People from every corner of the globe are drawn to Asunción, where Paraguay’s laid-back capital has quietly become a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and ambition. Each Tuesday evening from 18:00 to 21:00, digital nomads, expats, and friendly locals come together at the ever-popular English networking event organised by The Asunción Times.
Held in a different charming bar or restaurant across the city every other week, these gatherings offer the perfect blend of Paraguayan warmth and international energy. In this People of Asunción series, we introduce the inspiring individuals who make this scene so uniquely alive. In #22, Annya Speranza from Paraguay.
Meet Annya Speranza
Annya Speranza (22) is from Asunción, Paraguay. She has lived in Paraguay for about 18 years. She works in Marketing and Communications at a communications agency.
When did you leave Paraguay?
“I went to college in Hungary. I won a scholarship called Stipendium Hungaricum, and it covered a full scholarship to study in Hungary. I applied to multiple universities, and Hungary was one of them. So I took a chance, and I went. I did not study in the capital city; I studied in the south for three years until I finished my bachelor’s degree.”
What did you find hardest about leaving Paraguay?
“The language in Hungary was extremely hard to understand because it had no roots in anything similar to English or Spanish. I was studying Communications and Media in English, so it was not a problem there. But it was hard to adjust to talking to people in the supermarket, or at the bus stop, or just trying to find my way around the city. So I would definitely say that the first thing I struggled with the most was the language. People did not really speak in English; they were more shy than people are in Paraguay, and Hungary does not have the greatest public education system in the world, so it was less common for people to speak English fluently than it would be in a country like Germany or Austria.”
What caused you to return to Paraguay?
“I came back after my studies. I could not really stay longer because of the language barrier in Hungary. So I came back and started working in Marketing and Communications after finishing my degree in Communications and Media.”
What did you miss when you left?
“My family is in Paraguay. What I really love the most, missed the most, in my three years away was having a vori vori and empanadas. There is just something about the food here that you cannot get anywhere else because there are not always Paraguayans around.”
If you moved away again, what would you bring with you?
“If I moved away, I would take with me a proper vori vori recipe, so that I could recreate it abroad. I tried with a recipe online, but it does not compare to being taught by someone with the experience of making it.”
What are your favorite spots in Asunción?
“My favorite place in Asunción is probably Café Consulado. It is a nice artsy place with a lot of fun things to do around the city center. I would also have to say Mercado 4. I like to crochet as a hobby, and I always find my yarn supply there at a good price. It is nice to have a really big market nearby.”
Where do you like to travel outside of Asunción?
“As an adult, I have not had much time to travel outside of Asunción, but I really like going with my family to Altos. We rent a cottage to spend long weekends in, and the town has a really nice view of Lago Ypacaraí. Also, it is really close to San Bernardino. We usually spend an afternoon in San Bernardino, a summer town, and I have some really good memories in Altos.
Meet Annya Speranza
You can find Annya Speranza on Instagram or, even better, bump into her in person at one of The Asunción Times English networking events – every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00, popping up in a different lively bar or restaurant across Asunción. Check our What’s On Guide to find out exactly where the next one will take place.
