Spain - Eco-friendly Hospitality Internship in Barcelona

Location

Barcelona is a modern cosmopolitan city, with an important cultural, architectural and monumental historic legacy.  It is extremely popular as a tourist destination; due largely to its fantastic climate, beaches, and after the sun goes down, the nightlife.  The project is situated just walking distance to Las Ramblas, Barcelona's most famous street, with easy access to many of Barcelona's most visited tourist attractions.  The core center of town, focused around the Ciutat Vella, provides days of enjoyment for those looking to experience the life of Barcelona while the beaches the city was built upon provide sun and relaxation during the long periods of agreeably warm weather.

About the project

The HelloBCN hostel is an independent hostel that prides itself on offering young travellers a clean, safe retreat in the centre of Barcelona: a place to relax, socialise and share experiences.  The hostel is committed to providing guests with unforgettable experiences instead of just offering a place to sleep. The hostel is also committed to the promotion of ecological travel through projects such as alternative energy, recycling and promotion of the Catalan culture.  Interns are needed to help the hostel work towards the achievement of these goals.  New ideas from interns on ways to acheive these goals are more than welcome.

Volunteer work and contribution

Interns will become an important reference point for guests and therefore will play in important role in ensuring guests enjoy their stay in Barcelona and HelloBCN Hostel.

Interns will be involved in several activities such as 'chaperoning' groups of tourists on informal walks both within the city centre and to Montserrat, a very important sight in Catalan history.  Other duties of the interns will include serving breakfast and serving in the bar at night, in addition to light cleaning.  Interns will also be called upon to plan and promote social activities, and to help with the implementation of a recycling project in the hostel.

The hostel recognizes that each person who joins our team can bring valuable ideas to the successful operation of the hostel and therefore encourages the participation of volunteers through the contribution of new initiatives.  Possible projects could include, but are not limited to, other ecological tourism initiatives; website translation, social marketing initiatives, new group activities and new tours.

Rosters are prepared on a monthly basis enabling participants to plan trips on their days off. Interns are expected to work between 5 and 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during their time volunteering. Participants will generally receive two days off per week.

A sample day for a volunteer would depend on the duties assigned.  In general it would involve setting up and serving breakfast between 7:30am and 10am, cleaning up after breakfast and ensuring that the recycling is separated and taken to the appropriate containers.  Volunteers would then be encouraged to mix with guests and enjoy all that Barcelona has to offer.  Another volunteer would take guests on an informal tour or accompany them to Montserrat, depending on the activity planned for the day, or in the absence of an activity, would attend to light cleaning activities such as assisting in the laundry or cleaning the fridges.  At 7pm another volunteer would open the bar and later escort guests to the nightclub.

Accommodation and Food

Interns will stay in the staff dormitory (maximum of 4 people), with a shared bathroom. The room has air conditioning/heating.  Bed linens and towels are provided.  They will also have access to the use of the hostel kitchen and guest computers with free internet. WiFi is also available in certain areas of the hostel.  Washing machines are also available for use.  

Breakfast is provided daily, all other meals are the responsibility of the volunteers. There are several supermarkets located within minutes of the hostel.  The very popular fresh food market, ‘La Boquería’ is only a short walk from the hostel.  There are also several banks, cash machines and money exchange places within a short distance of the hostel.

Not just work...

Barcelona has many national and local festivals during which the city organises concerts and celebrations in the streets and plazas free for all to enjoy!  Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in certain activities/trips organized by third parties at a reduced rate.

Minimum Requirements

• 6 week to 3 month commitment
• Age 20 - 30 years
• A minimum 6 week commitment
• Good level of English (Phone interview following reservation)
• Spanish and other languages a plus
• High level of independence, responsibility and flexibility
• Motivation to work