I’m in Spain: where can I travel during my work placement abroad? This is it, you’re finally doing your work placement abroad. Don’t panic if there are a few bumps in the road, it’s all part of the journey, part of growing up and becoming independent 🙂
Spain is the Holy Grail, it’s a blast, you’re having the time of your life: it’s the country that welcomes the most ERASMUS students every year! With Nantes on offer to Italians at International Horizons, we’re struggling to compete with Spain! And you’d love it even more if you moved around a bit at the weekend to see a bit of the country (or see your mates by the way, who might also be doing a work placement in Spain). Don’t worry, baby, we know all about Spain, so here’s a family blog on how to get around Spain on a budget and have fun at the same time: whether it’s in Spain or in the neighbouring countries, there are plenty of destinations to keep you entertained and make your work placement abroad exceptional!
Madrid
The capital! A must-see in Spain. And unlike in France, where Paris only represents itself, I think Madrid does Spain proud: lots of covered markets, smiling, friendly people who are always ready to help, cheap bars, typical Spanish architecture… it’s all there for you to enjoy over a weekend. From the Prado Park to the museums, there’s plenty to do when you visit Madrid! The little extra: it’s not expensive to get there; in fact, trains and buses are fairly cheap in Spain (you can check with OMIO or RENFE), and everything is fairly centralised around the capital, just like Paris this time.
Vigo
What ? But why Vigo Sebas? ? If you like surfing or water sports, it’s the place to be! Indeed, it’s on the Atlantic side of Spain, and it’s pretty famous for its waves, but not just that! Vigo is a spectacular seafront city, combining medieval and modern architecture in a truly beautiful setting. What’s more, the city of Vigo is in Galicia: it’s a Celtic land! The people are very festive – well, OK, like in the rest of Spain, but with Celtic music to boot. You can take a trip to the Interceltic Festival in Lorient to practise getting your elbows up and dancing with your course in Spain.
Andalusia
Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga … just by reading the names of these towns, you’ll feel 15 degrees warmer. Andalusia is hot, it’s flamenco, it’s festive … we love it! I don’t know anyone who hasn’t enjoyed going there, except perhaps those who had the very bad idea of only going to Jaen: tough luck. Seville is exceptional, Cadiz is a long city surrounded by the sea, Granada is splendid, Cordoba is above all for its cathedral mosque (yes, at the same time!) and its beautiful old centre, and Málaga for its beaches and its festive side.
Ibiza
Of course, there’s the party aspect: Ibiza town or Antonio de Portomani are the two big party towns where you can meet all the DJs of the moment and discover a party atmosphere that’s completely out of the ordinary! Playa d’en Bossa is also the place to party during the day, with DJs spinning their best sets from the beach… but that’s not all! In fact, Ibiza is full of beautiful walks through the forests and, above all, a good fifty coves, each hotter than the next, where a cool box and two planks of wood serve as a bar… the setting is quite idyllic! And beyond that, it’s also THE true story of the European hippies: no spoilers, I’ll leave you to find out!
Murcia
The autonomous community of Murcia is often underrated: what a beginner’s mistake ? Murcia is a very nice, very dynamic city, and you especially have the delightful Cartagena to discover, a city on the seafront, on a human scale, and very festive! The Region of Murcia has quite a few public holidays: and it’s really amazing, because when you work with them, it seems like every week there’s something to celebrate. During the major religious festivals, everyone’s out dancing in the streets, there’s music, beer and sunshine: everything’s going great.
Portugal
Lisbon, Porto & Faro: 3 cities you can discover, all within easy reach. The choice is yours: plane, train or bus. We’d still recommend the train or bus, as the distance doesn’t really justify taking a plane if you’re not on the east coast of Spain. Lisbon is one of Europe’s favourite destinations. And frankly, if you get the chance, go and see it for yourself. Not only is the city magnificent, but it’s also cheap, and you’ll be able to go out OKLM without killing your budget. In fact, if you’re passing through, I’d like to give you a good address for partying: Rua do Norte, in Bairro Alto: it’s the district with all the city’s bars, nightclubs and cheap restaurants! The last time I was there, I ended up dancing to big ragga sounds on the seafront during a very hectic after-party ah ah. Porto & Faro are in the same vein. Porto is very colourful, and the people are very approachable, a bit like in Spain. In any case, Portugal is renowned for its calm and friendly people, its tolerance and its culinary specialities, which I urge you to discover.
Valencia
It’s really beautiful! Especially if you go in March. You can go and enjoy the Fallas, a huge traditional festival where people are dressed up in traditional costumes, and dozens of huge papier-mâché structures are paraded around! This huge festival is organised in honour of Saint Joseph. If you want to find out more, check out their website: it’s well worth the diversions! (So much so that my partner, who’s a Spanish teacher, keeps shouting at me while I’m writing this because, in her opinion, I’m not saying enough!)
Morocco or Spain in Morocco?
Yes, because Morocco isn’t that far from Spain after all. Even better if you’re doing a course in Seville or Malaga: that’s right next door. We’re taking advantage of this to enjoy Marrakech, Essaouira or even Tangiers! The easiest way is to take a ferry from Algeciras, and then you’ve got a choice: either head for Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Málaga territory, or dock next to Tangier to discover this splendid port city, which manages to combine the old town with ambitious modern architecture. For ferry companies, follow the link. The average fare to Ceuta and Tangier is around €70 return, excluding discounted fares.
Gibraltar
Tired of speaking Spanish and drinking sangria? Hm, to each his own, eh ? But, to satisfy you and get off to a Tea Party start, you can spend your best weekend ever in Gibraltar: a British territory located in the south of Spain. Sunshine all year round: you’re in the south here, but so south! It’s even further south than Marbella, just above Tarifa, by the sea, and you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the incredible Upper Rock Nature Reserve. To organise your stay, go to the tourism website: it’s easy to use and there are lots of little nuggets to discover.
I’m in Spain: where can I travel during my work placement abroad? If you’re doing an internship in Spain, you’re spoilt for choice. All you have to do is find your work placement abroad, and that’s what we’re here for! And don’t forget: for your work placement abroad, whatever the destination, there are a few rules. First of all, you absolutely must test your language level, and for that you have the European Union’s platform. Secondly, your placement must be a compromise between your expectations, your language level and, above all, the criteria imposed by your school: the aim is for you to come home with experience that will help you get your degree!
For more general questions, visit the International Horizons Internships Abroad FAQ.