V.I.E
The global experiences through the eyes of our V.I.Es
Moving abroad for work can feel like a big step: a new country, a new culture, new colleagues, and often with a completely new way of working. Yet for many young professionals at ALTEN, that’s exactly what makes the V.I.E experience rewarding.
More than an international assignment, a V.I.E (International Corporate Volunteer Programme) is an excellent opportunity for young Europeans to live and work abroad for a period of 6 to 24 months and accelerate their professional development while living an adventure that few early-career professionals get to experience. While every journey is unique, its true value is best reflected in the stories of those who undertake it.
With practical support in place, participants can embrace the experience with confidence. This allows them to focus on what matters most: building their skills, immersing themselves in a new culture, and making the most of their international assignment.
What inspired them to go abroad
Choosing to move abroad is rarely just about a job opportunity. For many V.I.Es, it’s a chance to discover a new culture, evolve in an unfamiliar environment, and gain experiences that go beyond their day-to-day role.
For Mehdi, the V.I.E was an opportunity to combine international exposure with meaningful professional responsibility from day one. After completing a master’s degree in financial engineering, he was looking for more than a traditional first job. He wanted to challenge himself in a new environment, develop his expertise in controlling, and discover a different way of working.
Mehdi
Financial Controller
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
“After my Master’s in financial engineering, I wanted to test myself: build technical skills in a controlling role while learning to navigate a completely different professional culture from scratch.“
Working at the Heart of Innovation
For Valentin, the V.I.E was an opportunity to combine his desire for an international experience with a challenging role in a cutting-edge environment. His choice naturally led him to Eindhoven, one of Europe’s leading technology hubs. As a Software Engineer consultant in the optics domain, this role allowed him to work at the heart of innovation, contributing to advanced technologies while expanding his expertise beyond software development. The experience has enabled him to discover a new work culture, develop new technical skills, and grow both professionally and personally in a highly stimulating environment.
“I am really proud of how I integrated into my team. Joining a project in the optics domain meant I had to learn some notions of optical physics on top of my software work, which was a real challenge for me.”
Valentin
Software Engineer
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
For those who embrace the experience, it can open doors to new responsibilities, continued professional development, and, in some cases, exciting career opportunities within ALTEN. For many participants, it is much more than a first job abroad; it’s a transformative life experience.
Are you interested in joining the ALTEN adventure?