Study abroad in Mexico with IFSA
Merida
, Mexico

IFSA January in Mexico

Program Overview

TRACE MAYAN ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUNNY MÉRIDA

Why follow your interest in history, humanities, or social science to sunny, welcoming Mérida? Because learning about Mayan history in a classroom is one thing. Experiencing it on the tropical Yucatán peninsula, amidst contemporary Mayan communities and the echoes of ancient achievements, is quite another.

Highlight: A visit to the Mayan community of Yaxunah and Chichén Itzá, one of the world’s seven wonders.

Students attending select Australia universities are welcome to participate in this program.

SPRING 2024 SPECIAL OFFER
January in sunny Mexico is even better with a friend. Buddy up with a friend for IFSA January in Mexico and you save $500 and your friend saves $500. See Spring 2024 Special Offers for more information.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

January: Nov. 1

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

3 U.S. Semester Credit Hours

Housing

Home Stay, Host Family

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

Class taught in English. No Spanish required.

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Academics

History of Mayan Culture and Civilization
This class provides a historical perspective of the main characteristics of the Pre-Hispanic Mayan Civilization, including detailed information about the level of development reached by the Mayans from a historical, ethnographic, and ethno-archeological perspective from pre-colonial times through contemporary Mayan groups. Develop a framework of understanding and analysis with an emphasis on achievements such as architecture, writing, art, and cultural manifestations. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Australia Outbound Program
Students enrolled at select Australia universities are invited to participate in this program. The program is open to students of all year levels and all fields. Students will earn 45 contact hours credit; the equivalent of one subject.

Please see the Australia Outbound term below in the Dates and Fees section for program fees and expected expenses in Australian dollars. For more information on the Australia Outbound program, please reach out to us at australiaoutbound@ifsa-butler.org.

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 Australia 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.

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 control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

  • Mérida City Tours: Get to know the city from all possible perspectives during two tours of historic Mérida. Enjoy a 90-minute bus tour to see the first neighborhoods that make up the historic district. The second tour is by bike and will allow more intimate exploration of the streets and buildings.
  • Mayan World Museum Tour: This visit is designed to provide you with the cultural and historic context needed to fully appreciate the excursion to Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. The museum exhibits a magnificent collection of more than 1,160 items: textiles, ceramic, sculptures, religious elements, and daily life objects from Mayan culture.
  • Yaxunah Trip: Yaxunah is a Mayan community of approximately 150 families just two hours from Mérida. The economy of this community is based on the agricultural system known as milpa, it also has a community cultural center, and various projects focused on sustainability. This community works regularly with groups of students and is a great opportunity to share and learn.
  • Uxmal Trip. Uxmal is a fascinating archaeological site with its Puuc style of architecture showcasing the pinnacle of Mayan population design and art. You won’t soon forget the impressive Pyramid of the Magician, constructed more than 1,000 years ago. Additionally this excursion includes swimming in the cool waters of Yaal Utzil cenote.
  • Chichén Itzá 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.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Home Stay, Host Family

Meals

All Included

Details

A homestay is with a carefully selected, local host family. Up to two IFSA students may be placed with each family. You will have a single bedroom with a bed, shared bathroom, and desk or other designated place to study. Weekly laundry and three meals per day are included. You may occasionally want to buy snacks and eat at restaurants beyond what is provided by homestay families.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

January 2024

January 3, 2024

January 20, 2024

$3,975

Nov. 1

January 2024 (Australia Outbound)

January 3, 2024

January 20, 2024

$5,375 AUD

Nov. 1

Term

January 2024

Term begins

January 3, 2024

Term ends

January 20, 2024

Program costs

$3,975

Application deadline

Nov. 1

Term

January 2024 (Australia Outbound)

Term begins

January 3, 2024

Term ends

January 20, 2024

Program costs

$5,375 AUD

Application deadline

Nov. 1

Get Started

Apply Now
schedule time to talk
Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Admissions Counselor

Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Prearrival Counselor

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