Ray Warner first came to Mallorca in 2010 to study Spanish at the Universitat de les Illes Balears. Born in Idaho and raised in the American West, he didn’t even know the island existed until a professor suggested it. What started as a year abroad turned into a deep connection with Mallorca, where Ray now lives part-time with his wife, running their online English teaching business, Inglés Pa Mi Gente, aimed at helping Spanish speakers in the U.S. navigate daily life.
With a passion for climbing, travel, and culture, Ray brings a unique American perspective on the island. In this interview, he talks about why Mallorca continues to surprise him, how Americans view it, and what makes life here so different from anywhere else he’s lived.
Tell us about your background.
I was born in Boise, Idaho, in the northwest of the United States. I got my Bachelor’s in Spanish and Economics from Westminster University in Salt Lake City, but spent a year studying at the Universitat de les Illes Balears, here in Mallorca. The first time I remember being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was about twelve. I said I wanted to be happy. It may not have been original, but it was honest — and my answer hasn’t changed. My parents, Liz and Austin Warner, have always been supportive of me and the directions my life has taken.
What do you do for a living, and how did it start?
My wife and I run an online English teaching company called Inglés Pa Mi Gente. It caters to Spanish speakers who live in the United States who are unable to live their lives to the fullest due to their inability to speak English. As you could imagine, there are millions of people who work and live in the United States with little to no English, but when you need to make an appointment at the optometrist, get stopped by a police officer, or talk to your child’s teacher, Chat GPT can only get you so far. You’ll never get promoted at your construction job because your phone has a translation app. We started the company because we couldn’t find any online services that served working class people who needed situational English for their day to day lives.
Why Mallorca?
Back at university, I wasn’t even considering Mallorca at first. I had been looking at a programme in Alicante, but one of my Spanish professors told me that if I was serious about improving my Spanish, I had to get in over my head and level up by attending a proper university. Once I began researching the island, I was immediately sold. I first came here in September 2010 and stayed until June 2011.
Where do you live and what do you like about it?
We live between Pere Garau and Nou Llevant, near Parc Wifi. I love the multicultural mix of the area. It’s close to everything Palma has to offer, but still relatively affordable and not overcrowded.
How do Americans see Mallorca?
Many Americans have no idea where or what Mallorca is. Some only heard of it when Kanye West came here for a luxury rehab stay this summer. For the kinds of Americans who think in stereotypes, Mallorca simply doesn’t exist on their radar. For everyone else, it’s slowly becoming known as a sustainable, luxury destination — and that image seems to match the island’s own pivot.
But in certain circles — like the American climbing community, which I’m part of — Mallorca is world-famous for Deep Water Soloing. And the Americans who do come here tend to be curious, respectful, and engaged.
Have you built a community here?
Almost everyone I know in Mallorca I know through my wife and her family.
Why would you recommend Mallorca to others?
Apart from the obvious natural beauty, Mallorca will never cease to amaze you with hidden gems and fresh delights. Those could be the new restaurants that are popping up every year, or even new towns and beaches that continue to amaze me. It’s a place I continue to visit every year and always encounter something new.
How does life here compare to other places you’ve lived?
I’ve lived in Colombia and Russia, and I think Palma strikes the perfect balance: mountains, sea, city life, and easy access to nature. I get around with a skateboard and a bus pass and feel unstoppable. The bus system is great, there are always concerts and cultural events, and kids are welcome almost everywhere. It’s a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.
What are your plans for this year?
We’ll stay in Mallorca until October and then head back to the U.S., returning either next summer or winter.
What’s your goal in life?
To raise wonderful children and provide them with a full, abundant life, while continuing to pursue my own goals alongside my amazingly talented wife — and to spend as much time in Mallorca as possible.
