Check out the video below for an idea of a typical teen summer abroad experience.

Check out AmeriSpan's Salamanca Summer Camp

Meet Jesús Baz Garduño, Head of Studies at AmeriSpan's Salamanca Spanish school (First Choice)

What is your background?
I was born in a small town near Salamanca 50 years ago but I live in Salamanca since I came to study Spanish Philology at the university. When I finished my studies I started to work in Don Quijote as a teacher and I liked so much the experience that I'm still getting to know people from all over the world and sharing wonderful experiences. 

Do you travel abroad often?
Yes, every year

Have you studied abroad?
Yes, I did an intensive course in France

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
French, English and Italian

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?
A friend encouraged me when finishing my studies and I liked it so much that I continued up to the present.

When did you start/join your organization?
I began to work in don Quijote in July of 1990

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Head of Studies of the school. Mainly my job consists of coordinate the team of teachers, control and monitoring the levels of students learning, programming and control of courses and school activities. And, crucially, help and respond immediately to any need they may have students in this field.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
What I like most in my job is that I can meet people of all over the world, their culture, their motivations, and the real exchange you get with people who could not even dream you were going to know.

Was a person, group of people or organization instrumental in your success?
Yes, the don Quijote TEAM.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization.
Be the reference organization in the field of learning Spanish for foreigners.

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or traveling abroad.
Greeting a Japanese student the day of his arrival with a handshake.

Can you tell us about your school’s philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?

Our intention is that student feels important and special every minute, with a monitoring and personalized care in a family atmosphere to make him feels like at home. The student may use school facilities (library, computer room, conference room, cafeteria, -terrace, etc.) from 8:00 to 20:00 without any restriction.

Anything else?
In addition to everything offered by the school, Salamanca also offers a great learning environment, security, tranquility, possibility to relate easily with others to live in an outdoor museum, and breathe, feel and notice history, art and culture. And for the young people, the perfect opportunity to start living alone.

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Salamanca Spanish school (First Choice)

What is your background?
I have my degree in Spanish Philosophy from the University of Alcalá (Madrid,Spain) and from the University of Durham (United Kingdom) in 1995.  I strongly believe that my love for the language field began when I was named Graduate Student Tutor at Bowling Green State University (Ohio, U.S.A) in 1991. I also had different grants to work as an assistant at the International Relations Office in my University. When I started my degree at the University I had to work a lot!

After studying abroad, I decided I wanted to teach Spanish as a second language and I started my M.A. on this and a Ph. D. on Text Translation and Interpretation. While I was taking my M.A. courses I was selected to teach foreign students at the University of Alcalá as a part of my practices. It was a wonderful experience! 

After I finished my studies, everything happened really fast. I had my first jobs in private companies, my dissertation…and I started working for Enforex in 1997. Then, in 1998, the first book I published as an author came out. I got married in 2000, and we moved to a county in the west of Spain: Salamanca, so this was the opportunity to open a new Enforex in this city.  My son was born in 2001 and my daughter in 2003.

Do you travel abroad often? 
As much as I can!

Have you studied abroad?
Yes, at the University of Durham in the U.K.

Which languages do you speak or have you studied?
English

When did you start/join your organization?
At the very beginning, 1997 

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Academic Director in Enforex Salamanca

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I am in charge of welcoming students on the first day at school so I know them all personally. The teachers and I do the test and begin their learning. I enjoy watching as they advance in level and are able every day to communicate more fluently.

Was a person, group of people or organization that were instrumental in your success?
My boss, the General Academic Director of all Enforex. She has always been my mentor, my friend and the best role model in my job.

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or travelling abroad?
I think most of the mistakes I made earlier in this job were caused by cultural differences that we all have to learn every day.

Can you tell us about your schools philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
We are a very young and dynamic team of teachers. Our philosophy is to attend personally the student from the first day of school. Our contact is direct and we are very sensitive to their problems not only academics, but of everyday life, and they appreciate this very much.

Anything else you'd like to add?
The location of our school and our accommodations  in the center of the city makes sure everything is close at hand. Salamanca is a very safe city for its residents and all visitors are greeted with warmth and respect.

Salamanca was named a World Heritage city, and it is a city "created" to learn. You can enjoy its diverse culture, cuisine, landscapes  and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Find out more about studying Spanish in Salamanca

Here are some ideas:

• Hamburg, Germany: Northern Germany touts a great temperature and low humidity level from May through October. 
• Uruguay and Argentina: Uruguay and Argentina are the farthest South American nations from the Equator, and enjoy the coolest winter!
  
• Montreux, Switzerland: Montreux is a perfect summertime destination..it sits at the foot of the Alps and lies along the shore of Lake Geneva (en Francais, Lac Leman). 
• Salamanca, Spain: Salamanca is a beautiful spot and popular European destination year-round!  You can receive our 'World Cup Special' discount for Spanish programs in Salamanca if you register before August 15th!
  
• Santiago, Chile: Santiago is a great city, and our Spanish and Ski programs run through the end of September.

There are so many more options for beating the heat, feel free to call or e-mail our office with details or more ideas!

Study German in Hamburg
Study Spanish in Uruguay
Study Spanish in Argentina
Study French in Montreux
Study Spanish in Salamanca
Study Spanish in Santiago

See AmeriSpan Specials and Discounts
See AmeriSpan Study Spanish in Spain