Volunteer in Northern Spain

Name: Volunteer in Northern Spain
Brand: Instituto Hemingway
SKU: 222247
Rating: 5 (17 reviews)

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5.00 Rating

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Location

Spain
- Bilbao

Length

1 to 52 weeks

Project Types

Agriculture Marketing Childcare Social Services Youth Conservation Environmental Conservation Wildlife Conservation Education ESL Disabled Care Journalism Refugee Relief Tourism Veterinary Service +5

View Other Details

Program Details

Language

Spanish

Age Min.

Age Max

Timeframe

Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Apartment

Groups

Small Group (1-15)

Travel Type

Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price

100

Price Details

Equal parts volunteer experience, language acquisition, and cultural immersion. We include:
Airport pickup
Contracted placement and Certificate upon completion
Volunteer placement max 20 hours a week (sustainable urban permaculture initiatives, art therapy, teaching English, Soccer community assistant, beach cleaning, social media, soccer assistant and community supporter and many more..)
Free leisure and cultural activities
Accommodation dorm room (4 people same gender max) In case you want single room or different type acommodation ask for price difference
24/7 local support network
Free leisure and cultural activities
2 weeks of Spanish lessons (ask for price difference in case you want to extend it)

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Equipment Wifi

What's Not Included

Airfare Equipment Meals Transportation Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: Mar 24, 2025

Last Reviewed: Dec 25, 2023

Wish List

35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Dreaming of living and working in Spain, improving your Spanish, and making lasting friendships, all whilst making a difference? Then the Instituto Hemingway is the place for you. From animal welfare and conservation to football, teaching English,.. we have the perfect volunteer program for you.

We believe volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences possible, especially when volunteering abroad: it gives you a chance to give back to the community you are visiting. We tailor our volunteering programs to your specific skill set, while also considering the needs of the community you are working with, to ensure your work is as fun and impact as possible.

By volunteering with the Instituto Hemingway, you can help the lively city of Bilbao and its biodiversity surroundings continue to thrive. In your downtime, why not explore our picturesque city and all that it has to offer!

Everyone is welcome, and at great prices for all budgets, this is not an opportunity to miss!

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. Instituto Hemingway has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

Accessibility Support

Instituto Hemingway is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact 🌎

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose Instituto Hemingway because many of our volunteer programs are held here in Bilbao, a sustainability accredited city. There are options to take volunteer programs in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country

Learn More

Ethical Impact

Instituto Hemingway is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, client, faculty leader, and partner who joins us.

Program Highlights

Stay in a shared apartment with all amenities covered, right in the centre of the city, for the duration of your stay.
Join us for our free cultural activities including trips, salsa lessons, cooking workshops and tapas tours.
Bilbao is a city that’s off the beaten tourist trail, so it’s the perfect place to truly practice your Spanish in day-to-day situations. Why not explore some of the many other cities in Spain while you’re here, thanks to Bilbao’s great transport networks!
Do something for the others with our volunteer program

Popular Programs

Animal Welfare Volunteering

Join our animal welfare volunteering program in northern Spain and enjoy a truly unique experience. Support meaningful projects while improving your Spanish through intensive classes. Take part in cultural activities, stay in local apartments or with host families, and explore breathtaking landscapes. Combine learning, solidarity, and adventure in an enriching environment. Make a difference while immersing yourself in Spanish language and culture! Max 20 hours per week

Coastal Conservation Project with the Instituto Hemingway

Beach Cleaning

The coast in Northern Spain is both stunning and unique. Unfortunately, it is not adequately protected, leaving many of its beautiful beaches at risk of pollution. Contribute to the health of the oceans and help save marine life by preserving these ecosystems through beach clean ups. You will also be raising awareness in the local community about the importance of protecting the coastline for future generations.

Social Entrepreneurship

Bilbao is a city much-loved by everyone that visits. It needs constant care to help maintain its splendour and minimise the adverse impact of tourism on both Bilbao and its surroundings. Our volunteers contribute to the welfare of the city and countryside in myriad ways: from maintaining walking trails and parks, journalism and photography to replanting initiatives, creating education campaigns, and developing recycling programs. However you hope to help, we know there’ll be something for you!

