Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internship in Spain – Barcelona
AIW’s Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internship Program in Spain allows students to expand their culinary or hospitality horizons while exploring Barcelona or other Spanish cities. Students begin their programs by completing a language and cultural immersion program in Barcelona, Spain where they learn Spanish language basics to succeed during their internships (required for non-Spanish speakers). They then move on to complete internships with hotel-restaurants in Barcelona, or other Spanish cities, where they have the opportunity to learn from experienced chefs in exceptional restaurants (some are Michelin awarded).
Program Details:
Duration: 3-12 months
Program Fee: From $3,850.00 (round trip to Spain not included)
Program Start Dates:
2025: year-round
Location:
Barcelona and other cities in Spain
Compensation:
400-600 Euros per month
Typical Application Process:
3-6 months
Program Details
3- to 12-month Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internship Program in Barcelona, Spain includes an intensive language and cultural immersion course followed by a 2- to 11-month internship with a Spanish hotel or restaurant.
2-4 week Intensive Spanish Course in Barcelona (required for non-Spanish speakers): 25 1-hour group lessons per week, Monday – Friday mornings or afternoons. Cultural activities offered by the language school. The language program begins on Mondays.
2- to 11-month Paid Culinary Internship Placement in Barcelona or other cities (~40 hours per week). The internship begins on a Monday following the 2-4 week Intensive Spanish course. Spanish speakers can begin their internships on arrival in Spain.
General Description of Internship: Internships take place at the most reputable restaurants (including Michelin awarded) and/or 4- to 5-star hotels and restaurants in Barcelona or other cities in Spain. The main position in the kitchen is savory kitchen assistant or pastry assistant. Hospitality students may be placed in other areas of the hotel, such as bar, reception, housekeeping, etc. Interns are paid 400-600 Euros per month.
Accommodations and Facilities: During the language program, students are housed with host families in Barcelona (single room) and provided with two meals per day. During the internship, room and board options depend on the student’s placement. Some hotels and restaurants will offer shared staff housing and daily meals. In cases where they do not, participants can find their own housing or AIW can provide assistance. Meals provided by the host restaurant are guaranteed only while on duty.
Note: Few internship positions in Barcelona are live-in (housing provided). For participants who wish to have live-in conditions in Spain, live-in placement options are possible in other Spanish cities (Madrid, San Sebastian, Vigo, Granada, Alicante, Marbella, etc.). The cost of the program is the same for live-out and live-in internship positions, but participants with live-in conditions will be offered free staff accommodation.
Program Cost: The total cost for this 3-month Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internship Program in Spain starts at $3,850.00 without language course and $4,650.00 with 2-week language course. For programs longer than 3 months, the program costs start at $4,850 without language course and at $6,650 with 4-week language course. Non-Spanish speakers are required to complete the intensive Spanish language course at the beginning of the program. Students may only forgo the course if they are fluent Spanish speakers. Please contact AIW for more information.
Other Program Options
AIW may be able to assist students interested in housing options different than those described above. At an additional cost, AIW may be able to help organize private housing or housing at student residences for participants.
Additional services available for participants: possibility to combine 2 programs in Europe (ex: France + Spain), additional nights of accommodation with host family or hotel, visa assistance. Please contact us for more information.
Program Eligibility:
Basic Requirements: Must be currently enrolled as a student, 18 to 35 years old, be a US, EU, Latin American, or South American citizen, and have an educational background in culinary arts or hospitality. Graduates may qualify (up to 18 months after graduation). Contact AIW for eligibility requirements, exclusions, and additional program information.