Overview
Click to OpenImmerse yourself in the Yucatán Peninsula’s magnificent biodiversity and Latin America’s largest indigenous culture. January in Yucatán is the perfect place to begin your Spanish language proficiency and discover the ancient Mayan culture. Your home base is Mérida - a pretty city filled with brightly colored buildings and clean, tree-lined streets. The Yucatecan capital is also the second safest city in the American continent according to the World’s Safest Cities Ranking. Its Spanish colonial architecture, world-famous gastronomy, and world-renowned Mayan landmarks are a draw for visitors from around the world.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
Unique Experiences
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Live
with a host family, committed to making your stay unforgettable.
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Learn
on a program that combines your academics with cultural activities that enrich your abroad learning experience.
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Explore
the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya: a new world class museum covering the Yucatán from its geological origins to the present.
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DAYS OF SUNSHINE PER YEAR
287 -
COMPLETION DATE OF THE OLDEST CATHEDRAL ON THE AMERICAN CONTINENT
1598 -
1542 YEAR MÉRIDA IS FOUNDED
1542
Location & Culture
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The Destination
Mérida is the capital of the Yucátan state and the largest city on the Yucátan Peninsula with a population just under 900,000 people. It is also known for its Mayan ruins, art, and architecture and has the largest intact indigenous population (60%) of any city reflected in its regional foods and music. Mérida is a modern city with shops, a youth symphony, public and private hospitals, and dozens of public and private institutes of higher learning. In addition, Mérida is a hub for travel within the Yucátan Peninsula and beyond, with connections to Mexico City, Belize, and Guatemala.
Popular tourist attractions are important archaeological UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Mayan Museum, the Provincial Palace, Uxmal architectural ruins and nearby Cenotes, , as well as its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Celestún National Park.
Mérida has a tropical weather with a very distinct dry and wet season. Rainy season is June through October. The average daytime high temperature is 33°C (91°F) with nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F). Geologically, the Yucátan has 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 also make Mérida a regional STEM 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
In the January in Yucatán program, you may:
- Explore Chichén Itzá and nearby Cenote Sagrado where humans were sacrificed to the Mayan rain God - Chaac.
- Birdwatch in Ria Lagartos Wildlife Refuge, home to countless pink flamingos and beautiful sunsets with pink waters
- Explore Merida´s magnificent Botanical Garden.
- Fall in love with colonial architecture in Mérida’s historic center while enjoying a coffee or tea in one of the many terraces and coffee shops.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestay – an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local language and culture. Homestays with some English communication skills may be an option for students with little or no Spanish language background.
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MEALS
Homestay – two meals per day: breakfast and dinner. Students can use the kitchen at CIEE to prepare meals, and there are many grocery stores, street food vendors, and restaurants all around the city.
Yucatan, Mexico Where You'll Study
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A
Parque de Santa Ana
and its nearby art galleries
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B
Market Lucas de Galvez
the main fresh fruit and vegetable market in Mérida
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C
Mayan World Museum
of Mérida
Academics
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Courses are taught at CIEE Yucatán and are typically only for CIEE students . Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet three to five times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
All students enroll in one 3-credit CIEE course per session.
PROGRAM CREDIT
Total credit: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits per session.
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours per session.
- CIEE Communicative Language course: 1 U.S. semester/1.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
Class pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation.
Class Format
Courses are for CIEE students only and are taught Monday – Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
Students are graded on quizzes, exams, attendance, homework assignments, presentations, and class participation. As attendance is mandatory, absences affect final grades. The course includes compulsory activities with special assignments as part of classwork.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- Students studying in Mérida for more than one session may only take Communicative Spanish once.
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.
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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.
What's Included
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Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Karla Zarco
Center Director
Karla is the Center Director of CIEE in Yucatán, and has more than 20 years of experience working in international education.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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