Art Therapy

Join a compassionate community who share your commitment to making the world a kinder, more inclusive place and helping people with disabilities through the art. Be a part of Disabled Care Volunteering Program to work in a school for mentally challenged students of different age groups ranging from children to adults in their thirties. The students have a variety of learning difficulties and special needs.

Football/Soccer Community Supporter

Join our football and community support volunteering program! Assist in training sessions, help coach young players, and use football as a tool to inspire and unite the local community. Through teamwork, sportsmanship, and mentorship, you’ll make a lasting impact while fostering personal growth in others. A perfect blend of sports and social change, this program allows you to share your passion for football while supporting community development.

Teaching English to Kids

Join our English teaching volunteer program in a small community and make a difference in the lives of children and teenagers. Help them improve their language skills through fun, interactive lessons, and build their confidence to open doors for future opportunities. Whether assisting in schools or community centers, your efforts will empower young learners while you immerse yourself in the local culture and create meaningful connections.

Sustainable Urban Permaculture Initiatives

Join our urban permaculture and gardening volunteer program! Learn sustainable techniques while cultivating fresh produce to donate to those in need. Help create green spaces, promote eco-friendly practices, and support food security in the community. This hands-on experience allows you to make a positive environmental and social impact while connecting with like-minded individuals and immersing yourself in local culture.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 17 reviews

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Rating Spread Language Volunteer

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Instruction 5
Support 5
Fun 5
Housing 5
Value 5

Impact 5
Support 5
Fun 5
Value 5
Safety 5

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, Under 18

Showing 1 - 8 of 17 reviews

Wonderful experience meeting and working with a great bunch of people from around the world. Can’t wait to undertake another programme . Had great support from staff and participants were eager and keen to learn and improve the skills about permaculture and environmental impact Have made friends for life and have discovered a beautiful country. Accommodation was beyond my expectations. Great outdoor area to sit and thankfully the weather was amazing . Would highly recommend this programme for people all ages as a great way to meet and engage with others, If you're seeking an experience that combines language learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Instituto Hemingway a try. It's an investment in yourself and a step towards a more interconnected global community

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

I found the work rewarding as you can really feel the impact you have had on the participants at the end of each programme.

The team was extremely supportive especially when I felt unwell or stressed during the programme. They always tried their best to accommodate the needs of the international participants.

Pros

Experience different culture
Learn a new language
Making friends with people from all over the world

Cons

Language barrier at first but then with language lessons no problems
schedules can be a bit chaotic but you get used to it
weather changes quite a lot sometimes

This program was beyond amazing! I had the time of my life working with dogs at the animal shelter in Northern Spain. I really felt like I was making a difference in there lives. Not too mention being able to see a lot of city attractions along with other cities in Spain. This experience also taught me how to be more responsible and how to work with other people well. It is definitely an experience that without a doubt I will remember for the rest of my life and I would recommend this project to anyone who is interested in working with animals

What would you improve about this program?

I think the exact organization of day to day volunteering could be improved but that is a simple thing to fix.

Pros

Everyone was super friendly.
The dogs were so fun to work with
I got see many of city attractions and other cities in Spain

Cons

The language barrier is a little difficult at first.
It’s a little confusing getting to the animal shelter because you have to use the train
You have to be really patient with people.

This program in Spain is so rewarding in so many ways. This country and this program is fantastic in block capitals. I met wonderful people, immersed myself in the culture , worked hard yet still had fun and relaxed, ate more than I should and laughed. This was a stunning experience that I would recommend to any traveler of any age

I feel this experience provided me more perspective on how other people live. It made me more humble and allowed me the chance to explore some difficult emotions around privilege which I think is important. If someone was hesitant I would tell them that the local team is amazing and super supportive. They ensure you are safe and taken care of. I would encourage anyone to go in with an open mind and remain flexible. Just embrace the culture and experience because your time will go by extremely fast.

What was your funniest moment?

I ate for the first time rabbit. This was one of the best thinks I ate. If you are not vegetarian, defenetly try it. You can eat it with the head off. It makes you not to think what you eating.

Pros

You will practice and gain confidence with the Spanish language
You will be inmersed in another culture
You will participate in ethical community service

Cons

Sign up early or the program you want may fill up
Your friends, relative and family will not be with you. Challenging if first time solo abroad
Best to plan ahead and take Spanish classes before you go

Spain had always been on my 'must-see' list of countries and I knew that when I was finally going to plan a trip to go there that I wanted to get more than just the 'tourist view' of this country. I wanted to meet the people that live there and experience their culture.

