Want to intern in Spain but don’t speak Spanish? No problemo! ☆ Ahhh, sunny España. Spain is an amazingly diverse country characterized by amazing food, a Mediterranean vibe, and over 300 days of sunshine a year (welcome to the sunniest country in Europe!). It’s a country that is passionate, beautiful, and filled with warmth. When you intern in Spain, you will be basking in everything that Spain has to offer. Whether it’s the paella, the energy of a local fiesta, or the visionary architecture, Spain will have you hooked. What better place to intern abroad?
Get ready for some thrilling adventures with internships for English speakers in Spain!
Of course, the main language spoken in Spain is Spanish. This can pose a challenge to some interns from abroad (although it does give you an excellent opportunity to brush up on your Spanish skills!). The good news is that many international organizations and businesses call this lovely country home, which means there are a number of English speaking internships in Spain. Now it’s just up to you to figure out where you want to settle down and work! To get you started, here are some of the best cities to intern abroad in Spain if you are an English speaker.
The best cities to find internships for English speakers in Spain
1. Madrid
Madrid is both the capital of Spain and its largest city. It is a huge hub for the Spanish government, which makes it perfect for government or public service-related internships. You will get the best of both worlds in Madrid, with an exciting and bustling work culture, and plenty of things to do around town in your free time. Whether you want to eat and drink the afternoon away, or shop ‘til you drop, Madrid is what every metropolis aspires to be.
Madrid is one of the most popular options for intern abroad in Spain for good reason.
Madrid is one of the most popular destinations in Spain for tourists and expats. In part, this is because it is an accessible city with convenient transportation, breathtaking architecture, and tasty food at all hours of the day. It is also a landing point for many international businesses and organizations, which means this major city is where you’ll have your best shot at finding internships for English speakers in Spain.
Recommended programs for interning in Madrid:
- The Intern Group Internships in Madrid
- API International Internships in Madrid
- ISA Internships in Madrid
2. Barcelona
Madrid’s biggest rival, Barcelona, is a more laid back and bohemian city—but equally exciting! There is a huge arts and culture scene in Barcelona, so it is perfect for those who want to intern in arts related fields. Whether you want to frequent local art galleries or underground warehouse shows, Barcelona has it all!
The city is home to some of Spain’s most famous architecture. Every neighborhood of this city offers breathtaking and iconic buildings, awesome views, and also gorgeous beaches! As an increasingly international city, Barcelona is perfect for those looking for English speaking internships in Spain. A melting pot of cultures makes Barcelona particularly interesting to work in. And beaches, parks, and mountains nearby make for great day trips in your spare time!
Recommended programs for interning in Barcelona:
- The Intern Group Internships in Barcelona
- IES Internships in Spain
- CISabroad Internships in Barcelona
- AIFS Programs in Barcelona
3. Valencia
Don’t sleep on Valencia. It may be third to Madrid and Barcelona in size, but it’s first in heart.
Valencia is Spain’s third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona. It is a port town, with tons of delicious produce and seafood. Most importantly, Valencia is famous for its paella (isn’t your mouth already watering just thinking about it?). The city is also home to one of the world’s largest and most well-preserved historic city centres—so you can bet that the city is gorgeous.
What better backdrop for your intern in Spain experience? As one of Spain’s major cities, Valencia also has a number of international businesses that take up home here. One of the main perks of interning in Valencia is that it is a bit more affordable than Barcelona or Madrid, but with just as much beauty and culture.
Recommended programs for interning in Valencia:
4. Seville
Seville is relaxed, vibrant, and romantic. It is perfect for those looking to intern abroad in Spain because it is a city where you can soak up widely known aspects of Spanish culture. Locals here are passionate about their history, and traditions such as flamenco and (believe it or not) bullfighting are still popular. To top it all off, people in Seville love their local festivals, so there is always something to celebrate in every season.
With so much to offer, you can probably imagine that tourism is a huge industry here (as with much of Spain), which means English is sometimes spoken. Seville is a popular destination for those looking to intern in the hospitality industry. Seville also takes the cake as one of the hottest major cities in Europe, and is ideal for interns who want to experience that red hot, Spanish heat.
Recommended programs for interning in Seville:
5. Granada
Alhambra is something you’ll need to see to believe when you intern in Spain.
Granada is young, hip, and fun. As a university town and coastal city, it is a thriving hub for young interns. Granada is the perfect for those looking for internships for English speakers in Spain who want to experience a smaller city. A student culture means you can take part in fun nightlife—where students go, parties follow!
In between ocean and mountains, Granada provides a beautiful backdrop for your interning experience. The city is famous for its many castles and Moorish architecture and history. Granada is home to unique Islamic architecture and is an excellent place to delve into Spain’s Arab past. These influences gives the city a very different atmosphere from other cities in Spain, making it a must-visit for many visitors.
Recommended programs for interning in Granada:
6. Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Hellooo, island paradise! Tenerife is absolutely striking. It is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, and is also the most populated island of Spain. It’s a tourist’s paradise because, well...it is absolutely beautiful. Blue waters and volcanic cliffs? Not a bad backdrop for an intern abroad experience if you ask us!
Tenerife offers some of the best coastline in Spain!
If you are going to intern abroad in Tenerife, you will probably settle in the largest city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. There is a more than modest population of around 200,000 people, which means that you will still have English-speaking intern opportunities! Its island atmosphere is perfect for environmental and hospitality industry interns.
Recommended programs for interning in Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
- Participate Horizon Bridge’s government fellowship in Tenerife
- Earn school credit with a Frontier internship in Tenerife
7. A Coruña
Want to go a little bit off the beaten path? A Coruña is still a big city (populated by over one million people!), but is much less visited than cities like Barcelona and Madrid. It is a port city with beautiful and rugged coastline, a bustling manufacturing industry, and several Roman architecture sites.
Its location on a peninsula means it is surrounded by water (beaches galore!). You’ll spend a lot of time relaxing at the beach and munching on fresh seafood here! If you’re looking for a more relaxed intern abroad in Spain experience, you can find that in A Coruña.
Recommended programs for interning in A Coruña:
- Immerse yourself with Instituto Hemingway Internships in La Caruña
- Do a customized internships by Linguistic Horizons in La Caruña
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Where will YOU go for English speaking internships in Spain?
Interning abroad in Spain means you get to immerse yourself in a culture that prioritizes enjoying life (isn’t that how we should all be living?). As an intern abroad in Spain, you will be greeted by gorgeous weather, delicious food, and natural and architectural wonders that many travelers only dream of seeing! You will be exposed to a way of working and living that might be very different from what you are used to at home. In Spain’s siesta culture, you will learn to relax and enjoy your day. Its an escape from the rat-race culture; hopefully you can already feel your stress levels dropping!
Spain is home to a wide range of regional diversity, which means you will have a varied experience, even from just within the country. And if you want to explore out of the country, there are tons of options very close by! This makes it the perfect country for an intern to explore. With so many international businesses and corporations, it is reasonably easy to find English speaking internships in Spain. Hopefully, this handy little list will help you get started on your intern abroad journey.
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