Free Luxury Accommodation In Europe For English Speakers
Traveling to Europe and looking for a way to get free accommodation in exchange for work (aka speaking English and meeting amazing people)? Volunteer holidays are one way to do it! Volunteering in Europe in English Immersion programs is a great way to experience a new way of life and enter a cultural exchange.
I’ve written a bit in other posts and on social media about my time teaching English in Europe as a volunteer, but this post gives more details, including contact information for the different programs in which you can find free accommodation in exchange for work.
Traveling Long Term or Solo in Europe?
Do you love traveling to Europe, staying in nice hotels, eating in restaurants & meeting amazing people?
Think you can only afford budget hotels and home-cooked meals for one because you’re traveling solo?
What if I told you how you can have a great week-long experience in Spain or Central Europe, and stay at a four-star hotel, with your meals included and all it would cost you is the airfare or train fare to get there?
I’ve been traveling Europe on and off for the past 16 months since I left my career to re-discover my passion. Because I’ve been traveling for such a long period, and I’m traveling solo, cost is a huge concern.
When I used to take vacations, my budget per week was about 10X what it is now. But those were two week vacations, and I typically was traveling with someone and therefore splitting the costs. I was also getting paid… so the experience and location was far more important than budget (although I always researched to get the best possible accommodation, travel, and experiences for my money).
1. Volunteering in Europe: Don’t Compromise on Luxuries
Even though I’m traveling on a much tighter budget than I ever have previously, I haven’t given up the luxuries that are most important to me.
These include staying in nice (safe, well located, good quality and don’t have to share a bathroom) places, drinking wine, and going out for coffee (usually somewhere I can sit and people watch or get a lot of work done on my laptop).
I’ve found a lot of resources since I’ve been traveling, and because I’ve been on the road much longer than a typical vacationer I’ve been able to hang out and take advantage of opportunities as I find them and as they become available.
One of the most exciting and least known opportunities I’ve found, since beginning my journey, is the opportunity to volunteer in Immersion Programs where essentially you get free accommodation in exchange for work (or volunteering).
2. Volunteering in Europe: My Introduction to ‘English Immersion Programs’
A few months ago, I decided on a whim, to apply for a volunteer holiday in Europe in what is called an ‘Immersion English Program’. An ‘Immersion English Program’ is basically a program designed to teach English in an environment where participants are fully immersed in the English language (speaking, listening, and socializing).
I came across a listing on a work exchange site (a site where people offer free accommodation in exchange for work while traveling) that talked about staying for a week for free in a nice hotel, with meals included in exchange for simply conversing in English with a group of professionals.
The listing said this “volunteer holiday” was available in Hungary, Romania, or Poland. Well, of course my interest was peaked! Free hotel with meals for simply speaking English with adult professionals? I would already do that anyway, for free!
But, I couldn’t get the contact info for the company on the work exchange site because I wasn’t a paid member (and I didn’t want to be, as it turned out the site was geared towards those who want to work on farms and do labor in exchange for basic accommodation and no pay… not for me!).
So, I plugged the details from the listing into Google and found the organization’s website pretty much immediately.
3. Free Accommodation in Exchange for Work in Europe
I submitted an application to a site called Angloville (the organization) and a few weeks later got an email offering me a place in a one week program in Wroclaw, Poland the next month.
I asked the company if I could do two weeks in a row since the travel costs were too much to justify otherwise. They said they had a program the week after but it was in a different city (Warsaw) and I’d have to get there myself. I said ‘no problem!’
4. Finding More Opportunities.. Teaching English in Spain!
I like my experience so much during my two weeks in Poland with Angloville, that I researched to see whether there were similar volunteer programs elsewhere in Europe.
I found two….in Spain!
I immediately applied through a company called Vaughan and was accepted for a program a month later.
Since then I’ve done volunteer holidays in Spain, and have another week-long program coming up in Spain this next week.
I also volunteered for a last-minute volunteer spot in a daytime program in Madrid (one intense 12-hour day where participants come to get a quick English immersion refresher course), in exchange for a night in a posh hotel, a credit for dinner, and a spa treatment.
5. How to get Free Accommodation in Exchange for Volunteering in Europe
When it comes to volunteering in Europe it’s important to understand that many volunteer programs around the world actually charge you to volunteer or at least charge you for expenses while you do unpaid volunteer work.