Everyone I met was so warm and welcoming. They were all so eager to show me their city, to treat me to little cups of sweet tea and to talk about their lives and culture. Everyday I spent in the dog shelter was interesting, to see different treatment methods and of course to spend time with all the sweet dogs who will sit with you for hours in exchange for an ear scratch.
The added bonus of not having to worry about the details like accommodation, airport pick ups, cultural activities etc makes for a very easy going trip. Instituto Hemingway has all of these things organized for you and knowing that they have been there and experienced the placement themselves in order to make it suitable for their volunteers is more than reassuring. They even provide you with information about the country you are going to before you leave so that you arrive prepared and are always available if you should need to get in touch with them.

This was a great experience for me and I would absolutely do it again without a second thought. Saturdays and Sundays were also another extra bonus for me visiting surrounding areas and different cities accross Spain.

Pros

Fantastic organization
safety
Fun excursions

Cons

Nothing

Jose, from Instituto Hemingway, perfectly planned every detail of this trip. We were connected with an outstanding host in the local community and an inspiring organization Jose was available before the trip to video call and answer all of our questions. He also communicated with our group throughout the entire trip to ensure we were having an amazing experience. I was also impressed with the organization of our transportation. Being in an unfamiliar location, it could have gotten quite overwhelming, but, with his help, our transportation was always well organized. We worked with dogs, cats, vietnamese pigs, donkeys etc,. This trip was truly life-changing thanks to Hemingway Institute, and I learned so much about conservation.

Pros

Variety of animal experiences
Outstanding organization and made many friends
Flexibility

Cons

40 min far by train from city centre
More pre trip support in the area

I loved feeling like I lived in Bilbao-Spain if only for two weeks. I walked around the city every day, then took the super clean and super safe metro to my volunteer work. I spent my mornings at the beautiful Spanish language school of Hemingway surrounded by beautiful mountains and in the afternoons I took part in my environmental project. It was so meaningul for me, doing something for the others. It was an adventure living with my host family who didn't speak English. Now I would have chosen to be in a shared apartment with other volunteers my age, with more fun and more lively chats and experiences. Even though I'm home now, my mind constantly returns to the mountains, the rivers, and the people of Bilbao

Pros

My project
My colleagues in the project
the city of Bilbao

Cons

Host family who did not speak any word in English

The best volunteering experience I ever had. The apartment was amazing! 5🌟
The staff super helpful and friendly!
So recommendable if you want to live the whole #SpanishExperience that for sure is going to change your life!
The first day that I arrived I was a bit confused because of the different schedules for lunch and dinner in Spain and siesta times. At 3 pm everything was closed. But when I got into the apartment, they received me with a super smile, and a nice talk with all of the other volunteers.

After that week I was way more comfortable and I knew how the city worked. On my 3rd week I started the project as I was more confident with my Spanish, and the Coordinator Rodrigo, helped me a lot in this process! He helped me to find a place, helped me with the people. And at the end of the day, we had such a success.
It is an amazing experience, they have a lot of programs where you can volunteer, from journalism to environmental issues, so that’s amazing. Because they give you the experience that you are looking for! I chose animal welfare and now I want to be a vet.
100% Recomendable!

Pros

The program was fine for me

Cons

Dog shelter was not in downtown

i thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the local staff and very kind volunteers here with me. made lots of new friends, and gained a lot of experience. i would definitely come back to Instituto Hemingway to complete this project again, hopefully in the near future!

I loved working with the dogs. My experience was incredibly rewarding and the time I spent there felt impactful. The dogs were very receptive to any love and attention they received, and it was made apparent that a little would go a long way. I was able to work with individuals from all around the world and learn more about the culture in Spain. Everyone was very helpful and eager to share experiences, which made every moment worthwhile. Learning Spanish was challenging and exciting, and it was great to have the opportunity to practice the language on a daily basis.

