Diak has a diverse partner network around the world. We actively develop our networks to support both student and staff mobility as well as project-based cooperation.
You can find more information about Diak’s exchange destinations in the Mobility Online application portal:
- Select at least the academic year and your field of study as search criteria. If you wish, you can also narrow the search by continent or country.
- Click Start search to proceed.
- The exchange destinations that match your criteria will appear on the page.
- You can find detailed information about each destination by clicking the icon in the Agreements column.
- Finally, click the i-icon for additional details.
Please note that you cannot apply for exchange through Diak to countries for which the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory notice against travel. Diak’s student exchange insurance is also not valid in these countries.
Other partner organisations
You can also apply for a work placement through the following organisations that offer placement opportunities. If the organisation grants you a work placement scholarship, you are not eligible for Diak grant. However, you must still complete Diak’s international exchange application form so that the work placement can be accredited towards your degree.
EDUFI Traineeships
Through the Finnish National Agency for Education’s EDUFI programme, you can apply for social services and interpreting traineeships in several destinations.
Erasmus+ exchange in Europe
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s exchange programme, which has enabled unforgettable exchange experiences across Europe for many students.
Most of Diak’s exchanges within Europe take place through the Erasmus+ programme. In Finland, the programme is coordinated by its national agency, the Finnish National Agency for Education.
You apply for an Erasmus+ exchange during the exchange application period. When applying, consider whether you want to participate in a student exchange or a work placement.
Each student has 12 months of supported Erasmus mobility available per degree level. The minimum duration for an Erasmus+ exchange is 2 months.
A traineeship exchange offers the possibility to complete only the traineeship. However, traineeship placements arranged by a higher education institution are generally classified as student exchange if they include courses at the host institution. Erasmus+ Work Placement includes only the traineeship, and the placement is arranged without a local higher education contact.
Stages of the Erasmus+ exchange process
Before the exchange
- Submit your exchange application during the application period (once per semester). After this, you will attend a selection interview, after which you will receive information about your acceptance and destination.
- All exchanges require completing a Learning Agreement. Please note that there are separate documents for studies and traineeships. The document must be approved by your international academic supervisor.
- Submit your grant application in the Mobility Online portal.
- Complete the OLS language assessment and, if applicable, the language course.
Diak also organises a compulsory pre-departure orientation module (KVS), during which you can network with other outgoing students, reflect on your professional development and learn about the host country’s culture.
Diak’s International Office supports you with the paperwork related to going on exchange and communication with partner organisations.
During the exchange
Make note of any changes that occur during your exchange or traineeship and follow the objectives stated in your Learning Agreement. If your original plan changes, complete the “Changes” section of the document and request signatures.
Diak’s student services and international specialists are available to support you throughout your exchange period.
After the Exchange
- Submit your traineeship or study completion documents.
- Respond to the EU Survey questionnaire (linked to your Erasmus grant).
- Write your exchange report in Mobility Online.
- Make sure your completed courses or traineeship are accredited towards your degree.
- Share your experience!
The knowledge, cultural awareness and practical insights you gain during your exchange — whether related to studying, working, or living abroad — are highly valuable and worth sharing with future exchange students and others interested in international opportunities.
Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement is the key document for a study exchange, just as the work placement agreement is the central agreement document for a work placement.
Erasmus+ exchanges are built around this document, as it summarises the essential information about the exchange (courses or work tasks), the learning objectives, and the planned dates of the exchange.
Complete and sign the Learning Agreement in the Mobility Online system.
Diak’s International Office acts as the institutional contact person, and the content is approved by Diak’s international academic supervisor. You can find all contact details on the Internationalisation in Studies page.
Instructions for completing the Learning Agreement – study exchange
If you are going on a study exchange through the Erasmus+ programme, follow these steps:
- Complete the two required tables in the document: Table A lists the courses you will take abroad. Table B lists the Diak courses that you and your study counsellor or academic supervisor have agreed to include in the exchange. The document is completed in the Mobility Online system.
- Any changes to your courses during the exchange must be recorded in the same document. After the exchange, the transcript of records you receive will replace the third part of the document. The document must be signed before the exchange.
- If you combine studies with a traineeship, clarify the required documentation with your Diak traineeship supervisor.
It is important to plan your Learning Agreement carefully in advance to ensure that your studies can be accredited and that you can follow your group’s coursework upon return.
Instructions for completing the Learning Agreement – Work placement exchange
If you are going on an Erasmus+ traineeship exchange, follow these steps:
- The document must clearly outline the traineeship tasks, professional objectives and how the traineeship will be assessed. It also includes information about the practical arrangements, such as insurance. The document is completed in the Mobility Online system.
- The traineeship documents must be signed before the exchange. If this is not possible, a fully signed document must be submitted to Diak immediately at the beginning of the exchange.
- A signed Learning Agreement is required in order to receive funding. Please also follow any additional instructions provided by your supervising teacher.
