SPain Team

A native of the Andalusian town of Dúrcal, Germán is an elite outdoor specialist and linguist with over 25 years of experience in international education. He holds a Master’s Degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Granada and a degree in Business French from the Paris Chamber of Commerce. A true polyglot and adventurer, Germán is a Certified Guide of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park and has led mountaineering expeditions through the Alps and the Atlas Mountains.

Germán’s professional reach extends into media and global events; he has served as a documentary producer for the BBC and worked on world-class sporting events like the Alpine Skiing World Championships. Since 1997, he has dedicated his career to mentoring students, combining his passion for extreme sports with an academic mastery of Spanish culture. Germán’s multifaceted background ensures that every student’s journey in Granada is as intellectually rich as it is adventurous.

Born in London and raised in Granada, Marcell embodies the multicultural spirit of the Arcos mission. With a heritage spanning Spain, Germany, and beyond, he brings over a decade of expertise in international logistics and student support. Marcell previously served as a Program Coordinator for the Erasmus Association and as a Homestay Coordinator for American students in Granada, making him an expert in the nuances of cross-cultural living and residential safety.

Marcell’s professional background is as diverse as his ancestry, with experience in the banking, tourism, and social media sectors. A PADI-certified diver and local historian, he is known for his ability to connect with students through shared discovery and a unique sense of humor. Marcell is a passionate advocate for the province of Granada and is dedicated to ensuring every participant feels safe, inspired, and truly at home in Spain.

Originally from the coastal city of Santander in northern Spain, Isabel has been a devoted resident of Granada since 2005. With a career rooted in education, she studied to be an English teacher across Santander, Madrid, and Cambridge (UK). Isabel’s years of experience in the classroom and her deep understanding of language acquisition make her an exceptional mentor for students navigating the challenges and triumphs of Spanish immersion.

Isabel’s passion for international education is personal; she spent two transformative years living and working in London and Cambridge to master her own second language. This firsthand experience allows her to support Arcos participants with unique empathy and insight. An avid traveler and pottery enthusiast, Isabel is a proud mother who views Granada as one of the world's most culturally rich treasures. She is dedicated to welcoming students into the local community and helping them unlock the magic of the Spanish language.

Born in the mountains south of Granada, Amancio is a linguist and journalist with a profound connection to the Spanish landscape. He holds a degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Granada and studied Journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid. His diverse professional background spans radio journalism, international emergency services, and global travel coordination across the UK, Germany, Ireland, and the USA.

Amancio is a "pilgrim of the world" and a premier expert on the Camino de Santiago. Over the last 20 years, he has hiked more than 4,000 miles across the historic pilgrimage routes of Spain, Portugal, and France. Currently a professional freelance translator and international tour guide, Amancio combines his passion for bird photography and music with a deep-seated love for his home province. He is eager to share the hidden stories and cultural mysteries of Granada with every Arcos student.

Originally from the coastal town of Adra, Rocío is a specialist in the human experience. She holds degrees in Pedagogy and Socio-Cultural Anthropology from the University of Granada, with specialized academic residencies in Madrid and France. Her fascination with how we learn and adapt led her to complete a Master’s degree as a Professor of Spanish as a Second Language at the Pontifical University of Salamanca.

A true global citizen, Rocío has lived and taught in the UK and the Netherlands, and spent six months in India and Nepal completing intensive training as a yoga and meditation instructor. At Arcos, she blends her anthropological insights with her passion for wellness, helping students navigate their Spanish immersion with mindfulness and balance. Whether exploring the peaks of the Sierra Nevada or the historic streets of the Albaicín, Rocío is dedicated to sharing the art, cuisine, and vibrant traditions of Andalusia.

Born in the Axarquía region of Málaga, Ivan is a journalist, professional diver, and lifelong student of history. After earning his degree in Journalism in Mexico, he traveled the globe—from interviewing diverse voices across North America to managing school construction projects in Tanzania. These international experiences have fueled his belief that history is the common thread that unites us all.

A master storyteller, Ivan has collaborated with major media outlets including Canal Sur and the Discovery Channel. He is the founder of the Horizontes Collective newspaper and is currently finalizing an investigative documentary on a historic Mediterranean shipwreck. At Arcos, Ivan channels his artistic vision and curiosity to help students see beyond the surface of Andalusian culture, nature, and tradition. Whether in the sea or the countryside, Ivan is dedicated to teaching students that the world is a classroom where we never stop learning.

Born in Germany and of Portuguese descent, Helder is a versatile artist, linguist, and veteran guide of the Iberian Peninsula. He studied Graphic Design and Traditional Animation in Hamburg and has worked across Europe in design, animation, and tourism. Since 2004, Helder has called Spain home, settling in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela where he serves as a primary bridge for international students exploring northern Spain.

A master of the Camino de Santiago, Helder has been leading travelers along the historic pilgrimage routes of Galicia since 2012. His passion for "The Way" is so deep that he authored and illustrated Destino Santiago, a graphic novel based on his experiences. Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French, Helder is an expert at navigating cross-cultural dynamics. When he isn't guiding, he is a dedicated practitioner of permaculture and beekeeping, working toward a sustainable "food forest" lifestyle with his family in the heart of Galicia.