Staff
Founders

Barbara L. Guidera
Co-founder - Working with Spanish Studies since 1969
Facts
I’m married with six children and ten grandchildren. I first came to Spain in 1961. I presented at the All-Iberia Conference of American Clubs and Associations in March 1998: “American women living in a new culture in Spain or Portugal.” In March 2002, I organized a symposium for European Alumnae of Mount Holyoke College titled “Language and Communication in the Third Millennium.”
Interests & Hobbies
Traveling, gardening, sports, reading, movies, opera, theater and classical music.
Birthplace
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education
B.A. Mount Holyoke College (1957) various courses in Spanish culture and literature.

Gerald G. Guidera
Co-founder - Working with Spanish Studies since 1969
Facts
I was raised in Westbury, Long Island, N.Y., but moved to Spain with my family in 1961. I taught at the University of Minnesota from 1959 to 1961 and the University of Maryland (overseas extension) in Seville, from 1963 to 1968.
Interests & Hobbies
Theater (author and producer); narrative poetry (reader and author); sports (long distance runner); and horses (rider and breeder)
Birthplace
Mineola, N.Y.
Education
B.A. Hofstra College (1957) in British and American Literature; M.A. University of Connecticut (1958) in British and American Literature; Doctoral Studies at University of Minnesota (1959-61) in British and American Literature.
USA

Nico Guidera
BUSINESS UNIT SSA DIRECTOR
Facts
I’ve always lived traveling back and forth between Spain and the U.S. I began to keep the accounting on a part-time basis for CC-CS between 1977 and 1984. I took on a full-time position as Administrative Assistant for CC-CS in Amherst in 1987, and soon moved to Seville to teach English and eventually direct the CC-CS Seville office. In 1991, I moved back to Amherst to direct our Institutional Relations and Operations departments. In 1995, I returned to Seville, and between 2003 and 2013 took on the position of Executive Director. Currently, I reside between Amherst and Seville and am Director of our Amherst office.
Interests & Hobbies
Travel, food, film, reading, sailing, motoring, mechanics
Birthplace
Marbella, Spain
Education
B.A. Hofstra University in English Literature; M.A. Middlebury College in Spanish; Master ACADE, Madrid in Educational Business Administration.

David Anderson
Recruitment and marketing director
Facts
Most recently, David was a freelance consultant for Northeastern University and has 20 years of experience with ELS Educational Services (Berlitz) primarily with international student recruitment. With Spanish Studies Abroad, David oversees the recruitment and marketing efforts of all our programs and works closely with the Amherst and Seville teams.
Interests & Hobbies
Birthplace
Education
Studies from Vanderbilt University and studied abroad as an undergraduate in Valencia, Spain. He graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Spanish and International Studies

Danielle Vient
Custom Programs assistant
Facts
I started traveling when I was young, which developed into a lifelong passion. I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain, and taught English in Prague, Czech Republic. I love immersing myself in different cultures.
Interests & Hobbies
I love to explore and try new things. Besides traveling, though, I enjoy dance, yoga, reading, and cooking.
Birthplace
Springfield, MA
Education
B.A in International Studies from Western New England University

Nicole Jacobson
Institutional Relations Manager
Facts
I’ve backpacked through Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America
Interests & Hobbies
Speaking Spanish, doing yoga, swimming in the ocean, exploring nature and photography
Birthplace
South Orange, New Jersey
Education
B.A. in Communication and Spanish Studies from the University of Delaware

Kira Hakanson
Admissions Advisor
Facts
I was a T.A. for an English class in Costa Rica when I was 16. This experience sparked my love for Latin America, travel, and the Spanish language. I studied abroad in Ecuador in college. My study abroad experience completely changed my life for the better. I not only improved my Spanish language skills immensely, but I also got to participate in so many incredible experiences, like swimming in rivers in the Amazon Rainforest and climbing to nearly 16,000 ft on an active volcano!
Interests & Hobbies
I love to dance, listen to music, cook, watch movies, and explore the great outdoors!
Birthplace
St. Paul, Minnesota
Education
B.A in Global Studies with a focus in Environment and Sustainable Development and a minor in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from the University of Minnesota.

