Jeremy Goodwin
Executive Director & Co-Founder

I'd like to personally thank you for your interest into SPI programs and studying abroad. I am proof that high school study abroad PAYS OFF! Study abroad changed my life. I became bilingual from my high school study abroad experiences (now tri-lingual) and graduated from college early.  Here's how...

I was fortunate to have high school Spanish teachers (Gloria Munguia, Mary Diehl, and Elizabeth Glidden) who gave me some simple but life changing advice - "think of your summers as an investment in your future - forget the tours...study abroad."  I followed that advice with the help of my parents and studied in Spain 2 different summers (on SPI programs!)

During these years I earned college credit not only with passing scores on my AP Spanish exams, but also from my study abroad experiences. As I entered my university with 25 hours of college credit, nearly a sophomore, I realized that my summer investment more than paid off, it paid me back! I saved time, money, and graduated early. I instantly became a life-long advocate for the importance of international education.

Our fantastic team of educators, program directors, and advisors all share the mission of providing the highest quality study abroad experiences available with the highest level of personalized attention not found in other programs. We look forward to having you participate in one of our experiences of a lifetime next summer!She is happy to join the SPI team as the Program Advisor and looks forward to helping parents and students with any questions they have about the SPI study abroad experience.

As a junior in high school, Celeste's eyes were opened when she studied abroad with SPI in Cadiz, Spain. She knew that her study abroad days were far from over and that she would continue studying Spanish in college. While earning her degrees in Advertising/Public Relations and Spanish at Texas Christian University, she spent a summer studying at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico, and soon after returned to Spain for six months. In Madrid she participated in a Spanish language and international business program at the University Carlos III, also completing an internship with Language Teaching Services and traveling to 5 other countries during her free time. Celeste says there is nothing she is more passionate about than travel and international education. She is happy to join the SPI team as the Program Advisor and looks forward to helping parents and students with any questions they have about the SPI study abroad experience.

Rebecca Smith
Summer Programs Supervisor Director

Becca Smith assists students and directors each summer as SPI's Program Supervisor. International travel has been a part of Becca's life forever as her parents are from England and South Africa.  While earning her degree in elementary education at Texas A&M Univ., Becca studied Spanish in Costa Rica and also earned a full scholarship to perform service work in rural Honduras for an entire semester. Her vast international  travel experiences and her love of other cultures make her a perfect match with SPI mission and goals for each program. Becca has also served as the SPI Program Director at our Austin office for 3 years before continuing her career as a teacher in the Leander School District where she currently teaches special education. Becca is absolutely a "people person" and students and teachers have described her as genuine, fun, caring, and very responsible.
"I enjoy watching the students grow and mature. They learn so much in such a short period of time and it is my job to help them make the most of their experience.  The changes that you take from study abroad stay with you forever. I will always be a proactive supporter of study abroad - It is truly a life changing experience."

Manuel Pinar
Spain Guide

Manuel Pinar is a true Spaniard! Born in a small southern pueblo of Andalucia, Manuel has lived and worked extensively around the world as a teacher and free-lance photographer. Manuel brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge with SPI students each summer as he serves as our principal guide based in the capital city of Madrid. Students describe Manuel as fun, easy to understand and get along with, and a guy who loves Spain! Teachers describe Manuel as responsible, knowledgeable, and attentive to the needs of each student.