Culture Study Abroad Programs in Mexico

Spend one, two, or three consecutive six-week blocks studying abroad in Mérida – a beautiful, historic, colonial city just a 20-minute drive from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. When class is in session, you'll enroll in courses taught in English at CIEE Yucatán, where you'll be in the perfect place to advance academically, as Mérida hosts more than a dozen universities and several Mexican national research facilities. Outside the classroom, you'll have every opportunity to explore biodiverse nature reserves, UNESCO archaeological sites, and historic towns that make the Yucatán Peninsula so treasured. Build your study abroad adventure! Designed for students requiring a flexible study abroad experience, CIEE's Open Campus Block program was thoughtfully structured to be completely customizable. Select one, two, or three six-week blocks per term at any CIEE Open Campus Block location. Choose from Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Yucatan.

Discover ancient civilizations, ceynotes, and cochinita pibil! One of Yucatán’s most charming cities, Mérida basks in 300 days of sunshine a year. Full of Mayan and Spanish influences, it’s a fascinating place to explore cultural hallmarks as you flex your academic muscles. One of the urgent needs of Mexico, as well as the world as a whole, is to conserve natural resources. Explore aspects of ecology and sustainability including the recovery, preservation, and protection of the environment. You could also tease apart the impact of increasingly diverse communities on public and private health care in different settings.

Explore how death is understood, celebrated, and politicized across cultures in New York City, Ghana, Mexico, and Indonesia. Examine how this “taboo” subject inspires art, social movements, and cultural identities while challenging American death illiteracy. Learn from deathcare workers, spiritual leaders, and grassroots organizers. Study cultural practices from Ghana’s celebrations of life to Mexico’s rituals and Indonesia’s traditional art to see how societies confront mortality and create meaning through death. This program offers the choice to do a minor in global studies or medical humanities. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, meals, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

Travel to the enchanting colonial city of Oaxaca, Mexico for an unforgettable Spanish immersion experience. Delve into the language and learn about Mexican culture in this activity-rich program. Take daily classes at the prestigious University of Oaxaca Language Department, located in the heart of Oaxaca’s colonial center. Choose from all levels of Spanish as well as from elective classes in Literature, History, Culture, and Fine Arts. The city itself is nestled in a valley surrounded by stunning mountains. Excursions to the Monte Alban archeological site, Hierve el Ague mountain springs, and to the surrounding Indigenous villages – such as Teotitlán del Valle, famous for its weaving traditions – are included. Volunteer to practice your Spanish skills and learn more about life in Oaxaca. Refine your Spanish through afternoon cultural activities such as the traditional Mexican cooking class, printmaking workshop, and city tours. Oaxaca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is ranked as one of the best travel cities in the world. Come and experience first-hand all that it has to offer! This program is open to all levels of Spanish.

The National Registration Center for Study Abroad has partnered with The Mayan Riviera Spanish School to bring students the opportunity to study the language in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Located a short distance from pristine white sand beaches, the school has designed its programs to accentuate its unique Caribbean location. The school features open-style architecture, with most classes and on-site cultural activities taking place in thatched roof learning areas called palapas, which are surrounded by tropical gardens. The school design creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere in which to intensively learn Spanish.

Explore Merida and the Yucatán through visits to weaving cooperatives, ancient Mayan ruins, cenotes, and local farms. Volunteer in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2.3, which aims to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, especially women, indigenous peoples, and family farmers, through access to resources, knowledge, and market opportunities. This 7-day adventure offers meaningful service and deep immersion in Mexico’s culture. Transferable college credit in Global Studies is available to high school juniors, seniors, and current college students. Community members may audit the course. Based on the Harvard Global Citizenship curriculum and led by a National Geographic Certified Educator.

Discover Mexico's cultural richness, traditions, and customs while you significantly improve (or get) your Spanish language skills. The course explores different components of Mexican cultural identity, including art, history, and traditions. All the lectures are taught in English by high-profile academics from one of Latin America’s most renowned private universities. Beyond the classroom, you go on excursions to must-see cultural and touristic places in Mexico City and participate in complimentary activities, such as Mexican cooking classes and Latin dancing lessons. The program guarantees complete immersion into Mexican culture through an academic perspective and firsthand experience with local families while living in a homestay accommodation. Furthermore, you will receive personalized guidance (in English) from the Student Mobility Office staff and access to all campus facilities (gym, library, computer labs, etc.).

Combine it all by joining a NOLs gap semester or gap year program – adventure, wilderness education, academic study, and plenty of invaluable experiences! Connect with yourself and the outdoors and gain a head start in your university studies or career with a life-changing gap year (or semester). Gain personal growth, different perspectives, and newfound confidence—all providing useful throughout your lifetime. We have worldwide campuses in India, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, the Rockies, Patagonia, East Africa, and so much more. Travel where you want, immersing yourself in new environments and diverse cultures. Join us for around 2.5 to 4.5 months, depending on whether it's a gap semester or a gap year program. Looking to make the most of your time out from school after high school graduation, mid-university, or after getting your degree? Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about our gap semester or gap year programs at NOLS.