Dr. Andrea Ballesteros Danel

 “Real change happens gradually. Stay open to unexpected opportunities and indirect paths to your goals.”

Dr. Andrea Ballesteros Danel

Occupation: Historian, Independent Researcher, Archaeologist, Translator and Spanish Teacher

State of Residency: Queensland

Favourite Place in Australia:  Adelaide, SA

Upon Arrival:  I was amazed by the diversity, the natural environment and the open spaces. It’s incredible to find people from all corners of the world, and the landscape and wide open spaces are remarkable.

Story edited by Lucy Coulson and digital edition by Johany Ortiz

Andrea is an historian, independent scholar, researcher, archaeologist, translator and Spanish teacher. She currently works as a Spanish and Catalan translator while also undertaking research and caring for her three young sons. Alongside her academic and professional work, she is deeply committed to storytelling and education, particularly for children. Since 2017, she has volunteered as a Spanish storyteller with Brisbane City Libraries and has completed formal training through an online course with La Escuela de Cuentacuentos in Madrid. She has also contributed as a children’s educator with Lazos LatinOz Spanish community school until 2023, and is a proud co-founder of LatinOz QLD.

Andrea’s work has been widely recognised within the academic community. She has received multiple awards, including the AILASA Best Early Career Researcher article award in 2024, a Publication Subsidy from the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and a Publication Incentive from the Journal of Pacific History. The Australian Historical Association has also supported her work through bursaries and scholarships, enabling her to present at their 2022 and 2024 conferences. Her research contributions include published journal articles, a book based on her PhD thesis, and a co-authored chapter in The Cambridge History of the Pacific Ocean.

Andrea and her kids.

Beyond academia, Andrea is passionate about promoting Spanish language and culture among children from Latin American and Spanish backgrounds. Through her work with Brisbane City Libraries and Lazos LatinOz, she has supported bilingual education and cultural connection. She has also been involved in community initiatives, including raising awareness about events in Mexico and organising cultural fundraisers. As a researcher, she contributed to the development of a documentary on the 1973 trans-Pacific voyage of Las Balsas. At home, Andrea and her husband are committed to raising their children bilingually, speaking exclusively in Spanish to ensure fluency and a strong cultural foundation.

TELL US YOUR STORY 

I came to Australia in 2002 as an exchange student. I had already had the opportunity to visit this wonderful country in 1997 with my family, and again in 1998. I fell in love with the place and always knew, deep down, that I would be back one day. I had the opportunity to come back in 2002 and never looked back. I worked hard to finish my studies, find work, and eventually I applied for residency. I became an Australian citizen in 2009. 

Andrea, proudly holding her books.

I first came to Australia when I was 19 years old. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived and made many different friends. I have now spent more than half my life in this beautiful country. I have faced challenges and learned many lessons, but have ultimately grown into a stronger, more resilient and confident individual over the years. I first worked in the hospitality industry, and my first corporate job was as a translator with Accor Hotels. Because of the Global Financial Crisis I lost my job, so I started working as a private Spanish tutor and translator. I also spent time selling Mexican arts and crafts at local markets in Sydney. 

I then started working as a Spanish tutor at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education, where I worked for 3 years, until I could no longer maintain an adequate work-life balance due to my studies and family life. Around that time I completed an online 2-year Postgraduate Specialist Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language with Mexico’s UNAM. I also completed a Master in Archaeological Science at the ANU, which opened doors for me to participate in archaeological excavations in Mexico and Australia. This also enabled me to start a PhD as part of Matthew Spriggs’ ARC Laureate Project ‘The Collective Biography of Archaeology in the Pacific’. My research focused on the history of ideas about pre-Columbian trans-Pacific contact, mainly via the Global South. I completed my PhD in 2020, and my thesis is now published as a book. 

I have always been fascinated by history and archaeology (I blame my dad for that). I am also a dedicated Spanish teacher and believer in the importance of maintaining and embracing one’s culture and mother tongue, which is why I tirelessly contributed to the creation of LatinOz Queensland and Lazos LatinOz. I am currently researching my maternal genealogy — my great-great grandfather migrated from Bilbao to Mexico in 1842. I also plan to publish a paper later this year about an Austrian pre-historian who settled in Argentina in the early to mid-twentieth century. A children’s book based on a topic from my PhD is also in the pipeline.

CHALLENGES

Enjoying the warm weather and the beach.

When my grandmother passed away back in Mexico – I was very close to her. In 2011 I realised I was still grieving her loss when I attended the funeral of my husband’s brother. At this funeral, I not only got to say goodbye to my brother-in-law, but I could also finally say goodbye to my beloved grandma.

The first year of my third child’s life – We both spent quite a few nights in hospital due to him or me being unwell. Thankfully this is all behind us now.

Completing my PhD – I put a lot of effort into it and learned a lot about myself and my abilities. At the start of my PhD I gave birth to my first son. During the second year of my PhD, I lost my last grandfather, who was 105 years old, and towards the end I gave birth to my second child. And before I published my thesis as a book, I lost the first dog I purchased in Australia in 2022 to a splenic tumour, which was devastating to me, and I also gave birth to my third son in 2023, which brought me immense joy. This was, however, a roller coaster which brought joy, and pain during the process of completion of my PhD and the publication of my thesis as a book.

CONTRASTS AND SIMILARITIES

Respect for the rights of others – Australians are generally very respectful and considerate. Benito Juarez’s saying that “respect for the rights of others is peace” is something that I have increasingly adopted as part of my day-to-day life. 

Enjoying cultural activities at the film festival.

The Day of the Dead – Halloween is a big celebration in Mexico and Australia, however, the Day of the Dead is naturally more deeply rooted in Mexican culture. I always try to educate my children about the importance of keeping traditions and cultural celebrations alive, like the Day of the Dead, just like my mother did with me when I was growing up.

Sandals all year round – Brisbane really reminds me of a city in Mexico called Cuernavaca. Cuernavaca has no river or waterway, but it is known as the ‘city of eternal spring’. Numerous bougainvilleas abound in this Mexican city, much like they do in Brisbane, with its almost year-round spring-like weather. I recall always saying that I’d love to live somewhere where I can wear sandals year-round, and I think I found that spot here in Australia.PIECE OF ADVICE

Trust your inner compass. Your intuition is a reliable guide, and you deserve the same compassion you'd offer a friend.

Andrea with Fernando Robichaud, one of the crew members of Las Balsas in 1973.

Embrace adaptability. Those who bend without breaking find opportunities where others see obstacles.

Clarify what matters most to you. Write down your deepest aspirations. Clear goals make decisions easier and setbacks temporary.

Notice who you've become through your challenges. Appreciate where you are, even if it's not where you planned to be. Acknowledge the people, opportunities, and beauty around you.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

Andrea would like to continue working on publications, historical research, teaching, and in academia. She is also interested in publishing one or more children’s books based on topics derived from her PhD thesis.

Do you want to follow Andrea’s journey? Connect with her on Instagram

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With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team