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Youth & Education Volunteer Program in Valencia
Mentor and inspire local children and teenagers in Valencia through language, sport and after-school activities — a rewarding education placement on Spain's Mediterranean coast, from two weeks upwards.
- Support local children and young people through conversational English, homework help, sport and creative workshops
- Placements in schools, childcare centres and after-school clubs, matched to your experience and interests
- Sharpen real teaching and mentoring skills in an international setting — ideal for future teachers and education students
- Option to add accredited Spanish classes so you can connect with students and staff
- Flexible from 2 weeks to 12 months, with afternoon-focused hours that keep your mornings free
- Host family or shared apartment, airport pickup, orientation and 24/7 in-country support
Valencia is a young, energetic city — and its schools, childcare centres and after-school clubs are always glad of an extra pair of hands. The Youth & Education programme places international volunteers alongside local educators to help children and teenagers learn, play and grow in confidence, particularly through English and enrichment activities that schools don’t always have the resources to run.
Working through our established local partner, you’ll be matched to a setting that fits your interests — a primary school, a childcare centre, an after-school homework club or a holiday activity camp. Days revolve around the children: leading a lively conversational-English game, cheering on a football tournament, running an arts-and-crafts session, or sitting one-to-one with a child who needs a little extra help. It’s hands-on, joyful work, and you’ll see the impact of your encouragement almost immediately.
The programme is a natural fit for gap-year travellers, education and childhood-development students, and anyone considering a career in teaching. Placements run from two weeks to a full year, and most start in line with the Spanish school calendar, with workshop-based options over the summer. No formal teaching qualification is needed — just energy, patience and a genuine liking for young people — though a commitment of around 20 hours a week is expected.
Because our partner is also an Instituto Cervantes–accredited language school, you can bolt on Spanish lessons and study in the mornings while you volunteer in the afternoons. It’s the best of both worlds: you give something back, and you leave with a new language and classroom experience for your CV.
A typical day
Your role
Your responsibilities are always supportive — you work alongside the qualified local staff, never in place of them. Volunteers typically help with:
- Language support — leading fun, conversational English activities and workshops that get children speaking and build their confidence.
- After-school clubs — supervising homework sessions, organising sports and games, and running arts, crafts and music activities.
- One-to-one support — giving individual attention to children who need extra help, including children with intellectual or physical disabilities, during group activities.
Above all, you’re a positive role model: dependable, encouraging and sensitive to each child’s needs.
A typical week
Volunteers commit around 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Because most of the work happens when children are out of school, placements usually run an afternoon shift (roughly 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.). That leaves your mornings free for Spanish classes, sightseeing or a slow Valencian breakfast, and your weekends completely open for travel.
Life on the programme
Accommodation & meals
Airport Pickup
Pick up and transfer service (airport, train station or bus station of Valencia) is provided to the volunteers.
Orientation
The local team will provide a program orientation, followed by a walking tour of Valencia’s city centre, including the main landmarks and historic squares of the Old Town.
Accommodation
Participants are provided accommodation with a Spanish host family. Our team members in Valencia have have years of experience working with a wide range of host families, all of whom have extensive experience hosting international students. They understand the cultural challenges, language barriers, and other difficulties that international participants may face when living in a new country and culture.
Homestay accommodation may include:
• A single room and shared living room.
• A shared room (*with another participant) and shared common areas.
*You must request this if you are coming with friends on the same or similar dates.
To find the right host family, we ask students to complete a questionnaire before we begin the search. This allows us to answer questions about your diet, family preferences, pets, hobbies, interests, and more. This helps us get to know you, consider your requirements, and place you with a family we believe will provide you with an optimal and
unforgettable Spanish experience!
Families are chosen for their hospitality and their experience of hosting international students, and they’re briefed on your dietary needs and interests before you arrive. Living with a host family means you speak Spanish from morning to night and always have someone local to turn to — the easiest way to settle in and beat any homesickness.
Meals
With a host family you will be provided with all home cooked meals everyday. Food allergies and dietary preferences can be taken into account.
A few local notes: in Spain clothes are usually air-dried rather than tumble-dried, and heating and air conditioning are used sparingly — fans are provided and the Mediterranean breeze does most of the work.
During your Free time
Valencia is compact enough to feel like home within days, yet packed with things to do. Spend your free hours on the beach, in the Turia Gardens, or exploring the tapas bars and markets of the Old Town, and use your weekends to discover the rest of Spain by high-speed train. Our local team also organises optional get-togethers so you can make friends with other international volunteers.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Program fee | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,999 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,449 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,949 | |
| 5 weeks | $3,449 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,899 | |
| 7 weeks | $4,399 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,899 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Placement with a vetted local partner organisation, matched to your interests and Spanish level
- Accommodation for the duration of your programme (host family)
- All meals at the host family
- Airport pickup and transfer to your accommodation on arrival
- A city orientation and a full pre-departure information pack
- Walking tour through the centre of Valencia
- A dedicated local coordinator and 24/7 in-country support throughout your stay
- A certificate of completion for your CV or studies
Not included
- International flights to and from Valencia
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — we can help you arrange it)
- Visa costs, where a visa is required for your nationality
- Spanish language classes (available as an optional add-on)
- Local transport, personal spending and weekend travel
Frequently asked questions
Who can join this programme?
It’s open to volunteers aged 18 and over. It’s especially popular with education and childhood-development students, aspiring teachers and gap-year travellers. No teaching qualification is required — enthusiasm, patience and reliability matter most. Because you’ll be working with children, a clear criminal background check is required of all volunteers.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not to start — much of your work involves English, and our team will match you to a suitable setting. Some Spanish helps you connect with younger children and staff, so we offer accredited classes you can add to your programme.
When can I start and how long can I stay?
Placements run from 2 weeks to 12 months and mostly follow the Spanish school year, with workshop-based options over the summer. The shared-apartment option requires a minimum stay of 4 weeks.
What hours will I work?
Around 20 hours a week, typically Monday-to-Friday afternoons, leaving mornings and weekends free.
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