Portugal – Lisbon Hospitality Internship

Portugal is a stunning country in southwestern Europe bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Spain to the north and east. Its rocky history with dictatorship left it one of the poorest countries in Europe pre-1974 when democracy was then introduced and gave rise to the inspiring current-day prosperity found in the region. The county’s rich culture, picturesque countryside, and lively cities make Portugal both a fantastic tourist destination and unique home to its roughly 10 million warm and hospitable locals.

The hostel is located in the city center between Plaça restauradores and Bairro Alto. It is very close to all main attractions, Praça do comerço, Graça, Bairro alto to name just a few. On top of its central location the hostel offers a young, social and laid-back environment, where guests and volunteers can feel at home. All rooms are filled with sunlight and there are 3 terraces, perfect for chilling out. The hostel is also equipped with a spacious lobby, cozy lounge area and a shared kitchen.

Interns will become an important reference point for guests and will therefore play in important role in ensuring guests enjoy their stay at the hostel. During your first week, you will primarily assist with housekeeping tasks. As you gain more experience and familiarize yourself with the hostel, you will take on other roles, including bartending. Some of your responsibilities may include:

• Welcoming and assisting guests at reception
• Answering questions about the local area
• Serving breakfast in the morning
• Bartending in the evenings
• Housekeeping tasks around the hostel
• The hostel also encourages interns to offer their own creative ideas or suggestions to improve the hostel experience.

A typical day: Your day will start at 8:00 am as you prepare and set up breakfast for the guests. At 10:30 am, you will help clean up breakfast and spend the afternoon assisting with housekeeping tasks as needed. In the evening, you will have a chance to bartend or assist guests at the reception, followed by cleaning tasks around the hostel. You will be given either a morning/afternoon or afternoon/evening shift, depending on the needs of the hostel.

You will work approximately 6-8 hours per day, 5 days a week. You will have 2 days off per week (not necessarily the weekend) to explore Lisbon or travel to other destinations. There are also a range of different tours and excursions that interns are encouraged to join.

Please note that activities and schedules can change at any time based on the needs of the project.

Internet: WiFi is available at the hostel.

Laundry: There are laundry facilities available at an additional

Accommodations: Interns will stay in a 4 bed dorm room which is attached to the main hostel building with its own private entrance. The room includes lockable storage for your belongings. The shared bathroom facilities and showers are located inside the main building.

Food: Breakfast is provided daily. Breakfast usually includes coffee, tea, cereals and bread with spreads. You are more than welcome to buy groceries and cook for yourself in the hostel’s kitchen or eat out at any of the local cafes and restaurants.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age 18
• Good level of English
• Flexible and open-minded

Important: It is highly recommended that you bring a padlock to lock your stored belongings. It is also possible to purchase a padlock at the hostel.

Volunteers will have ample free time to explore all that Portugal have to offer. Visitors to Lisbon cannot resist the fantastic wine tasting tours given through the vineyards where port wine originated, river cruises along the infamous Douro River, and sightseeing to some of Europe’s most elaborate and iconic architectural constructs such as the Clerigos Tower, the Dom Luis Bridge, and the Sao Francisco Church. For those who want to experience life outside the capital, you can easily take a train and enjoy Costa Caparica or Sintra and take an overnight trip and enjoy Algarve or Porto.