ALA RESIDENT STAFF
All our staff has international experience. All of them have studied abroad and personally know what is to be in a foreign country. Their dedication and professionalism make possible for ALA to provide an essential part of our additional offering: personal attention and constant support to our students. Consequently our students are always guided to be in the best possible condition on health and safety. At the same time our staff knows Madrid perfectly and recommends our students the best cultural and social options that the city offers along the year.
Staff Biographies
Arturo Jarque, Ph.D. - CEO
Dr. Jarque was born in Alicante where he lived and studied until he moved to the USA. He has a Ph.D. in Contemporary Humanities and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography and History from the University of Alicante. He also has a Master of Arts from Louisiana State University and was a Fulbright researcher at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Professionally speaking, Dr. Jarque was Director of Hispanic Studies for North American Universities at the Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid for nine years and Regional Director and General Manager in Spain for a well-known American study abroad organization for almost seven years. Dr. Jarque was also a teacher for years and has had extensive experience in both the Spanish and American university systems developing academic programs and providing academic related services for American students.
Marta Guillén – Madrid Program Assistant
Marta was born and raised in Madrid and holds a BA in Translation and Interpreting from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Over the summer of her graduation year, she worked as an editor, translator and cultural mediator in Bari, Italy, where she experienced first-hand the initial shock and obstacles one faces as a foreigner in another country. Marta has also worked as a literary translator and proofreader in English, Spanish and Italian, and has some knowledge of German and Japanese as well. She thrives working in a multicultural environment, where she aspires to employ her professional background and personal skills as a bridge that connects and unifies people from all over the world. As an avid reader and foreign films enjoyer, her passion for learning languages and communication seeps into her hobbies, too.