What inspired you to work for Retiros del Búho?
GROUP GATHERING AT THE GARDEN
Working with Retiros del Alma and now Retiros del Búho continues to inspire and fill me with passion. I care deeply for each group, doing my best to ensure everything is well for the people who come to visit us, making their experience as meaningful, welcoming, and nurturing as possible.
I work closely as part of a team with other members of the association—something essential to us and reflected in everything we offer from our space.
Describe a typical day at work.
A normal working day includes a part of office work, where tasks related to the SEO of our project are developed, along with online marketing and responding to emails, as well as preparing for the different events that take place throughout the year and during the season.
On the other hand, there is also a physical side to the work, focused on preparing the space to welcome and host each group we receive.
Why do you do what you do?
I have been carrying out this work for years, and it continues to inspire and motivate me. As long as that remains true, I will keep moving forward with it. I believe this is important in every activity—and especially in the work we do in our lives—since it occupies a significant number of our day-to-day hours.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of this work is the organizational side and all aspects related to logistics. I also really enjoy the creative side—when new ideas arise and we get to develop and implement them together as a team. I truly find these parts of the project very fulfilling and enjoyable.
As we are a team, we also delegate the different activities according to each person’s strengths. In this way, each member gets to focus on the part they enjoy most, as it aligns with their skills and standout abilities.
Esther. Your host.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
All the knowledge I have gained throughout my life, both personally and professionally, has always been extremely valuable. Having lived abroad for some years and having worked with international families and clients has given me many tools that support and enrich the work I do today.
Having lived in other cultures also broadens your field of vision. It gives you powerful tools for growth on every level, and above all, it nurtures an open mind. Being in contact with other languages and cultures is always a great source of richness.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
When you work with people or host groups, many of the situations you face are related to human interaction. We are all different, with our own ways of functioning and our own points of view. Having strong social skills is essential, as it helps you navigate and resolve any challenges that may arise in those interactions.
What are some current projects you are working on?
At the moment, we are working with our association on the areas that correspond to me for the 2026 program: two international wellbeing trips and retreats, several wellbeing retreats at our finca, and our first immersive Spanish course, which we hope will expand its dates in 2027.
I have also been deeply involved in the project of transitioning to our new website and developing a new image. Alongside this, we continue to hold our regular classes throughout the year, and our space is also available for rental to other facilitators who need a place to offer their knowledge and skills.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I believe that before traveling, it’s important to have information about the place that will host you, the people you will be living with, and the project you will be involved in. It’s also important to understand the geographical location you’re going to and the cultural aspects you should keep in mind while living in that area.
What makes Retiros del Búho special?
What makes our organization special is, without a doubt, our location. Being based in the province of Cádiz—so well known for its beaches and often referred to as “the Silver Cup” or the Costa de la Luz—is a great advantage.
We are also located on a finca surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings, with easy access, in a quiet neighborhood close to the stunning La Barrosa Beach and next to Pinar del Hierro. This setting makes it especially attractive for spending a week of learning, rest, and true immersion in the language.
Why should someone choose Retiros del Búho over competitors?
I believe that the ten years of experience we have hosting intimate groups—mainly focused on wellbeing and personal growth—have given us valuable tools to diversify into this field of language learning.
I was dedicated to teaching languages in the past, and my colleague Mercedes is currently devoted to it, being the lead teacher of our courses.
We believe that creating a small family environment, and offering people not just simple language classes but also a true immersion into the culture—along with the comfort of feeling held within the group—is deeply important to us, and to me personally.
Me and the group after lunch time
What makes Retiros del Búho easy to market to potential participants?
As we mentioned at the beginning, our location in the south of Spain makes our organization especially easy to market to potential participants. The climate—particularly during the seasons when we offer our immersive courses—is a major advantage.
Having the beach and the coastline nearby, being in a region that is internationally well known, and regularly welcoming visitors from many different countries makes it, we believe, highly attractive for those wishing to spend a week immersed in the language, the culture, and the learning experience.
What is Retiros del Búho's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to offer a space where each person can, from a place of calm, do what they have come to do—in this case, to learn and to immerse themselves in a culture and a language.
We have always worked toward this goal, and it remains our commitment: to hold that space and make it possible for every individual who visits us to truly achieve their experience of learning, connection, and immersion.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We hope participants are able to put into practice the Spanish language skills they have acquired. If they join as beginners, we want them to truly feel that they have learned and that they can start expressing themselves and navigating the first steps of the language with confidence.
And beyond the learning, we hope they genuinely enjoy the place—our space, our city, and the surrounding area—fully experiencing all that Cádiz has to offer to those who visit.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
One of the main concerns participants often have is the language level within the group. For this reason, we prefer to divide groups according to different levels—from complete beginners who need to start from zero, to those who already have some skills, and even advanced participants who wish to refine and expand their everyday vocabulary and expressions.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling is, in itself, a whole experience. When you also have an interest in the language of the place you’re visiting, you’re clearly showing an openness and curiosity toward that culture and country. Being in the land where the language you’re learning is spoken feels almost essential—it deepens your connection and helps you develop a greater appreciation for the language and the new skill you’re building.
And beyond that, traveling is always a gift—one that expands the mind and broadens your perspective in lasting ways.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is important because it opens the door to new ways of thinking, communicating, and understanding the world. It allows you to connect more deeply with other cultures and the people who belong to them, creating bridges that go beyond words.
It also strengthens cognitive skills, builds confidence, and invites personal growth. More than just a practical tool, a language becomes a living experience—one that expands your perspective and enriches both your personal and professional life.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Traveling with intention. It’s not only about visiting a place, but about truly connecting with it—its people, its culture, its language, and its way of life.
It means allowing the journey to transform you in some way: learning, growing, and returning home with a wider perspective. Meaningful travel invites presence, respect, and openness—turning each experience into something that enriches both the traveler and the place that welcomes them.
Activity, visiting Vejer de la Frontera
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
Means relating to other cultures and communities with respect, awareness, and responsibility. It involves approaching every experience with humility—recognizing that we are guests in someone else’s home and way of life.
It also means supporting local communities, honoring their traditions, and contributing in ways that are fair and conscious. Ethical engagement is about creating genuine exchange—where learning, benefit, and respect flow in both directions.
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And your organization?)
Mutual respect, open communication, and trust. Building genuine relationships with the host community is essential, as it creates a foundation where collaboration can grow naturally and sustainably.
We also value cultural sensitivity, active listening, and reciprocity—ensuring that the exchange benefits everyone involved. For us, it’s important that programs feel integrated into the local environment, honoring its rhythms, traditions, and people while creating meaningful connections for participants.
