Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

Your application should be submitted via this link in English. The application portal is active one month before each of the deadlines.

We kindly ask you to only send one application focused on your professional interest and profile.

Please note that your prioritized internships must be listed under the “Praktikophold i ovenstående land/region søges” pane using the application number e.g. IDK-1, POL-3, or PD-2. You find the application numbers under the individual internship descriptions.

In the “Alternative praktikmuligheder” pane, you can indicate if you would like to make your candidacy available for other potential internship opportunities within the Danish Foreign Service, in the event that you are not selected for one of your prioritized internships.

Deadline for application is 10 September for internships during the spring semester and 10 March for the fall semester. 

What is the application process and timeline like?

After the deadline (10 March for fall internships and 10 September for spring), your application will first be reviewed by the supervisor of your first-priority internship position.

If you’re not selected for an interview there, your application will be shared with the other supervisors in North America, based on the priorities you’ve indicated. As your application may go through several review rounds in North America. The recruitment process in North America usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks, and we recommend being patient while the process is ongoing. 

If there’s no luck for an internship in North America, you will be notified after 4 to 6 weeks after application deadline. Hereafter, your application can - upon your consent while applying - be shared with hiring supervisors at the rest of our representations around the world.

If you are not called in for an interview in another country, you will have the opportunity to try again next semester.

When can I apply?

There are two application rounds every year, and the deadlines of these are 10 September and 10 March. You can apply throughout the month leading up to each deadline.

Who can apply?

In order to apply for an internship with the Danish Foreign Ministry, you must a Danish national enrolled at a Danish or foreign higher educational institution within a relevant subject, or a foreign national enrolled at a Danish higher educational institution within a relevant subject and have lived in Denmark for a minimum of 3 years.

You are not eligible to apply if you have previously been an intern with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We furthermore value the following qualifications:

• You are fluent in English (written and oral), and preferably in Danish.
• You are well-versed in the MS Office Package (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word).
• You possess an independent drive and a positive attitude when engaging in new tasks.
• You are curious, creative, and have strong analytical skills.
• You are open, credible, and observant.
• You are able to maintain a clear perspective and focus in stressful situations.

How many positions can I apply for?

You can add a total of six priorities to your application. This means that you will have the chance to apply for up to six different internship positions. We encourage adding several priorities across multiple locations to your application if you strive to maximize your chances of an internship. It's standard practice and not perceived negatively to add multiple positions to your application.

We kindly ask you to only send one application focused on your professional interest and profile, also if you apply for multiple positions. We are used to reviewing applications targeted slightly broader than what you'd perhaps usually do.

Should my application be in Danish or English?

We kindly ask that you upload your resume and application in English. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an international organization with employees from many different countries, and we therefore request that you write in English to ensure a smooth screening process. 

Why should I apply?

Interning with us gives you hands-on international experience, working with Danish global priorities, and an opportunity to work with leaders from all sectors - from private to public, academic and cultural. 

Where can I intern?

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has representations all over the globe. Here in North America, you can intern with us in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Silicon Valley, Ottawa, and Toronto.

What departments can I intern in?

Everything including policy, trade, investment promotion, defence, innovation, tech, communication, and culture.

How long is the internship?

The internship lasts for six months. The fall internship lasts from 1 August to 31 January, and the spring internship lasts from 1 February to 31 July. We do not offer neither shorter nor longer internships than six months.

Is the internship paid?

No, the internship is not paid. Interns are responsible for own expenses, i.e. plane tickets and housing. As part of the internship, we grant 5-6,000 DKK/month towards documented costs, such as rent. 

Can I bring my SU?

We know from experience that former interns eligible for receiving SU have been able to bring their SU with them during the internship, but it is your own responsibility to check up on this and we are not able to assist you in this regard. We recommend you to read more here.

Do I get a place to live?

It is unfortunately not standard, but in some cases apartments are passed down through generations of interns. It's usually our experience that current interns are extremely helpful in getting the next team of interns well settled.

Do you have to be Danish to apply?

All interns must be either a Danish national enrolled in a Danish or foreign higher educational institution within a relevant subject, or a foreign national enrolled at a Danish higher educational institution within a relevant subject and have lived in Denmark for a minimum of 3 years.

Can I apply even if I'm not under higher education?

No, we do not accept applications from persons who are not undertaking studies at higher education.

If you’re not currently enrolled as a student, but expect to be enrolled in education during your internship, you are still eligible to apply. Please note that you must be able to document that you will be a student at a higher education institution during the internship period.

What field of study is best if I want to apply?

That depends. We are open to applicants from all fields of higher education studies. It's our experience that as long as you're motivated for the internship position you're applying for - and it shines through in your application - your specific field of study is rarely a key factor in the recruitment process.

We accept applications from students on both their Bachelor's and Master's degree.