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Volunteering in Europe: Free Luxury Accommodation and Meals Included

volunteering in europe free accommodation in exchange for work spain

Free Luxury Accommodation In Europe For English Speakers

Traveling Long Term or Solo in Europe? 

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1. Volunteering in Europe: Don’t Compromise on Luxuries

Free Accommodation in Europe in exchange for work volunteering in Europe
The Castle Ruins near our resort in Poland (about 10 miles from Czech border!). Our morning hike!

2. Volunteering in Europe: My Introduction to ‘English Immersion Programs’

3. Free Accommodation in Exchange for Work in Europe

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!

volunteering in Europe as an English tutor in Spain
The Barco Di Avila Castle (on one of our daily walks during the Vaughan Immersion Program)

5. How to get Free Accommodation in Exchange for Volunteering in Europe

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1. Angloville

2. Vaughan Town:

3. Diverbo/Pueblo Ingles:

volunteering in Europe free volunteer holidays in Spain with Vaughan free accommodation in Europe
Our Spanish/Anglo group in Gredos in Northern Spain (volunteer program with Vaughan)

6. Volunteering in Europe as an English language conversation partner SAVES you money!

7. So how can YOU get free accommodation in exchange for volunteering in Europe as an English language conversation partner?

Volunteering in Europe-Free Accommodation in exchange for English language tutoring
Where you can find free Accommodation in Europe in exchange for work through English Immersion programs, and Teaching English in countries such as Spain, Poland and …. etc
 

*Note: Some of my posts may include affiliate links, though most do not. If you click on one of my links it costs you nothing extra, but may make me a few cents if your purchase something through that link.

29 Comments

  1. Stella

    That’s a really interesting idea! It seems like it would be helpful for people who want to make new friends and save money.

  2. valerie hansen

    This sounds like a lot of fun , I am a teacher so I would love to do something like this! Thanks for sharing!

    Valerie

  3. Safari Junkie

    Interesting post. Its alway a pleasure to read posts that unselfishly share valuable information.

  4. Lauren of Postgrad & Postcards

    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 🙂

  5. Christina

    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.

  6. Elise

    I love that you’re finding non-hostel alternatives and helping by volunteering your time to teach English. Awesome idea and thanks for sharing!

  7. What's Katie Doing?

    This is an interesting concept – I’d never thought of volunteering to get free accommodation!

  8. Takoyacki

    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

  9. Brenda

    these definitely sound as amazing opportunities! considering a few!

  10. Susanna Kelly

    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.

  11. Brooke

    Hola Susanna-

    Are you considering volunteering in an immersion program? Let me know if you do one, would love to hear your experience

  12. Brooke

    Hi Tako, thanks! Let me know if you end up doing one of these programs, I would love to hear your opinions 🙂

  13. Brooke

    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!

  14. Brooke

    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!)

  15. Brooke

    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:

  16. Brooke

    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

  17. Brooke

    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!

  18. Linda

    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

  19. Brooke

    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)

  20. Julie

    Great information! Do you have a favorite venue at the programs?

  21. Brooke

    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).

  22. Joe

    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

  23. Brooke

    Hi Joe-

    of course! You can find me on FB @adifferentkindoftravel

    Cheers,

    Brooke

  24. Dorly

    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!?

  25. Brooke

    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.

  26. Ilona

    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!

  27. Brooke

    Ilona I’m sure you will have a great time! Let me know how you like that program I haven’t tried that one!

  28. Sonia Kalaria

    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!

  29. Brooke

    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.

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