Erasmus+ Internship in Catering and Retail in Barcelona: A Transformative Experience
“I never thought I would be able to do this one day. Honestly, it’s such a great opportunity.”
That’s how one of the students described his Erasmus+ internship in catering and retail in Barcelona, organized in partnership with Espamob, a trusted partner for Erasmus+ internships.
The Barcelona sun, the bustling kitchens, and the dynamism of international trade… The catering and commerce students from the Entreprendre – CCI de la Vienne Campus 120 have immersed themselves in an unforgettable Erasmus+ experience, combining learning, cultural discovery, and professional challenges.
From the first contact to the final evaluation, go behind the scenes of a project rich in experiences for sales, cooking, and waiter students. Let’s take a look back at a formative adventure in Spain, guided by their teacher and prepared from A to Z with Espamob.
Thinking about an Erasmus+ internship in catering or retail in Barcelona—for yourself or your students? Keep reading to find out how to make it happen.
Table of Contents
A Well-Prepared Erasmus+ Mobility
An Erasmus+ internship starts well before students even arrive on site.
First question: where to go? Barcelona is an ideal Erasmus+ destination. This dynamic, cultural, and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast ranks among the top five Erasmus+ destinations in Spain.
Preparation is key to a successful internship abroad. That’s why Espamob supports teachers throughout the entire preparatory visit. The aim: to discover the internship locations, validate local partners, and anticipate any potential logistical issues.
Several months before departure, the Erasmus Coordinator—who was supervising second-year vocational students—traveled to Barcelona for a full exploratory visit. He followed a well-structured route, including companies, cultural sites, and transport options.
This thorough groundwork helped reassure families and fine-tune every detail of the group mobility experience.
“Preparation is essential to ensure smooth mobility,” the Erasmus Coordinator explains. “Espamob supported us from this stage with professionalism and responsiveness.” He especially appreciated working with a mobility partner that truly listens.
With Espamob’s support, he also met the future internship tutors and gained insight into how local businesses operate. This allowed him to adjust the learning objectives to match the realities on the ground.
Watch the full testimonial:
Arrival in Barcelona: Welcome & First Impressions
After months of preparation, the big day finally arrived. The students and their accompanying teacher reached Barcelona by train, warmly welcomed by the Espamob team. With smiles on their faces and a sense of excitement, they were ready to begin their 15-day Erasmus+ internship experience.
First stop: accommodation. Accompanied by Espamob, the group settled into their new surroundings. Each student received a welcome pack with all the essential information for a smooth and successful Erasmus+ experience.
For this mobility program, students were housed with host families. This type of Erasmus+ housing is ideal for minors, offering a safe and supportive environment for young participants.
Once settled in, the students set out to explore their new neighborhood and get their first taste of life in Barcelona.
Inside the Erasmus+ Internship: Catering and Retail in Barcelona
The next day, with a mix of excitement and nerves, the students headed off to their host companies. In the kitchen, dining room, or store, students put their skills into practice in an international, multicultural environment, always supported by their Spanish tutors.
These hands-on experiences went far beyond technical learning. They were real lessons in adaptability, communication, and cultural awareness.
In the Kitchen: Tapas, Spanish Rhythm, and Precision
In the kitchen, future chefs learned to prepare tapas and traditional Catalan dishes like calçots, a type of green onion native to the region. During their Erasmus+ internship in Barcelona, they adapted to the rhythm of Spanish service and explored the richness of local gastronomy.
In the Dining Room: Customer Service and Language Skills
In the dining room, students sharpened their customer service skills. Their internship tutor trusted them with the full range of restaurant service tasks. Thrown straight into the action, they rose to the challenge, taking orders in Spanish while mastering the art of Mediterranean hospitality.
Throughout their Erasmus+ catering internship, they improved their Spanish and made valuable human connections.
In Retail: Sales, Advice, and International Customers
The sales trainees worked in local shops, where they advised international clients. This retail internship in Barcelona helped them build both their confidence and their communication skills while developing a hands-on understanding of sales and customer service.
Erasmus+ Internship in Spain: A Meaningful Professional Experience
Going abroad means stepping out of your comfort zone, and these students were no exception. But it’s precisely by overcoming challenges that true growth happens.
They faced the language barrier every day. The challenge was to communicate in everyday life as well as to be understood in professional settings where precision is key.
They also had to adapt to new work rhythms, new schedules, and different work methods.
By rising to these challenges, the catering and retail students made incredible progress. Doing their Erasmus+ internship in Spanish helped them speak the language with greater confidence and fluency. Both in their host families and in the workplace, daily practice made the difference.
More independent, more resourceful, and more open-minded, the students came back with greater cultural awareness and self-assurance.
Testimonials and Reflections on the Erasmus+ Experience
How did the students experience their Erasmus+ internship in Barcelona? What memories will they take home?
Watch their reactions on Instagram:
Culinary discoveries were a big highlight. Students got a taste of local favorites like pan con tomate, hamburguesa, calçots con romesco, and escalivada con queso.
When asked about their favorite spots in Barcelona, they mentioned the iconic Sagrada Família (a must-see!), as well as the Arc de Triomf and Can Cortada, a traditional Catalan restaurant.
With big smiles, they described their Erasmus+ experience using words like “incredible,” “amazing,” “cool,” “unusual,” and “unbelievable”.
These young Erasmus+ interns learned, adapted, and made unforgettable memories—both in the kitchen and in everyday life.
Their enthusiasm was shared by their internship tutor. He trusted them enough to delegate all the responsibilities usually handled by professional waiters and kitchen staff. In his own words, the catering students “became part of the family.”
Watch the restaurant tutor’s testimonial:
Erasmus+ Internship in Barcelona: A Transformative Experience
Every Erasmus+ internship ends with both Europass evaluations and school-based assessments. These final steps help recognize and highlight the professional, linguistic, and personal skills acquired during the mobility.
A full evaluation was carried out by the teachers, with the support of Espamob—an experienced Erasmus+ partner agency based in Spain.
The outcomes were clear for our catering and retail students:
- enhanced professional skills,
- increased autonomy,
- and a unanimous desire to go abroad again!
This wasn’t just a placement in Barcelona—it was a full-fledged personal, professional, and cultural development experience.
Watch the full Erasmus+ mobility recap video:
FAQs
Do I need to speak Spanish to do an Erasmus+ internship in Barcelona?
An intermediate level of Spanish is generally recommended for basic communication. However, fluency is not required—the goal is to improve through real-life practice.
Are students supported throughout the mobility?
Yes. Espamob supports student groups before, during, and after the Erasmus+ mobility, in close coordination with teachers and local internship tutors.
How long does an Erasmus+ internship in catering or retail last?
It depends on the internship, but the average length is between 2 and 4 weeks.
How can I organize an Erasmus+ mobility for a vocational school?
Start by developing a project within your school or training center. Then, partner with an agency like Espamob to handle logistics, placements, and on-site support.
Thinking About an Erasmus+ Traineeship in Spain?
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