We have struck Spanish gold when it comes to recruiting our Education Centre Director and Location Manager, in our 6th location: Andalusia! Let’s take the opportunity to get to know them both better as they prepare to open the doors to our first Spanish location in September 2024.
📖 Boundless Crew Bio
- Originally from Nottingham, England, Kevin holds a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education and is an accomplished educational leader.
- With extensive experience as the Head of International Schools in Denmark, the USA, the UAE, and Oman, he has a proven track record of enhancing student engagement and academic achievement.
- He has successfully integrated many programmes into his school curriculums, including STEAM using Lego systems, and incorporating arts and personal skills.
- Kevin’s leadership philosophy centres on inclusivity and fostering happiness to drive success - which is reflected in his innovative educational approach.
- Originally from Spain, Jose holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Granada.
- With over 12 years of experience within the hospitality industry, Jose has held posts in hotels and other venues that are renowned for excellence in their guest services - including The Savoy in London.
- Building upon his experience he played a pivotal role in the opening of a new aparthotel before demonstrating his operational management skills and passion for guest satisfaction at Chateau Denmark.
- More recently, Jose was the Guest Services Manager for a leading, high-end holiday home rental company - managing properties across London.
Boundless Life now offers six incredible locations, each with its own charm. What do you consider to be Andalusia’s unique draw for our families?
Jose: Andalusia has a rich culture and a strong identity. Many cultural phenomena that are seen internationally as distinctively Spanish are largely or entirely Andalusian in origin. These include flamenco, bullfighting and Hispano-Moorish architectural styles. Andalusian folklore also includes the Semana Santa and the famous Ferias.
Although there are many beautiful towns and villages in the Costa del Sol region of Andalusia, Estepona would certainly win the prize for ‘the real Spain’ and ’the most attractive town’. It is an idyllic enclave surrounded by both the Mediterranean and the mountains.
Thanks to Estepona´s central location, other places like Marbella, Tarifa, Seville, Córdoba, Granada and even Africa can easily be reached.
Kevin: Andalucia has long been a family draw as a holiday destination so it's well-known and easy to get to. Fantastic travel connections and great roads mean the whole area is accessible quickly and without fuss.
What the area has to offer is amazing, from Blue Flag clean beaches to the surrounding hills and mountains, skiing only three hours away, the outpost of Gibraltar just a short drive, and the amazing local cuisine and culture. I believe our families will be looking forward to the fiestas and celebrations - noisy, busy, great fun to be part of and of course the best of local attractions.
Cultural immersion is such a significant component of Boundless Education. What do you have planned to integrate Andalusia’s rich culture, language, and history into the curriculum, Kevin?
Kevin: For me, it's about using history to understand the present. Why is this part of Spain so multicultural? Why is the food from a blend of countries? From the Iberians to the Roman and the Moorish conquests of a thousand years ago, to the two-hundred-year French monarchy, Andalusia is a wealth of history and culture. Walk a Roman road, explore a Moor castle or visit the oldest royal palace in Europe and see where Christopher Columbus planned his expedition to the Americas.
We will certainly use the music and dance of Andalucia and I would love the children to learn to dance flamenco, a skill that they can use through life to feel happy, express themselves and make some great memories.
Of course, opportunities for cultural immersion are not limited to the Education Centre, Jose. Looking ahead to September, is there anything special you'd like to share about Boundless Life Andalusia? Perhaps a hidden gem of the location or a sneak peek at exciting activities planned?
Jose: We have some really special activities lined up for our first cohort this September-November related to Spanish cuisine, including cheese craft, olive oil and winemaking, traditional paella cooking and much more!
But not everything is going to be about food and drink; we have also planned activities to stay healthy outdoors, including aquatic sports in the sea. During this period the families will be able to experience the magic of Andalusian ferias in different towns nearby like Mijas, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and San Pedro! We are looking into the possibility of skiing the Sierra Nevada in November which would be awesome.
What are you most looking forward to about welcoming Boundless Life families to this stunning new location?
Kevin: Having been around the world experiencing different cultures with differing work-life expectations and work ethic, I know it will be wonderful to welcome our families to a relaxed, happy and enjoyable cafe culture. Need a break, no problem! Walk down to the beachfront and have coffee and cake. Need to liven things up? Look for a fiesta or restaurant with entertainment and enjoy it all in a warm, inexpensive and friendly environment. Just want to chill? Stroll to a Blue Flag beach, lay back and enjoy the sun.
Estepona was recently voted the second-best town in Europe and it most definitely is amazing! Sit in a rooftop restaurant looking across Estepona central square and you will see exactly why it's a top spot in Europe.
Jose: I'm most looking forward to welcoming families to Andalucía because it gives me the opportunity to share the unique beauty and rich culture of my homeland. Andalusía is a region filled with stunning landscapes, from the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol to the breathtaking mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada.
I'm excited for families to immerse themselves in our lively festivals, taste the delicious local cuisine, and feel the warmth and hospitality of the Andalusian people. To introduce them to our flamenco music and dance, Andalucía has a way of captivating hearts, and I'm eager to see the joy and wonder on the faces of the families as they explore and create memories in this beautiful region.
‘Muchas gracias’ to Kevin and Jose for taking the time out from their preparations! We are delighted to welcome them both to the Crew. Our families will be in very safe and experienced hands in Andalusia.
If you would like to join Kevin and Jose in September (or beyond) we would love to welcome you! Click here to begin your voyage of discovery in Spain.
