Volunteer Programs in Madrid, Spain

My internship with The Intern Group in Madrid and with The International Business Hub was great for me overall. It allowed me to grow professionally and as a human being while being able to meet and interact with very smart people from various world countries. It was all worth it for sure.

The Intern Group programme in Madrid was an incredible experience and opportunity for myself. I worked in a forward thinking organisation, on projects involving EU funding, and gained experience in a field I hope to work in. I met friends from all over the world, with whom I have travelled with and hope there will be more adventures to come. This programme has really given me an insight into what I want for my future and the goals I now intend to pursue. It’s a great chance to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to learn new things. I am grateful for the support and activities organised by Lalita and hope to meet her again when I return to Spain for my future studies.

When I chose the Interngroup I knew that I was doing the right choice, and at the end my assumptions turned out to be right! Firstly I had to go to Australia, but because of Covid I couldn't go, and they promptly helped me to change destination to make me attend my face to face internship. Finally it has been a dream to be able to attend an internship in Madrid even with a pandemic going on! I learnt another language as well! The support they give you is truly admirable, Lalita was my coordinator and she is literally an angel on earth. I could call her anytime when I had some problems and she would answer right the way, I could really see that she loves her job and she cares for us. I would do this experience 100 times all over again!!! -Luisa Meloni

Through the World Explorers program, I was able to travel abroad safely and at an affordable cost for my first time ever. I had an amazing time in Spain and made so many unforgettable memories. The host family I was placed with was awesome and they were always so curious about my home life, my own family traditions, and what life is like in the United States. I was able to try many delicious and new foods like squid, paella, "toast" for breakfast, freshly squeezed orange juice, sangria, and so much more. The great thing about the World Explorers program is that it is very flexible and allows so much free time. I was able to take Spanish speaking classes and make friends from all over the world. On the weekends, I took trips to different cities all throughout Spain like Malaga, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba and also was able to travel to Portugal and Morocco through a student travel program based in Sevilla where I lived. Teaching English was very simple and stress-free, though I do recommend bringing fun games, American treats, and fun crafts or activities to do with the kids to spice things up for lessons. Overall, I would highly recommed CHI for any kind of travel and I am looking forward to traveling again through them becuase I had a very positive experience.

I was placed with a wonderful family and was afforded many unforgettable opportunities. Heidi Smith was extremely responsive to all of my concerns and questions. I could not have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend this program for its affordability and the opportunities it offers.

International Volunteer HQ I feel fortunate living in Los Angeles, California. Raising my children to be open-minded with an awareness of the world and others are values I hold dearly. IVHQ is an amazing organization that allows me to instil these values. My values are about having a moral compass and direction. We live in a place where things can be taken for granted. With IVHQ, we found a way to define our family values through good works, and the chance to be around people from different backgrounds. For the past 2 summers my daughter and I have traveled to do community service outside the US—to see and experience the world and what it means in a different way. Through IVHQ, my daughter (now 14) was able to choose the countries and work that interest her. My daughter, thus far, has chosen Spanish-speaking countries so she could work on her Spanish skills. She chose Ecuador and this past summer Spain. Further, after choosing the countries she wanted to travel to, she was able to choose the volunteer work. She continues to enjoy working with young children. IVHQ gives us the opportunity to be aware of the world and the needs of others and to be humble in the face of those who don’t have the opportunities that we have. IVHQ is a remarkable organization. It is safe and well-run. We intend to go every summer. We highly recommend! Cheryl and Alexa

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewOctober 28, 2018

Hi Cheryl - it was great to have you and your daughter volunteering in Ecuador! We look forward to having you both continue to volunteer with us in the future. Rachel - IVHQ program Manager.

