Today we’d like to introduce you to Maia Diaz.
Hi Maia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in South Florida by a Cuban mom and an American dad. Like many first- and second-generation Latino kids, I grew up between cultures, celebrating Noche Buena with a whole roast pig, having a quinceañera, and hearing Spanish all around me, but never becoming fluent myself.
Not being able to speak Spanish confidently became a major insecurity as I got older. I felt embarrassed to practice and ashamed that I couldn’t fully communicate with some of my Spanish-speaking family members. For a long time, I felt caught between cultures, not quite American enough in some spaces and not Latino enough in others.
As an adult, I knew I wanted to improve my Spanish and stay connected to my roots. Over the years, I had the opportunity to live abroad in Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Argentina. Whenever I was immersed in Spanish-speaking environments, my language skills improved quickly. The challenge was that every time I returned home, I felt like I lost much of the progress I had made.
When I moved back to Florida, I missed speaking Spanish every day. At the same time, I was struggling to build community in West Palm Beach. One day, I asked a few Spanish-speaking friends if they wanted to grab coffee and only speak Spanish. It started as a small group of five people.
I realized there were probably other people looking for the same thing, a place to practice languages, make friends, and connect across cultures. So I posted the meetup on Instagram and Eventbrite. To my surprise, people showed up.
What started as five people meeting for coffee has grown into the West Palm Beach Language Exchange. Since then, I’ve hosted 13 events with more than 700 attendees, bringing together people from all over the world to practice more than 20 languages. The community includes everyone from native speakers and multilingual professionals to complete beginners and fellow “No Sabo Kids” like me who are reconnecting with their heritage languages.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has definitely been a learning curve as I’ve figured out how to run events for 60+ people, build and maintain a community, and balance this passion project with my other responsibilities.
One of my biggest lessons came during our first large event. I had printed out conversation questions on pieces of paper for people to use, but it was so windy that they kept flying everywhere. On top of that, almost no one actually used them.
For the next event, I took inspiration from my time teaching English in Spain and started incorporating more structured language-learning activities. I quickly learned that when you bring together dozens of strangers, you need a good icebreaker to help people connect. Since then, we’ve introduced activities like Shark Tank pitches, “Would You Rather?” debates, song lyric translations, reverse Pictionary, and storytelling games.
Every event teaches me something new. Whether it’s improving the flow of the event, helping newcomers feel welcome, or creating opportunities for meaningful conversation, I’m constantly learning what it takes to build community. It’s also taught me a lot about creating effective third spaces, places where people feel safe, included, and encouraged to practice a language without fear of making mistakes.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started the West Palm Beach Language Exchange because it was something I needed myself. After moving back to Florida, I was looking for a place to practice Spanish, meet people from different backgrounds, and build community. I couldn’t find a language exchange group in the area, so I decided to create one.
What has been most rewarding is realizing that I wasn’t the only person looking for that kind of space. We’ve welcomed hundreds of people from all over the world, students, professionals, travelers, native speakers, language learners, and fellow “No Sabo Kids” reconnecting with their heritage languages. Seeing friendships form, language confidence grow, and people find a sense of belonging has been incredible.
I think we’re living in a time when people are craving genuine human connection. Many adults struggle to make friends or find community outside of work, and language learning can often feel isolating. That’s why I’m passionate about creating events that are accessible, affordable, and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their language level.
What sets the Language Exchange apart is that it’s about much more than practicing vocabulary or grammar. It’s a community-first space where people can share cultures, hear different perspectives, and connect with others they might never have met otherwise. Whether someone speaks five languages or is learning their very first phrases, they belong here.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve created a space that reflects the diversity of West Palm Beach. On any given night, you’ll hear conversations happening in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, English, and many other languages. The Language Exchange has become a place where people feel comfortable showing up as themselves, making mistakes, and learning together. That’s the kind of community I always wished existed, and now we’re building it together.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is that we’re never as alone as we think we are.
For years, I felt very alone in my language-learning journey. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t speak Spanish fluently and carried a lot of shame around not being able to fully connect with parts of my culture and family. I assumed I was the only person who felt that way.
Starting the Language Exchange showed me just how many people share similar experiences. I’ve met countless people who grew up hearing a language at home but never became fluent, immigrants navigating multiple cultures, and language learners who are simply looking for a place where they can practice without fear of being judged. Hearing their stories made me realize that many of the struggles I thought were unique to me were actually shared by others.
It’s also taught me the importance of community. We all need spaces where we feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable being ourselves. In a world that can often feel disconnected, creating opportunities for people from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages to come together has reinforced my belief that community matters.
At the end of the day, language is just the vehicle. What people are really looking for is connection, belonging, and a place where they feel seen. That’s the lesson I’ll carry with me long after any individual event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://getpie.at/u/x0mutsyk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/languageexchange.wpb/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/maia.isabella/
