What led your path to Isabel and co-founding Euroace?
Isabel and I were friends at university and this is where Isabel proposed the idea of starting a business involving international students studying in Valencia. Since then, we have adapted our original ideas and improved them to form the Euroace you see today. Our founding ideas were that we wanted to create something that we lacked when studying abroad ourselves.
I love sharing what we do!
We had the idea to create an organization that would provide students with the opportunity to not only study abroad in Spain but also to find out about the culture, to interact with local people, to learn the language, and to know about events and happenings in the city. We felt that all of these experiences and more would enable the international student to not only study abroad but to receive a full cultural immersion.
Can you tell us about your role as the Director of Programs?
I organize and manage all of the programs at Euroace. More specifically, I create proposals for new programs, design and create custom programs, update and adapt current programs, and manage the development of all the programs we offer.
I am in charge of the logistics of running all of our programs and any additional services we provide in order to carry out all of our programs effectively. Our current programs include Spanish immersion programs, Internship placements, Custom programs for groups and individuals, Gap Year programs, High School exchanges, and Soccer programs.
Other services we may provide to the students include that of accommodation; either in shared apartments, individual apartments, or homestays. We also attend to students through orientations, airport pick up and drop off services, and general student welfare to make sure they have all they need.
Working together
What qualities are essential in making up Euroace programs?
All of our Euroace programs are managed with the highest quality and we focus on the special attention and service to all of our students, making sure they have everything they need. We also focus on providing a customized experience to enable a full cultural immersion. This could include adding Spanish classes, homestay accommodation, or cultural activities to your package, in order to gain a comprehensive abroad program.
Describe your ideal Euroace participant.
Somebody who is willing to learn and grow in a new culture, and who wants to have a full life experience to make the most of their time here. If the student comes with an open mind and wants to try new things and learn about new perspectives and ways of life, they will benefit personally and they will be able to take what they have learned back with them.
Do you have any advice for students hoping to do an exchange abroad?
Be open minded, be patient with yourself and with others, and try join in with everything you can. By doing so, you can learn in many ways. Usually, our students come for short periods, so it’s really important that they enjoy it and embrace the opportunity.
How have your own experiences with travel and education influenced your current work?
I have travelled to many places around the world and I have met many people along the way, which has made me realize that I love to learn about new cultures and to think in different ways. I think this helps me to relate to the students and help them to make the most of their experience here in this new culture for them. My objective is that other people can have the same experience and enjoy travel and getting to know new cultures, as I have done.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is getting to know many different people from various backgrounds and cultures. It’s very interesting to find out more about where they’re from, to interact with them, and of course, to learn from them while they learn from us! I also enjoy adapting and designing our programs to create new and exciting opportunities for all of our partners and clients.
Nothing but smiles
Why is it important for people to travel in today’s world?
I think that we are conditioned by what we see on the television and on the internet about other cultures and places. Therefore, I think that you can only get a real idea of other places and other cultures if you travel to the countries themselves and meet the people who live there.
What hopes do you have for the future of Euroace programs?
I hope that we can improve the study abroad experience for our students, as we can always grow and improve our services. I would like to help them to have more desire to get to know local people and converse with them during their time here, to learn as much as they can and take as much as they can away from this experience.
