Pepa was born in Madrid, Spain, traveling, learning from other cultures, and meeting people from other countries has always been constant in her life during more than 25 years in which she has developed her professional career working for high-level multinationals. She has gained experience in organizing travel and in the management of large groups.
At the same time, she also took part as host family welcoming young students of different nationalities to her home for more than 15 years. This experience gave her enough knowledge to know in detail what each student needs when traveling outside their home and how to deal with cultural change and adaptation in Spain.
What is your favorite travel memory?
Without a doubt, my favorite travel memory was my first experience abroad. At the age of 20, I put my things in a suitcase and traveled across half the world, destined for Seattle. I was going on an educational program that would change my life completely. That experience opened my mind to other countries, cultures, to another language. It was one of the most enriching experiences of my life, and from which I keep the best memories. My American family and my friends were the best part of my year abroad, I´m still in touch with all of them and I am lucky to be able to see them every so often.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Being able to work with people from all over the world, traveling, and helping young people to have a unique experience in Spain has always been one of my greatest passions in life, so, to lead this company, is to fulfill a dream and make others can do it too.
I would highlight maybe the relationship with our student´s families in their home countries, it feels good when you see that parents trust you their children and the relationship that we developed with them before and during the stay of their children in Spain It is very satisfying for me.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
In general, all the messages we receive when the students return home thanking us and letting us know how special the experience has been for them and how they miss their host families. But we always get emotional when we receive images of one of our students from their graduation in their home country, we are very pleased to have contributed, in some way, when they get to graduate.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
The full-year High School program. Shorter programs are very fun and enjoyable, but the vision that you get from Spain is more in a tourist way, however, with the full school year it is how you really get to live and experience the real local life, and is also when you can make more real friends and strengthen your emotional relationship with them and with your host family.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Commitment, closeness and communication, are our company values. For us, being a coordinator goes beyond solving specific problems with students, it has to do with dedicating your time to them, knowing them, and being able get them to see you like a close person to trust.
All of us who coordinate students have been in our youth abroad, just like them, and we know all the satisfaction that a program of this type brings, but also the difficulties and problems of adaptation to Spanish culture. As a director, I feel particularly satisfied with the commitment and love with which all the coordinators give to the student and their families.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Particularly for this type of organizations, the most important factor to be successful is trust. After all, you are working with younger children, they are young people who embark on an unknown adventure away from their parents, for most part it is the first time they leave their homes, so, trust both for the students and parents is a determining factor.
