Third largest city in Spain? Welcome to Valencia, the site of the ELI Abroad internship and volunteer programs in Spain. More affordable than Madrid and Barcelona, and offering amazing weather, a historic center (one of Europe’s largest), gardens, beaches, street life, and a vibrant university population, we feel this is an ideal location for you to immerse yourself in Spanish culture.
As you'll see as you look over the many internships and volunteer options, there is something for almost any interest. Some of the highlights are volunteer programs working with refugee women, internships in physical therapy and public health. Of course, virtually all types of business internships are available.
How's your Spanish? Affordable language classes are available as an add-on to your program. Take classes before you start, or split your day between language classes and your work placement. All levels are available, and classes are accredited by the Cervantes Institute.
Location: Located on the southeast coast of Spain, Valencia has plenty to offer on its own, but travel is easy to Madrid, Barcelona, and the beautiful cities of Andalucia - Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba. Nearer to Valencia you'll find Cuenca, famous for its 'hanging houses' that hang on a cliff. Segorbe has a water park, cathedral, and an 800 year old aqueduct. If you're into wine, Moorish castles, and picturesque towns,Requeña is nearby. Xativa is another cool historic town dominated by a castle. In other words, there is no shortage of photo-ops in the region!
So much is going on in Europe with refugees, immigrants, and minorities like the Romani (Roma). As a large commercial port city, Valencia is no exception. There are many exciting projects that are looking for volunteers and interns. Some of the areas being addressed are training programs, career guidance, studies, personal and family support, food banks, tech support (registration for government programs/aid, etc.), at-risk youth, languages, intercultural events, etc. This is an exciting and important time as Europe's future takes shape. Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
The public health field relies heavily on volunteers. It is hard to imagine any organization or even government able to deal with the health issues facing contemporary society. Volunteering in public health has an impact, even if you work behind the scenes. Hands, minds and energy are needed. Delivering meals, answering phones, helping with campaigns, you don't need to be a doctor or nurse to be of use.
We have internships that deal with:
1. Nutritional diseases - how to build awareness and treat them (e.g. celiac’s, diabetics, etc.)
2. drug addiction – how to prevent and help these patients
3. alcoholism – prevention and awareness
4. Sexual abuse victims – prevention and awareness
5. Elderly – working with this community and improving their lifestyle
Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
We treat professional internships seriously at ELI Abroad. With several thousand Valencia partner companies, organizations, and agencies in our database, we won't try to squeeze you into a placement that suits our purposes. Our goal is to tailor your internship to your skills, education and goals. When you apply, we will put together a file containing your resume/cv, a letter of introduction, and a statement of goals. This file will be taken to various companies, organizations, agencies that seem to be a good match. All placements require some knowledge of Spanish, some advanced, others not. But your native language skills, particularly English, French, and German, may also be desirable.
We are rewriting this section of our site to highlight some of the many fields available. In the meantime, here is a list of commonly requested ones, beginning with a few of the most popular:
Architecture students know that exposure to different approaches enhances their own creative vision. Interning abroad allows an intensive immersion experience that can be life changing. Spain, with its convergence of European and Arab cultures, ancient and modern, may be the experience that sets you apart. Working with a first rate firm will also give you the practical real world experience that will prepare you for career. Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
How do you, as an engineering student, find an internship abroad? How do you find a good company and make the contacts you need to land an interesting position? ELI Abroad has people on the ground in Valencia with the contacts and the knowledge to do the legwork for you. We offer Engineering internships for all types of engineers: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, you name it. You’ll need an intermediate level of Spanish. Expect that level to zoom by the end of your stay! Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
IT students have a “world of opportunities.” If you would like to use your skills to open doors to another culture, we think Valencia is a great choice. Virtually any business can use IT support, whether for something as simple as help with MS Office products, or more advanced areas like database design or app development. Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
If you are studying or intend to study physical therapy, there are opportunities in Valencia for hands-on internships. Obviously, your background in the field will determine the level of involvement, but many simple tasks are possible under the supervision of the staff. There are programs with sports rehabilitation, pregnant women, cerebral palsey, disabilities, occupational therapy, and more. Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
Accounting Administration and Office Management Advertising Agricultural Sciences Chemical Lab Coaching & Sports Management Communications Culinary Arts Education Environmental Conservation Event Planning and Management Fashion Finance Graphic design Hospitality Management & Tourism Information Technology Interior Design International Business and Global Economics International Relations Journalism |
Law and Advocacy Logistics Marketing Media Studies (TV, Film, Radio) Museum & Cultural Management Non-Profit Management Performing Arts Public Relations Restoration and Hospitality Social Work Topography Tourism Urban Planning Veterinary Sciences Media and Visual Arts Web and Graphic Design Wine Nautical and Yachting Youth Development |
Questions? Click here
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
See our off-season discounts! Click here for a complete list.
Shared Apartment | Cost | Homestay | Cost |
2 Weeks | US $1620 | 2 Weeks | US $1806 |
3 Weeks | US $1765 | 3 Weeks | US $2044 |
4 Weeks | US $1909 | 4 Weeks | US $2281 |
5 Weeks | US $1985 | 5 Weeks | US $2519 |
6 Weeks | US $2115 | 6 Weeks | US $2756 |
7 Weeks | US $2246 | 7 Weeks | US $2994 |
8 Weeks | US $2376 | 8 Weeks | US $3231 |
9 Weeks | US $2486 | 9 Weeks | US $3469 |
10 Weeks | US $2603 | 10 Weeks | US $3706 |
11 Weeks | US $2719 | 11 Weeks | US $3944 |
12 Weeks | US $2835 | 12 Weeks | US $4181 |
1 Week | US$240 |
2 Weeks | US$400 |
3 Weeks | US$610 |
4 Weeks | US$810 |
Additional Weeks | Inquire |
Application Fee: $200 The application fee is a separate administrative charge for all programs. It does not apply to the program fee. (Please see our application fee refund policy here)
Credit card payments: Payment by credit card will be assessed a 3.5% surcharge. This is the fee that we will be charged for the transaction. Contact us about alternative forms of payment.
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
Program Includes:*Pre-Departure Packet |
Program Does Not Include:*Round-Trip Flights to Spain |
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
All ELI participants have a choice between a homestay or shared apartment.
Apartments: The shared apartments have basic furniture. These are chosen to appeal the budget conscious traveler. They are usually located in the neighborhood of Benimaclet, which is conveniently close to the language school we work with. You will have your own bedroom, but bathrooms that are share by 2 or 3 other participants. If there are more than 3 students, at least an extra toilet will be available. All apartments have Internet connection and the rooms with natural light and contain a bed, wardrobe and a desk. You may upgrade to larger, more modern apartments for an additional $25 per week.
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
Move-in dates are Saturdays (after noon), move out also on Saturdays, but before noon. You may move out mid-week, but will be charged for the full week.
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
Valencia has an international airport connecting to many European cities. If you are arriving from a non-European country, you will need to transfer in one of these cities. Here is a link to the Valencia Airport's website. Many people choose to fly into Madrid or Barcelona for some pre-program touring. In that case, trains and buses might be the best way to to continue on to Valencia.
Visas are required for many nationalities. Others (U.S. and Canada) may visit for to 90 days without a visa. Longer stays are possible if you are taking Spanish classes, in which case you will need a student visa.