MADRID: Kuwaiti students cherished their experiences in Spain on Thursday with the positive atmosphere and welcome they received during their academic and training experiences, underlining that Spain is a friendly country that offers wide options for growth and development in various fields. This was on the sidelines of their attendance at the Kuwait Airways celebration of launching permanent direct flights to Madrid on Wednesday at the Kuwaiti Embassy in the Spanish capital, on the invitation of Kuwait's Ambassador to Spain Khalifa Al-Kharafi.

In an interview with KUNA, Naira Ramadan, a citizen who studies civil aviation in the Andalusia region of Malaga, said she chose Spain thanks to its suitable climate to learn and master aviation, in addition to Spain's friendly and helpful people. She is about to finish her studies, which lasted around two years, she added, expressing happiness about the new direct flight, pointing out that the strategic partnership with Air Europa is a very crucial step.

Direct flights will make it easier for students, residents and tourists to travel, as Spain is one of the most vital touristic destinations with great demand from Kuwait, she underscored. She encouraged those who wish to learn to fly to come to Spain, while underling the importance of having some knowledge of the Spanish language to ease communication with its people.

Abdullah Al-Mutairi, an officer on scholarship from the National Guard, said he traveled to Spain to obtain a bachelor's degree in Spanish translation at the Andalusia University of Granada. He told KUNA that he studied Spanish for a year at an academy in Madrid before going to university, saying he was sent on scholarship with four other officers to study translation. Mutairi is ambitious to continue his academic studies and obtain a master's degree in translation, then a doctorate to serve the Kuwait National Guard, Kuwait and its people, appreciating the welcome he received in the cities of Madrid and Granada.

Speaking to KUNA, Fawzia Al-Awadhi, a Kuwaiti chemical engineering trainee, said she was sent with several colleagues through a training program for newly graduated engineers to train at international companies. After the first phase of the training program, which included 15 courses in Kuwait, she was sent to Spain to train at the Tecnicas Reunidas company in Madrid, where there are several courses that can be taken. She arrived in Spain at the start of September, she said, adding that training in international companies for six months is the second phase of the training program, which ends with the third phase of working in the private sector in Kuwait.

She appreciated the welcome she received in Spain with a positive atmosphere, considering that vocational training is a great opportunity to enhance skills, while encouraging more graduates and scholars to come to Spain. The Kuwaiti students thanked Kuwait's embassy for all the facilities provided to them so that they can take on new academic experiences in Spain.

Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer Maen Razouqi addresses the gathering.

Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maen Razouqi on Wednesday announced launching a new direct flight to Madrid due to high demand for this destination. On the sidelines of the celebration at the Kuwaiti Embassy, Razouqi told KUNA that Madrid is considered to be the capital of Europe and a main tourist destination for most Kuwaiti travelers. He added the partnership with Air Europa will help serve new destinations to Kuwaiti and European passengers, as the number of Kuwaiti tourists is steadily growing.

Kuwait's Ambassador to Spain Khalifa Al-Kharafi said Spain is the number one destination for Kuwaitis. He estimated the number of Kuwaitis who visited Spain this year at over 65,000. He added this move will enhance bilateral relations under the wise leaderships of both nations. - KUNA