What inspired you to work for Agualivar Spanish School?
At first I was inspired by the idea of ??working in a small Spanish school with a smaller number of students per week. In my experience as a student, I missed my family during an immersion program in Northern Ireland and I want students at our school to feel like they are part of the family.
Another important factor was to offer Spanish classes tailored to the students. We wanted to know what they like and don’t like along with their general interests. Finally, I wanted to be able to teach the value of the place we live, our rural environment, customs, festivals and linguistic richness.
I love having Spanish class outside on the terrace, even in the month of November!
Why do you do what you do?
I can't think of a more rewarding job, professionally and personally. It is enriching for me to teach. I am also learning every day from the students, from their lives, stories, and experiences. We spend so much time together that they become friends for life and that is something difficult to find in other professions.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
As a student, I studied in another country to learn a language, so I know firsthand what it is like to arrive in a new place. I try to make the immersion more pleasant for our students, so that they are not nervous or worried. I always end up telling my anecdotes from my time abroad.
Us learning more about extra virgin olive oil while enjoying a lovely picnic!
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would look at as much information as I could about the place where I would be going. I would want to be sure that it is the environment I am looking for, according to my preferences and age. I would make a list of what my priorities are and based on that, I would look for the options.
About the school, I would read all the information on its website, read articles, visit the social networks, and go over reviews. I would write as many emails as necessary to feel that it is the school where I want to study. In my opinion, prior contact is essential because you can perceive kindness or the opposite.
Why should someone choose Agualivar Spanish School over competitors?
Agualivar Spanish School offers an immersion program for adults and families. The immersion program is totally in Spanish, from the first contact to the student's farewell. Following the guidelines of the Common Framework of Reference for Languages, we focus on communication.
Most students do not have enough opportunities to interact with native speakers in their classes, so at Agualivar, you will speak and listen to Spanish all the time during your stay, both in classes and in activities outside of the classroom. They will always be accompanied by the teachers and become part of the Agualivar family.
Gaining confidence is one of the objectives of the program while enjoying activities, lunches, dinners, excursions, and much more. The place could not be better. There is even an organic tropical fruit farm with views of the Mediterranean!
See us in action making empanadas after empanadas at our Spanish gastronomy workshop!
What is Agualivar Spanish School's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to offer an unforgettable experience. We take care of each one of the students. We personalize the classes and the activities are constantly renewed so as not to fall into monotony. We want you to enjoy your stay learning more about Spanish culture and the language.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope they have a good memory of their visits. I hope that thanks to this experience, they lost their fear of speaking Spanish with the local people. I like to think that their expectations were met and the teachers became their friends. Also, I hope their Spanish family will be their family forever.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling and getting to know new cultures enriches life in every way. It teaches you different ways to live. It opens your mind, makes you reflect, break with stereotypes or acquired prejudices, and allows you to truly value the place you come from, without thinking that it is the best in the world. It gives you the opportunity to connect with people from other parts of the world, and expand your circles of friendship, speak other languages, have more empathy, and develop skills and abilities that you never thought you had.
Just a quick visit to the wine cellar to taste some delicious Spanish wine!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel for me is one from which I return with my eyes shining with joy, my backpack full of experiences, and my heart full of happiness. It's when I come back from a trip and I can't stop talking about how it was, I recommend it to my friends and after a while I still think it was one of the best investments of my life. It is meaningful because it gave me what I needed, what I was looking for and it exceeded my expectations.
