Staff Spotlight: Antonio Fernández

My first trip to Italy was in my mid-twenties. I went with a group of friends to visit the most remarkable cities such as Rome, Florence and Venice among others. Strolling through their streets, I happened on the most beautiful buildings I ever saw. The beauty of ancient buildings traced back to Romans’ time, the art of Renaissance and charming of its people trapped my soul. Before going there, I was playing with the idea of studying art history but went I was back home I started studying art in a more professional way. I registered in the UNED.
Thanks to that experience, I am teaching the art courses at Instituto Franklin-UAH and I enjoy visiting museums and institutions with my students. I wish we could go to Italy sometime in the future. I would love to explain how Italian art has been the main source for Spanish art. Visiting cities like Pompey and Rome are crucial to understand the Roman’s arquitecture in Spain. Visiting Venice will be unforgettable trip not only for the beauty of its canals, but to understand the Greco’s technique in his paintings.
I would say that my first trip to Italy change my professional life in a way not only I started learning a different topic but I became an art teacher that I really enjoy very much.

Before working for Instituto Franklin-UAH, I had different jobs. A few of them were focused on teaching English a second language in private institutions. Others did not have much to do with my studies but I had to work to pay the mortgage of my house. Instituto Franklin-UAH gave me the chance to teach, at first, Spanish as a second language for American students. I was very happy and since then I have been working for the same institution. Along these years, I dealt with many different assignments. Not only regarding the field of teaching, but also I have the chance to participate in a conference about the Historic Links between Spain and USA in New York. I currently keep studying and working in the field that I really like and that is what makes me feel very happy at my job.

Many students felt they are different once they are back home. Staying in a different country for a period is one of the most exciting experience they had. They are much open to the world and understand the differences of people.

We offer several programs. However, the one I like most is Study Abroad because of the diversity of subjects offered in this program. Students can subjects related to different areas. Language, Literature, Culture, Art, Business among others. Having the chance to study different areas one can obtain a solid preparation not only for the workforce buy also as a person. One student who studies medicine can take courses in art or other fields to broad their understanding in those areas. Having different options to study will prepare our students not only in their professional field, but also, in their personal life.

Instituto Franklin-UAH is an institution that not only has programs for graduate students. There is a master program; the Teach and Learn Program where students have the option to study and work at schools as assistance teachers. There is also a phd program, the graduate programs for north American students mainly. In addition, there is an investigation section on north American studies and a line of publication. Among those departments, the Instituto Franklin-UAH gives the Camino Real award to those Spaniards who have built bridges between Spain and USA. All those field of studies and sections make The Institutio Franklin-UAH an unique institution in Spain.

Quality of the product the company sells, in our case, teaching. Having good professionals and interesting subjects, which help students succeed in their professional life are very important factors for a company to be successful. In addition, our students are to feel safe in a new environment. Living with families that have been working with American students for a lot of time are necessary to succeed in an international program like ours.