About us
Our Team ispassionatemotivatedhelpfulsupportiveprofessionalinternationalmulticulturalmultilingualexperiencedpreparedpositiveefficientnicehands-oncurioushappyflexibleattentiveenthusiasticavailable
Kristin EberlManaging Director Openmind
I was brought up in Munich, have lived in Barcelona since 2007 and I am a declared Europefan!
In 2009, with love and passion, I founded Openmind with the aim of promoting the European dream of social inclusion for all. As a former exchange student and someone who has travelled throughout the world, I am aware how fortunate we are in this continent. It´s wonderful to see how many emotions we move between the countries. It is exactly what Europe needs... emotional connections!
My two children are tri-lingual and they embody the colourful spirit of Europe! I am convinced that students will also become infected with this passion. We are looking forward to looking after them.
Carmen BujalanceDirector High School Programme
I am a translator and interpreter for English and German. In Germany I was responsible for the selection of exchange students and discovered my passion for the intercultural world.
When I met Kristin, I started working as a coordinator in Seville for Openmind. Now I have become her right hand, the director of our school programme in Spain as well as the director of the High School
Programme abroad for our Spanish students.
Hopefully one day my little daughter Emma asks me if I could organize her stay in New Zealand.
Sole Herrera BatistaEducational Consultant
Although my roots were deeply in Seville, after six years as a local coordinator for Openmind, I decided to experience life in beautiful Ireland. Two years on, I now return to the team with more enthusiasm for what lies ahead. I am a teacher by profession and this offered me opportunities to educate in diverse countries such as Peru, Ireland and Morocco.I am fortunate to be able to combine my passion with work which gives me a unique footing to manage school exchanges whilst sign posting future generations to the joys of immersion in differing cultures
Espe FernándezConsultant Private School Program
I am a global soul. Since the age of 18, when I started studying and working abroad, I have been driven by a passion for exploring cultures, learning languages, and making friends from different nationalities. Living in Europe and Asia has taught me to adapt to diverse environments — an experience that helps me empathize with teenagers who come to Spain, far from their family and culture.
Being the mother of Olivia and Maia inspires me to teach them the importance of empathy and respect in an intercultural world. Contributing to this cultural exchange through Openmind fills me with pride.
Get to know our coordinators
Openmind would not exist without our wonderful team of local coordinators! The majority has lived abroad, already hosted foreign guests in their house or grew up in a bilingual environment. They all know what cultural adaptation means and do a fantastic job in choosing the right host family, while closely supporting the students during their whole stay.
Her hobbies are reading, cinema, cycling and learning from others (especially from young people because of their “freshness”).
I’m a Spanish and English teacher with a passion for education, always giving my best in every project. My experience living in the UK, Italy, and Ireland has allowed me to explore different cultures and ways of life. Working with OpenMind gives me the opportunity to share that cultural richness in my beloved hometown, Arcos de la Frontera.
I’m from Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz. I studied Spanish and English Philology, and my passions are languages, traveling, and working with children and teenagers – thanks to Openmind, I get to enjoy all three.
I love spending time with my family, friends, and my dog Frida.
I’m an empathetic and caring person who always tries to make those around me feel comfortable.
Living in Italy for a year and hosting students have been some of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
Nelly is from a small town in the mountains of Cadiz, but has lived in Malaga since 2000. She has a degree in Pedagogy and has been working in a child protection center since 2004. For her, working with adolescents is very rewarding and she considers that she has many skills for it. She is sociable, communicative and open to new experiences, people, places... and is excited to be part of the Openmind team and generate new learning.
She likes to travel and make plans with her family, friends and her dog Curro. She loves music, guitar, photography, tennis, reading, the beach, kayaking and hiking in the countryside.
Mariló is a positive, active and warm-hearted mom of two teenagers who have been abroad many times. She has been a host mother several times. As a coordinator, the students can count on her great empathy for all involved people/parties.
She uses all her power and engagement to ensure that participants have an unforgettable experience. She is convinced that by achieving that, the participants come often back to Spain, which makes a real sustainable cultural exchange.
I’m a writer and hold a PhD in Communication. I don’t just enjoy writing – I also love speaking, listening, understanding, and traveling. Before becoming a coordinator, I was a host mom – and long before that, a biological mother.
For me, Openmind is a fantastic way to discover new worlds – and in the best possible way: hand in hand with young people from other cultures.
I’ll be here to support you and help make your experience positive and inspiring.
My goal is for you to remember this chapter of your life forever.
Hello! I'm Daniel, and I’m a coordinator in Huelva. I live in Lepe, an area in Andalusia with beautiful beaches and amazing weather all year round. Portugal is just 20 minutes away.
I’m a primary school teacher, inside soccer coach, and a personal trainer. I also run an academy where we offer classes at all levels, from primary school to exam preparation.
I love nature, animals, and sports. I’m passionate about helping people, and this job allows me to achieve that goal. I connect families with foreign children who are eager to experience a new culture. Wonderful!
My first international experience was as a student in Indiana, USA, where I discovered my passion for languages and global exchange. After living in England and France, I now work as a coordinator of international programs in cities like Granada. What I love most about Openmind is giving students new perspectives on the world.
Her family has previously hosted exchange students from Germany, New Zealand and Canada. She loved this experience so much that she became our coordinator.
Her passion is theatre. She also loves going to the cinema, reading, doing outdoor sports and chatting with her family and friends.
I love working with teenagers and contributing my bit to this wonderful international experience, just as others did for me before.
I greatly enjoy practicing yoga, diving, cooking, and mountain activities.
Cristina was born in Madrid and now lives in Aranda de Duero. She is a school teacher for children and teenagers. She currently works in an English school and she is in permanent contact with families who look for the experience in participating in cultural exchanges with other countries.
She is really interested in discovering other cultures and lifestyles, enriching herself every day from the company of people.
She likes doing opendoor activites with her family, seeing a good film and travelling.
Her biggest hobby is meeting people from all over the world!
I’m originally from Lugo, but currently live in Sarria. I’ve been working as an English teacher at a school in Lugo for 18 years.
I’ve organized numerous language immersion trips to the UK and Ireland, accompanying many students as they experienced living with host families. I also spent a year in Ireland as an au pair.
As a cosmopolitan, driven, and curious person, I’m passionate about languages, travel, and the diverse traditions and cultures of the world.
Both are accustomed to working with teenagers and are passionate about teaching, music and dance. They view these programs as enriching for handling everyday situations and fostering personal growth. Muriel is a mother of two children aged 11 and 14 and has hosted students from Germany, France and Ireland. She also works as a secondary school teacher. Zoraida is highly sociable, holds a degree in Mathematics, and teaches at all levels with great enthusiasm.
She is optimistic and proactive, she likes to get involved in new projects and is very happy to participate in this cultural exchange programme. Professionally she is a nutritionist and biology teacher. She loves teaching and involving her students in the passionate world of science.
In her spare time she practices yoga and swimming. She enjoys reading, going for walks in nature and going on cultural trips with her family.
Both are accustomed to working with teenagers and are passionate about teaching, music and dance. They view these programs as enriching for handling everyday situations and fostering personal growth. Muriel is a mother of two children aged 11 and 14 and has hosted students from Germany, France and Ireland. She also works as a secondary school teacher. Zoraida is highly sociable, holds a degree in Mathematics, and teaches at all levels with great enthusiasm.
An unforgettable
cultural exchange
Kristin, Carmen and the entire Openmind Team
We are looking forward to meeting you!
