WORKING
In Spain anyone with an EU (European Union)
passport may work. Try looking for English
teaching or work for a small business. The
only problem is that most jobs will involve
some knowledge of Spanish. The best place
for English speaking travellers to find
work in Spanish is in the tourism industry
where knowledge of English is often more
important than the local lingo. For those
that are self-employed, visas and passports
present no problem. Take the tools for your
trade (such as mobile phone, laptop etc)
and don't tell the immigration authorities
that you are working.
Job ideas
Teaching English seems to be one of the
most popular jobs for non-Spanish speaking
foreigners looking for work. Try the major
colleges and search through the links below
for TESOL opportunities.
Hostels sometimes are in need of English
speaking staff, although opportunities outside
major cities are rare. Barcelona or Madrid
would be the best places to get this kind
of work.
Cafes and restaurants in larger cities may
also pick up non-Spanish speaking staff
during their busy periods although again
outside big cities some Spanish may be required.
LONG-TERM ACCOMODATION
Here are some hints:
- budget enough money to stay in a hostel
for 1-2 weeks if you don't find anything
more permanent sooner.
- add to your budget that you may need bond
money once you find a place.
- check university bulletin boards and newsletters
that may feature cheap student accommodation,
shared housing etc
- see advertisements in local newspapers
- walk the streets and talk to people. Let
it be known what you are looking for.
- some boarding schools offer accommodation
in return or a few hours helping out at
the school either in the dorm or elsewhere.
This may limit your night hours however.
- look into exchanging housing. There are
web sites and agencies that help organise
this. Search our bulletin boards or leaving
your own posting.
- some hostels may discount your lodging
for long term stays or you may be able to
work for your accommodation. Other hostels
refuse stays of longer than several days.
Check our discussion boards and job pages
for listings.
- some cities have cheap workers dorms
- go to the local housing agency
- join a house sitting organisation or check
our bulletin boards for house sitting opportunities.
There are usually requirements to fill,
age is a big one.
STUDYING
Many Canadian and American universities
offer credit for semesters studied abroad.
Istituto Europeo Study Abroad Program -
offers semester and summer programs in Italian
language, arts, and humanities, with transferable
college credits. www.studyabroad-ie.com
Language Study Abroad - runs intensive immersion
foreign language programs in Mexico, Spain,
Italy and France www.languagestudy.com
Language
Study Abroad - runs intensive immersion foreign language programs in Mexico, Spain,
Italy and France. www.languagestudy.com