Our history and soul
Nuestra historia y alma
Discover the heart of Snowbirds Spanish & Soul. Learn about our inspiring story, the team behind the experience, and what makes us unique in cultural and linguistic immersion.
Descubre el corazón de Snowbirds Spanish & Soul. Conoce nuestra inspiradora historia, el equipo detrás de la experiencia y lo que nos hace únicos en la inmersión cultural y lingüística.
The origin of Snowbirds Spanish & Soul
El origen de Snowbirds Spanish & Soul
The story of Snowbirds Spanish & Soul stems from a personal experience of vulnerability and adaptation that transformed my vision of teaching. It all began with my own cultural transition as I faced the challenges of living in Canada.
Despite my background, when I tried to integrate and learn a new language in a different environment, I experienced a deep fear when speaking with the locals. I felt that knot in my stomach from the fear of failing, of not being understood, or of making mistakes in front of native speakers. That vulnerability marked me, but it also became my greatest source of inspiration.
I realized that to truly learn, you don't need more rigid grammar rules, but rather an environment that fosters absolute confidence. That's why, together with my husband Warren (who is Canadian), I decided to create an immersion program in Mérida and Chelem specifically designed so that you never feel the fear I felt.
La historia de Snowbirds Spanish & Soul nace de una experiencia personal de vulnerabilidad y adaptación que transformó mi visión de la enseñanza. Todo comenzó con mi propia transición cultural al enfrentar los retos de vivir en Canadá.
A pesar de mi formación, al intentar integrarme y aprender un idioma nuevo en un entorno diferente, experimenté un miedo profundo al momento de hablar con los locales. Sentía ese nudo en el estómago por el temor a fallar, a no ser entendida o a cometer errores frente a hablantes nativos. Esa vulnerabilidad me marcó, pero también se convirtió en mi mayor fuente de inspiración.
Entendí que para aprender realmente, no necesitas más reglas gramaticales rígidas, sino un ambiente que te brinde confianza absoluta. Por eso, junto a mi esposo Warren (quien es canadiense), decidí crear un programa de inmersión en Mérida y Chelem diseñado específicamente para que nunca sientas ese miedo que yo sentí.
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Mercy Santiago
Founder
With over six years of experience teaching Spanish to foreigners, Mercy is the mind behind the program's dynamic methodology. Her inspiration stems from the challenges she faced living in Canada, where she experienced the fear and vulnerability of learning a new language and speaking with locals. Therefore, her approach focuses on creating an environment of absolute trust where students lose their fear of failure.
Warren Redeker
Co-founder and chef
A Canadian national and Mercy's husband, he brings the perspective of a student who has experienced the integration process in Mexico. His presence creates a unique bicultural bridge that helps the "Snowbirds" feel understood and "at home" from the very first moment.
Maria Eugenia Azcorra
Tutor
Yucatecan and professional heart of the team. She bring a deep understanding of regional traditions and dialect. As professional dentist and fluent in English, she can guide students effectively.
Matilda Aguilar
Tutor
Yucatecan and enthusiastic part of the team. She bring a deep understanding of regional traditions and dialect. Fluent in English, and passionate for animals she is very empathetic and sensitive giving a plus in her way to guide students in the immersion.
Silvia Pompeyo
Tutor
Yucatecan an architect by profession, but her true blueprint lies in building meaningful connections with people. Always radiating positivity with a warm smile, she possesses a genuine passion for helping others and guiding them through new experiences.
What makes us truly unique
Lo que nos hace verdaderamente únicos
Genuine empathy: My classes are designed from an understanding of what it feels like to be a foreigner trying to communicate.
Safe environment: We create a warm and welcoming space where mistakes are not judged, but used as a tool to connect.
Human methodology: We replace monotony with contextual dialogues and visual materials that facilitate natural speech.
Connection with the "Soul": We want you to not only speak Spanish at the end of your immersion week, but to feel confident and ready to experience Yucatán like a local.
Empatía real: Mis clases están diseñadas desde la comprensión de lo que se siente ser un extranjero intentando comunicarse.
Ambiente seguro: Creamos un espacio cálido y familiar donde el error no se juzga, sino que se usa como una herramienta para conectar.
Metodología humana: Sustituimos la monotonía por diálogos contextuales y materiales visuales que facilitan el habla natural.
Conexión con el "Alma": Queremos que al final de tu semana de inmersión, no solo hables español, sino que te sientas con la seguridad y el alma lista para vivir Yucatán como un local más.