Here’s your comprehensive guide to packing for your internship. Remember that while the forecast may be blue skies and sun on the day you fly out, the same might not be said for the return journey 3 months later. As most of our internships encompass more than one season, you’ll need to know how to pack for every eventuality.
Applied for your internship in Seville? Got the gig? Now wondering what on earth do I pack?
Read on for our top tips!
All seasons
- Travel bag suitable for cycling
- Painkillers (cheaper than buying out here)
- A Spanish phrasebook. Locals will appreciate the effort, and Seville is less cosmopolitan than places like Madrid or Barcelona; English-speaking customer service workers aren’t necessarily a given, particularly in residential areas
- Plenty of euros and a travel card. Contactless is accepted in most places but there is often a minimum card spend, and buses require exact change. You can withdraw cash using a normal debit card while you’re out here, but unless you’re with a Spanish bank such as Santander you could face charges. We’d recommend Starling, Travelex or Monzo.
- Spanish adaptor/extension lead. Particularly if your job involves a laptop or you have lots of electric devices that need charging.
- Sunglasses. No matter the time of year, sunglasses are a must in Seville. Bring some eyewear to protect you from the sun’s glare.
- Comfortable shoes (ideally waterproof). The best way to see Seville is either by bike or on foot, both of which require sturdy shoes.
- Towel. For beach days and personal use. Microfibre towels are compact and take up very little luggage space if you’re struggling for room in your suitcase.
- Photocopies of important documents. You’ll need these in case of any encounters with emergency services, plus bars prefer a photocopy of a passport as a form of ID over a driving license.
- A camera, or smartphone with good camera function. Trust us, you’ll want to take pictures!
Spring/Summer
- Smart dress. Spring is Seville’s festival season, and you’ll be wanting to attend the festivities without feeling out of place. Sevillians get dolled up to the nines for occasions such as Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, flaunting their best traditional feria dresses and suits. Don’t worry, you don’t need to invest in a flamenco dress, but if you want to come close… girls, we’d recommend bringing floaty dresses, long skirts or floral/patterned shirts and smart trousers. Guys, bring your best shirts and a smart jacket. Get practising your flamenco moves and you’ll soon fit right in!
- Suncream. Expensive to buy in shops.
- Swimwear! There are a number of beaches within an hour and a half of Seville, and you’ll have the opportunity to take a break from the heat of the city and enjoy the sea breeze on the weekends. If sunbathing isn’t for you, we’d highly recommend the beautifully crafted Arabic baths for a relaxing and welcome break from city life.
- Bug spray.
- Don’t worry about packing a handheld fan. Flats are air-conditioned, and you can get a much nicer one here as a souvenir!
Autumn/Winter
- Layered clothing. The temperature fluctuates a lot in the Autumn/Winter months, so bring layers for every eventuality. Light scarves are a great option for throwing on in the evenings as it cools down.
- Teabags. They don’t sell Yorkshire tea here, trust me. You’ll be thankful for your favourite blend when you settle down for a cuppa after a long day.
- Umbrella/waterproofs. Yes, it rains in Seville too!
Finally, no matter the season a lot of your time will be spent working, so remember to pack according to the type of job you’ll be doing.
If your placement is in hospitality or teaching, smart clothes will be required, whereas creative or labouring industries may be more informal. If your job is in ecology or tourism, you’ll likely be spending a lot of time outdoors, so waterproofs, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothes are a must.
If you’re unsure about your dress code, just ask! Your new employers will be happy to help.