Kayla Cybula
Admissions Advisor
Facts
I started learning Spanish in high school and fell in love with the language first. Then, I fell in love with the culture on a class trip to Spain when I was 17 years old. Through my studies in education, I decided to teach abroad in South Korea for two years before studying abroad in Spain for one year while also teaching English at a local school, and these experiences have deepened my love of language and cultural immersion.
Interests & Hobbies
Traveling, reading (especially the classics and poetry), and trying new things from food to hiking a volcano. I also love animals, especially cats!
Birthplace
Wausau, Wisconsin
Education
B.A. in English Education from California State University, Long Beach

Jillian Meyer
INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Facts
My love for the Spanish culture and language didn’t start until I studied abroad in Seville at the Universidad de Pablo de Olavide in 2014. I had such an amazing experience that I decided to return to Spain after graduating college to teach English in Madrid. What was planned to be one year turned into three! Those years were amazing, extremely stimulating and full of adventure. I managed to travel most of Europe, perfect my Spanish and even worked as a wine/tapas tour guide in Madrid!
Interests & Hobbies
I love doing anything outdoors; I’ve recently gotten into surfing and I also love running and hiking. I also really enjoy reading and I usually have some type of Spanish novel on hand to keep practicing. Of course, travel is a huge passion of mine and I am constantly planning my next trip!
Birthplace
Long Island, New York
Education
University of Maine, B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics
Seville, Spain

Michelle Duran
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR & INTERIM RESIDENT DIRECTOR-SEVILLE CENTER
Bio
A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Durán is Academic Affairs Director of The Center for Cross-Cultural Study. She is responsible for course development, assessment and overall academic quality of Spanish Studies programs in Spain, Argentina, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Prior to assuming her duties as Academic Affairs Director, Dr. Durán served as both faculty member and Resident Director of the Spanish Studies Seville Program. In that capacity she has been responsible for the introduction and implementation of new methods of assessment on-site in Seville.
Education
She completed her undergraduate work at Amherst College, and received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University.

Marta Borrero
ASSISTANT RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Me encanta viajar y aprender más sobre culturas nuevas. También me gusta la literatura, el cine y la cocina
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Licenciada en Filología Inglesa de la Universidad de Sevilla

Soraya Pérez
Student Services
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Viajar. Me apasiona conocer culturas diferentes a la mía y todo lo que ello conlleva. La experiencia completa de cambiar de ciudad, país o incluso continente. Me gusta poder vivir la vida de los sitios a lo que voy: la gastronomía, el arte, la música… Los idiomas, son parte importantísima de ese proceso. Me fascina poder comunicarme con personas que viven a kilómetros de mí, o si no es posible, aprender sus dialectos o lenguas. La música también, es algo imprescindible en mi día a día.
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Actualmente estoy terminando mi carrera en Grado de Estudios Árabes e Islámicos por la Universidad de Sevilla. Tengo dos títulos de árabe por el Institut Bourguiba des Langues Vivantes de Túnez.

Laura Juliá
STUDENT SERVICES
Facts
I love to travel and get to know other cultures
Interests & Hobbies
I enjoy listening to music, meet with my friends and family and anything outdoors
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Degree in Tourism from the University of Tourism and Finances in Seville

María de las Aguas Vazquez
Housing
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Soy sevillana y soy una apasionada de las gastronomías del mundo, me encanta cocinar y descubrir través de la comida diferentes culturas
Birthplace
Seville, Spain
Education
Diplomada en turismo/tourism

Marina de Peralta
Custom Program Manager
Facts
I was born and raised in Seville. I have lived for short periods in other places, but there is nothing like being in your city. I studied Tourism and spent several years working in hotels, but the international education sector seems more interesting to me. I’ve been working for SSA since 2018.
Interests & Hobbies
Traveling, drawing and painting, reading books, watching classic, horror and science fiction cinema, living adventures and the animals.
Birthplace
Seville, Spain
Education
Associate Degree in Tourism and M.A. in Business Management from the University of Seville and Certificate of Studies in Human Resources from IMF Business School.

