If there is one thing the Gloading team totally agrees on, it’s that the best part of our job is meeting so many different and interesting people from all over the world. But wait, doesn’t it feel a bit unfair that you don’t really know anything about us? This has to change.
I’m Andrea, the Community Manager here at Gloading, and today I’m sitting down with Mónica (I know, I know… it wasn’t exactly hard, considering we work just a couple of desks away) to chat about what she does, her favorite parts of the program, and the advice she’d give to future Language Assistants.
She’s full of insight, and honestly, I can’t wait for you to get to know her better, just like I do. Ready? Let’s jump in!
Mónica, would you mind telling us more about yourself, like where you’re from, and what you do?
Sure! My name is Mónica, and I live in Pamplona, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I have degrees in both Translation and Interpreting, and in Psychology. I taught English and French for many years, and now I’ve been helping people teach English in Spain for the past five years. I guess I’ve come full circle!
I’ve been coordinating the Meddeas program, and now I get to support even more people through the Gloading one. So I’d say I’m really lucky to keep doing what I love, helping even more individuals along the way.
Besides that? I’d tell you I love traveling, food (you’ll always find something to eat at my desk), and CrossFit! After a day at work, I love spending time at the box.
Been there, done that! Seems like you’ve got a real passion for languages.
Absolutely! Cultural exchange has shaped my entire professional journey and I truly believe in its power. It’s something that enriches us all, both professionally and personally. Many of my colleagues, including myself, have lived abroad. We know what it’s like: exciting, transformative, and yes, sometimes overwhelming. That’s why we always want to share the best advice with our participants, because not so long ago, we were just like them.
Oh, yes, I can definitely confirm how you always say that your experiences abroad really changed you (I’ve heard so many of them and some really funny ones too!). And from those experiences, you always have great advice to share!
Having been there myself, I love sharing advice with others. And honestly, that’s what I love about Gloading: sharing those experiences and helping people. That’s exactly why we launched it! We know the whole process, and if we have the chance to help more people… why not, right?
We want to support others on their journey, inspire more people to take the leap, and remind them that they’re never alone in this experience, so it was very exciting to develop it. After many years of bringing recent graduates on board as Language Assistants with Meddeas, we realized that people from different backgrounds and ages also wanted to live this experience. That, combined with the fact that the process can be really overwhelming for some people, is why we wanted to make sure that everyone felt comfortable, supported, and positive about the experience. It’s a new initiative, but we’re excited to say it’s already getting off to a strong start with our awesome Gloading participants.
I really liked what you said about Gloading being designed to keep participants positive and supported. Going abroad can definitely be scary. Can you tell us more about that?
When you move to a new country, it’s common to hear someone say “I have a friend of a friend… if anything happens, just call them!”. Well, at Gloading, we are that friend. Our main goal is to make things as easy and stress-free as possible for the Gloading participants. We are here to support them every step of the way, whether it’s guiding them through the visa process, helping them with the application, or making sure they feel settled once they arrive. It’s really a kind of ongoing support, like walking alongisde them through the whole experience. And honestly, it’s such a lovely part of what we do.
It really shows that you enjoy what you do. What would you say is your favorite part of your role?
I love the part where we get to accompany our Language Assistants and see them grow, both personally and professionally. Not just before they arrive, but also throughout their time as Language Assistants. It’s amazing to watch them figure out the ins and outs of the role, get motivated, travel and really enjoy Spain. And honestly, even if it sounds a bit strange, I also really enjoy working on their applications. We always celebrate when someone gets their visa or has everything in order at the office. We even have a friendly competition to see who can get their participants’ visas done first, and the winner gets to bring breakfast.
It’s true, we have a blast with those competitions.
(Laughs) We’ve become so used to managing it that it’s become a fun part of our everyday life.
Speaking of day-to-day life, one of the most common questions we get asked is: What does a typical day as a Language Assistant look like?
Language Assistants typically arrive at school around eight or nine in the morning and teach between 14 and 16 hours a week, spread over four days. However, this can vary depending on the region. Their schedule gives them plenty of time to explore Spain, soak up the culture, meet other Language Assistants, enjoy tapas and drinks, or even join different activities. Also, their role is very important, but also fun: they help students get excited about English, plan fun and engaging activities, and support the main teacher. It’s a win-win: they get to enjoy an amazing experience in Spain and schools get the right person to bring something special to their lessons.
Speaking of Language Assistants, where are the Gloading participants right now in the process?
Right now, Gloading participants are starting to receive confirmation of their placements and locations. It’s such an exciting moment both for them and for us!
As I already said, you’ve got some great (and funny) stories. Even if you want to keep the best ones to yourself, at least share a piece of advice with our participants here!
Every day, you get to find the perfect balance between your personal and professional life. You might think it’s not for you, but have you ever thought about how rewarding it can be to see children curious about your culture? They’re like sponges! A lot of people might think this kind of job is out of their reach, but trust me, it’s a wonderful way to not just visit a country, but to really experience it. When you give, you also receive something in return, and that’s beautiful. And of course, we’re here to help you enjoy every moment of it. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Actually, by mentioning it, you’re doing me a huge favor as a Community Manager!
(Laughs) I honestly believe that it’s totally worth it. I could tell you so many things we’ve seen and experienced, and I’m sure you’d be amazed by the things that happen. At the end of the day, it’s the experience that really counts! We know that facing something new can be scary, but we’re here to help the Gloading participants feel confident and supported every step of the way.