Ainhoa Villán

Holy Cross On-Site Cultural Assistant

Hola! My name is Ainhoa Villán, I’m a 25 year old, born and bred in León, Spain. My mom comes from Burgos, a city nearby, and my dad was raised in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, hence my Basque name. I will be your cultural advisor during your stay in León, showing you around and helping you with whatever you might need. I have been studying abroad myself a few times (Sweden, Northern Ireland, Las Vegas and different areas of continental and overseas France) and I know what living abroad entails- the good and the bad- so I’ll be here to help you adapt and face any inconvenience (though I’m sure you’ll do great). I have also been collaborating with the Vice rectorate of Internationalisation for the last four years helping international students and showing them around, so you’re in good hands.

I’m currently studying a Masters in Spanish linguistics and teaching Spanish as a second language, so I’ll always be around campus for a coffee break and talk over some Tortilla de patata. My interests include sports (I was part of my high school’s rhythmic gymnastics team for 10

years and I’m a 3rd degree Black belt in Karate after training for over 20 years) but I also love music, traveling and international environments and arts (drawing, body painting, sfx makeup and all kind of crafts). Last but not least I’m a wannabe gardener and I’m active in climate and sustainability issues. I have been an ambassador in Castilla y Leon, my region, for three years for the European Parliament’s campaign “Un Árbol Por Europa” (A tree for Europe) where we encourage town halls all around Spain to implement green measures and plant trees to fight climate change.

I Hope I get to know you all and help you making the best out of your experience here in León.

Un abrazo.