OLS (Online Language Support) language training
Students going on an exchange through the Erasmus+ programme can participate in free language training. It consists of a language assessment and an optional—but recommended—language course.
All selected exchange students can complete the language assessment in the main study or working language of their exchange destination.
After completing the language assessment, you will have the opportunity to participate in an OLS language course that matches your proficiency level.
It is recommended to take the language course if your test result is A1–B1. If your result is B2–C2, meaning you already have fluent command of the language, you can choose whether to take the course in that language or in another study or working language relevant to your exchange.
Example: A student going to Spain for a hospital placement takes the English language assessment, is pleasantly surprised by a high score, and realises that beginner-level Spanish would be more beneficial for improving their practical language skills.
Please note that you cannot select a language for OLS training that is not one of the study or working languages of your exchange.
Other important information
- Studying and completing a traineeship at your exchange destination is always free of charge. However, some organisations may charge small admin fees.
- You are entitled to Kela’s student financial aid also during your exchange period.
- Every student selected for a study or traineeship exchange through the Erasmus+ programme is entitled to an Erasmus+ grant intended to cover travel and living expenses.
- Students with families who have dependents are eligible for an additional grant on top of the regular Erasmus+ grant.
- Accessibility is a key principle of the Erasmus+ programme, and it offers additional funding for students who require special support. For accessibility-related questions, you can contact the international specialist. You can also find more information on the Exchange Funding page.
More information
Global exchange
Bilateral Agreements
Diak has established partnerships with carefully selected cooperation organisations.
If you are planning a study exchange outside Europe — particularly in Asia or Africa — this exchange programme applies to you.
Diak offers exchange opportunities in countries such as:
- India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam
- Kenya, Eswatini, Tanzania
Application Process
The exchange processes for distant destinations vary between countries, but generally the process proceeds as follows:
- Submit your exchange application during the application period. After this, you will participate in an interview, and your eligibility will be assessed.
- Identify the objectives of your work placement or study exchange.
- Contact the host organisation and begin practical arrangements.
- Take part in the pre-departure orientation.
- Manage your exchange process (including grant administration and insurance information) in Mobility Online.
More information
Free mover exchange
Work placements in Europe as a Free Mover
A work placement exchange in Europe is also possible with oraganisations that are not Diak’s partners, provided that the host organisation meets the requirements of the work placement and the tasks are suitable for the student’s field of study.
Exchanges completed in Europe are carried out within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, where the minimum duration of the exchange is two (2) months.
Before proceeding, clarify the following with the contact person at the host organisation:
- detailed information on the objectives and content of the work placement
- information about the organisation’s operations
- the name and role of the local work placement supervisor
- information about accommodation arrangements
Please remember that you are responsible for all practical arrangements related to the exchange. A free mover exchange often requires more effort than choosing one of Diak’s partner organisations. Diak does not provide a supervision fee.
Students going Erasmus+ work placement as free movers must also complete Diak’s exchange application in order to receive a mobility grant.
Useful job and traineeship search platforms
Work placements outside Europe as a Free Mover
Outside Europe, students are primarily sent on placement with Diak’s established partner organisations.
However, in some cases it may be justified to search for a placement independently outside Diak’s international network. Acceptable reasons include family ties, long-term residence in the country or other strong familiarity with the local context. These placements are accepted into Diak’s mobility process only on a secondary basis.
We do not support exchanges to countries for which the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland advises against travel, or to countries with unstable security conditions. If you are considering a Free Mover exchange outside Europe, always contact the international mobility services well in advance (preferably at least 6 months before departure).
Please also note that Diak’s liability insurance is not valid if your exchange destination is the United States or Canada. In such cases, the student must purchase the necessary insurance independently.
Studying abroad as a Free Mover
Students in Social Services, Public Service Interpreting, and Sign Language and AAC Interpreting can search for a study exchange destination independently if a suitable option cannot be found among Diak’s exchange destinations.
If you go abroad as a free mover, you are responsible for all practical arrangements and costs related to your exchange. The host institution decides whether you are eligible to apply as a free mover; not all institutions accept free mover students.
As a free mover, you must complete courses that can be accredited towards your Diak degree. Prepare your study plan and have it approved in advance by Diak’s international academic supervisor.
As with traineeships, we do not support exchanges to countries where the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel or where security is unstable. If considering a free mover exchange, contact the international mobility services well in advance (preferably at least 6 months before departure).
All exchanges must follow Diak’s application process and adhere to Diak’s conditions and guidelines.
Free Mover study exchange at a glance
- Duration: 3–6 months
- Studies: approx. 30 ECTS
- The host must be a higher education institution (university or UAS)
- The student is responsible for all arrangements and costs
- The study plan must be approved by the international academic supervisor, and the modules must be transferable to the Diak degree
- Application through Diak’s exchange application process
- Grant: €1,500 per exchange. If the exchange is discontinued or the student returns without completing any credits, the grant must be paid back to Diak.
