Liberal Arts
Unique Experiences
Study in one of Mérida's top universities
with students from all over Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Europe, and other countries of the world.
Improve your Spanish language skills
while you experience Mexican culture in the classroom and at home.
Get to know the Mayan culture
With visits and trips to ancient UNESCO world heritage archaeological sites and other co-curricular and cultural enrichment activities.
86
average daily temperature (F)
287
days on sunshine per year
1598
completion date of the oldest cathedral on the American continent
Your Destination
Mérida, located in the southeast of Mexico, stands out for its lifestyle, vibrant culture, and excellent infrastructure in medical and educational services. Tthe capital of the state of Yucatán, it is a colonial city with a strong Mayan cultural presence. It has been named among the top places in the world to visit and the American Continent Capital of Culture in 2000 and 2017. Mérida is the leader of higher education in southeastern Mexico and one of the safest cities in Latin America. The city is recognized for its calm lifestyle, bustling neighborhoods, rich cultural heritage, and low-pollution environment. Mérida is surrounded by many spectacular attractions both natural and cultural, from the beautiful beaches of the relaxed town of Progreso to the world-famous Mayan archaeological sites of Uxmal, Mayapán, and Chichen Itzá.
Mérida is a tropical city with a distinct dry and wet season. The rainy season is from June through October. The average daytime high temperature is 33°C (91°F) with nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F). Geologically, the Yucatan has a karst topography of limestone, leading to many underground caves and cenotes. Two zoos, a Botanical Garden, the Museum of Natural History, and several science institutes make Mérida a regional STEM research center. It sits within the Chicxulub crater, formed by a large asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The asteroid impact is responsible for the fifth great extinction, including dinosaurs, among others.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Excursions are integral to creating a holistic learning experience. UAM provides cultural excursions, supplementing those provided by CIEE, which are designed to further support students in adapting interculturally, building understanding, and communicating effectively. The itineraries are designed to promote cultural self-awareness, cultural literacy, and the ability to bridge cultural gaps. Through interactive activities and exercises, students are encouraged to consider issues of culture, identity, values, beliefs, and assumptions. Ultimately, students develop competencies to expose themselves to new and unfamiliar experiences. Specific destinations and content will vary semester to semester depending on local conditions. Examples include the following:
- Chichén Itzá: Chichen Itzá was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Students learn how the ancient Maya used science, math, and technology in their daily life and how STEM impacts more recent Mayan culture, including architecture, agriculture, and water conservation. Students also explore more ancient uses of science and technology in Chichen Itza.
- Progreso/El Corchito: By visiting El Corchito, students see the diverse flora and fauna of the region and enjoy a boat ride through the lagoon to get to the mangroves. After the ride through the reserve, students go to Progreso beach and enjoy a typical Yucatecan lunch.
- Punta Laguna: Punta Laguna is a nature reserve that offers one of the most unique sightseeing attractions in all of Yucatán: spider monkeys. The creatures are a top draw for the reserve, which also showcases jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, and dozens of bird species. During this trip, students learn the basic ecology of native forests, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, freshwater rivers, and cenotes.
Cultural Activities
Cultural centers, theaters, museums, and galleries of the city offer activities and events for all tastes: from classical music to jazz, romantic trove, rock music, exhibitions of traditional and innovative art, folk or contemporary dance, an art house cinema, children's workshops, literary activities, popular outdoor dances, and much more. Yucatán has a wide range of outdoor activities such as cenotes, nature preserves, Maya sacbeob or raised “white roads”, beaches, archeological sites, eco-tourism adventure, etc. An ample offering of cultural activities tied back to CIEE courses will build on in-classroom learning, and some will offer cultural immersion opportunities. Some examples of cultural activities include the following:
- City walking tour - visits to the emblematic neighborhoods and the most famous buildings, parks, and monuments of the city.
- Sacred stones video mapping.
- Mérida Cathedral.