However, these Volunteer programs let you volunteer in Europe while also providing free accommodation in exchange for simply conversing in English. They should really be called volunteer holidays.. 🙂
The three volunteer exchange programs below are with different companies. They are structured similarly but have some differences that are worth pointing out:
1. Angloville:
These volunteer holidays in Europe are located in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Dublin. They are typically for five-six day periods. Volunteers are almost always expected to share rooms. No alcohol is included with meals.
2. Vaughan Town:
These volunteer holiday programs in Europe are located in Spain and are also for six-day periods. Volunteers get their own rooms. Wine is served with meals. Shorter Term Volunteer Opportunities exist if you’re already in the country
3. Diverbo/Pueblo Ingles:
These volunteer holidays in Europe are in located in Spain and Germany. Programs are longer (eight days versus six). Wine is served with meals.
Of course, the style of each program varies as well, but overall, all three of these volunteer exchange programs are located out in the middle of nowhere ( you leave with the students from major cities and travel together to the program destination), demanding time-wise (12 hour days), and a LOT of fun.
6. Volunteering in Europe as an English language conversation partner SAVES you money!
The total savings for me so far, from volunteering in Europe through language Immersion programs–when looking at what I’ve saved on lodging meals, entertainment, etc. is between $1500-$2500.
Of course, how much you save depends on how much you would have spent on other lodging, meals, and entertainment otherwise.
Plus, I’ve had the privilege of making a ton of new friends and gaining the valuable experience of hanging out with people from a different country, in an intimate environment and hearing a lot of stories about their country and culture.
Volunteering in Immersion Programs is not something that only long-term travelers, like myself, can do. In fact, many people apply for these volunteer holiday programs months and months in advance and plan their trips and vacations around them. Once you’re accepted to a program there are no backsies (on the part of the program anyways). You’re in.
7. So how can YOU get free accommodation in exchange for volunteering in Europe as an English language conversation partner?
If you are interested in volunteering in Europe, then these volunteer holidays could be for you. Free accommodation in exchange for work? Who wouldn’t be interested?
Visit the websites using the links I supplied above, and apply at least a few months ahead of when you are interested in volunteering. Each website will show you available dates and locations when you apply.
If you are already in Europe, you can also email the organizers and tell them you’re available for last-minute openings (people do sometimes back out last minute) and this could mean you could be ‘in’ as soon as the next week!)
Try one of these volunteer holidays out on your next trip to Europe, I’m sure you’ll love your experience. And, if you do end up volunteering in one of these Immersion English programs, message me afterward and let me know how it went!
That’s a really interesting idea! It seems like it would be helpful for people who want to make new friends and save money.
This sounds like a lot of fun , I am a teacher so I would love to do something like this! Thanks for sharing!
Valerie
Interesting post. Its alway a pleasure to read posts that unselfishly share valuable information.
I read a lot of blogs and this is the first time I’ve heard about EIP’s. How freaking AWESOME. I admire your resourcefulness as a long term traveler myself. People don’t believe how economical traveling can be! I hope there are EIP’s in South America because that’s where I want to go next 🙂
I had not heard of these programs previously. What a great way to save money, whilst still being able to travel and being able to help locally at the same time.
I love that you’re finding non-hostel alternatives and helping by volunteering your time to teach English. Awesome idea and thanks for sharing!
This is an interesting concept – I’d never thought of volunteering to get free accommodation!
That is one of the best tips I have read on a blog! We usually get the “woofing/workaway” tips, even though everyone knows about it already. I heard never heard of that one. Thank you for sharing and not keeping all the jobs for yourself haha
these definitely sound as amazing opportunities! considering a few!
Sounds like a great way to travel and give back to the community. This post was very helpful in regard to the different companies and how to get accepted. I’ll have to keep it handy. I would love to hear more about your experience working and teaching the people.
Hola Susanna-
Are you considering volunteering in an immersion program? Let me know if you do one, would love to hear your experience
Hi Tako, thanks! Let me know if you end up doing one of these programs, I would love to hear your opinions 🙂
Hi Katie, thanks! Yes, it’s one of my favorite things to do now. Especially with Diverbo, in Spain. Have met some amazing friends in this program!
thanks so much Elise! I really love a comfortable bed and my own room… its just one of the things that allows me to enjoy solo travel. Some folks don’t mind sharing a room with 5 strangers.. to each their own but I know what I need/want to enjoy my experience and I keep finding new ways to do it my way (including house-sitting!)
