Business + Culture
Unique Experiences
Visit artisan cooperatives, cultural centers, and family‑run workshops
to explore how traditional crafts and knowledge become modern creative enterprises
Explore social enterprises in Mérida
to see how sustainability and social impact are integrated into local business models
Participate in a hands‑on cooking class in a Maya community
to explore Yucatecan gastronomy and the cultural roots of Maya identity
Your Destination
Mérida is the cultural heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, known for its rich history, vibrant traditions, and growing business community. As a regional center for commerce, tourism, and entrepreneurship, the city offers students a compelling environment to explore business and culture. Mérida’s colonial architecture, colorful plazas, bustling markets, and nearby Mayan archaeological sites reflect its deep cultural heritage and modern vitality. With its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of identity, Mérida provides an engaging and immersive destination for studying abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Community Impact Initiative: Get involved with local organizations through service opportunities that address real community needs while building cross-cultural connections and hands-on experience.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Mérida will open doors for you to explore Mexico's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of excursions and activities:
- Visit Educe, a honey‑bee cooperative in Mérida, to see how a local social enterprise integrates sustainability, community engagement, and purpose‑driven business practices
- Explore Mérida’s Lucas de Galvez Market to observe the supply chain of local Yucatecan products, from regional producers to everyday consumers
- Experience the Maya town of Maní through a visit to a Melipona honey producer and participate in a traditional cooking class in a Maya home
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
EAT, DRINK, EXPLORE: MERIDA
BEST FOOD TO EAT IN MERIDA Yucatecan cuisine is heavily influenced by the ancient Maya who successfully turned local crops like tomatoes, turkey, chiles, corn, and pumpkins into complexly flavored... keep reading
Top 7 Spanish Immersion Programs with CIEE Study Abroad
Let’s be real: There’s no better way to learn Spanish than actually living it. Forget the textbook exercises and Duolingo streaks – envision yourself chatting with locals about fútbol (not... keep reading
Study Abroad in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide
Ready to trade your dorm room for palm trees and panuchos? Studying abroad in Mexico is your chance to do just that! Picture this: You’re taking classes at the stunning... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Mérida offers homestays or accommodation in shared apartments or studio apartments. Depending on housing profiles and availability, students may be placed in a double homestay occupancy with single or double rooms and shared bathrooms. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a room in a homestay or apartment.
- Homestay: Includes a single or double room in a homestay, giving students an insider’s view of Mexican culture and a great opportunity to practice and enhance their Spanish skills. Homestays boast a private or shared bathroom, a desk, weekly laundry, Wi-Fi access, and a copy of the house keys. All homestays are relatively close to coffee shops, malls, commercial centers, ATMs, and restaurants, and within a 45-minute commute of CIEE Mérida.
- Apartment: Includes double accommodation in a shared apartment, within a 60-minute commute of CIEE Mérida.
Select Housing: Includes single accommodation in a shared apartment, within a 40-minute commute of CIEE Mérida. Select Housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes single accommodation in an apartment complex with a private kitchenette and private bathroom. Housing is within a 20-minute commute of CIEE Mérida. Select Plus Housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
- Homestays: Include two meals per day. Although host families and students arrange their meal schedules, usually it is breakfast and dinner, and students are responsible for the remaining meal, either preparing it at home or eating in one of many restaurants and cafés throughout the city. Students staying for a full year are responsible for their meals during breaks between semesters.
- Apartment: Meals are not included
Academics
CIEE Mérida: Study in one of the region’s most beautiful neighborhoods, Calle 47, which leads to the Gastronomical Corridor, full of cozy and amazing restaurants and bars to enjoy in the afternoons. CIEE Mérida boasts five classrooms, a student lounge, and a shared student life and academic advising office.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Discover Internship Opportunities
Browse the range of internship opportunities available and find the experience that aligns with your academic and career goals with CIEE Study Abroad.
Explore Industry Options
Mérida boasts a diverse work scene, with internship placements in tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, and volunteering alongside a growing presence of tech startups. The city is known for its rich culture, strong sense of community, relaxed pace of life, affordable cost of living, and warm climate!
Business Management and Administration
Study international business practices, multicultural leadership, and global market dynamics in Scotland, China, and more.
Hospitality and Tourism
Polish your hospitality management skills by studying global tourism practices, customer service excellence, and more.
Information Technology
Explore diverse tech environments, cutting-edge innovation, and emerging technologies in South Korea, Spain, and more.
Browse Internship Opportunities
Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.
Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Karla Zarco
Center Director
Karla is the Center Director of CIEE Mérida, and she brings more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in The Netherlands. Karla...
Alan Barroso
Program & Student Life Manager
Alan joined CIEE Mérida in March 2022 as Student Life and Academics Manager. He is an experienced Psychologist focused on student coaching and tutoring. He holds a master's degree in...
Celia Novelo
Senior Program Coordinator
Celia is the Program Coordinator at CIEE Mérida. She is motivated by her experience abroad in France and loves to exchange intercultural experiences with students. Celia holds a master's degree...
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact CIEE
We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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Interested in an optional internship?
After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!
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