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2024-2025 Academic Year: Blanca López Sagarra

Tell us something special about your hometown.

I was raised in a beautiful little coastal town called Aguadulce in the southeast of Spain. It’s located next to the only true desert in Europe, which is incredible to see. Tabernas desert has also been the setting for major international productions such as Indiana Jones, Black Mirror, and Games of Thrones. I am very passionate about our culture which is influenced by its Islamic past. We have a stunning coastline with natural beaches and the most delicious seafood.

Tell us about your teaching philosophy.

I have always believed that to truly learn or get better at something, you need to make mistakes – and lots of them. These will be part of our process and we’ll enjoy learning together! So, don’t stress about nailing every verb conjugation or pronunciation perfectly. I want you to feel that learning Spanish goes beyond studying it in the classroom. I believe that to truly delve into a language, you need to live experiences that connect you even more with it. That is my goal for this year: encouraging you to use Spanish as a tool to explore another world, create new memories, and most importantly, connect with more people.

Tell us about any fun ideas you would like to do in your conversation classes.

Showcasing Andalusian Culture is an absolute must for me! If you enjoy food as much as I do (and I’m sure you do), then we can embark on a culinary journey through Andalucía! Each province has its own unique flavors and dishes, such as delicious migas from Almería, the refreshing salmorejo from Córdoba or a variety of tapas. Not only will we learn recipes, but we'll also share stories and traditions behind each dish.

Do you have a creative side? Let’s express what our views about Spain are! We can express them through art and you can let your imagination run wild. Whether it's the vibrant streets of Seville or the serene landscapes of Granada, paint what Spain means to you and share your masterpiece with me.

And if you are a movie buff… We'll recreate iconic scenes from your favorite movies, but with a twist – we'll do it in Spanish. Think about the drama, the excitement, and the fun of acting out scenes with your classmates. ¡Luces, cámara, acción!

2024-2025 Academic Year: Mayerly Gómez Soto

Tell us when and how you started studying foreign languages and what you like about learning languages.

My first language is Spanish, and I always have had the belief that languages are amazing to learn and use. I started studying English when I was in kindergarten. I had the chance to take a “language workshop” and since then, I have been interested in learning the language. Growing up I found out that English would help me to access more information and opportunities in life. It was a dream of mine since I was a child to live and work abroad. Little me would be proud to see everything we have achieved in all these years. Learning new languages opens doors indeed!

Tell us what you would like to see in California or in the U.S. during your time at the College.

During my time at the college, I would like to visit many places in California. As a child, I had to do a model of The Golden Gate Bridge, so I would love to visit San Francisco and see this U.S. iconic place with my own eyes. I look forward to visiting Santa Monica Beach, Griffith Observatory, and Disneyland as well. I´ll try to make the most out of my time at the college.

Tell us about a favorite activity that you pursue when you have free time.

When I have free time, I love doing crafts. I enjoy crocheting, modeling cartoon figurines with clay and sewing accessories. Since I was a child, I have been interested in creating stuff with my hands from simple bracelets to whatever comes to my mind to create in the moment. I enjoy playing computer games, gardening, and watching TV series as well.

Past Spanish Language Residents