Determined not to spend my summer slogging it out as a waitress in my local cafe, when I heard I could work in a hostel, earn my keep and have somewhere to stay, I was on the plane to Florence faster than you can say 'Ciao.'

Working in a hostel is a great solution if you love sociable, independent travel but the thought of trekking endlessly around, backpack in tow fills you with dread or if you want to linger and learn a bit more about a certain destination.

Work Holidays Abroad for Students

I'll never forget my summer in a Florence hostel - I boosted my language skills, made friends from all over the world and discovered a Florence beyond the tourist trail. After my summer living the 'Dolce Vita,' here's my advice for other travellers considering hostel work.  

Deciding on a Destination/City

I picked Florence because I was desperate to see more of Italy- I'd been to Rome and fell in love with the city of ancient architecture and 'aperitivos.' As Florence is a popular stop on the backpacking trail, there are plenty of hostels in Florence in the city center, in the midst of historic landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio and close to the buzzing piazzas and lively bars. Think about where you want to stay - are you going to be comfortable living there for several months? Is it an expensive place to live? How difficult is it to obtain a visa?

Choosing the right Hostel

I chose a small, family-run hostel as they are normally friendlier, more welcoming and often include a room as part of your pay - I was lucky enough to got free meals, too!  It was easy understand how the hostel was run and get involved with all the hostel's extra activities - from pasta and pizza nights to walking tours of the city. Remember that working in a hostel isn't all fun and games: it's a hands-on job that can get pretty busy!

The Work

My summer wasn't all late-night parties and checking out art galleries.  My job involved working on the hostel reception and telephones, making reservations, checking guests in and out, processing payments, selling tour tickets - and hanging out with the hostel staff and other travellers at night.

You need to be able to multi-task, remain calm under pressure if there is a problem with a booking and strike a balance between friendly and approachable, professional and helpful .  No backpacker wants to feel like the person at the front desk is more clueless than them in a crisis!

Once I really got to know the city (and it only took a few weeks exploring those hectic cobbled streets!), I could give advice to first time travelers, suggesting my favourite night spots and the best places to score a scoop of gelato.

The Pay

The pay might not be great but it is in effect a self-funding holiday, where you get to meet loads of other young, like-minded travellers. If your room is included then you've also got a family and constant drinking-partners in the hostel - a real comfort when you're alone in a new city.

The Language Barrier

My Italian wasn't great (I had taken a few classes at high school), but by the end of three months I could string several sentences together and the Italian owners did all they could to help me out. It definitely helps to know other languages - your guests will be from all over the world, so, for example, if their English isn't great but your French is, you can really help them feel comfortable.

You can also be a real asset to your hostel if you can help them with their English.  Often the owners are so busy that they don't have the time to proof guides or hostel information.  Do everything you can to help the hostel run smoothly and you will be a big hit - my hostel wanted me to come back the year after!

Plan in Advance

Remember a few things before you start planning your trip.  Not all hostels offer you the option of living-in, so you may have to find your own accommodation. Be aware what sort of hours you might have to work - you may be needed to cover the desk all night if your hostel has a 24 hour reception.  

Good luck and happy travels!  Find more on Hostels in Florence on HostelBookers.com.

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