This paper shows how Task-Based Learning (TBL) is used to equip second-year Spanish students at Cardiff University for their placements during their year abroad. We present a set of task-based projects embedded within the curriculum to enhance both (1) the competences students have to acquire throughout their degree, and (2) the skills to overcome the challenges involved in tasks of similar nature when studying or working abroad. These activities (including translations, presentations, essay writing and the production of a vlog) put all the knowledge acquired into practice in real-life situations. The impact of these tasks on the learning process, academic, sociocultural, and employability skills, and the students' perceptions of the transition to placements abroad have been assessed through a survey. The sequences designed, the results and feedback collected are presented as evidence in favour of TBL as a suitable approach to qualify Higher Education (HE) students as proficient users of the target language during their time abroad. [For the complete volume, "Innovative Language Teaching and Learning at University: Facilitating Transition from and to Higher Education," see ED619814.]