Spanish Language & Mexican Culture

Yucatan, Mexico

Language & Culture

Select a Term...

Dates

Jun 8 - Jul 5, 2025

4 weeks

Costs

$4,950

Highlights

College credit option

Daily cultural activities

Immersion with a host family

Extended Deadline

May 1, 2025

Request Information

Dates

Jul 6 - Aug 2, 2025

4 weeks

Costs

$4,950

Highlights

College credit option

Daily cultural activities

Immersion with a host family

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Request Information

Strengthen your Spanish immersed in the modern and Mayan culture of Yucatan.

Grow your Spanish with four weeks of language immersion in one of the safest and most scenic cities in Mexico—Mérida. After language classes, engage in conversations with locals at bustling markets and on visits to cultural centers, like The Palace of Music and The Great Museum of the Mayan World. Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of lively squares, such as the iconic Plaza Grande, and get to know about the local culture while watching the Mayan ball game Pok ta Pok or the jarana dance during La Vaquería.

Living with a host family will immerse you in the rich traditions of Mexican life. Experience weekend excursions to awe-inspiring places, such as El Corchito, where you’ll dive into refreshing cenotes among lush mangroves, sleep at the colorful colonial town of Valladolid before your adventure at Chichén Itza and el pueblo mágico (magic town) of Valladolid, where you’ll find Chichén Itza, a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayans. In Yucatan, you’ll take your Spanish to the next level and unlock a world of adventure among Mayan ruins and history.

A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future

Live the Language

Have fun experiencing authentic immersion in the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

Network

Meet new friends and gain a new family. Make lasting memories and connections.

Get Inspired

Launch your future today! Jump up a level in Spanish. Shine on college applications.

The Destination

Welcome to Mérida, a small city known for its Mayan treasures, colonial buildings, and centuries of tradition.

Named the 2nd safest city in the American continent (after Quebec City), calm and clean Mérida provides a student-friendly environment buzzing with things to discover. This small capital is in southeastern Mexico, in the Yucatán peninsula, about 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Famous as a tourist destination, the city of 995,000 has the highest percentage of indigenous people (60%) in Mexico, making it a perfect place to study the history and culture of the country. Several highly-ranked universities and research institutions are based in Mérida.

The Mayan ruins are the main attraction, but there’s so much to love. Vibrant buildings, grand plazas, and beautiful churches are at every corner. Nearby, there are botanical gardens, biodiverse nature reserves, white-sand beaches, and pueblos ��á��ǲ�, villages that look like something out of a storybook. Mayan influences are alive in Yucatán’s traditions and food. Papdzules (hard egg boiled tacos covered in a creamy roasted pumpkin seeds sauce, topped with tomato sauce), aguas frescas (juices made out fresh local fruits like mango, dragon fruit, limes, oranges and more) and marquesitas (a crispy sweet wafer rolled as a taco and stuffed with salty shredded cheese) are a must-try!

Cultural Awareness

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

Social feed above may feature posts from all ��Ϸ�� Study Abroad programs, including college programs.

Sample Itinerary

Objective

Get ready to transition into Yucatecan culture! You will explore your own identity (Level 1), or Mexican routines and customs (Level 2), or important places and the history of Merida (Level 3). You will also learn how to navigate the city, safety protocols and how to communicate in culturally appropriate ways.

Your language level is determined through a language proficiency test before you arrive on program.

Highlights*

City tour of iconic places in historic downtown
Sacavenger Hunt around the city
Day trip to the beach and ecological reserve

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will explore the theme of community (Level 1) by learning how to describe places, locations, and express your needs and preferences around topics such as Mexican food, fashion, and community events. Express your opinion, compare, and engage in discussions about Merida’s creative and cultural side(Levels 2 and 3).

Highlights*

"Día de Muertos" (Day of the Dead) representation and food tasting
Local craft class
Latin rhythms dance class
Visit to Maya museum
Overnight trip to Valladolid and Chichen Itza
Swimming at "Cenotes", natural sinkholes filled with water

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will discover more about Merida and Mexico. You will learn how to give and follow directions, describe places, weather, and express intentions (Level 1), or express your opinions, dramatize, and ask for and give information about the city (Level 2), or learn to persuade, justify, and engage in discussions on different public awareness issues that you have seen during your time in Merida (Levelo 3).

