yucatan students standing ruins
Merida, Mexico

Liberal Arts

Study Program

Tentative Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Extended Deadline

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

21 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Request Information

Dates

-

19 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Request Information

Overview

Famous for its efforts to preserve and promote its historical culture, M茅rida is the capital of Yucat谩n and the largest city in southeastern Mexico. A safe and vibrant city, M茅rida is an ideal location to expand your education abroad.

When class is in session, explore how traditions and modernity converge while advancing your degree and improving your Spanish language skills at Universidad Anahuac Mayab (UAM) and 爱游戏下载 M茅rida. UAM is one of the top private universities in Mexico, offering a wide variety of courses in all areas of study, including biology, chemistry, communications, literature, engineering, psychology, mathematics, and more. Outside the classroom, your courses will be complemented by co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and intercultural understanding.

 

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Learn More

Unique Experiences

Study in one of M茅rida'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

Experience
  • yucatan chicken itza
  • yucatan historic building
  • yucatan students swimming in cenote

Your Destination

M茅rida, located in the southeast of Mexico, stands out for its lifestyle, vibrant culture, and excellent infrastructure in medical and educational services.鈥疶the capital of the state of Yucat谩n, it is a colonial city with a strong Mayan cultural presence.鈥疘t has been named among the top places in the world to visit and the American Continent Capital of Culture in 2000 and 2017. M茅rida 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. M茅rida 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, Mayap谩n, and Chichen Itz谩.  

M茅rida is a tropical city with a distinct dry and wet season.鈥疶he rainy season is from June through October.鈥疶he average daytime high temperature is 33掳C (91掳F) with nighttime temperatures around 18掳C (64掳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 M茅rida a regional STEM research center.鈥疘t sits within the Chicxulub crater, formed by a large asteroid impact 66 million years ago.鈥疶he asteroid impact is responsible for the fifth great extinction, including dinosaurs, among others.

爱游戏下载 wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with 爱游戏下载, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.

The Culture

yucatan girl with a spider monkey

Excursions & Activities

Excursions are integral to creating a holistic learning experience.鈥疷AM provides cultural excursions, supplementing those provided by 爱游戏下载, which are designed to further support students in adapting interculturally, building understanding, and communicating effectively.鈥疶he itineraries are designed to promote cultural self-awareness, cultural literacy, and the ability to bridge cultural gaps.鈥疶hrough interactive activities and exercises, students are encouraged to consider issues of culture, identity, values, beliefs, and assumptions.鈥疷ltimately, students develop competencies to expose themselves to new and unfamiliar experiences.鈥疭pecific destinations and content will vary semester to semester depending on local conditions. Examples include the following:

  • Chich茅n Itz谩: Chichen Itz谩 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.鈥疭tudents 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.鈥疉fter 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 Yucat谩n: spider monkeys. The creatures are a top draw for the reserve, which also showcases jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, and dozens of bird species.鈥疍uring this trip, students learn the basic ecology of native forests, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, freshwater rivers, and cenotes. 
yucatan cultural museum

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.鈥痀ucat谩n has a wide range of outdoor activities such as cenotes, nature preserves, Maya sacbeob or raised 鈥渨hite roads鈥, beaches, archeological sites, eco-tourism adventure, etc.鈥疉n ample offering of cultural activities tied back to 爱游戏下载 courses will build on in-classroom learning, and some will offer cultural immersion opportunities.鈥疭ome 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.  
  • M茅rida Cathedral.  
  • Noche de las Culturas and the 鈥淢eet the Conqueror鈥 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.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
yucatan students painting

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 M茅rida.

Program Blogs

From 爱游戏下载

Study Abroad in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at 爱游戏下载

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鈥檙e taking classes at the stunning... keep reading

From 爱游戏下载

Top 6 Mexico Study Abroad Programs

By College Study Abroad at 爱游戏下载

Picture yourself trading your college campus for the vibrant streets of M茅rida, where every day is a new opportunity to explore Mexico鈥檚 rich culture, history, and natural beauty. This city... keep reading

From 爱游戏下载

MY TIME IN MERIDA

By 爱游戏下载 Yucatan at 爱游戏下载

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
Academics

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 爱游戏下载 online Spanish placement test.  Results determine appropriate placement in language courses.  The 爱游戏下载 M茅rida 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,鈥痶aught 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:鈥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 爱游戏下载 academic calendar, so you can study abroad with 爱游戏下载 while continuing to meet all your academic goals. 

GPA

Overall GPA: 2.5

Language Requirements

Language Pre-requisites: 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. 

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 爱游戏下载 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 爱游戏下载 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Every student is required to take a Spanish language course taught by 爱游戏下载 and at a level based on placement test results.  The remaining courses are selected from a range of 爱游戏下载 elective course(s) and host institution courses at the local university (UAM), in Spanish and/or English.  English-language courses at UAM are few and are all upper-division courses which will likely have pre-requisites.

Online Course Options: substitute up to two ASU online area studies courses may be taken online

Program Credit

Credit: 15-18 semester / 22.5-27 quarter credits. 