Pros

Office is right in the city so you can have support every day
meet a lot of like minded people
The staff spoke good English

Cons

Some aspects were a bit commercial, expected though for a tourism city

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

My most memorable travel experience would have to be my trip to Egypt. My girlfriend and I decided that rather than planning the typical tourist holiday to visit Egypt, we would go about it in a more unorthodox way, to try to get the most authentic experience possible. The day we went to see the Pyramids, we left our hotel and went by metro, and then got on a bus to go the rest of the way. As soon as we arrived we were stunned - despite having seen pictures and films all our lives about these majestic structures, it couldn't compare to seeing them for the first time in person. We bought tickets to go see them up close as well as to go inside. Being there, face to face with these gargantuan objects, these huge one-tonne blocks, its impossible to imagine what they did to get one on top of the other. We entered the Pyramid and passed through tight corridors, less than one meter wide, going by galleries, fearing the the unimaginable weight right above our heads might collapse at any moment for its sheer mas. Inside we even saw the inscription, Scoperta da G. Belzoni 2 mar. 1818 left by the first explorer to re-enter the pyramid in the modern era.

But the most special moment of all was when we left the site, and walked for a distance, enough to see them from far away. We entered a bar, ordered some drinks and sat outside on a sofa where we looked at the Pyramids as night fell, and then we slept right there. The next day we made the trip back, and listened to Echoes by Pink Floyd, which was the most magical moment for us.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I started working for my company when I was 19 years old, and for me my work has been a fundamental part of my development. I had to learn to be responsible, to deal with sensitive issues and above all else I had to learn to listen to others.

At the same time, I have seen how all sorts of stereotypes are proven false, as when working with people from various different countries, social status, levels of education and ages, you realize that each person is their own world, with a personality that often doesn't match up with first impressions.

Generally speaking, my job has given me the opportunity to have a home in nearly every country in the world. It has given me a curiosity and desire to learn other languages like German, and has made me realize that English truly allows it to not matter where you are from, and that someone will always be able to understand you at some point.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I met a student from the United States named Liam. He was here in Spain for nearly a year and afterwards he began to travel the world. One day he returned to Bilbao and told me incredible stories about going to some islands in Polynesia. It was so exotic and outside of everything I knew that it seemed fantastic, and he impressed me as well with his artwork, as he enjoyed sketching from time to time too.

After his time with us, he continued speaking Spanish in the United States and even went to see Ernest Hemingway's house. Nowadays, he works as a surf instructor and we are hoping he will return one day to tell us more about his life.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Without a doubt I would choose our Beach/Mountain Cleaning Project. It seems really fun and I find particularly interesting the sheer quantity of hidden rubbish that is produced in our society. We are always in clean places, with bin containers close by our homes and we are led to believe that rubbish isn't a real problem However, going to the beaches and finding sofas, shoes, tennis balls, lighters, all sorts of bottles etc, and then returning the next day to find the same things back again, the only thought it brings to mind is that we are too many in this world and we don't do enough. Its like when you go inside a warehouse and see rows and rows of new products waiting to be used and you think that it wouldn't even matter if you took one, tomorrow there'll be another one just the same, and so on. Truthfully, collecting litter in the most unsuspecting places makes you reflect on the quantity of objects that we use and how irresponsible it is for us to throw them away improperly.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think that our company is unique in that we always try to do the best we can even if we aren't perfect. We are a small school, with few staff and a variety of projects, but when a problem arises we strive to find a solution. I'm proud of our team when we are able to fulfill our students wishes and make sure they have a good time, and when they confess to us afterwards how happy they are to have chosen Bilbao, even though it isn't the biggest or most famous city, because of their choice to study or volunteer with us. Overall, we are unique for the way in which we help people to learn and enjoy their stay while they forge relationships and have new experiences which give them a connection to here.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I consider the key to our success to be our drive to constantly reinvent ourselves and look for new initiatives. It is a process of using our own motivation to bring new experiences to our students. On the others hand, our flexibility is perhaps what most characterize us, as while we may not follow the most standard protocols as a larger business might, due to us being a closer and more familiar company, we get to enjoy the chance to meet and get to know our students, sharing experiences and listening to their recommendations .

About Instituto Hemingway

Our Spanish School offers Spanish courses in Bilbao and other cities in Spain starting from one week on, Volunteer programs, jobs in hospitality management in Spain, Spanish intensive courses, unpaid internships and School trips to Spain for graduate and undergraduate students. Our teachers are energetic, bubbling over with enthusiasm, and...