HI Lauren, I haven’t heard of many EIP’s like the ones I’ve done, in South America, but I know there are lots of regular volunteer teaching opps (though they require longer periods of time and often ask you to pay THEM!). Here are a couple I found in Argentina though, that are short term volunteer opportunities that don’t require you to pay them, and that offer you some things in return:
Valerie you would love it! It’s such a relaxed, social way to impart valuable language lessons. No adherence to guidelines or teaching materials and you’ll definitely walk away with some great new friends
Stella- definitely! I’ve just finished my 5th program, with Diverbo in Spain (my favorite program so far) and have walked away with yet another group of wonderful friends whom I will keep in contact with. I’ve already met up with many of them, again in Madrid, while I’m still here in Spain!
Hi Brooke, I have been accepted into 2 programs in June. One with Divergo and one with Vaughtown. I’m considering doing both and would have about a week in between to see Spain. You mention in your blog that you don’t stay in hostels and like to have a room with a bathroom and I feel the same. Can you recommend reasonably prices accommodation in Madrid for a single travelling woman?
Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you.
Linda from ?? Canada
Hi Linda-
Madrid is tough!! What are your dates? The thing with a city like Madrid is: you must book ahead to get the best deals. If you want until the last minute you won’t have good options. Also, what’s your budget per night? And where are you spending the week between? I’d suggest getting out of Madrid and staying somewhere more affordable and more scenic if you aren’t 100% wanting to spend that time in Madrid.
I got great accommodation for super low prices in places like Granada and Cordoba and smaller cities. Also casas rurales are awesome for affordable off the beaten path B&B type accommodation (they are in rural areas not big cities)
Great information! Do you have a favorite venue at the programs?
Julie-
My favorite venue in Spain so far has been both Puerto de Gredos with Vaughan and La Alberca with Diverbo. In Poland my favorite location of the two I went to was def hands down the location that was nearer to Wroclaw (Chojnik hotel out in the forest and beautiful surroundings and castle within walking distance).
Brooke,
Thank you so much for all the information; is there some way we can get in contact? Like fb?
I would like to talk to you further about your experiences in these programs and could use some tips and hacks on budget travelling because you seem to have lots of knowledge regarding it.
from Canada
Hi Joe-
of course! You can find me on FB @adifferentkindoftravel
Cheers,
Brooke
Brooke, loved coming across your blog. I heard about Diverbo throught an acquaintance. Made the trip to Spain basically just to check it out — went to La Alberca. Never forgot the experience and always wanted to go back. Finally returned Feb 2017, again to La Alberca because it was the only one available at yeah time. Just awesome, as you said — almost positively addictive. 🙂
I was hoping to check out the other programs, but I noticed you comment about preferring Diverbo programs. Do you mind commenting on reasons for that preference? What are some lower points of Vaughan Town and Angloville? Should I stick to Diverbo where a fantastic experience is pretty much certain?
Thanks for sharing. It definitely also helps those programs if the word gets out. Hope to hear from you!?
Hi Julie!
sure- I don’t mind expanding a bit 🙂
1) Diverbo was more relaxed (and social) than Vaughan (but it could have been my MC’s and program managers)-I did two Vaughan programs and 2 Diverbo programs.
2) Angloville has shared rooms for volunteers-which I don’t like (though they have a larger percentage of young backpacker types in general compared to cos like Vaughan and Diverbo who tend to have fewer -so these types of travelers don’t mind that). For me though-I just want my own room-especially since It’s a lot of time and effort to give and I need my own space at least when I sleep and get ready in morning and evening and take midday nap. Still very cool experience though.
Like Diverbo, the Vaughan volunteers often do it over and over so when you finally try Vaughan you’ll probably love it too! I still keep in touch with quite a few women I met through volunteering in the Vaughan Gredos course 2 years ago.
I’m currently booked onto one in August in Spain with Speak (search Speak Anglos) – I sort of just ended up applying and got accepted but I’m now researching into more places that do it and I am so excited to get started haha!
Ilona I’m sure you will have a great time! Let me know how you like that program I haven’t tried that one!
Hi Brooke ! Any recommendation for a good wine course ? I am from California too but live in Madrid now and would love to get into learning about wines ? . Thanks!
Hi Sonia,
I never took any courses in Madrid because I had done all of mine in the U.S previously and it’s tough to find serious courses in English in Madrid that don’t cost a LOT. But, this place offers WSET courses in Madrid in English at certain times of the year: https://thewinestudio.es/en
Good luck and let me know how things go for you in Spain! I look forward to coming back in 2020 for more Spanish immersion courses.