30/11/2023 - LCampus

Oksana tells us about her experience in Gran Canaria

Language Campus attracts students from all corners of the world. 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.) Hello Oksana, where in the world were you born and raised? I was born in Ukraine, near the Hungarian border, and grew up in Canada. ) Where are you located now? I still live in Canada, in Toronto. ) What is your job? I am a Real Estate Broker with Remax. ) What made you want to learn Spanish? When I was in my early 20's, I worked in tourism and developed a love for learning languages. ) Why Gran Canaria? Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a vibrant city and the weather is great. ) How well known are the Canary Islands in Canada? Most Canadians have no idea that the Canary Islands 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 would love to come and visit. ) What attracted you to Language Campus? Language Campus has a very flexible schedule with lots of classes. The teaching staff are very friendly and it is 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 Zona Mesa y Lopez, one of the main areas in the capital of Gran Canaria for eating out and shopping. 9.) During your classes, what is the favourite word you have learnt? Beetroot . I like the sound of these beetroots. 10.) How about your favourite phrase? Let's go to the beach. Who wouldn't like 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. ) What do you like to eat and drink in bars and restaurants? I love the dry white wines from Lanzarote and the grilled squid with freshly baked bread for dipping. 13.) What souvenirs do you have in mind to buy for the people back home? My souvenirs won't last long because they are all edible. I will bring back Canarian cheeses and nougat for everyone to try. ) What will be your most lasting memory? The party-loving people. The energy in the streets during carnival is electric.

Jessica tells us about her experience at Language Campus

Language Campus welcomes students from all four corners of the world. Yes, North, South, East and West. In the second in 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 grew up in Sicily, an island in the south of Italy, in a village on Etna in the province of Catania. ) Where are you located now? I have been living in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a year and a half but I often go back to Italy to continue my Master's studies. 3.) What are you studying? I am studying languages, I studied English, Chinese, Spanish and Lis (Sign Language) over the course of three years and now I am doing a master's degree to specialise in teaching Chinese, Spanish and Italian to foreigners. ) What made you want to learn Spanish? Some time ago two friends of mine had come to Gran Canaria to study and do their internships, they spoke very highly of Gran Canaria. 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. ) Why Gran Canaria? Listening to Spanish songs made me want to study and learn Spanish, I was very curious about the Spanish language and culture. ) Are the Canary Islands well known in Italy? Yes, they are very well known in Italy, Italians speak very well of them and many of them go on holiday to Gran Canaria and then move here. ) How did your friends and family react when you told them you were coming to the Canary Islands? Both my family and friends were very happy that I was coming to study and do my internship in Las Palmas, I think they were also a bit envious of my choice. ) What attracted you to Language Campus? I was attracted by the organisation and the different innovative teaching methods. Language Campus gives you the opportunity to learn a language with a native teacher and it is also possible to participate in summer camps that allow you to learn a language in various parts of the world. 9.) What about your favourite phrase? My favourite phrase is "No rush but eager", it literally means that you should not be in a hurry to do something but always have the desire to do it, and that's exactly how great goals are achieved. 10.) Outside of lessons, what was your most memorable discovery on the island and why? Probably one of the most memorable discoveries was the Canarian climate, its natural beauty and the Canarian people who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the very first moment. ) What souvenir will you buy? Bottles of Ronmiel de arehucas and mojo. 12.) What will be your most lasting memory? I have many memories on 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 point of view and to grow professionally.

Our student Edyta tells us about her experience at Language Campus

Language Campus welcomes students from all four corners of the world. Yes, North, South, East and West. In the second in 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 grew up in Poland. In 2018, when I was 20 years old, I took part in a student exchange programme called Erasmus and moved to Spain. ) Where are you located now? I was here as an Erasmus student for 12 months. Then in 2020, with the emergence of Covid, I stayed in Poland. At the beginning of 2021 I returned to Gran Canaria. ) 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 is the subject of my thesis. It's a very deep subject and, to be honest, I still don't know everything about it. For me it is very interesting to compare how times have changed, in terms of gender roles and parental duties. ) What made you want to learn Spanish? It all started with telenovelas, soap operas, that 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. ) 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 about it: the people, the food, the lifestyle and the climate. 7.) What attracted you to Language Campus? A friend of mine was doing an internship here three years ago. Then she recommended me. It turned out to be a good choice. 8.) How have the lessons with us improved your Spanish? The lessons with native Spanish teachers have helped me, among other things, to speak and express myself better. In Poland, at high school or university, classes are usually given by Poles who may have spent a year in Spain. Their accents did not manage to teach me to "speak correctly". 9.) During your classes, what is the favourite word you have learnt? Favourite word? Hmm... I would indeed say it means "in fact" and "effectively". It's always sounded very official to me, but I've noticed that canaries use it all the time. 10.) How about a favourite phrase? There's a phrase I first heard outside of class and not inside. My Spanish friends always said that I walk with "lead feet". I discovered that it means that I am very cautious and wise. Of course, I think they are right. 11.) Outside of the lessons, what has been your most significant discovery on the island and why? The most significant discovery? I would say the people. They are really very open and helpful. Poles don't smile at you or greet you in the street. Canarians do and it's very refreshing. ) Where did you enjoy your meal the most and what did you like about it in particular? It was in Puerto de Mogán. We were eating a typical Canarian cheese that had been grilled. It was accompanied with a marmalade. Also the papas arrugadas, with a spicy sauce called mojo. 13.) What souvenirs do you plan to take home to your friends and family? I have already bought many souvenirs for them. The most popular is Arehucas rum from Arucas. It never fails to impress them. ) How about souvenirs for you in the form 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. Arriving here in 2018, I never thought I would be living here four years later, but I feel like I found my home, the place I really want to live and keep discovering.