Cristina Zavala was born and raised in the culturally diverse city of Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents. Growing up speaking Spanish and embracing all things from her Latin culture, she identifies herself as Cuban-American. Cristina’s childhood was spent primarily at the beach or in her abuela’s kitchen.
Things she still loves to do today. A creative thinker, Cristina attended art school at AI Miami International University of Art & Design, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising. Upon graduating, she began a career in Marketing for Fashion. While working in the industry for several years, she decided to try something new.
Her grandmother spent a good portion of her life teaching English to Spanish speakers; something Cristina admired. She then began assisting her in sessions, which eventually lead to teaching English on her own. For Cristina, this was the perfect balance between her fast-paced career in Marketing and the admirable profession of teaching.
Today, Cristina joins us at ECELA to make people’s dreams come true. “Choosing to learn Spanish abroad is something I know will improve people’s lives on so many levels. It really excites me to have the opportunity to play a part in that.”
An avid traveler and art-lover, Cristina has been to several countries in Europe, Central America and throughout the United States. She also loves to read, write, dance salsa, party, hit the beach, work-out and drink an “obscene amount of Cuban coffee.” Aside from all of this, her absolute favorite thing to do is play with her two small children.