The countdown begins! Your internship in Spain with Animafest Experience is secured! What’s now?
Moving abroad and starting an internship means embarking on an adventure. However, it also involves mental, logistical, and emotional preparation. In today’s article, Animafest will help you to feel confident and ready before starting this exciting journey. This 30-Day Guide will take you through every stop before you board that plane.
Early Essentials
30-21 Days Before Departure
Your internship abroad is official, so it’s finally time to begin your preparations.
Book Flights and get Travel Insurance
Booking flights should be your first step. Especially for non-European students we recommend securing them as soon as possible to get a good deal! The same goes for applying for travel insurance which is crucial to protect you from unexpected events that could impact your trip negatively.
Confirm Housing
Confirming housing details is usually the next step – but with most Animafest internships accommodation is already arranged for you. You’ll typically stay at the internship company – the hotel where you work. This makes the planning process for your internship in Spain much smoother.
Check your Passport
A very important step is to double-check your passport validity especially if you’re a non-European student. Spain has specific rules, such as the minimum validity – your passport must remain valid for at least 3 month after your intended departure date. Moreover, make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps. For EU nationals a national identity card is sufficient as a travel document for entry into Spain.
Practice Spanish
A fun step would be to start practicing the local language — it will make your stay both easier and more enjoyable. Luckily, there are plenty of helpful tools and apps available today: Duolingo is fun and beginner-friendly, Memrise is great for conversational phrases, Google Translate is useful in real-time and even lets you translate text from photos, and DeepL is an excellent translator known for its accuracy and natural-sounding results.
Getting Organized
20-11 Days Before Departure
Create a Packing List
Living abroad for several months – anywhere from 3 to 12 months – for an internship experience in Spain with Animafest means you’re essentially packing your life for the next few months in suitcases. It can be challenging to decide what to bring. We recommend you divide your things into must-haves and nice-to-haves. Keep in mind that you won’t have endless space when packing, so it’s important to prioritize. In the worst case, if you forget something or realize you need something later, you can always buy it once you’re in Spain.
Check out the following article to get information about “What to pack for Interning Abroad”.
Download Essential Apps
Getting used to a new country can be confusing, especially in the beginning. Luckily, there are a bunch of apps that will make your daily life much easier. Maps, translator and currency converter are essential apps.
Public transport apps such as Trainline and Renfe, as well as Taxi apps such as Cabify, Free Now and Uber will improve travelling within the country. For booking restaurant reservations in Spain and finding the best local spots don’t miss out on The Fork.
You’re craving food or need essentials but don’t want to leave your house? The delivery apps Glovo and Just Eat cover everything from restaurants to groceries and deliver it to your home.
Set up SIM
You have two options for setting up a SIM card in Spain: purchase one from a major carrier like Movistar, Vodafone, or Orange, or use HolaFly, a practical eSIM solution for tourists. Your passport is required for registration, and prepaid plans are excellent for brief visits. You should be able to use your phone after inserting the SIM or activating the eSIM and topping it up, though you might need to change the APN settings if needed.
Final Touches
10-4 Days Before Departure
Begin packing
Based on your packing list, you’re good to go to begin packing. Pack efficiently with helpful tools such as packing cubes which help you to save space. Don’t forget to weigh your bags before leaving and check the maximum weight allowance of your airline to avoid extra fees at the airport.
Prepare your travel documents
In order to save time and reduce stress during your travels we recommend you yo have your documents easily accesible with either printing them or having them on your phone. Additionally, making copies of important documents such as passport or credit card will keep you on the save side.
Plan your airport arrival
On your departure day you might be nervous for this exciting adventure coming up. That’s why planning your airport transport and knowing your airport details will help you avoid unnecessary stress.
Last-Minute Prep
The Days Before You Leave
Now your dream of an internship in Spain with Animafest Experience is almost here. The last 3 – 1 days before departure are for last-minute preparations. Check all of your bags finally, pack a comfortable travel outfit since you’ll have a long and exciting day ahead. Charge all of your electronic devices and download music, movies, and series for the flight. Get a good night’s sleep to prepare for the day.
You are wondering how to adjust as a student abroad? Check out our recent blog article to gain some valuable tips.
Now You’re Ready
Embrace your Animafest Experience
You’re prepared to start your internship in Spain now that everything is set up! This 30-day checklist will help you prepare for success and a seamless transfer.
Remember to share your pre-departure preparations with us as you get ready for the journey. On social media, use #AnimafestIntern2025 and tag @AnimafestExperienceInternships on Instagram. The adventure is just getting started, and we can’t wait to watch your journey unfold!
Initiate your Animafest experience by clicking the button below. This is your chance to embark on a transformative journey, acquire useful skills, and make lifelong experiences in one of Europe’s most stunning nations.
