Study Abroad Programs in Merida, Mexico

My experience with the Nomads Physical Therapy program was very positive and meaningful. One of the best parts of the program was having the opportunity to complete observation hours and gain experience in a different physical therapy setting. It allowed me to learn more about the profession while also seeing how physical therapy is practiced in Mexico compared to the United States. I found it especially interesting to learn about the similarities and differences between physical therapy in both countries. I was also able to understand how different challenges can affect patients depending on where they live, including access to healthcare, resources, and other factors that can influence their treatment and recovery. This experience helped me appreciate the importance of adapting care to each person's individual situation. Another great part of the program was meeting new people and making connections with other students and professionals. I was able to make new friends and create relationships that made the experience even more enjoyable. Everyone was welcoming, and I felt that I was able to learn not only from the physical therapy experiences but also from the people around me. The weekend excursions were also a very interesting and informative part of the program. They gave us the opportunity to explore new places, learn about the culture and history, and experience more of what Mexico has to offer outside of the clinical setting. Overall, Nomads Physical Therapy was a very good experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I gained valuable observation experience, learned more about physical therapy in different countries, met great people, and created memories and connections that I will carry with me in the future. I would definitely recommend this program to other physical therapy students looking for an educational and enjoyable experience abroad.

This is truly an amazing program lead by people who care about students and the importance of global perspectives. Me and 6 other students spent our time at Merida Yucatan, MX where we gained 75 verified observational hours shadowing licensed physical therapists in diverse and hands-on clinical settings. Cultural immersion was a pivotal theme in our time in Merida learning about the different yet important components physical therapy has to offer across borders. We also had the opportunity for weekend guided excursions to cenotes, Mayan ruins ,and local landmarks .This program not only created lasting friendships but also built my initiative, adaptability and global perspective necessary for my future in Physical Therapy! I’d highly recommend to anyone interested @nomad.physicaltherapy

This experience changed my life. I feel like I grew in ways here I didn’t know was possible. I learned so much both inside and outside the classroom. I met the nicest most amazing people and made memories to last a lifetime. I will be forever grateful for this experience.

CIEE develops a person in many areas of life, not only specific to their academic advancement. I've learned to represent myself in a professional setting better as well as observe the importance of intercultural AND intracultural communication alongside my peers.

This trip was perfect. Getting ready with the paperwork was a little stressful, but once that was finished all I had to do was go. Getting their was smooth with no problems and were given a good amount free time and freedom to go where we want, while also being safe and accountable as to where we were. Getting to try the food and experience the culture was the best part. All the locals there were so kind and I didn't feel like we were just tourists getting in the way. I would love to go on another gcac trip!

I have been working with Bethel University Global Studies Program as an educator/chaperone since 2016 and the programs they offer have never failed to disappoint. They are always well planned and packed full of the best educational opportunities and travel experiences. This year's program to Merida, Mexico was no exception. My students thoroughly enjoyed the interactions with the locals, visiting ancient archaeological sites, dining at traditional Mexican restaurants, swimming in pristine cenotes, and spending a wonderful afternoon at the beach. On top of all this, my students were able to earn college credit while experiencing all the wonders that Mexico has to offer. Bethel Global Studies has always gone above and beyond to ensure that my students and I have always had the best experiences abroad. They are the best program by far I have ever traveled with, and I would recommend them to any student, educator, or thrill seeker that wants to experience a life changing trip that checks all the boxes.

There was many fun things. The cenotes were fun especially the roofed off one. There was cat fish in all of them and they were all cute they did not even bother you. One of the cenotes had bats and the other boys decide to bother them and got scared it was very funny. The beach was also very fun i swam in the saltiest water i very tasted and felt in my eyes. The thing i loved the most was all the ancient structure like chichen Itza, ek balam and many other ancient structures. There is so much more like the food and everything. This was an amazing and thank you all to the team at bethel for everything.

Seriously, Mexico with Bethel University was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The Dual Enrollment part was cooler than I expected, but the actual trip was amazing. It was crazy to see the old Mayan ruins in person; you can’t really appreciate them from a textbook. We went swimming in the coolest cenotes, too. But talking to the families we met and hearing their stories was definitely the most intense part; I’ve never felt like a more privileged, oblivious person before. The reason it didn’t feel like an ordinary vacation was that we were still learning the whole time – about sustainability, about history, and how to be a good global citizen. Our guides were so smart and nice, and the program leaders always had everything under control. And all the things we were learning somehow connected to my classes, making everything click in a new way. Honestly, if you’re even thinking about doing a trip like this. Just do it. You’ll be a completely different person in the best way.

I would highly recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend or peer because of the incredible opportunities it provides for cultural immersion, personal growth, and academic enrichment. My experience with CIEE allowed me to develop global competence by stepping outside my comfort zone and fully integrating into a new culture. The program offers strong academic support, exciting excursions, and scholarship opportunities that make studying abroad more accessible. It's an unforgettable experience that broadens perspectives, builds independence, and opens doors to international opportunities.

I think the program with CIEE is a good experience to meet people from around the country. It’s nice to meet people who you would have never met before, and all have similar academic and career goals as yourself.

In this program you attend a local university, stay with a local family, and have tons of opportunities to volunteer or explore something you’re interested in. This is a great way to really be a part of your host community and connect with people there. I often played card games with my host family, we grew very close, and I continue to talk to them even after I’ve come back home. Mérida is a place that will always be a part of me and a place I feel I will always be welcome. The excursions are also interactive with visits to museums, archaeological sites, and local communities which means there are so many different ways to learn and explore. Sometimes there were challenges in adjusting to a new culture and the different academic expectations but the IFSA team in Merida is really supportive and has lots of resources to help you. Merida is also close to the beach and a few hours drive from popular sites like Playa del Carmen. One of my favorite memories is a trip some friends and I took to Cozumel as a recommendation from the on-site team! Honestly, if I could go on thus study abroad program again, I would.