Francisco Cuenca
IT Director
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Conocer y explorar nuevas ciudades del mundo. Todo lo relacionado con la tecnología.
Birthplace
Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona
Education
Ingeniería informática especialidad en software, Universidad de Córdoba

Ramon Gallego
FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Facts
Soy una persona muy constante, trabajadora, y organizada.
Interests & Hobbies
Me encanta el deporte: practicarlo y verlo. Juego a tenis y pádel. Disfruto leyendo novelas históricas, viajando con la familia y saliendo con los amigos.
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Estudios de Empresariales en al Universidad de Sevilla, Máster en Gestión de Empresas Educativas, y varios cursos intensivos de Dirección de Empresas.

Elisa Ramos
Accounting
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Cine, viajar y jardinería
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
3er. Curso Ciencias Empresariales

Amy Niego
CNA Director
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Viajar, comer (me encanta descubrir sitios nuevos de tapas en Sevilla), remar en el río, ir en bici por Sevilla, tocar la flauta, estudiar lingüística y SLA, explorar Andalucía (especialmente sus playas), estar con mis niños y con mi familia.
Birthplace
New Britain, Connecticut
Education
Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics from UMass Boston, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Boston College

Juan Diego
Sales & Customer Service
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Estar con mi familia y todos los deportes en general — sobre todo el fútbol.
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Técnico especialista en hostelería y turismo.

Eugenia López
Travel & Logistics Manager
Facts
I was born in Seville. My passion for travel led me to study abroad to learn English. I have worked since 2009 in the travel industry as a travel agent.
Interests & Hobbies
I love to travel, watch Nextflix and spend time with friends.
Birthplace
Seville
Education

Covadonga Hortal
Travel & Logistics ASSistant
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Birthplace
Education

Frank García-Castrillón
SSA Faculty
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Me gusta jugar al padel. De hecho, juego campeonatos de padel. Me gusta viajar, conocer culturas nuevas y disfrutar de amigos y familia los fines de semana.
Birthplace
Montreal, Canada
Education
Doctor en Psicología, especialista en Psicología Clínica y Counseling (Universidad de Sevilla). Miembro Grupo de Investigación: “Interculturalidad y Lingüística Aplicada” de la Universidad Pablo de Olavide.

Luis Delgado
SSA FACULTY
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Leer, cine, pasear
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Licenciado en geografía e historia

Sara Rumbao
SSA FACULTY
Facts
Viví en Estado Unidos durante cuatro años, 1 año en Massachusetts trabajando de profesora de español, en Deerfield Academy y tres años en Connecticut en el colegio “The Taft School”.
My fascination with the Spanish language started from an early age. I grew up watching Dora the Explorer and loved my Josefina American Girl doll. I studied Spanish all throughout high school and fell in love with the beauty of the language, its cultures and its people. In college I majored in Spanish and even studied abroad with Spanish Studies Abroad during my senior year in Seville. Studying abroad changed my life and I am so glad I get to be a part of the amazing company that made it all possible for me!
Interests & Hobbies
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Licenciada en Filología Inglesa, 1996 Diplomada en TEAT (Técnico en empresas y actividades turísticas)1990

Conso García
SSA FACULTY
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Leer, viajar, música clásica (especialmente la ópera)
Birthplace
Segovia, España
Education
Licenciada en geografía e historia, especialidad historia del arte

Carmen Dorado
SSA FACULTY
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Intereses culturales en general, leer, pasear, charlar con amigos, cocinar, hacer gimnsasia.
Birthplace
El Sucejo, Sevilla, España
Education
Licenciada en filología hispánica

