About the Programme

1. What is the don Quijote Study & Work Programme?

Study & Work is an exciting programme offering you the opportunity to LIVE and WORK in Spain.

Work and finance your own stay in Spain

First, you’ll enjoy an Intensive or Superintensive course (of at least 6 weeks duration) at any don Quijote school. You’ll crank up your Spanish and get accustomed to the customs and lifestyle in Spain. Then you’ll do well in interviews and land the best job possible for your Spanish skill level.

After your course, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a paid position– for anywhere from a month to a year or more, your choice! You’ll live and work in the resort area of Marbella/Puerto Banús in the Costa del Sol, in the hospitality or retail sector. While you shouldn’t look at this as a money-making opportunity - you’d likely make more money in your home country –you will earn enough to cover expenses while you live, work and enjoy yourself – for as long as you like! - in the Costa del Sol. We’ll set up accommodations for you in a shared apartment with other participants, as part of the programme.

2. Who can participate in the Study & Work Programme?

You are eligible to participate if:

• You are a citizen of any EU member country, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland
• Any longstanding EU member country (pre May 2004)
• One of these 2 new members: Malta and Cyprus
• Norway, Switzerland or Iceland

And you’ll be between 18 and 26 years old – or between 18 and 30 if you are a full-time university student – when you begin the programme.

3. Where will I work?

You will work in the Málaga area of Andalusia, in a resort on Spain’s southern coast (Costa del Sol). The jobs are located in the city of Marbella and in Puerto Banús, a well-known resort area.

4. How do I enrol?

It’s easy! You’ll enrol for your course and your participation in the work experience programme at the same time.

Click here to enrol in your course and work experience programme through our Online Booking System.

Click here to request an application and Programme Guide.

5. What’s included in the Programme Fee?

The 250 Euro Programme Fee includes:

• Job offers, after your Spanish course – subject to personal interviews
• Pick-up and Welcome to the programme at Marbella Central Bus Station
• Transport from bus station to your accommodation in Marbella
• Orientation and Guidance Meeting, on arrival
• Assistance in obtaining the Numero de Identificación Extranjeros (NIE) and Social Security card you’ll need to work in Spain
• Access to the Participants’ Lounge and Terrace in the Alameda (Marbella) offices, during working hours
• Free Internet access
• Free post box services
• Access to the 24 hours HELP line
• Access to the Programme Club, with Club Discount Programme and a peak-season leisure programme
• Accommodation Services: We’ll set you up with accommodation in Marbella. To partipate in the Work programme, you must stay in the accommodations provided by the programme.

6. Will you find me somewhere to live while I am working?

Yes, the accommodation booking services are a compulsory part of the programme. You will book your accommodation through us when you enrol in the programme. We provide accommodation in shared apartments with other programme participants. We recommend you arrange your accommodation with us in Marbella well in advance, as housing in the area is in high demand.

7. Is there a minimum level of Spanish required?

No. You may start the programme as a complete Beginner in Spanish (at the Initial level in your don Quijote Spanish course.)

You are, however, required to complete a Spanish language course (at any don Quijote school or several partner schools) of at least 6 weeks duration before beginning your work experience.

Because you’ll perform better in interviews and improve your chances of securing a “better” job when you have better Spanish language skills, you may want to consider a longer course particularly if you will be starting below the Intermediate level.

When you enrol in a course of 16 weeks or longer as part of the Study & Work Programme, we will waive your Work Experience fee (250 EUR.) Plus you’ll be well prepared to interview and work “en español.”

8. Can you guarantee me a job?

Everyone who has enrolled in the programme to this date has been successful, however, you will have to do your best in a job interview to secure a job offer. What we WILL do is arrange interviews for you, for jobs matched to YOUR Spanish level and your work experience.

We’ll set you up to succeed, since it is in our best interest for you to get a job offer from your first interview!

Sufficient job opportunities are available, and usually you will already have an interview scheduled before the end your course. Click here to see a sample list of jobs available in Spring and Summer 2006.

In the rare (and unexpected) case that we are unable to arrange interviews for you, we will refund your Work Experience fee. If, however, you fail to secure a job after 3 interviews, which is extremely rare, and you choose to leave the programme, your fees will not be refunded.

About my Job

1. How much will I be paid?

You will always be paid at least minimum wage., normally from 600-900 euros per month. In some jobs you will earn tips as well, usually between 150 to 200 euro per month. This is not a money-making experience, but it will earn you enough to cover your expenses while you live the experience of a lifetime!

2. How many hours will I work?

Most shifts are 8 hours per day with 1 day off during the week. You may work one shift of 8 hours, or it may be split into 2 shifts per day. However, in some jobs during high season (July and August) you may not have ANY days off and you might work 8 to 10 hours per day.

3. What kind of job will I be placed in?

You’ll work in the hospitality, catering, retail and other general service sectors. You may work in a retail store, or as a bartender, waiter, kitchen helper, waiter’s assistant, hostess, or amusement park attendant, for example.

4. How long is the work experience?

Although the minimum stay is 3 months, you may stay in the programme as long as you like! There is no maximum stay. Feel free to spend a year in Spain!

5. I’ve never worked before. Can I still apply?

Yes! If you have any work experience at all, please list it on your application and include your work references. If you have no experience, it may take you longer to receive an offer, but you are still eligible to apply.

6. Will I have to do an interview?

Yes. You will interview with the employer(s) upon your arrival to Marbella, after your language course. All job offers are contingent on passing a personal interview.

7. During which time of year is the programme available?

All year round!

About my Spanish Course

1. Where will I take my Spanish Course?

You may choose to take your Spanish course at any don Quijote school (In Spain: Madrid, Salamanca, Tenerife, Barcelona, Granada or Valencia, or in Mexico: Guanajuato) or at our partner schools in Spain (Sevilla, Marbella, Alicante or Málaga) or Peru (Cuzco).

2. Do I have to take a Spanish course first?

Yes, you are required to complete a Spanish language course of at least 4 weeks duration before you begin your work experience.

3. Will a longer course help me land a better job?

It’s likely to. You will have to pass an interview and, as you would expect, the more appealing, people-oriented jobs, such as bartending, retail or food service, will go to the applicants with better Spanish skills.

Remember, when you enrol in a course of 16 weeks or longer as part of the Study & Work Programme, we will waive your Work Experience Fee (250 EUR.) Plus you’ll be better prepared to interview and work "en español."

4. How much will my language course cost?

Click here to see our Course and Accommodation price list.