When you start packing your bags for an Erasmus+ internship, your checklist probably looks pretty standard: passport, flight tickets, a few summer outfits, and your phone charger. But ask any trainee who has spent a season working abroad, and they will tell you that the most essential items aren't things you can buy at a store.
The real survival kit involves a mix of practical gear, high-energy habits, and a completely open mindset. Because no one tells you what you truly need, we’ve put together the ultimate Erasmus+ Intern Starter Pack to get you fully prepared for the adventure of a lifetime!
"You will walk more than you ever expected."
Forget about packing five pairs of high heels or pristine, heavy designer sneakers. Your footwear is going to face the ultimate endurance test from day one. Between navigating sprawling hotel corridors during busy shifts, standing on your feet while greeting guests, and spending your weekend days off exploring steep local villages or rugged island trails, your feet will bear the brunt of your ambition.
The Reality Check: A single shift combined with a post-work city stroll can easily push your step counter past 20,000 steps a day.
The Golden Rule: Style comes second, comfort wins every single time. Invest in a solid, breathable pair of supportive sneakers or lightweight, ergonomic work shoes. Your back, your feet, and your energy levels will thank you three weeks into the season.
"It’s not just an ID, it becomes part of your identity."
On your very first day at your placement, you’ll be handed a little piece of plastic or metal with your name on it. At first, it feels like a standard corporate requirement. But very quickly, you’ll realize this tiny badge is essentially glued to your chest. You’ll wear it more than any other piece of clothing or jewelry during your entire internship.
Why It Matters: It’s your golden ticket to navigating the property, building instant rapport with international resort guests, and coordinating smoothly with team members across different departments.
The Identity Shift: Long after your internship ends, that scratched-up little badge will be one of your most cherished keepsakes, a physical reminder of the professional leader you became while working abroad.
"Morning shift? Coffee. Break? Coffee. After shift? Coffee again."
Whether you are stepping into a fast-paced animation role, working at a busy resort reception desk, or coordinating beachside guest relations, an international internship requires a lot of fuel. Enter your new best friend: coffee culture.
The Daily Routine: If you are scheduled for a crisp morning shift, a strong cup is your wake-up call. During a quick afternoon break, a refreshing iced coffee is the ultimate tool to reset your focus. And when your shift ends and your international friends invite you to sit by the sea for hours, a casual coffee hangout is where the best team bonding happens.
Embrace the Local Scene: If you are doing your placement in Greece or Cyprus, you will quickly trade your standard hot brew for local iced staples like the frothy Frappé or a smooth Freddo Espresso. It’s not just a caffeine kick; it’s an essential lifestyle ritual.
"You arrive alone… and suddenly you have people from all over the world who feel like home."
Stepping off the plane by yourself in a foreign country can feel incredibly daunting. You might worry about feeling lonely or struggling to fit into a new workplace. But the beautiful thing about an Erasmus+ placement is that you are never truly alone—you are thrown into a diverse, vibrant melting pot of young individuals who are exactly in the same boat as you.
The Global Family: Within a matter of weeks, your social circle will explode. You’ll find yourself sharing a kitchen, splitting car rental costs, and working side-by-side with fellow students from ten or more different countries.
The Connection: You will navigate different native languages, accents, and cultural backgrounds every day. Yet, through shared laughs on tough shifts and unforgettable weekend road trips, you’ll build deep, cross-cultural friendships. Different languages, same lifelong memories.
"This is your real Erasmus starter pack: not things you pack in a suitcase… but things you gain along the way."
At the end of your placement, when it’s finally time to zip up your bags and head back to your home university, you’ll notice something interesting. The physical clothes you packed might be a little worn out, but your internal suitcase will be absolutely overflowing.
The true Erasmus+ starter pack isn't about physical gear. It’s about the confidence you built by handling unexpected challenges, the communication skills you unlocked by interacting with global travelers, the independence you discovered by living on your own, and the wide-open perspective you gained from seeing the world through an international lens.
Are you ready to claim your own starter pack and see what you’re truly capable of? Stop waiting on the sidelines. Explore our open 2026 placements and start your journey today!