Ana Salas
SSA Faculty
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Viajar, leer, internet, cine, escuchar música, practicar deportes, natación, ciclismo, gimnasia, charlar con amigos y cocinar.
Birthplace
Madrid, España
Education
Licenciada en Filología (Universidad de Sevilla); Cursos de Doctorado (Univ. de Sevilla); Cursos complementarios de doctorado en UNC-Chapel Hill: USA

Milagros Molina
SSA Faculty
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Leer, ir al teatro y pasear
Birthplace
Jaén, España
Education
Licenciada en Filología Hispánica (Universidad de Sevilla); cursos de doctorado relacionados con la gramática histórica del español; tesina bajo el título “Estudio fonético-fonológico” del manuscrito El Culto Sevillano de J. De Robles.

Lola Rodríguez
SSA Faculty
Facts
Soy una mujer felizmente casada, madre de dos hijos de 14 y 18 años de edad. Mis deseos de ser profesora se han visto satisfechos al impartir clases de baile en este centro desde hace años. Por lo que me siento una persona realizada y feliz.
Interests & Hobbies
Me interesa muchísimo mi familia y mi trabajo. Creo también en la amistad. Mis hobbies son : La lectura, la música, el baile, el diseño y la decoración, la restauración, el teatro y el cine.
Birthplace
Genera, Sevilla, España
Education
Graduado escolar, estudios de secretariado y estudios de baile

Diego Reina
Maintenance
Facts
El primer año que trabajé fue en carpintería. Después estuve siete años de auxiliar administrativo en una empresa constructora. Después trabajé en albañilería durante trece años haciendo viviendas y gasolineras.
Interests & Hobbies
Me gustan todos los deportes — en especial el fútbol y el motociclismo. No puedo practicar por falta de tiempo.
Birthplace
Sevilla, España
Education
Graduado escolar

María Carmen García
Maintenance
Facts
Interests & Hobbies
Coser, teatro, jardinería.
Birthplace
Ecija, provincia de Sevilla, España
Education
Primarios
Alicante, Spain

Pepa Vives
Resident Director, Alicante
Bio
Without a doubt, the Alicante program site is unique, not only because of its location on the shores of the Mediterranean, but also because of its tranquility and rhythm of day-to-day life. The city of Alicante allows students to immerse themselves into the culture, unnoticed. My role is to provide you with the resources so that you may maximize your experience in Alicante. You may choose activities according to your interests and academic needs, allowing you to live the culture. These activities include dance, theater, sports, cooking, volunteering, tutoring in English, etc. The key is to find a good combination of study and leisure so that you may achieve your individual objectives and benefit each day from this unique experience.

Marisa Pérez Escribano
Assistant Resident Director
Facts
Nací en Quintanar del Rey (Cuenca), aunque cursé mis estudios universitarios en Alicante. Realicé parte de mi licenciatura en Filología en la Universidad de Sussex (Reino Unido) como estudiante del programa Erasmus-Sócrates. Asimismo, hice prácticas docentes como profesora de español en la Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas de Salzburgo (Austria) y he trabajado en este campo en varios colegios de Salamanca y Alicante, así como en un programa de estudiantes estadounidenses en el Centro Superior de Idiomas de la Universidad de Alicante. He sido también coordinadora de un centro de español y profesora en el Departamento de Lenguas y Culturas de la Universidad Estatal Técnica del Sur (Rostov del Don, Rusia) y examinadora de los exámenes DELE en el Centro Superior de Idiomas de la Universidad de Alicante.
Interests & Hobbies
Me encanta descubrir nuevos lugares y gentes de los que siempre se puede aprender. También me gusta ir al cine, leer y tocar la guitarra. Disfruto mucho de pequeñas cosas como un paseo por la playa o contemplar un atardecer.
Birthplace
Quintanar del Rey (Cuenca), España
Education
Barcelona, Spain

