Erasmus Internship in the Netherlands – My Flying Pig Beach Hostel Experience

When you think of an Erasmus internship in the Netherlands, you probably picture lectures in a foreign language, a company internship, or staying in a student residence.
But my Erasmus was different. I decided to spend 3 months working in a beach hostel, The Flying Pig Beach Hostel, surrounded by travelers, laughter, cleaning shifts, and countless stories.
This is my experience volunteering at The Flying Pig Beach Hostel — a place where every day was different and every person I met left something with me.

What does it mean to work in a hostel?

Every morning could start in a different way: sometimes preparing breakfast while listening to my favorite music in the kitchen; other times cleaning rooms after check-out; or welcoming new guests at reception.
There were also those days when I slept in because the night before I was making the best cocktails at the bar, or the creative moments when I was brainstorming ideas for our social media while working in marketing.
The best part? The variety. Here are the different roles I had while working at the Pig:

Cleaning — the classic, and where everyone starts

I don’t know how, but I became a cleaning expert — especially when it comes to cleaning products. Pro tip: always dilute bleach with a bit of water if you want to survive.
I learned to recognize the color codes for rags used in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. I still remember my first day: cleaning a room that looked like it had survived a festival. That’s when I realized that “cleaning” isn’t just sweeping and mopping — it’s an art.
Air out the room, change the sheets at record speed, scrub the windows, disinfect everything… and make it all look new again, all while blasting music in your headphones to power through the shift.

It might sound boring, but cleaning actually gave me a break from the chaos of the bar and reception. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about seeing a room spotless thanks to teamwork.

Breakfast — one of my favorites

If you’re a morning person, this will be one of your favorite tasks.
Surprisingly, I ended up enjoying starting the day at 7:30 a.m. My main mission? Set up breakfast for the guests… and most importantly: play good music to start the hostel’s day on a high note.

There was something magical about being in the kitchen while the rest of the world was still asleep. Arranging the bread, brewing the coffee, cutting fruit, refilling cereal, making everything look nice… it was almost therapeutic.
It was also the perfect time for calm conversations, helping guests plan their day, or hearing stories that only come out at that hour — with a piece of toast in hand and still in pajamas.

My shift ended early, so I had the rest of the day free to enjoy the beach, explore, or just relax.

Reception — the brain of the hostel

At reception, you become the person who makes everything run smoothly. You’re the welcoming face, the organizing brain, and sometimes the shoulder to cry on when someone misses their bus.

Check-ins were a whole ritual: big smile, map in hand, and repeating (a thousand times) where the bathroom and kitchen were, and which bus line to take to Amsterdam.
But there were also many “invisible” yet vital tasks: answering emails, preparing bed cards, checking if rooms were clean, restocking reception/bar supplies, answering phone calls, and of course, opening and closing the till — carefully, to avoid any heavy till difference.

Bar — also one of my favorites

At first, I was nervous. I’d never worked behind a bar and it felt like a big responsibility. But then I met my trainer, the amazing Geraldiño — The Bar Master — who turned me into his worthy successor.

At the bar, it’s not just about pouring beers. We made the most creative cocktails, played music, set the vibe… and most importantly, we socialized with guests. Your job is to make sure everyone has a good time and feels part of something — even if they’re far from home.

Every week we came up with fun bar events: Graffiti Night, Green Night, King’s Day Specials, Games Night, Open Mic… The result? Unforgettable nights filled with stories and laughs.

The bar was definitely one of the places where I grew the most — I lost my shyness, learned to talk to anyone, and enjoyed the moment. Behind every drink served, there was a new story waiting to be told.

Marketing

Hostel life isn’t just about cleaning bathrooms, doing check-ins, or working behind the bar. There’s also space for creativity — and that’s where marketing comes in.

We kept the hostel’s social media active and full of life: spontaneous photos, funny stories, videos of our activities, and inside jokes — anything that captured what life at the Pig was really like.

We also wrote daily blog posts, sharing everything from hostel curiosities to guest adventures and local tips. It was a way to document everything that happened — and trust me, a lot happened.

Marketing wasn’t just about promotion. It was about creating experiences and making sure the hostel’s energy could be felt even through a screen.

Dinner — the unofficial job 🍽️

Dinner? Yep, the unofficial job… but maybe the most important one for surviving with dignity (and without starving).
Every night, a piggie was in charge of cooking for the rest of the team — and even though it sounds casual, the standards were high.

Dinners turned into a multicultural ritual. Every day a new dish, a new story. From a tortilla de patatas made with love by a nostalgic Spaniard, to Parisian-style French crêpes, comforting Italian pasta, or even Romanian polenta that made us feel like we were traveling with each bite.

But the best part wasn’t just the food (which was already great) — it was what happened around the table: laughter, stories, plans, deep talks, confessions. No matter where we were from, we all sat together like a little makeshift family.

In a place where everything moves fast, those dinners were our anchor. And no matter how wild the day had been, it always ended with a warm meal and good company.

Final thoughts 

In the end, this Erasmus wasn’t just a professional experience — it was a life lesson.
I discovered what true friendship means: people who arrived as strangers and became family. Friends I know I’ll keep forever, even if they now live thousands of kilometers away.

I also got the chance to travel across the country, discover hidden corners of the Netherlands I never expected, get lost and find myself — alone and with others.
I improved my English more than I ever imagined, just by living, working, and joking with people from all over the world, every single day.

I learned to work as a team. Laughing at the unexpected became part of my daily routine. Improvising dinner with whatever was in the fridge turned into an art.

The Flying Pig wasn’t just a hostel by the sea. It was my home, my school, and my safe space for three unforgettable months.
I left with a backpack full of stories, love, and moments I’ll carry with me forever.

Sometimes, stepping off the “normal” path is the best decision you can make.

Written by Hugo, the new Spanish “bar master ”

On Erasmus, 3 months, Spring, 2025

Want to do your Erasmus internship at the beach? Check out the official program at Flying Pig Beach Hostel.