IFSA January in Mexico

Program Overview
Academics
Excursions
Housing and Meals
Dates and Fees
Program Counselors
IFSA Student Stories

Program Overview

Full of rich Mayan traditions, the tropical Yucatán is the ideal place to put learning into real life scenarios and see how culture impacts behavior. Fill an elective or social science requirement as you tease out the socio-cultural impact of culture on human psychology.

Highlight: Visit the Mayan community of Yaxunah or Chichén Itzá, one of the world’s seven wonders.

Details in a Glance

Application deadline

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

3 U.S. Semester Credit Hours

Housing

Home Stay

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

Class taught in English. No Spanish required.

Academics

Multicultural Psychology

Students in this class will place psychology from a global perspective, learn that cultural differences impact behavior, and explore through a cross-cultural approach those behaviors and mental processes that may be universal. In so doing, students will examine and critically analyze theories associated with multiculturalism and diversity.

The class will explore the ways in which psychology is socially constructed and will pay particular attention to the following factors as they influence human development: oppression, language, acculturation, economic concerns, racism and prejudice, sociopolitical factors, child-rearing practices, religious practices, family structure and dynamics, and cultural values and attitudes.

This will not be your average lecture course. It is an experiment, designed around learning experiences and opportunities instead of a textbook. The only way to learn is to participate and observe both the behavior of others and your own behavior and thoughts. This unique opportunity in Mexico will allow you to focus on your own culture in contrast to the cultures encountered in Mexico. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university. Students attending select Australian universities are also eligible.
You must have completed at least one (1) semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter

Not required.

Visa Requirement

Not required for U.S., Canadian, or Australian citizens. A visa may be required if you are a citizen of another country.

Start your application now by clicking the Apply Now button.

TRANSCRIPT

Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Psychologist Presentation: Listen, ask questions, and learn during a presentation by a local social psychologist detailing their applied community projects.
Mérida City Tour: Enjoy downtown Merida experiencing the Mérida en Domingo art festival in Plaza Grande, a music festival, and a beautiful bike ride along Paseo de Montejo Avenue.
Historic Landmarks Outing: Visit historical and cultural landmarks such as Catedral de San Ildefonso, Zocalo, Casa de Montejo, and the Governor’s Palace.
Market Visit: Your taste buds are in for a treat with this introduction to regional Yucatán food and how it differs from traditional Mexican fare.
Mayan World Museum and Biciruta (Mérida en Domingo) Tour: This visit is designed to set you up with the cultural and historic context you need to fully appreciate the excursion to Chichén Itzá.
Chichén Itzá and Yodkzonot Trip: Just an hour from Mérida is Chichén Itzá, one of the world’s seven wonders and one of the most visited places in all Mexico. This excursion includes a visit to the extraordinary Yodkzonot cenote, a community-based tourism project where you’ll learn to prepare a typical dish of Mexican cuisine.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Home Stay

Meals

All Included

Details

Your homestay will be arranged with a carefully selected host family and located within a typical commute of the IFSA program center. Only one student is placed with each family. Students with limited Spanish skills will be housed with families that speak English. You will have a single bedroom with a bed, shared bathroom, and desk or other designated place to study. Laundry and three meals per day are included. You may occasionally want to buy snacks and eat at restaurants beyond what is provided by your host family.