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.
This is an exclusive IFSA-Designed Program. Learn more about these affordable programs here.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
2.00
Credit load
3
Housing
Single Room Option, Homestay
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
Class taught in English. No Spanish required.
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn More.
Academics
History of Mayan Culture and Civilization
Language of Instruction: English
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) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
Recommendation Letter
Not required.
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 classes 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
Single Room Option, HomestayMeals
All IncludedDetails
In Mérida, students live with local families in what’s known as a homestay. Homestays make it easy to immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture. They also provide many opportunities to build your Spanish language skills, if that’s part of your plan.
Homestays: Who’s at home?
We place students with carefully screened families, many of whom have been hosting IFSA students for nearly 20 years. Many have grown children who have left home and enjoy having young people around. Families host up to two IFSA students at a time.
You might live with a retired couple and their beloved terrier, with frequent visits from their young grandchildren. Your hosts might have high school-age children and a grandparent living with them. Or you might join a single mom who shares her home with her adult daughter and grandson, with another adult child living nearby.
- Location. Host families live throughout the city. You might live close to downtown within easy walking distance from the IFSA Program Center—or 30 to 45 minutes away via public transportation (that’s just 10 minutes away via Uber).
- Living space. Each student has their own bedroom. Bathrooms are sometimes private but could be shared with other family members. Your hosts provide a desk or other suitable place to study.
- Meals. Three meals a day included. Your homestay family understands that you also need time out to be with friends and explore—they’ll appreciate a heads up when you plan to eat out. Students buy their own snacks.
- Language. Few families are fluent in English, but most can communicate. We do our best to place students without Spanish skills with English-speaking families.
- Other details. Internet included. Air conditioning is limited to eight hours at night, so expect to adjust to heat and humidity in this tropical environment. Homes have laundry machines and hosts do your laundry once a week. (Machine capacity may be smaller than you are used to in the U.S.)
- Nearby. Cafes, restaurants, and public transportation.
Dates and Fees
Get Started
Selena Rincon
Enrollment Counselor
