IFSA Mérida Universities Program

Our IFSA Mérida Universities Program offers semester programs at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) and Universidad Modelo in stunning Mérida, Mexico, allowing you to study alongside local students and experience two types of Mexican higher education institutions.

Looking for specific classes? Explore CHART, our exclusive class database—if the IFSA Mérida Universities Program is preapproved at your institution, you’ll find classes recently taken by other IFSA students.

IFSA ELECTIVE CLASSES
Choose from several classes designed exclusively for IFSA participants. All IFSA classes are taught in Spanish and are worth 3 U.S. semester credits hours. Classes may vary by term based on faculty availability and student interest.

Advanced Spanish I or Advanced Spanish II
While in Mérida, you can opt to continue your Spanish language study. A mandatory pre-arrival language assessment will determine your appropriate language level. Based on your score, IFSA may require you to take a Spanish language class to support your academic success in Spanish-taught direct-enroll classes. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Exploring Yucatán: Community and Culture
Through intentionally designed field visits and meaningful reflection, this class takes you beyond tourism into rich intercultural dialogue and active engagement with your host community. While navigating daily life in the Yucatán, you will be challenged to embrace an anthropological perspective as you explore cultural identity and examine diversity in the context of Mexican political, economic, and sociocultural structures. Ultimately, you will develop personal strategies for engaging with differences of any kind following your study abroad experience, making it an ideal course for those seeking transferable skills and competencies for success in the global marketplace. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Contemporary Issues in Public Health in the Yucatán
An increased diversity within our communities has presented healthcare providers with many new challenges when responding effectively to patients’ well-being. This class provides an overview of healthcare in the Yucatán and examines the public and private healthcare systems in Mexico and the use of both mainstream and traditional approaches in urban and rural settings. Through numerous field visits, students will consider local prevailing health issues such as cervical cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and deepen their intercultural agility as they seek to understand how patients’ expectations differ from their own cultural context. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Directed Research
This class offers a unique opportunity for students to delve deeply into host context research projects. Students will be guided through projects that are both feasible in the study abroad context and relevant to their broader intellectual interests. The class is structured through regular individual meetings with a faculty mentor to discuss the formation and execution of a research plan and, depending on the specific project, the possibility to conduct field- or internet-based research. At the end of the semester, students present a formal research paper.

DIRECT-ENROLL CLASSES
As an IFSA student you complete your courseload with integrated classes at the UADY and/or Modelo, maximizing your immersion into local student life. Your IFSA Admissions Counselor can help you find the courses you need, but you may explore courses through the links below.

While searching for classes fitting your interests and academic needs, you may find some host institution classes delivered in English as well as in Spanish. Classes taught in English are open to you as an IFSA student provided you meet the stated prerequisites. However, prior to arrival you should discuss with your home institution’s study abroad advisor any academic requirements related to study abroad in a non-English speaking location.

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY)

• Architecture (architecture, studio art, visual arts)
• Accounting and Business (accounting, marketing, international business, information technology administration)
• Economics (economics, international business)
• Law
• Medicine (surgical medicine, rehabilitation)
• Psychology
• Social Sciences and Humanities (anthropology, archaeology, social communication, history, literature, tourism)

1. Look for a link to licenciaturas (majors) on the homepage of that department
2. After clicking on licenciaturas, look for a link to "plan de estudio," "asignaturas," "mapa curricular" or "temarios." These are the lists of classes offered in that particular major. In some licenciaturas, you can click on the course title to see a course description or syllabus. This is not available for all departments.

Universidad Modelo
On the general Universidad Modelo website you can find coursework related to:

• Architecture
• Business
• Design
• Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Law (including political science)
• Humanities

We know finding courses you need is important in your decision to study abroad. If you are looking for a particular course, please contact your IFSA Admissions Counselor for more information.

Featured Health Classes
Direct-enroll classes in public health and the health sciences have been popular with previous IFSA students. The following examples are a selection of what you can find in CHART across both institutions.

• Clinical Neurology
• Clinical Psychology
• Epidemiology and Public Health
• Food Microbiology
• Medical Anthropology
• Nutrition Epidemiology
• Pediatric Physiotherapy
• Physical Preparation
• Public Health and Nutrition
• Quality and Safety in Patient Care
• Sports Rehabilitation

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.