11/30/2023 - Language Campus Gran Canaria

Oksana tells us about her experience in Gran Canaria

Language Campus attracts students from all corners of the globe. Planet Earth, we've got you covered. In the first of a new series introducing you to our international language students, meet Oksana Danylych. 1.) Hi, Oksana. Where in the world were you born and raised? I was born in Ukraine, near the border with Hungary, and grew up in Canada. 2.) Where are you based now? I still live in Canada, in Toronto. 3.) What is your job? I'm a Real Estate Broker with Remax. 4.) What made you want to learn Spanish? When I was in my early twenties, I worked in tourism and developed a love for learning languages. 5.) Why Gran Canaria? Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a vibrant city, and the weather is great. 6.) How well-known are the Canary Islands in Canada? Most Canadians have no idea the Canary Islands even exist. 7.) So, what was the reaction of your friends and family when you told them you were visiting the islands? Most thought I was visiting the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Now that I've educated them a bit, they'd love to come and visit. 8.) What attracted you to Language Campus? Language Campus has a very flexible timetable with lots of classes. The teaching staff are very friendly, and it's a real pleasure to attend classes. It enjoys a great location close to everything, including Las Canteras Beach, one of the best beaches in the world, and the Mesa y López area, one of the main areas in Gran Canaria's capital for eating out and shopping. 9.) During your classes, what's your favorite word you've learned? Beetroot. I like the sound of these beets. 10.) How about your favorite phrase? Let's go to the beach. Who wouldn't want to go to the beach in the Canary Islands? 11.) Outside of lessons, what has been your most memorable discovery on the island and why? Maspalomas in the south of Gran Canaria has dunes that transport you to the Sahara. 12.) What do you like to eat and drink in bars and restaurants? I love the dry white wines of Lanzarote and grilled baby squid (chipirones a la parrilla), with freshly baked bread for dipping. 13.) What souvenirs do you plan to buy for the people back home? My souvenirs won't last long because they're all edible. I'll bring back Canarian cheeses and turrón for everyone to try. 14.) What will be your most lasting memory? The people who love to party. The energy in the streets during Carnival is electric.

Jessica tells us about her experience at Language Campus

Language Campus welcomes students from all corners of the globe. Yes, North, South, East, and West. In the second of a series introducing you to our international language students, meet Jessica. 1.) Hi, Jessica. Where in the world were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Sicily, an island in southern Italy, in a village near Mount Etna in the province of Catania. 2.) Where are you based now? I've been living in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a year and a half, but I often return to Italy to continue my master's studies. 3.) What are you studying? I'm studying languages. I studied English, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian Sign Language (LIS) in a three-year course, and now I'm doing a master's degree specializing in teaching Chinese, Spanish, and Italian to foreigners. 4.) What made you want to learn Spanish? A while ago, two friends of mine came to Gran Canaria to study and do their internships, and they spoke very highly of the island. I was intrigued by the climate, the natural beauty, from the beaches to the mountains, and above all, I fell in love with the people who live there. 5.) Why Gran Canaria? Listening to Spanish songs made me want to study and learn Spanish. I was very curious about the Spanish language and also about its culture. 6.) Are the Canary Islands well-known in Italy? Yes, they are very well-known in Italy. Italians speak very highly of them, and many of them go on holiday to Gran Canaria and then move here. 7.) How did your friends and family react when you told them you were coming to the Canary Islands? Both my family and my friends were very happy that I was coming to study and do my internship in Las Palmas. I think they were also a little envious of my choice. 8.) What attracted you to Language Campus? I was attracted to the organization and the different innovative teaching methods. Language Campus gives you the opportunity to learn a language with a native teacher, and it's also possible to participate in summer camps that allow you to learn a language in various parts of the world. 9.) What's your favorite phrase? My favorite phrase is "Slow and steady wins the race." It literally means that you shouldn't rush into doing something, but rather you should always have the desire to do it, and that's exactly how you achieve great goals. 10.) Outside of the lessons, what was your most memorable discovery on the island? And why? Surely one of the most memorable discoveries was the Canarian climate, its natural beauty, and the Canarians who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the very first moment. 11.) What souvenir will you buy? Bottles of Ronmiel de Arehucas and mojo. 12.) What will be your most lasting memory? I have many memories of the island, but without a doubt, the most lasting memory will be the experience I had at Language Campus, as it allowed me to learn new things, new methods, from a teaching perspective, and to grow professionally.

Our student Edyta tells us about her experience at Language Campus

Language Campus welcomes students from all corners of the globe. Yes, North, South, East, and West. In the second of a series introducing you to our international language students, meet Edyta Gąszczak. 1.) Hello, Edyta. Where in the world were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Poland. In 2018, when I was 20, I participated in a student exchange program called Erasmus and moved to Spain. 2.) Where are you located now? I was here as an Erasmus student for 12 months. Then, in 2020, with the outbreak of Covid, I stayed in Poland. At the beginning of 2021, I returned to Gran Canaria. 3.) What are you studying? I am studying Spanish Philology. Right now, I am finishing my Master's degree in Translation and Interpreting. This allows me to translate and interpret texts in Polish, English, and Spanish. 4.) So, tell us more about motherhood in the works of Federico García Lorca. Well, that's the topic of my thesis. It's a very profound subject, and to be honest, I still don't know everything about it. For me, it's very interesting to compare how times have changed, in terms of gender roles and parental duties. 5.) What made you want to learn Spanish? It all started with telenovelas, telenovelas, which I watched with my grandmother. I really wanted to understand what they were talking about with such passion. When I was eight years old, I was a very curious child. 6.) Why Gran Canaria? At first, I chose Gran Canaria because I had seen how beautiful it was and also for economic reasons. It's an island, so the cost of living is cheaper. I soon fell in love with everything here: the people, the food, the lifestyle, and the climate. 7.) What attracted you to Language Campus? A friend of mine did an internship here three years ago. Then she recommended me. It turned out to be a good choice. 8.) How have your Spanish lessons with us improved? Classes with native Spanish teachers have helped me, among other things, to speak and express myself better. In Poland, at school or university, classes are usually taught by Polish people who may have spent a year in Spain. Their accents didn't manage to teach me to "speak correctly." 9.) During your classes, what's your favorite word you've learned? Favorite word? Hmm… I'd say effectively means "in fact" and "effectively." It's always sounded very formal to me, but I've noticed that people from the Canary Islands use it all the time. 10.) What about a favorite phrase? There's a phrase I first heard outside of class, not inside. My Spanish friends always said that I walk with "pieds of lead." I discovered that it means I'm very cautious and wise. Of course, I think they're right. 11.) Outside of lessons, what has been your most significant discovery on the island and why? The most significant discovery? I'd say the people. They are really open and helpful. Poles don't smile at you or greet you in the street. Canarians do, and it's very refreshing. 12.) Where did you enjoy your food the most, and what did you particularly like about it? It was in Puerto de Mogán. We were eating a typical Canarian cheese that had been grilled. It was served with jam. Also, the papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), with a spicy sauce called mojo. 13.) What souvenirs do you plan to bring home for your friends and family? I've already bought them many souvenirs. The most popular is Arehucas rum from Arucas. It never fails to impress them. 14.) What are some of your most lasting memories of Gran Canaria? Every day here is a lesson. I can always learn something new, for example, by meeting people, but also here at Language Campus. When I arrived here in 2018, I never thought I would be living here four years later, but I feel like I've found my home, the place I really want to live and continue exploring.