skills are an important issue to consider if one plans to work abroad in an internship. You must be able to provide proof of this in your application.
As with any industry, better language skills will put you at a big advantage. Language skills can be the career gift that keeps on giving: Being able to speak, explain, and negotiate in another language makes you more employable, increases your confidence, and can lead to a higher salary.
Can I begin the application process while I am waiting to take an IELTS/KET test or waiting for my results?
Yes. You can begin the application process even if you do not have all the documents yet. You will be able to send the required documents to us at a later point in time.
Do I need to have lots of experience with farming in order to apply to the Farm Internship Program?
Not necessarily. We ask that applicants have an interest in farming, be committed to the internship mission and have a willingness to learn through experience. We do appreciate skills in these areas and experience with manual labor of some sort is advantageous.
It’s possible, but it would depend on the employer and the terms of your internship. If you’re from outside the EU, you would also need to ensure you have the correct work permit.
What kind of weather should I expect?
Due to its location in the middle of several seas, Denmark’s weather is mild and climate temperate year-round, with western winds blowing warm air across most of the country.
In Denmark, the summers are comfortable and dry, the winters are long, cold, and wet and it is windy and mostly clear year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 8°C to 24°C and is rarely below 5°C or above 31°C.
What should I bring?
It is important to bring clothing and footwear suitable for the time of the year that you will be interning. You will need clothes to keep you warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer.
Should i bring a Laptop?
In many cases, bringing laptop is definitely recommended. Most interns bring their phone and their laptop.
If my internship is not successful, can I complete an internship at an drifferent employer?
No. The visa which is issued to you, applies only to the company and internship specified on your Work & Recidense Permit. You can not undertake another internship at a different employer under any circumstances. If there is a problem at your internship you should contact agri LIDA for assistance.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH A FRIEND?
Yes of course! Most of our participants choose different internships, but in the same location, as most program positions usually only take one intern at a time.
DO I RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FOR MY INTERNSHIP FARM WORK?
Yes. After successfully completing your farminternship, you will receive a certificate from us. You can also request a job reference from your employer.
Passport
It is your responsibility to make sure you have a valid passport and is not due to expire within 6 months of the program finishing. It is your responsibility to comply with all regulations concerning customs and health regulations in Denmark. Non-compliance with these regulations and any costs that might be incurred due to this are your responsibility.
Biometric passport
A biometric passport (also known as an electronic passport, e-passport or a digital passport) is a passport that has an embedded electronic microprocessor chip, which contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of the passport holder.
How do I know if my passport is biometric?
The simplest way to tell if your passport is biometric is by looking at the cover. If there’s a small, gold camera logo at the bottom, then it’s biometric. Otherwise, the technology held within a biometric passport has become so advanced and the components so small that you can’t feel any lumps or ridges at all.
Visa
All matters regarding visa and your arrival into the program location is a matter between you and the Dansid Government. You acknowledge that matters regarding the visa processing, the time it takes to process your visa or your entry into Denmark is out of our control and you shall not hold us responsible for any costs incurred due to delays or refusals for any of the above.
Health & Vaccinations
It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended and required vaccination and health precautions in good time before departure. Details should be available from your doctor.
Verification.
The process of verifying a student’s identity begins during the application process. Any document submitted in any part of the admissions process may be reviewed by relevant authorities.
The verification process refers to doing a background check on a candidate to verify the information that’s been presented in your job application.
All educational documents (transcripts and degree certificates) may be verified. If we can not verify your educational documents, your internship application will be rejected!
Why was I asked to provide additional documents?
Sometimes additional information will be required for the application process, and sometimes you will be asked in the process to submit extra documents in addition to the documents indicated as the necessary documents.
Each applicant has different conditions and circumstances, and sometimes we do not become aware of these until the application has been accepted, therefore there are some documents that we do not ask everyone to submit from the beginning.
If you do not submit the additional documents, the application cannot be processed any further, and you will not be able to apply for internship.
Transportation
Your internship location and housing options and requirements from the employer will determine if you need transport options. At most internships, unless your housing is within walking distance, you will most likely need transportation options.
First, remember there are ways employees without a license can get to the workplace, such as:
- Rides from others
- Carpooling with other employees or people who work nearby
- Public transportation
- Bicycling or other forms of transport such as scooters.
- Walking
- Taxis or ridesharing services
- Services for their particular needs, such as services available for those who are disabled.
When a job requires a driver’s license.
If a potential employer states that you must have a driver’s licence for a job, that most likely means that you will be required to drive a vehicle owned by the company at some point in time. Depending upon the type of role, driving a vehicle could be an occasional requirement, or it could be something that is required daily as a key function of the job.
Ways to Make the Most of Your First Internship Abroad
Many young students see their first internships abroad as both something to look forward to, as well as to be cautious about. The mixed feelings are quite understandable.
Here are some valuable tips:
- Come with a clean slate
When going into an internship or traveling abroad it is good to have a little background information on what you are about to experience. But researching and living are two completely different things. Come in wide-eyed and willing to accept everything that comes at you. Take it all in and be willing to embrace the culture. ‘Cause if you don’t, the culture will reject you.
- Avoid sensitive topics of discussion
In your travels, you will come into contact with other interns and people from all over the world. Meaning, they all have their own sets of values and beliefs. So topics such as religion, same-sex marriages and abortion are not good topics of conversation over drinks when you have Muslims, Christians and Atheists all sitting together.
- Step out of your comfort zone
Be a yes man. Don’t be that person who sits in their room night after night simply watching TV or Skyping your friends back home. Take advantage of everything that is around you and experience it for all it’s worth! It won’t be around long and when you move back home with your parents, regret comes and slaps you right in the face.
- YOU ARE HERE TO WORK!
You have a duty as an employee to uphold your end of the contract. Showing up to work and not being ready to work or doing your job poorly does not reflect well on you, on your organization or your country. Step your game up, get your work done and you will reap the benefits.
- Learn to budget your money
Things may be cheaper abroad but that doesn’t mean you can go out for dinner every night and buy a new hat that you barely wear— you will be surprised how fast €1000 can be spent when you are abroad.
- Avoid phrases that start with, “Well, back home. . .
Nobody cares what things you miss about home and how this country doesn’t have what you want. Complaining about it will not change the fact that this isn’t home. This is a new experience and instead of fighting the process, you should learn to adapt. And if you still don’t like it, then leave.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help
Some people are very stubborn and like to “experience” the country or city for themselves. But being lost, not knowing what you’re eating and admitting that you need help is not a bad thing!
- Be ready to be lonely
Yes, you will make friends and meet amazing people while you are abroad. But homesickness is something that is unavoidable and much more painful than one can imagine. Family and lifelong friends are hard to replace and you need to know that there will be times where you want to go home. You are doing the right thing by seeing the world and being lonely and sad is part of the deal.
- Embrace now, forget tomorrow
Live, love and see the world!
Probably the most important thing that some people forget to do is to have fun. You need to take the time to appreciate what you are taking part in during your stay. An internship is not only a working experience. It is a personal experience – one that could change the course of your life, without you even realizing it! A positive internship could direct you towards a line of work that you never considered before.
Try to socialize as much as possible, with your colleagues but also within the country that is new to you. You might establish some strong networks for your future career, but also create some great friendships and perhaps something more…
We hope that these tips help you in some way! We will provide more tips on what to expect when coming here. Remember we are here to help you and make sure you have a great experience participating in Internship in Denmark!
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