Serge Yvan R    Polyglot, Spanish and Parisian French expert. Personalized lessons drawing from my multicultural heritage and extensive academic background in International Relations and language studies

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

Épanouissement (français): This word encapsulates the idea of personal growth and reaching one's full potential, which resonates deeply with my values as a language teacher. Helping others achieve épanouissement in their language learning journey is incredibly fulfilling. Empatía (español): This word reflects understanding and sensitivity towards others' emotions and experiences, essential qualities for effective teaching and human connection. Semplicità (italiano): Italian culture values simplicity and elegance in expression, which reflects my approach to teaching languages. Embracing semplicità allows learners to grasp language concepts effectively and enjoyably.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

It used to be Boeuf Bourguignon but now I am trying a slow vegetarian transition.

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

I fluently speak and am able to teach 9 languages: Basque, Catalan; ESL, French -native-, Galician, German, Italian -semi native-, Portuguese and Spanish -native-. I am currently studying Russian, but is harder than I thought.

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

I am very much attracted to cultural exploration. As an internationalist and linguist I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures, whether through travel, literature, or cuisine. Exploring cultural nuances enriches my understanding of languages and enhances my teaching approach. I also love history. Teaching history and diplomacy is something I am ready to explore. Also, creative writing, because it allows me to express myself in multiple languages, exploring nuances and subtleties that enrich both my teaching and personal growth. Hiking, sightseeing, landscaping, cycling and camping are some of my interests.

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

Lyon, France: This city has a significant place in my heart as it is where I was born and I spent a formative part of my upbringing. I cherish Lyon for its rich history, beautiful Roman and medieval architecture, and its vibrant culinary scene. The city's blend of tradition and modernity creates a unique atmosphere that fosters creativity and cultural appreciation. Arezzo, Italy: Arezzo (Toscana) is another hometown where I have fond memories and strong ties. This is where my first family name comes from. Arezzo captivates me with its picturesque medieval streets, historic churches, and its deep-rooted artistic heritage. The town's tranquil ambiance and the warmth of its people make it a place I hold dear for its beauty and cultural significance. Chihuahua rounds out my hometowns, where I also spent a few meaningful years of my life. Chihuahua's lively spirit, rich cultural traditions, and historical facts and sites make it special to me. The city's blend of Northwestern Mexican/Southwestern US heritage and modern influences creates a dynamic environment that celebrates diversity and community. Chihuahua also reminds me the possessions of the Spanish Empire in North America and its colonization by the brave, courageous and fearless Spanish explorers. For example, the "Camino Real de Tierra Adentro" known in English as the Santa Fe Trail, connected the former Spanish regions of today's Colorado and New Mexico (Santa Fe) all the way south to Mexico City. Also, California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southern Oregon, southern Idaho, southern Wyoming, part of Montana (Spanish word for mountain with ñ) southern Oklahoma, Texas and the Spanish Florida once belonged to the glorious Spanish Empire. I also feel admiration for the old Spanish and French Louisiana. I love history and diversity, I have read so much to be knowledgeable about the greatest empires in the past like Greek, Roman, Spanish, Portuguese, English and French. The vikings were also brave and courageous explorers I feel admiration for. If I had to choose to live in a different time in the past, I think I would opt for those glorious times full of adventure, spirit, challenge and determination to disseminate knowledge and culture into so many different regions of the world, so far away like the Philippines, another former Spanish colony. The Philippines is another country I admire along with Equatorial Guinea (a former Spanish colony in the central western African coast, neighbouring Cameroon), Algeria and Tunisia and the former French and Spanish protectorates of Morocco. I wish I could also also visit Cape Verde (former Portuguese) as well as the Viking lands of Northern Europe. I would like to discover so many places in the world. For example, I would like to visit the small cities of Córdova and Valdez in southern Alaska, founded by the Spaniards in 1790. The Spanish expeditions went all that way up north in the continent. In addition to all that, I am very much interested in the Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia with their mostly unexplored Antarctic regions. Other towns I would say I feel like home too are Brussels, Belgium, Biarritz, France, A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, in Galiza (this is how we spell Galicia in Galego, the regional official language of this beautiful region in Northwestern Spain) as well as Oporto in northern Portugal.