About Us
Pepa Hernandez Vargas – USA Program Director
Right after finishing high school, my curious and restless mind pushed me toward my first adventure abroad—far from home, family, and everything familiar. At just 20 years old, I packed a suitcase and flew halfway across the world to Seattle, ready to begin an educational program that would completely transform my life.
That experience became a defining chapter in my journey. It taught me how to live and study independently, to express myself freely in another language, and to build lasting friendships with people from diverse backgrounds—many of whom I’m still connected with today.
Most importantly, it taught me how to take ownership of my own future, to make decisions with confidence, and to grow both personally and culturally.
Looking back, that leap of faith became the foundation for everything that came after—and the inspiration behind my passion for creating meaningful international experiences for others.
20 years of experience
My success during my time abroad made me feel that I was capable of making anything else happen in my life. Traveling, learning from other cultures, and meeting people from other countries has always been constant in my life during more than 20 years in which I have developed my professional career working for high-level multinationals. I have gained experience in organizing travel and in the management of large groups. At the same time, I also took part myself as host welcoming young students of different nationalities to my home.
I believe relationships are the success of my career
After many years of experience as a student abroad and as a host for young international students in my own home, I’ve come to firmly believe that the success of a study abroad program depends on the strength of four essential connections: the student and their family, the host family, the school, and the local organization. All four must be fully involved, aligned, and committed throughout the entire program to ensure a safe, enriching, and truly life-changing experience.
That’s exactly why Seville Abroad was founded. We are a local, boutique organization based in Seville with a business philosophy rooted in proximity, personalized attention, and trust.
We not only focus on the students—who are always at the heart of everything we do—but also build strong, transparent relationships with their families in their home countries, with carefully selected host families, and with highly regarded schools in the Seville area.
By keeping our programs intentionally small, we can guarantee close supervision, individual support, and the constant presence of a local coordinator to ensure the highest quality experience for each student.
Chelo Juanatey - Coordinator and Spanish Teacher
Chelo is our Spanish teacher and truly the heart of this program. Her kindness, warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to our students go far beyond expectations. With Chelo, you’ll always have a friendly, supportive presence to guide you throughout your stay in Spain. She spent part of her youth studying and living in London, where her love for international experiences began. Since then, she has remained passionate about cultural exchange and global learning. As a long-time host mother, Chelo understands firsthand the needs, challenges, and emotions students face when living abroad. Her experience and empathy make her not just a teacher, but a mentor and a second family for many of our participants.
Ena Rakovic - Student's Coordinator
Ena is originally from Croatia and has had the opportunity to travel to over 35 countries, immersing herself in diverse cultures along the way. Although she is originally from Croatia, Ena often jokes that her soul is Spanish. The culture, the people, and the vibrant energy of Seville have captured her heart, making her feel more at home here than anywhere else. With experience in three different living abroad programs, she is deeply passionate about helping young people grow through travel and cultural exchange. She enjoys helping students adapt to life abroad and connecting them with the vibrant cultures they encounter. You’ll often find her exploring Seville and sharing her love for travel and photography with others!
Alejandro Videla - Administrative and Financial Director
Alejandro is originally from Argentina and spent over four years living in a shared house with students from around the world while completing his degree in Human Resources and Public Relations. This experience sparked his passion for travel, culture, and international education. Fifteen years ago, he made Spain his home, where he continues to thrive in multicultural environments. Alejandro is the organizational backbone of our office—methodical, reliable, and incredibly detail-oriented. He oversees all legal and financial matters, ensuring every decision is thoroughly reviewed and responsibly executed. His calm energy and deep understanding of both students and systems make him an essential part of the team, always working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.
Ana Domenech- Coordinator and Spanish Teacher
Ana is a true Sevillana at heart, but her love for travel has taken her far and wide! She spent years living in the UK and has experienced life as a study abroad student in the United States, UK, and Ireland. Having been in your shoes, she knows exactly what it’s like to adapt to a new culture and wants to make your time in Seville unforgettable. After returning to Spain, she fell in love with Seville all over again, and now she’s here to help you do the same! Ana loves spending time with students, exploring the city together, and teaching Spanish in a fun and dynamic way. Whether it’s through local expressions, cultural insights, or just everyday conversation, she’ll make sure you pick up the language in a way that feels natural and exciting.
Our Facilities
We are located right in the heart of the city, with direct access to the subway, and located in one of the most emblematic buildings in the area.
Much more than an office, our space is designed especially for our students. We want them to feel at home when they are with us. This is a space where they share their experiences, with us and with the rest of their classmates. A space of their own where they can feel relaxed and confident and where we help them with daily extracurricular Spanish classes and offer them help and guidance for their School classes and homework.
