What inspired you to work for your organization?
A trip to Lisbon! While I was working in another language academy I was attending a Master specialized in training projects for companies. One of the sessions took place in Lisbon. There, the students and I had the opportunity to visit some companies, among them one language academy. That visit inspired me and made me take another step forward. When I returned to Málaga I spoke with my sister who is my business partner too and we decided to start working together on this project. We both were working in Spanish schools but we knew we needed to do something by ourselves, with our concept and methodology and try to do our best. So we got started on this project right away!
Hiking trip with students from United States and Canada
Describe a typical day at work.
I arrive at 8:30 in the morning to have breakfast with the students. We usually talk and have breakfast until 9:15. Lessons start at 9:30. There are only three teachers, so if I don't have a class in the first hour in the morning, I clear the kitchen of things from breakfast and then dedicate some time to organize my lessons in the office. After lessons that usually end at 12:45, students have free time before lunch but sometimes they join me and my family to cook. So we cook and then we set the table and have lunch at 2pm. Estefanía (my sister) and I have lunch with the students every day. It is a great time to talk in a relaxed way and put in practise what we have studied during the lessons. From 3pm to 4pm I have free time to relax but almost always there are things to do, like checking the email inbox. At 4pm we have activities and workshops with the students until 6pm. We usually do it at home but sometimes we go out and do an activity outdoors. From 6pm to 7 pm it is time to prepare dinner. Sometimes students join us and then we have dinner with them at 7pm. Usually our day ends at 8:30pm after dinner and we clean the kitchen.
Why do you do what you do?
Because I love it! There are few jobs in this world as satisfying as this. I very much like teaching Spanish, but I enjoy much more the chance to live together with students from around the world. It is like travelling every day to a different country and experiencing its culture and history. For this reason, I do my best to provide our students with immersion in the true Spanish lifestyle.
Spanish lesson at home with Kate and Asif
What is your favorite part of your job?
Without a doubt, when I am with the students talking in Spanish after three days of immersion, usually when they are out of the "classroom," and we can feel how the conversation flows naturally. It is very nice when they see how they have improved and gained confidence talking.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
As I said before, I have a degree in Political Science and Sociology so I am always willing to have an interesting and enriching conversation about politics! In addition to this, I have training in management, which has helped me a lot in order to have my own school. And of course, and much more important, my education as a Spanish teacher, which has helped me to understand better how to teach, how to find the best methods, and encourage students to keep learning.
What makes your organization special?
We are a family. My sister Estefanía and I, we created this school inside our family home. Students live with our parents, a host family. They have the chance to practice Spanish around the clock and feel a warm and friendly welcome.
Having lunch with Trisha, Kate, Karen y Margaret
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Most of our competitors have great teachers, great facilities, and they are offering high quality courses. However, our school is for students who are looking for something different. Firstly, it is a homestay immersion living with our family and the teachers, always at their disposal. Second, it is a small school for only four students at the same time and only for adults. Our students’ average age is 50 years old. Third, students have personalized lessons but the lessons don't finish when they go out of the classroom. They keep learning and practicing all day. And finally, if they look for a host family but also a comfortable and nice accommodation, we provide a great experience with our nice beachfront Villa and the best gastronomy!
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope they make great memories of their stay. Because over all, we are a family and we open the door of our home to them. So I really hope they take away family, friends from Spain.
But of course, also that they gain confidence speaking in Spanish and improve what they want.
How do you help support participants?
We are there all the time, so it is easy. They only have to ask for support and we will be there to help. It is different when students are in a traditional academy, they have a teacher only for class hours and a director (usually in an office or out of the school) and sometimes a host family.
In Agualivar we are all of that. We are the teachers, the director and the host family. So, for better or for worse, we are quite accessible.
Cooking Paella with Marlene
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is much more important now than ever. Nowadays we are facing how leadership is lacking and tries to set us in opposition to each other. Learning a new language is the way to embrace a new culture, to learn more about the people, the way of thinking... As I see it, learning new languages can bring us hope for our world.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Choosing the right program or experience is very important. Going abroad can be challenging and if you choose wrong, the experience will change everything. So try to look for the school with the program that suits you better. Our program is not for everybody and we know it very well. A good advice is reading the reviews on GoAbroad and searching for your best match.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, meaningful travel is one where you can experience the life of that place in an authentic way. Not being only a tourist. Usually when you go deep into a place, meeting and getting to know their people, you have a very different experience that impacts your life. When you remember a place for much more than cathedrals, museums or tourist attractions, you are usually facing a life-changing journey. We have been blessed with this, thanks to some of our students. They come to study Spanish but they now have a family in Spain and this makes travel meaningful for them.
