FSU’s insider on Spain’s sites Cultural Program Coordinator Paula Acosta knows the ins and outs of Spain so she can plan events and excursions for FSU students
All photos courtesy of Paula Acosta
By Caroline Murkey
ing crowds of college students into small buses, Acosta is a pro. “Paula works very diligently, not only in fulfilling her daily tasks in assisting students and the cultural part of the program, but also in cooperating with the team she works with, creating a positive work environment,” says Alicia Martinez, associate director of FSU Valencia. When planning trips, Acosta considers the way students might benefit from places such as Peñíscola, a coastal town
the Netherlands. “I’m really interested in sustainable, eco-tourism,” she says. Her degree, her he flamenco dance began with active lifestyle, and her natural ability to hands clapping and feet tapping. connect with people from all walks of life Gradually, a man began accomare a perfect fit for her role as cultural panying the woman dancing program coordinator at FSU Valencia. with song, while another played intricate “I enjoy what I do. I like planning…I notes on a Spanish guitar. like traveling, I like talking to people— The dancer twirled with the clapping, but also the work environment is good,” tapping, singing, and guitar playing. As Acosta says. the tempo quickened, the dancer moved During her two years as cultural proin time. Each loud slam of her foot was gram coordinator, Acosta punctuated with a rePaula works very diligently, not only has planned many trips, sounding “Ole!” from her taking care of the itinercompanions on stage. Her in fulfilling her daily tasks in assisting aries and working with dress mesmerized onlookpeople in the other cities ers as she threw it around students and the cultural part of the proto pull off everything. For with pointed aggression. example, the Madrid trip Paula Acosta, cultural gram, but also in cooperating with the usually involves a day trip program coordinator at team she works with, creating a positive to the Valley of the Fallen FSU Valencia, made this and Segovia, all planned experience possible for work environment. out carefully by Acosta, as students. It is her job to — Alicia Martinez she takes care of museum plan trips and activities for fees and other students in the program. associate director of FSU Valencia entrance necessary details. During the 2019 Summer Acosta also pioneered a trip to a new Session II of the Valencia program, in eastern Spain, or the Bioparc, a zoo in destination for FSU Valencia, the island Acosta organized a four-day trip to Ma- the heart of Valencia. Acosta has lived in Spain for the past of Mallorca, off the coast of Spain. That drid, where the students attended the flamenco show, among various other seven years. She grew up alongside her journey took place during the first sumexcursions. Other trips from previous three siblings in Uruguay before coming mer session of 2019. Due to not having semesters have included Barcelona and to Spain to attend Polytechnic University visited the spot before, FSU had no preof Valencia, located near her mother’s vious relationship with businesses, hoMallorca. As the brains behind the trips, Acosta family. During her time at Polytechnic tels, or tour guides in the area. Most of the research and planning fell needs to be organized. From planning University of Valencia she studied ethitrips at the desk in her office, to direct- cal tourism and also studied abroad in on Acosta’s desk, but she happily em-
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18 Nomadic Noles // Summer 2019
