Spanish Adventure has an amazing team of real people who do their work with love, patience and dedication. We are very grateful and proud to have this working group. ¡Let's get to know them!. You can see more about our staff here
Let meet a little more about Joan
What is your original profession? How did you discover the language school?
Originally, I worked as a food engineer. Camilo, one of the founders of the school, is my brother. When he told me about his idea for the school I wanted to participate because I liked the idea.
What motivates you to teach here? How long have you been teaching here?
Teaching here has been an amazing experience because I can get to know different cultures and meet with interesting people. Additionally, it’s been a useful experience because I can practise how to teach Spanish. In the future, I’d like to teach about food engineering. I started here 2 years ago as a tutor, having basic conversations with students. Then, step by step, I became a teacher.
What have you learned from the students?
I learned a lot—my mindset has completely changed. Before I was working constantly and ensured everything was prepared, I always had a plan for everything. But since teaching here, I learned from the students to be open to change, follow the flow, and I realised sometimes it’s better to not make plans. With this new mindset, I’m more relaxed, and I feel happier than before.
Is there any difference teaching students from different countries?
I think every country has a specific mindset. It’s more difficult to teach those people who don’t know anything about Spanish culture in general. Also, if a person feels shy about speaking or impatient with himself or herself, it’s more challenging to help them learn the language.
Do you have other work?
Right now, I work in the restaurant at the language school. Six months ago, I worked for a company as a food engineer which produces honey. Right now, my goal is to find another job in my profession and keep my job at the language school as well.
How does your daily schedule look like?
I wake up at 6 am, I get ready then I come here to teach the morning classes. In the afternoon, I have administrative tasks to do for the school, also I’m the manager here who organises activities and schedules, talks with the teachers and the tutors. I’m responsible for the kitchen; we make the meals for the students with my staff. When I finish working here, I go to the gym and in the evening I spend time with my partner and my friends. I go to bed quite early, around 9pm.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to go out for jogging and I go to the gym regularly. Besides sports, sometimes I watch series but I prefer to play video games when I have the chance because I find it really relaxing.
What’s your plan for your future? How do you imagine your life?
I’m planning to go to Europe for one month with my girlfriend this year. We don’t have an exact plan yet, but we’d like to visit our European friends. If I get a job somewhere in Europe maybe I’ll stay there, I don’t know. But right now I enjoy being here. I know I will get my degree certification in September, and then I will see that will happen. Right now, I don’t think about having kids, I helped to raise my younger brother and I feel I want some freedom to live my life as I want. I have some plans with my partner about having a farm with animals and buying an apartment in Medellín for renting, we will see what the future brings.