Vanessa Rodríguez García

Center Director

As the ACCENT Madrid Study Center Director, Vanessa works behind the scenes well in advance of student arrival and then during the program to make sure that each and every program and student experience is unique and exceptional. Vanessa was born and raised in Valencia, Spain, and she always had a special interest in the study of different languages and their cultures. She holds degrees from the Universitat de Valéncia (BA in English), Northwestern State University of Louisiana (MA in English), and Texas Tech University (PhD in Spanish). She was also an Erasmus student at the University of Sheffield in the UK and a study abroad student in the USA where she completed her graduate studies. Indeed, these experiences as an international student have allowed her to relate better to the students’ experiences, to understand the intricacies of studying abroad, and to provide more accurate personalized advice on personal and/or academic issues.

Raquel del Pozo Martínez

Senior Programs Coordinator/Academic Liaison

As Senior Programs Coordinator/Academic Liaison Raquel is responsible for on-site academic coordination, internship programs, front office management and student and faculty support services. Born in Galicia (northwest Spain), she graduated in Journalism from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where she worked since 2009. Throughout this period she was employed by their International Office and Alumni Office coordinating various programs and activities. Previously, she worked for Cadena SER-Radio Station, EXPO Zaragoza and the European Commission where she discovered her passion for service and multicultural teams.
The word “International” has been written on her skin since always. Surrounded by people from different origins all the time, she speaks Spanish, Galician, English, French, Italian, and she is now challenging herself with Swedish. She also volunteered in Lille, France, assisting with European youth exchanges for one year. With her expertise in international relations and student management Raquel contributes to make the students have a unique time with us. You may find her in any cultural activity going on in Madrid!

Tania Rodríguez Rodríguez

Programs Coordinator (part-time)

As Programs Coordinator, Tania is in charge of student services, front office management, housing, and socio-cultural activities and excursions at the ACCENT Madrid Study Center. Tania was born in Madrid and raised in Javea, Spain. She is a graduated Primary School Teacher of English (B.A. Universitat de València), with her last semester completed at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Right after, she moved to Denmark where she lived for two and a half years while she studied her MSc in Intercultural Education from UNED. Her interest in traveling and learning about different people and cultures encouraged her to have different experiences abroad, including stays in Malta and Ireland. She speaks Spanish, English, and Danish, and in her free time, she enjoys competitions of rhythmic gymnastics and volunteers with associations assisting immigrants and children. She wants to contribute to ACCENT with her experience and enthusiasm to make the most out of every student’s time in Madrid.

Megumi Ratliff

Programs Coordinator

As Programs Coordinator, Megumi’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Megumi is originally from San Diego, California but considers Madrid her second home, having lived here since 2012. She has a BA in International Studies from the University of California, San Diego and an MA in Advanced Studies of Education in a Global Society from the University of Salamanca. Her passion for international education comes from her experiences studying abroad in Barcelona and later teaching in Argentina, Japan, and the US before coming back to Spain. She speaks English, Spanish, and Japanese and loves learning about different cultures and languages and exploring new neighborhoods in Madrid. By offering her support and encouragement, she hopes to help students as they discover and navigate their way around Madrid so that this vibrant city starts to feel like home away from home for them as well.

James Jagger

Programs Coordinator

As Programs Coordinator, James’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Born and raised in Colorado, James has called Madrid his home since 2014, where he earned his MA in ELE at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. James has an adventurous spirit that grew from his experiences in high school exchange programs. After these life-changing stays in Peru and Panama, James was intent on pursuing a career that would combine his love of Spanish, education, and travel. He graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in Spanish Philology, and with an academic year spent at Universitat de València under his belt. James returned to Spain with a simple two-year plan that soon became indefinite. His love for Madrid is constantly evolving as with the city itself, like finding new cultural activities happening among his old favorites. He speaks English and Spanish, and is in a never-ending battle to learn French. James wants to use his passion for study abroad to help students to experience Madrid, and ultimately, to discover the world.

Amanda Rivkin

Programs Coordinator

As Programs Coordinator, Amanda’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Amanda was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She has a B.A. in Community Entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish from the University of Vermont. During her time in college, she decided to study abroad for a semester in Madrid to complete her Spanish minor requirements, and that’s where she fell in love with Spain. Ever since graduating college in 2015, she was determined to move to Spain permanently. She’s been here ever since, and loving every minute of it. She speaks English and Spanish. In her free time, she loves finding new restaurants to go to, exploring new neighborhoods in Madrid and traveling around Europe. Her experience as a former study abroad student and more recently as a young professional has provided her with a clear understanding and unique perspective about the daily life of a study abroad student, and hopes to help them fall in love with Madrid and have the most rewarding study abroad experience.