Study In the Yucatan

There are two options for studying abroad in Merida, Mexico, a vibrant, historic, and beautiful city on the Yucatan Peninsula, cradled between Mayan ruins and the Caribbean coast. The first is through Centre-in-the-Yucatan, and the second is through a small Spanish-immersion program at Marista University.

Centre-in-the-Yucatan

What makes this program unique?

1. All students are placed in homestays with families who have hosted Centre students for many years. Each homestay is handpicked by our on-site coordinator and matches the needs and preferences of students selected for the program. Students have access to modern bathroom and kitchen facilities and generally have their own bedroom. Mérida students universally regard this comfortable living arrangement as one of the things that make this program uniquely attractive. Their spoken language improves dramatically, and they come to regard their homestay family as a second family. Out of respect for the homestay families, students have a 2:00 a.m. curfew.

2. The Centre-planned and paid-for excursions around the Yucatan peninsula and to another area of Latin America are highlights of the program.

3. The American dollar goes much further in Mérida than it does in the U.S. Because the airfare to Mérida is much less than it is to other Centre sites, and because Centre spends about $1300 per student on Centre excursions, students have found this program to be a great value.

Dates

Fall 2024: September -December

Spring 2025: February - May

The faculty director will meet you at the Mérida airport when you arrive and will arrange for your transportation back to the airport to make your return flight. The best time for visitors will be determined by the director. If you arrive early or stay late, you are responsible for finding and paying for a place to stay. The director or coordinator will be happy to provide advice on where to stay. You should not ask your homestay families to stay with them after the program officially ends. These dates are subject to change.

Cost

The cost to study abroad on this semester program is the same as studying in Danville, plus a non-refundable deposit of $400 due to the Deputy Bursar on March 8th, 2024.

Students are responsible for the cost of flights to and from the study abroad site. Additional spending money for food or activities outside of those organized by the study abroad program is the responsibility of the student.

Go to the Center for Global Citizenship Important Dates page to view the complete list of application and payment dates.

Housing

In Mérida, students live with carefully selected Mexican families who have a longstanding relationship with Centre. Each homestay is handpicked by our on-site coordinator and is matched according to the needs and preferences of students selected for the program. Students have access to modern bathroom and kitchen facilities and generally have their own bedroom. This arrangement has proven to be a highlight for Centre students in Mérida during the past few years. You will come to regard your homestay family as a second family.

Faculty Director and Courses

The 2024-2025 program will be directed by Dr. Satty Flaherty-Echeverria, Associate Professor of Spanish.

All students will take:

Roots of Afro-Mexican Literatures and Cultures - LAS 530

Human Ecology in the Yucatan - ENS 251

Business of Tourism - BUS 261

All students will also take a Spanish course at the appropriate level. Spanish majors may take a course in both language and literature. Below are the tentative options:

* Note: It is possible for Spanish majors to take three Spanish courses if eligible.

SPA 110: Spanish Fundamentals I
SPA 120: Spanish Fundamentals II
SPA 210: Intermediate Spanish I SPA 220: Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 240: Advanced Spanish Conversation
SPA 250: Introduction to Literary Analysis
SPA 271: Latin American Culture Abroad

Application, Deadlines, & Requirements

• Application window for the 2024-2025 academic year opens on November 16th, 2023 at 11:59pm and closes on February 2nd, 2024 at 11:59pm.

• Go to the Center for Global Citizenship Important Dates page to view the complete list of application and payment dates.

• Apply using Centre Online Forms

• Non-refundable deposit of $400 for semester programs is due to the Deputy Bursar on March 8th, 2024.

Marista University

Special Immersion Program at Marista

The Universidad Marista de Merida, with a student population of about 2,225, was founded in 1996 and is part of the Marist brotherhood congregation, a Catholic order founded in 1817 in France.

If you wish to apply to the Marista program, you must be independent and have advanced proficiency in Spanish speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. All courses at Marista are taught in Spanish. Students applying to this immersion programs will also be vetted by our Spanish faculty.

Because the number of slots in the immersion programs are limited, you should apply at the same time to the Centre-in-the-Yucatan program in case you are not selected for the immersion program.

Dates

Cost

The cost to study abroad on this semester program is the same as studying in Danville, plus a non-refundable deposit of $400 due to the Deputy Bursar on March 8th, 2024.

Go to the Center for Global Citizenship Important Dates page to view the complete list of application and payment dates.