STAFF
All our staff has extensive international experience. All of them have studied abroad and personally know what is to be in a foreign country. Its 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 and to enjoy their stay abroad with us.
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.
Corina Tesler – Barcelona Program Assistant
Corina is originally from close to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and holds a Bachelor’ Degree in legal and medical Translation from the University of La Plata, a PhD in Intellectual Property from the University of Buenos Aires and is a Certified International Spanish Editor and Proofreader from the Litterae Foundation, Argentina. She moved to Barcelona four years ago with her family, studied and got certified C1 in Catalan. She loves living and being part of the rich Catalonian culture. Having been a student herself at second year of University for a semester at SB City College (California, USA) she understands from her own experience what it is like to live and study in a foreign country; she enjoys working with students and showing them around Barcelona.
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.
Enrique Rivas – Salamanca Program Assistant
Enrique was born in Salamanca, where he studied Philosophy. The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 and it is the third oldest university in Europe. After giving much thought to it, he moved to the artsy side of knowledge and came out with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He worked in the field of art restoration for a few years. Then, on a trip to visit a friend in China, he discovered that teaching Spanish renders a livelier feeling than caressing old paintings, so he made a turn in his career. He spent the next three years working as a teacher in Shanghai and as an official examiner for the Instituto Cervantes. When it was time to go back to Spain, he decided to stay in the education field. Enrique was an exchange student in the USA for a year, and understands from his own experience what it is like to live in a foreign country. He enjoys very much working with students and showing them around.
Elizabeth Kinnon – Sevilla Program Assistant
Elizabeth is originally from Los Angeles, California but has taken root in Seville for the last 5 years after spending a semester abroad there as a college student herself. She has her Bachelor´s Degree in Spanish for International Service from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with minors in Anthropology and Latin American Studies. Apart from her personal experience as a study abroad student, Elizabeth has also dedicated the last 5 years to assisting and guiding the international student population in Seville. Elizabeth´s interests include travelling, meeting new people, and learning about new cultures. She is an upbeat and energetic person with a passion for the "sevillano" lifestyle and is eager to be there for you in whatever you might need during this unique experience in your life.