Living in China has also caused subtle changes in her.

"I now give presents to my friends and teachers when I visit them, which is usually not the case in Spain where we usually bring flowers, or nothing at all," she says, adding that she did not even notice the changes until her friends pointed them out.

Since 2008, her college has set up a training center for non-Spanish major students, providing them Spanish language training to help them improve their capabilities in furthering studies or finding a job in Spanish-speaking countries.

"More than 20 students have realized their dreams after the training, most of them in medicine or teaching."

As Espin teaches students her native language, she is also aware of her mission in promoting the translations between Spanish and Chinese.

"There is no specific teaching methodology for Chinese language applied in translation for Spanish speakers, so I have tried to find a new platform combining the usual method in Spain with Chinese teaching ways, in the hope of discovering an efficient channel for students like me," she says. Her doctoral thesis was focused on this.

Her thesis was noticed by the Peking University and Beijing Language and Culture University, and even the education counselor of the Spanish embassy in Beijing listened when she defended her thesis in June this year.

"I would like to stay in China longer to learn more aspects of the culture, such as ancient Chinese prose," Espin says.

"But more importantly, I hope to help more Chinese students pursue their dreams in Spain and more Spanish students get to know China and Chinese culture."