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
Your Destination
Mérida is Mexico’s bilingual city, where Spanish and Maya intertwine, creating the perfect environment for language immersion and cultural exploration. Whether you're practicing Spanish with locals in lively markets, engaging in vibrant conversations at a traditional café, or exploring the historic streets of the Plaza Principal, every experience deepens your connection to the language and culture. With a rich blend of history, local traditions, and artistic expression, Mérida is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and host institution 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 activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Cultural Projects: Volunteer with members of the local community, join student clubs to socialize with your peers, and attend local workshops and events to get to know your host city.
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 past excursions and activities:
- Explore Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- Visit El Corchito and enjoy a boat ride through the lagoon to get to the mangroves
- Take a trip to Punta Laguna, a nature reserve that offers one of the most unique sightseeing attractions in all of Mérida: spider monkeys
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and are 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
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
Top 6 Mexico Study Abroad Programs
Picture yourself trading your college campus for the vibrant streets of Mérida, where every day is a new opportunity to explore Mexico’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. This city... keep reading
MY TIME IN MERIDA
By Ciara Pettit - Liberal Arts Student, 2022 August 7th was the day my life was about to change for the next couple months. I got on an airplane for... keep reading
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
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.
Universidad Anáhuac Mayab (UAM): UAM is one of Mexico’s premier private higher education institutions. Offering courses in both English and Spanish, UAM is part of the prestigious Anáhuac University Network, which includes three campuses across the country. With a student body of more than 5,000 and sprawling across 200,000 square meters, UAM stands as a hub of academic excellence. The university is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of education through a dynamic and high-quality teaching and learning process.
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
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
- Fall 25 or Spring 26 Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship
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 19 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $9,950 |
| Program Spring 2026 19 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
1
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.
You might also like
- Merida, Mexico
- Full-Time Internship
Spend 12 weeks interning abroad FT (30-40 hours/week) and earning academic credit while exploring the culture, cuisine, and coast of Mérida, Mexico.
- Merida, Mexico
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
Spend your summer earning academic credits toward your degree while simultaneously gaining practical real-world work experience in one of Mérida’s top industries, including the arts, business, education, IT, marketing, and hospitality.
- Yucatan, Mexico
- Study Program
Spend your January immersing yourself in the Yucatán Peninsula’s magnificent biodiversity and Latin America’s largest indigenous culture.