Adriana Pajares
Resident Director, Barcelona
Bio
The city of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, is considered the most cosmopolitan city in Spain. This city can offer you different types of life styles. If you want to come to Barcelona because of what other people have told you: visit the beaches, stroll Las Ramblas, take pictures of the mimes and discover the rich night life, you can do it, but you will miss the real essence of the city. Among many of its charms, we have the “Gótico” and “Borne” with its streets full of magic and its stores with the designs of young artists, the Park Güell, with its endless walks that lead eventually to a high point where Barcelona surrenders at your feet, festivals organized in every neighborhood, the day of “San Jordi” where the city is full of roses and books that are given away to loved ones, feeding the pigeons on a quiet Sunday afternoon in the Plaza Cataluña … and if you still want more, the coastal towns will offer magical sunsets while eating a “torrada amb tomaca.” Catalan people are known to be reserved at first but friends for life once they get to know you, start the day with a “Bon dia” and you will have won part of the way. Don´t hesitate and join a life changing experience. We are waiting for you!
Córdoba, Argentina

Patricia Maqueda
Resident Director, Argentina
Bio
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba is the university of “La Reforma Universitaria de 1918” (The University Reform of 1918). Our students were the principal actors of the ideals that changed the university system of all Latin America. Join us as we commemorate one hundred years of that student movement, and be a part of the celebration! This is a great moment to live an experience that you will keep in your heart, throughout your personal and academic life. I expect that students will open their minds and hearts to other forms of knowledge. While excellent academics is the main reason to study at Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the richest aspect of your experience will be getting to know another culture – with which I’m sure you will fall in love!
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Gloria Matanzo Vicens
Resident Director, Puerto Rico
Bio
San Juan, la capital de Puerto Rico, ofrece a sus visitantes varios lugares de interés, tanto histórico como turístico y de diversión. Sus atractivos naturales lo posicionan como uno de los destinos más visitados y recomendados del Caribe. Además de ser un paraíso tropical con playas hermosas que puedes visitar durante todo el año, en San Juan encontrarás mucha diversión y entretenimiento cosmopolita. El Viejo San Juan es un pequeño cofre de experiencias. Caminar por las calles adoquinadas de esta hermosa ciudad amurallada es transportarse en la historia. La ciudad sorprende a sus visitantes con pequeños lugares llenos de música afroantillana, con sus museos y con el sabor de su comida típica. Tanto la herencia española como la taína y la africana están presentes en la cultura, tradiciones y sentir de sus habitantes, quienes se distinguen por su hospitalidad y por el calor con que reciben a sus visitantes. A poca distancia de San Juan, se encuentran varios lugares de interés como el Museo de Arte de Ponce, la segunda ciudad de la Isla; el Zoológico de Mayagüez, único en el país; el Radiotelescopio en Arecibo; el Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy; la bahía fluorescente de La Parguera en Lajas; las islas municipios de Vieques y Culebra, con sus impresionantes playas; entre muchos otros. Espero recibirte en San Juan y que tu visita sea una experiencia enriquecedora que te permita, no solo aprender la lengua, sino también disfrutar las maravillas que te ofrece la ciudad y sus habitantes.
Havana, Cuba

Rocío Haro
Resident Director, Cuba
Bio
The best way to know a culture is to live it in first person. When you come to Cuba you will not only have a unique experience, you will have known one of the most extraordinary places in the world. It is a kind of sensory journey, a journey in time through which you will understand the idiosyncrasy and the great creativity of the Cubans. You will be filled with the music and the joy of the streets of Havana; the reddish lands of the tobacco plantations of Pinar del Río; the colonial architecture of Trinidad; the white and crystalline beaches of Varadero; all mixed with African rhythms and a Spanish spark… it is the nuances you will find in dance, language, religion, architecture and above all, in its people. The idea of learning while traveling, fascinates me, that’s why I enjoy my work so much. I was born in Seville (Spain) and have had the opportunity to know many places in the world, but without a doubt, I will keep the magic of Cuba. A place where you can expect the unexpected.

Dalila Jimenez
Accounting Assistant, Cuba

Giselle Ortiz
Assistant Resident Director, Cuba