Granada is a young, fun city which can be a great place to pursue an international internship in a variety of fields. Now a bustling college town (over 80,000 students are enrolled at the University of Granada), Granada is also famous for its rich Islamic legacy, having been under Moorish rule until the 16th century. Close to both the mountains and the beaches in the south of Spain, and only a short trip away from Morocco, Granada offers a flourishing alternative destination for students who want to intern abroad in a smaller Spanish city.
Internships in Granada
Granada does not have a huge economy, with only 240,000 people living in the city, 80,000 of which are students, the easiest industries to find internships in Granada in tend to be education, hospitality, and tourism. Interning in Granada at a university, hotel, or for a travel company are all widely available placement options. Within these fields interns can still take on a variety of roles, however, including tasks related to marketing, human resources, social media management, customer relations, web design, and more.
You will have a much deeper access to internships in Granada if you are able to speak Spanish, as English is not commonly spoken throughout the city. The local Andalusian dialect, referred to by locals as Andaluz, is influenced by Arabic roots and can be hard to grasp for Spanish speakers at first. However in a short while you should be able to get the hang of it, and locals are very accommodating in making the effort to speak to you in standard Spanish.
Internships in Granada typically last from two to six months, and can also be completed in combination with academic study through some programs. It is a college town after all, so students can benefit from both the professional and academic experience by choosing to study and intern abroad in Granada!
Life in Granada
Granada is a city of juxtapositions. One of Spain’s oldest cities, having been settled thousands of years ago, today it is one of the most youthful and vibrant places you can intern abroad in Spain. In addition, its long history of rule under an Islamic Caliphate blends uniquely with European influences to create a very enriching and fascinating culture. The architecture, food, and dialect to this day all exhibit Granada’s deep Islamic roots.
The city is also, quite simply, beautiful. Settled pristinely in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains straddling four different rivers, and a very short distance from the Mediterranean coast, it is hard to imagine a more dreamlike location for an internship abroad than Granada. Throw in a bevy of historical and architectural attractions, such as the Alhambra and the Generalife, and the backdrop of internships in Granada cannot be beat.
There are some aspects of the Spanish culture that will undoubtedly take some getting used to as an intern in Granada. Life tends to run more slowly, days loll along and are broken up by siestas, dinner usually isn’t eaten until after 10 p.m., and nights on the town have a tendency to extend into early mornings on the town. While the culture may require some adaptation time, most interns come to fall in love with the Andalusian life in no time at all.
Salary & Costs
Costs of living in Spain are typically less expensive than in other Western European countries. Since it is a smaller city, life in Granada is also significantly cheaper than in life in big Spanish cities like Madrid and Spain. Granada is, however, a popular travel destination, so be weary of tourist traps.
Internships in Granada can go paid or unpaid, much like in most of Spain, as there are no labor laws regarding the issue. If your internship in Granada is unpaid, then often employers will help compensate you by other means including meals, housing, and/or a stipend.
Accommodation & Visas
Many interns choose to live in a homestay while interning abroad in Granada. This can be a great opportunity to immerse yourself more and gain familiarity with the local culture, and it can also be valuable outlet for additional Spanish language practice. Subletting in an apartment or flat for a few months is also an option that many interns take advantage of.
Whether or not you will need a visa to intern abroad in Granada depends on the length of your internship, if it is paid or not, and the home country you are traveling from. For more specifics on the visa situation that applies to you during your internship in Granada, check out GoAbroad’s Spanish Embassy Directory.
GoAbroad Insider Tips
Unique Culture. With strong influences based in both Spanish and Moorish historical roots, Granada has a very distinct feel to it from the rest of Spain. It is definitely worth travelling throughout southern Spain and Morocco to experience more of Granada’s regional context, too.
Language Immersion. English is not commonly spoken in Granada, making it a great place to truly immerse yourself in the Spanish language. Your Spanish fluency will soar by undertaking an internship in Granada (not a bad skill to have either!).
Leisure Time. Its architecture and geographical setting make every day in Granada a wonder to wake up to. Exploring this city, sitting at cafés, and relaxing in your free time will never get old during your internship in Granada.