Course Credit

  • 爱游戏下载 content courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours.
  • 爱游戏下载 language courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours.
  • UAM courses: 1.5-7.5 U.S. semester / 2.25-11.25 quarter credits; 58 鈥 346 notional hours. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 爱游戏下载 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 爱游戏下载 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Classes at UAM will be scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM through 10:00 PM. Usually 100 and 200-level courses are taught in the morning and early afternoon, and 200 and 300-level courses are taught in early afternoon and evening.  Homework and assignments are established by the instructors with possible assignments to be done over the weekend.  It is very common that homework is assigned to be done in collaborative groups and interaction with fellow students and professors is expected. The semester is split up into three 鈥渦nits鈥: first unit or term, second unit or term and final exams.  UAM uses Blackboard as its learning management system (LMS) in support of class instruction. 

Classes at 爱游戏下载 are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday.  Regular class attendance and participation is expected and required.  Students will play an active role in their own education; group projects and interaction with fellow students and professors are expected.  Instructors use the Canvas LMS for supporting learning and assessment. 

ASU Courses: You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. Some are earning their degrees entirely online, while others, like you, are supplementing their education with an online course. You鈥檒l receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online. Most ASU online courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set log-in times, but make sure to verify this before the add/drop deadline in case you want to make a change.

Class Format

ASU online courses meet in 鈥渟essions鈥 that are 7.5 weeks long in semesters and 6 weeks long in the summer, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other 爱游戏下载 courses begin or end. You鈥檒l need a standard PC or Mac desktop or laptop computer with a download speed higher than 25 Mbps, as well as access to email, productivity software like Microsoft Office and other applications needed to perform a variety of educational functions. Most course materials you will need are available online. Since you are working mostly or entirely asynchronously, you鈥檙e given deadlines for your assignments by your instructor or in your syllabus, but you can work at your own pace within these due dates. Most instructors suggest a recommended pace to optimize your learning, but you have the flexibility to complete your ASU courses while pursuing your studies at your 爱游戏下载 location.

Grading

For UAM courses, the student must conform to the evaluation criteria established by the instructor in each course, including attendance.  Assessment is often limited to a midterm exam and a final exam, weighted at 20-30% and 40-60%, respectively. 

For 爱游戏下载 courses, students are assessed via quizzes, attendance, homework assignments, essays and research papers, oral presentations, class participation, and mid-term and final exams. 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 by our learning management system, Canvas. 

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. As a U.S. institution of higher education, the grading practices should be familiar to any 爱游戏下载 student. ASU awards grades of "A+," "A," "A-," "B+," " B," "B-," "C+," "C," "D," or "E.鈥 鈥淧ass/fail鈥 or 鈥淎udit鈥 is not allowed for 爱游戏下载 students. Please see the 爱游戏下载 Academic Manual for Students for more information about your grades.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 爱游戏下载 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 爱游戏下载 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

Spanish and English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for 爱游戏下载 courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and 爱游戏下载 staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3
Spanish
3
Spanish
3

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
4
Spanish
4

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3
Spanish
3
Spanish
3

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
4
Spanish
4

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit
Spanish
3

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:.鈥&苍产蝉辫;

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. 鈥疦ot all courses listed are available in all semesters. 鈥疉s 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.鈥 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.鈥 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.鈥 爱游戏下载 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.鈥 Please visit鈥痜or more information.鈥&苍产蝉辫;

爱游戏下载 proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

爱游戏下载 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 爱游戏下载 Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

Program Options
Program Options

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between 爱游戏下载 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 爱游戏下载's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple 爱游戏下载 sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

爱游戏下载 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
  • 爱游戏下载 Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the 爱游戏下载 Scholarships & Grants application within your 爱游戏下载 program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with 爱游戏下载, 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 Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $9,950
Program Spring 2026 21 weeks Start Date * End Date *
Program Spring 2025 19 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $15,950

*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 爱游戏下载's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

爱游戏下载 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 爱游戏下载 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $3,956 **
Housing $5,500 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $9,950

Optional Housing

爱游戏下载 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

爱游戏下载 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.

See Scholarships

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 鈥犫赌
Local Transportation $350 鈥犫赌犫
Books & Supplies $50
Visa Fees $0 鈥犫赌犫犫赌
Personal expenses $225 鈥犫赌犫犫赌犫
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).

鈥犫赌round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

鈥犫赌犫Round trip based on Mayabus, UAM's private bus and public bus.

鈥犫赌犫犫赌NA for students staying less than 180 days in the country.

鈥犫赌犫犫赌犫$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

爱游戏下载 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 爱游戏下载 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

爱游戏下载 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.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Program Fees

爱游戏下载 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 爱游戏下载 iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $9,956 **
Housing $5,500 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $15,950

Financial Aid

爱游戏下载 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.

See Scholarships

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 $1,120
International Airfare $670 鈥犫赌
Local Transportation $350 鈥犫赌犫
Books & Supplies $50
Personal expenses $225 鈥犫赌犫犫赌
Total Costs $2,415

*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).

鈥犫赌round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

鈥犫赌犫Round trip based on Mayabus, UAM's private bus and public bus.

鈥犫赌犫犫赌$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

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

爱游戏下载 iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Meals

Staff

Our Staff

Karla Zarco

Center Director

Karla is the Center Director of 爱游戏下载 in M茅rida, and she brings to 爱游戏下载 more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...

Alan Barroso

Program & Student Life Manager

Alan joined 爱游戏下载 M茅rida 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 爱游戏下载 M茅rida. She is motivated by her experience abroad in France and loves to exchange intercultural experiences with students. Celia holds a Master in...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here鈥檚 what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

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.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info