<h3>What inspired you to work for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/spain-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Spain Abroad</ins></a>?</h3>
<p>I have always enjoyed working with young adults and understand the value of globally diverse experiences. I truly believe that time away to learn from another culture is invaluable to a young person’s maturity and growth.</p>
<h3>Why do you do what you do?</h3>
<p>I have worked with young adults for over 15 years in a variety of different capacities. These are really important years in a person’s life to learn about themselves and what they want to do. I feel honored to play some part in that.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1712131830/images2/interviews/5K6bve6AjQjr8DkZJM7R36QVCETSCN570RP8masu.jpg" alt="Jonny with a woman at Rincón de la Victoria.
"><div class="caption"><p>Rincón de la Victoria.</p></div></div>
<h3>What is your favorite part of your job?</h3>
<p>Connecting with the students and building strong relationships. I have always been a big believer that the most important thing necessary in creating change is a strong relationship.</p>
<h3>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h3>
<p>My education and background is in mental health, so I feel like that has provided me the ability to create an emotionally safe place for students and truly listen and connect with them in a meaningful way.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1712131831/images2/interviews/uvcux8PPJyuL7SbjUzc9Ges6qc0xgupNP9exSqtf.jpg" alt="Photo of Johnny in front of a church in Malaga.
"><div class="caption"><p>Enjoying Downtown Malaga.</p></div></div>
<h3>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h3>
<p>Try and engage in as much of the culture as possible. This can be a once in a lifetime, life-changing experience only if you take advantage of the opportunities that you are given.</p>
<h3>What makes <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/spain-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Spain Abroad</ins></a> special?</h3>
<p>We offer two options to our students. One option is a more traditional study abroad program where they stay with a host family and learn the Spanish language while being immersed in the culture. The other option is our exploratory program. This program involves coaching and mentoring with highly skilled and educated staff.  In this program, we work hard to support students in discovering who they are and what they want to achieve.</p>
<h3>Why should someone choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/spain-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Spain Abroad</ins></a> over competitors?</h3>
<p>The training and education of our staff, combined with the environment and activities that we provide, are truly unique. This is an experience geared towards personal growth and resume building.</p>
<h3>What hopes do you have for the future for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/spain-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Spain Abroad</ins></a>?</h3>
<p>We hope to connect as many students as possible to the rich culture and language of Spain.  We have already found several incredible Spanish host families that are willing to open up their doors and welcome our students into their homes.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1712131832/images2/interviews/P7aMv5hy6ZBlzCpTN55uRg1ChcgVubkb4TJioy2u.jpg" alt="Jonny with participants at a bar.
"><div class="caption"><p>Flamenco show in Madrid!</p></div></div>
<h3>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h3>
<p>A new, globally diverse, understanding of the world, and the people that live in it. We also want students to come home with a stronger idea of who they are and what they want to accomplish, plus a stronger understanding of the Spanish language.</p>
<h3>How do you help support participants?</h3>
<p>In our Cultural Immersion Program, students will have weekly group check ins as well as weekly excursions with staff. In our Exploratory Program, staff and students will be interacting through the day, doing coaching, mentoring, and connecting. It is a much more supportive program than most other programs out there.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images2.goabroad.com/image/upload/images2/interviews/YtpVN7g9LLiTH9dbrH8YD9CRtx1maf3NZo2RVA2o.jpg" alt="Johnny with his family in London."><div class="caption"><p>London!</p></div></div>
<h3>If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?</h3>
<p>I love both Leon and Estepona. It is hard to choose between the two cities.  My home is in Estepona, right on the water in the walkable area of the city. It is truly beautiful.</p>
<h3>What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?</h3>
<p>My advice is to stop thinking about it and do it!  Many people are able to look back on their experiences abroad and pinpoint them as significant turning points in their lives, or at the very least, important and memorable experiences.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>I believe this is when you are able to truly take advantage of the opportunity and turn travel into a life-changing experience. You are able to look at different cultures and appreciate them and their history. You can also look at it and ask yourself “what pieces of this would work for me”.</p>
<h3>How is your company handling Covid protocols? What should participants know about your Covid readiness? How are you assisting participants with navigating the new travel landscape?</h3>
<p>All students traveling with <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/spain-abroad rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Spain Abroad</ins></a> must be fully vaccinated. Host families are fully vaccinated. When in Spain, we follow the country's safety guidelines, currently asking all people to wear masks indoors and in public areas when social distancing is impossible.</p>


Johnny Tock

Get to know the people behind Spain Abroad! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Johnny Tock.

Johnny Tock | Spain Abroad Staff Interview

Spain Abroad Staff Interview with Johnny Tock

Grow personally while studying and immersing yourself in a country famous for its sunshine, beaches, tapas, Flamenco, and much more!

Spain Abroad offers young adults a transformative study abroad experience in two stunning locations: Estepona, a picturesque coastal town, and León, a historic gem in northern Spain.

In Estepona, students focus on holistic wellness with yoga on the beach, guided meditation, and life coaching workshops. They also enjoy outdoor adventures like swimming in the Mediterranean and exploring Andalusian culture through cooking classes and excursions to iconic cities.

In León, participants dive into Spain’s rich history, exploring medieval landmarks and hiking the breathtaking Picos de Europa mountains. Workshops on independence, time management, and goal-setting empower them to thrive.

These programs in Estepona and León emphasize personal growth, cultural immersion, and life skills building. Whether by the sea or in the heart of Spain, Spain Abroad prepares you for a confident and fulfilling future.

Thrive in Spain: Wellness & Personal Growth Abroad

Spain Abroad

Sales Wolves

Spain Abroad is a family-owned company with years of experience working with high school students and young adults in the realms of education, career exploration, mental health, life coaching, and mentoring. Lily Ortiz and husband and wife team, Johny Tock and Leanna Woodley-Tock utilize their years of experience working in education and mental health, and their passion for providing global awareness to deliver a program that will not just help students build their resumes but will also give them life-changing experiences while creating memorable friendships.

The company offers two program options for students aged 16 to 25 years old. One program is the Cultural Immersion Program where students live in a local family in the town of León in Northern Spain while studying Spanish. The prog...

Spain Abroad is a family-owned company with years of experience working with high school students and young adults in the realms of education, career exploration, mental health, life coaching, and mentoring. Lily Ortiz and husband and wife team, Johny Tock and Leanna Woodley-Tock utilize their years of experience working in education and mental health, and their passion for providing global awareness to deliver a program that will not just help students build their resumes but will also give them life-changing experiences while creating memorable friendships.

The company offers two program options for students aged 16 to 25 years old. One program is the Cultural Immersion Program where students live in a local family in the town of León in Northern Spain while studying Spanish. The program includes excursions, weekly group meetings, and classes on career and resume-building, while experiencing the Spanish culture firsthand. The other program is the Exploratory Program where students benefit from mentoring and internship opportunities in the beautiful town of Estepona in Southern Spain while earning college credit that can lead to an Associate degree. This is a great opportunity for students to explore not only the Spanish language and culture but also explore themselves, their goals and interests, and how to prepare for the future.

Spain Abroad is a family-owned company with years of experience working with high school students and young adults in the realms of education, career exploration, mental health, life coaching, and mentoring. Lily Ortiz and husband and wife team, Johny Tock and Leanna Woodley-Tock utilize their years of experience working in education and mental health, and their passion for providing global awaren...

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