Highlights*

Cooking class of traditional Yucatecan food
Visit to the zoo
Guacamole contest
Visit to local market
Movies afternoon
Day trip to Uxmal and Chocolate museum

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will put your new language skills into practice and reflect on your personal growth and look into the benefits of traveling and respectfully adapting to other cultures. You will share with your peers your future intentions and the impact of your study abroad experience (Levels 1,2,3).

Highlights*

Visit to historic Hacienda Yaxcopoil (Sisal plantation)
Meet and greet with local students
Piñata making
Final projects presentations
Farewell Party

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

�ѴǲԻ岹��–F��岹��&�Բ��;

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.

Breakfast at your homestay
Engaging Spanish classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers
Bagged lunch with your fellow Global Navigators
Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity
Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay

�±��Ի�� &�Բ��;

Overnight or day excursions to top sites
Quality time with friends and your host family

Housing

Carefully-Screened Homestay

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Top Rated Activities

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

Experience the real Mexico at the pueblo mágico of Valladolid. Step in front of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá.
Live an adventure safari-style at the Animaya Zoo and recognize the richness of Yucatán’s nature. Spot monkeys, ostriches, emus, flamingos, and more!
Try your hand at making traditional and beloved Mexican dishes with expert tips from a Mexican chef.
Hop on a lancha (small boat) and head to El Corchito ecological reserve. Have a refreshing swim in freshwater cenotes surrounded by mangroves.
Dive into the warm and clear turquoise water at the Progreso Beach in the Gulf of Mexico sea. Play beach volleyball or just relax under the sun listening to the calming waves.
Get ready for an epic guacamole contest. Team up with friends to create a unique guacamole with a secret ingredient and claim a tasty reward.

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at ��Ϸ��'s discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience. 

What Students Are Saying

“My favorite memory is the Mayan pyramids. I was going to give up halfway up but was proud of myself at the end!”

Isis H., ��Ϸ�� Global Navigator Alum
“I loved when my friends and I visited Chichen Itza and got to learn about the culture behind it. I also loved when we accidentally stumbled upon a store that also happened to be a ��í��. The lady in charge spoke to us about the history of clothing and the different types of sacred stitching!”

Yasmeen H., ��Ϸ�� Global Navigator Alum
"It’s honestly a once in a lifetime opportunity you can’t let pass by. I didn’t know anyone in my Mexico program and wasn't sure what to expect, but it was mind-blowing and I enjoyed every minute of it!”

Brenda H., ��Ϸ�� Global Navigator Alum
“I learned far more than just Spanish language and culture from participating in the program!”

Jessica B., ��Ϸ�� Global Navigator Alum

From ��Ϸ��

Getting to know Mérida

By Shannon Grand at ��Ϸ��

Today, students got to explore Mérida and get to know its historic and cultural center, which is very close to the ��Ϸ�� center. They set out in groups on a... keep reading

Teens with a host family high school summer abroad

From ��Ϸ��

7 Things to Know ��Ϸ�� High School Summer Abroad Housing

By High School Summer Abroad at ��Ϸ��

High school summer abroad is not just about teens exploring a topic in an exciting location. It’s also about finding a temporary home away from home. Read the 7 things you should know about our housing options.

From ��Ϸ��

How To Write a Great Scholarship Application Essay

By HS Summer Abroad Program Leaders at ��Ϸ��

Earning a ��Ϸ�� Global Navigator Scholarship is a prestigious honor that can help you stand out for years to come, especially on college applications! Plus, these scholarships give hundreds of... keep reading

Tips

Eligibility

Participants must be 14 years old and above.
Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—of all Spanish language proficiency levels. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program.
For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our ��Ǳ��󾱱� p��.

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25

Optional College Credit Fee

$150

Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Costs
Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks	May 1, 2025	Start Date June 8, 2025	End Date July 5, 2025	Costs $4,950
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks	Application Due Deadline Passed	Start Date July 6, 2025	End Date August 2, 2025	Costs $4,950

Ready to change your life?

or Contact Us

What’s Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Our Staff

Karla Zarco

Center Director

Karla is the Center Director of ��Ϸ�� in Mérida, and she brings to ��Ϸ�� more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...

Program Leaders

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.