Being placed in two projects over the course of two weeks was exciting but also brought about different demands. IVHQ eased us into the project so it did not feel like we were put into something unknown. Assisting the elderly was pleasant as they were very accommodating. The only issue I found that prevented me from giving my all to this project was the language barrier. So I started learning Spanish everyday to help myself assist them better with their activities. The second project was assisting individuals with autism which was quite challenging. But it is all within the learning experience and it comes with with the job. It is a great way to gain experience by assisting these lovely individuals with their activities. I really recommend this project for those who would want to pursue a career in this aspect. IVHQ will place you in projects that need assistance, so even if it does not feel you make an impact within any group, trust me, your presence makes a difference in the lives of the individuals you assist. Other than the language barrier I faced in these projects, there were no other difficulties at all. The remainder of the day was spent exploring Madrid with friends from the IVHQ House. The house was very lovely and catered to our needs. Using the google translate app for those who do not understand Spanish is a great help. Using the Madrid transportation app helps as well! Best way to experience everything about your weeks in Madrid is to be open to the experience and doing things that you might normally do. It will be worth your while.

I had such an amazing time in Madrid with the family that i was with and all of the other wonderful people that i was lucky enough to meet! This trip really opened up a lot of doors and thanks to CHI I can now say that i have added these people as part of my family. I cannot wait to go back and visit! Hasta luego Madrid :)

I feel so blessed to have found this program and to have been able to be a part of what they are doing!! The opportunity to live in a city and experience it as more than just a tourist really was a fabulous experience. My host felt like a dear friend right from the moment that she met me at the airport. I cried at the airport when the time came to say goodbye only one short month later. I've made a friend for life! The relaxed pace and love for life there was contagious... and the scenes weren't bad either! : )

My stay was good. I was safe, in a clean house, nice neighborhood, and not much else. I was a little disappointed when I found out the location was not really Barcelona, but rather a posh, quiet, pretty boring, neighborhood about 20min away from the city. I could still commute to the city on my free time, but for anyone coming here next, I would emphasize that this family will rarely go into the city with you, and that you are pretty much not part of the city at all, but rather a commuter. The family was very nice, but pretty conservative and get get pretty loud sometimes during their family argument, so just a fare warning. Back to Sant Cugat, it can get boring, but there are tons of hidden hiking trails, and a train stop that drop you off at a major trailhead. I would recommend getting a Spanish teaching podcast going and hit the mountains everyday. There's a lot of wildlife and great views out there. Otherwise, stay was good, and you're in Europe, in a beautiful country, so at the end of the day I greatly appreciated this opportunity to stay out here in Catalonia (Not Spain).

Being a part of this program was life changing. It definitely wasn't a vacation, but it was an amazing experience I will carry for the rest of my life. The coordination and price of the trip was impressive and I knew I could always count on the program to help. The families I stayed with truly took care of me. They showed me around Spain and they were so wonderful to me. Just speaking English with them was enough for them to fill the gaps in their English knowledge. I still talk to them now and again. The culture of Spain is beautiful and carefree. The best trip abroad I have taken. I recommend this program if you truly want to be immersed in a culture.

CHI is an incredibly supportive program. I was based in Madrid, and the two months I spent there was a great time. The ECVA/World Explorer program was a great way for me to finance my travels outside the US, as I was volunteering my knowledge of the English language in payment for a bed and meals, which any traveler will tell you are the two most costly expenditures when traveling. I was able to visit Valencia for Las Fallas, Sevilla for Feria de Abril, and went skiing in Andorra during the program duration. I am thankful to CHI, as my direct contact in the program, Heidi, could not have been more helpful when I needed her. I was placed with a good host family, although I think the trouble we ran into was the age difference. If I could choose again, I would have looked for a family with children closer to my age. To all those looking at participating in CHI's program, I recommend you to know what it is you are looking for in a host family, as that is a HUGE part of how enjoyable your experience will be.

Overall, I had a great experience in Spain with ECV. My host family went above and beyond to make me feel welcome. There was never a time I felt alone. There was always someone I could talk to if I needed help. I was able to improve my Spanish language, learn about the culture, and meet new people. The only negative thing I have to say is that my friend and I did the "buddy program" and I did not feel like we were able to spend that much time together based on where we were located.