- Noche de las Culturas and the “Meet the Conqueror” performance at Main Square.
- Serenata Yucateca - a guitar concert of trova, authentic Yucatecan music.
- Visit to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum of Merida).
- Visit to archaeological sites.
- Diverse cultural activities organized by the municipality like theater, concerts, performances, etc.
Projects
- Volunteer opportunities in schools, social projects, and public works will allow students to practice their Spanish language skills, build an understanding of the local culture, and develop intercultural skills to help them adapt to life in Mérida.
Program Blogs
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Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Mérida offers homestays or single accommodation in an apartment complex. 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 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 30- to 45-minute commute of CIEE Mérida.
Select Plus Housing: Includes single accommodation in an apartment complex with a private kitchenette and private bathroom. Housing is within a 30- to 45-minute commute of CIEE Mérida.
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 complex: Meals are not included
Academics
This program is designed for students with advanced Spanish language skills and strong academic backgrounds.
Prior to departure for Yucatan, all students take a CIEE online Spanish placement test. Results determine appropriate placement in language courses. The CIEE Mérida Center hosts the required Spanish Language course and elective course options. All other courses are administered by University Anahuac-Mayab (UAM).
UAM offers courses in Business, Legal and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Communication, Architecture, Design, and Engineering, taught in Spanish. Some classes are also offered in English and vary by semester. Studying with peers from all over Mexico, Latin America, Europe and the rest of the world provides a unique exposure to many different perspectives and ideas.
UAM has a diverse study plan and programs, instructional staff, research projects, evaluation and information exchange systems, congresses and training courses, training programs, as well as various resources and instructors for an enriching academic experience. It also has a strong international outlook collaborating with many national and international higher education institutions.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Academic Projects
Languages and Cultural Studies
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Social Sciences
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Courses are available from the University Anahuac-Mayab (UAM) in the following areas of study:
- Business
- Legal and Social Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Communication, Architecture and Design
- Engineering
Students can find course lists and descriptions on the following website: https://www.anahuacmayab.mx/es/international/programas/licenciaturas/divisiones.
The Course Descriptions button at the bottom will generate a list of course titles, credits, departments, pre-requisites, term offered, and the typical semester that a local student would qualify for the course. Not all courses listed are available in all semesters. As a visiting student, you will be contacted by the UAM administration about one month prior to the start of the UAM semester to review the options available in your semester and discuss your eligibility. Courses in English are rare and typically require high-level prerequisites be met as they are directed at students in the final year of their UAM degree program. Students should acquire prior written approval from their home school to enroll in any English-language courses or courses that are valued below 3 U.S. semester credits each. CIEE converts UAM course credits as follows:
UAM credits | Total Notional Hours | Recommended U.S. Equivalent |
3 | 58 | 1.5 |
4 | 77 | 2 |
6 | 115 | 2.5 |
7 | 134 | 3 |
9 | 173 | 4 |
10 | 192 | 4.5 |
12 | 230 | 5 |
18 | 346 | 7.5 |
Your UAM course enrollments will be communicated about two weeks prior to the start of the UAM semester. Please visit https://merida.anahuac.mx/en/international/programas/licenciaturas/sistema-de-clases for more information.
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 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.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
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 Fall 2025 18 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $9,950 |
| Program Spring 2026 21 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.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $3,956 ** |
| Housing | $5,500 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $9,950 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Plus Housing Fee | $1,800 |
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 and MSI 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.
| Meals not included in program fee | $1,064 † |
| International Airfare | $680 †† |
| Local Transportation | $350 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Visa Fees | $0 †††† |
| Personal expenses | $225 ††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,369 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Round trip based on Mayabus, UAM's private bus and public bus.
††††NA for students staying less than 180 days in the country.
†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
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 and MSI 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
Meals
Our Staff
Karla Zarco
Center Director
Karla is the Center Director of CIEE in Mérida, and she brings to CIEE more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...
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 in education.
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 in...
Get Started
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2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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