study abroad in Mexico with IFSA
Merida
, Mexico

IFSA Summer in Mexico

Program Overview

One of the Yucatán’s most charming cities, Mérida basks in 300 days of sunshine a year. Full of Mayan and Spanish influences, it’s a fascinating place to explore cultural hallmarks as you flex your academic muscles.

This region may have deep ancient roots, but today’s culture is equally fascinating. Find out how as you explore Mayan migration, Yucatán tourism, politics, and more (taught in Spanish). You could also tease apart the impact of increasingly diverse communities on public and private health care in different settings, complete with visits to area clinics (taught in English; no Spanish language experience required).

Come for one four-week session or maximize your Mexico experience by taking both classes back to back.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Summer: April 1

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

3 - 6

Housing

Home Stay, Host Family

Instruction language

English, Spanish

Prerequisites

Some classes may require 4 semesters of university-level Spanish. What does this mean?

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Academics

During your IFSA Summer in Mexico, customize your study abroad experience by taking a class during the four-week Session 1 or take a class during the four-week Session 2. You can also extend your studies by enrolling in both Session 1 and Session 2.

SESSION 1 CLASS

Identity and Culture in Contemporary Yucatán
Taught in Spanish, this class explores a series of themes related to the contemporary identities and cultures found on the Yucatán peninsula. This will allow students to develop a wide perspective of the current state of the local political scenario, as well as the social and cultural aspects. Topics include the Mayan indigenous population; forms of political organization; migratory movements within the Mayan population as well as other migrant groups entering the Yucatán; tourism; gastronomy; and geography and archaeology in the Yucatán. As a general reference point for each of these contemporary themes is the history of the Yucatán during the 19th and 20th centuries. This allows students to place themselves in the historical processes that have influenced the current image of the State of Yucatán. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

SESSION 2 CLASS

Contemporary Issues in Public Health in the Yucatán
Increasing diversity in the socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial composition of our communities has presented healthcare providers with new challenges when responding effectively to patient health and wellbeing. Taught in English, this course examines the public and private healthcare systems of Mexico, mainstream and traditional care in urban and rural settings, and local prevailing health issues such as cervical cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in order to understand the patients’ expectations from their own cultural context. Students will participate in a series of field visits to rural communities, as well as medical facilities to conduct clinical observations. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Australia Outbound Program
Students enrolled at select Australia universities are invited to participate in Session 2 of 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.

Activities

  • 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.
Excursions
  • 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, 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

Summer 2024 - Session 1

Late May 2024

Late June 2024

$4,575 (estimated)

April 1, 2024

Summer 2024 - Session 2

Late June 2024

Late July 2024

$4,575 (estimated)

April 1, 2024

Summer 2024 - Sessions 1 & 2

Late May 2024

Late July 2024

$7,775 (estimated)

April 1, 2024

Summer 2024 (Australia Outbound)

Late June 2024

Late July 2024

$5,995 AUD (estimated)

April 1, 2024

Term

Summer 2024 - Session 1

Term begins

Late May 2024

Term ends

Late June 2024

Program costs

$4,575 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 1, 2024

Term

Summer 2024 - Session 2

Term begins

Late June 2024

Term ends

Late July 2024

Program costs

$4,575 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 1, 2024

Term

Summer 2024 - Sessions 1 & 2

Term begins

Late May 2024

Term ends

Late July 2024

Program costs

$7,775 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 1, 2024

Term

Summer 2024 (Australia Outbound)

Term begins

Late June 2024

Term ends

Late July 2024

Program costs

$5,995 AUD (estimated)

Application deadline

April 1, 2024

Get Started

Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Admissions Counselor

Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Prearrival Counselor

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