The cultural immersion in this program was like no other. I lived with a host mom, Rebecca, and she helped me grow during my semester in Merida. She taught me the bus systems and helped me grow more comfortable speaking Spanish. She helped me learn how to get to the beach by myself. The IFSA programs are structured to have full immersion with a host family and to attend the local universities, but it is really the people who make all the difference. The Merida program has lovely people who are there to support students.

I studied abroad in Mexico as part of IFSA's Spring 2019 Mérida Universities Program. Overall, it was an absolutely incredible and rewarding experience, but of course there were pros and cons! Pros: Coursework: There's a reason it's called STUDY abroad, and I personally LOVED the three classes I took at the local university. As someone who goes to a liberal arts college, I was quite concerned about the classes at a nationally renowned public university being too large, but they were honestly quite comparable in size to what I am used to. All of my professors were excellent, and all of my classmates were extremely kind, patient, and intelligent. I took all of my courses at the UADY's School of Anthropology, specifically in the departments of Latin American Literature, Communications, and Tourism. Location: Mérida itself may be calm for a city, but I still found plenty of things to do. One of my favorite activities was going to the movie theater with my friends as well as visiting local artisan craft shops. The nightlife was also always such a blast! The city's location in the peninsula of Yucatán makes it super easy to travel domestically by bus, not only to neighboring beach towns but also to more well-known tourist-y hotspots such as Cancún and Tulum as well. If you are interested in Mayan history and architecture, Mérida is also a 1.5 hour bus ride away from Chichén Itzá and 1 hour away from Uxmal. I think it's also important to mention that it is incredibly safe, and even as a woman I felt comfortable walking around alone at night. Finally, the Spanish accent in Yucatán was very neutral and easy to understand. Management: The team at IFSA was incredible at all stages of the study abroad process! They were always super willing to help me with any random questions or adjustment issues. I haven't heard of any other program with a support system as well-developed as the one at IFSA! I am still in touch with the On-Site Program Director because everyone truly cares about your well-being. Host Family: All my friends and I had great experiences with our host families. We lived in very comfortable houses, and you can't complain about eating Yucatecan food everyday. Cons: Academic Rigor: The program was not super strict about people speaking Spanish, so it was hard keeping other American students in the program accountable with language immersion. I dealt with this by spending adequate time with my friends that I met at the UADY, and speaking to my host mom. Like other people have mentioned, the way in which classes were structured was reminiscent of the teaching style in American high-schools, which might be off-putting to those who want to be very challenged academically. However, I personally still found value from learning in this way. Transportation: The bus system in Mérida was incredibly convenient, but also kind of complicated and overwhelming at the beginning because there were no signs on the bus telling you where you were. Definitely gather a group of friends when you take the bus to go to school for the first time if you are nervous about this. Weather: If you like the sun and the heat like I do, Mérida is the place for you. However, if you can't stand it, definitely prepare yourself adequately. Most homes, like mine, had no A.C. whatsoever, and during May, the weather got up to 40 degrees celsius daily. You will also be walking a lot. From January to April, the weather was usually in the mid-20s in celsius, with nights generally being much cooler than the days. All in all, I think this is a completely underrated study abroad program in Latin America, and I would highly recommend it to almost all Spanish-speakers who want to learn in a culturally-rich and beautiful location!

I am so so thankful that I had the opportunity to study abroad with IFSA in Mérida. It was such an amazing semester that I will never forget. Not only did I learn a lot about the culture and language, but I also learned a lot about myself. It was a great way to push myself out of my comfort zone and experience and try new things. Going abroad taught me the importance of being a global citizen, and seeing the world from various perspectives. For example, while in Mérida, I took 3 classes at the local university (la Universidad Autónoma de la Yucatán) where I was able to think critically and study important political, cultural, etc. issues from different viewpoints. Also, since all my classes were in Spanish, my language skills improved drastically, and IFSA staff gave me the necessary support to succeed. For my program, we also took classes with IFSA staff, which helped me to develop strong relationships with the IFSA staff and the other students in my program. I created life long friendships during my time abroad, with both the local community and other students in my program This program provided many opportunities for community involvement and cultural immersion. Almost every weekend, my program visited the various cultural and historical sites in the area, and there are many different opportunities to volunteer with the local community. For example, during my time abroad, I completed an education internship in which I volunteered at a local middle school and helped to teach English to the students. This was a great opportunity to interact with and learn about my host community hands-on. Additionally, every student lives with a host family. I absolutely loved my experience living with my family, and I still stay in contact with them to this day. This was a great way to learn about the culture, heritage, food, and language. Living with a host family was the best way to truly immerse yourself in the culture. Going abroad has given me a new passion to learn about other cultures and languages, and has taught me to be open-minded and accepting of all people. I am forever grateful for this wonderful opportunity!

I would be likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to any student who does not have much abroad experience and or an beginner/low intermediate knowledge of the country's language. I feel the staff do an exceptional job with supporting students and helping with many of the logistical aspects of study abroad. However, I do feel that by taking the initiative to figure out and complete logistical tasks while abroad is an amazing learning opportunity for any student who has a strong command for the language and in this case I would recommend directly enrolling in a university instead of going through a study abroad non/for profit.

Studying abroad was an incredible experience for me, as I was traveling to Mexico in order to better understand my identity as a Mexican-American. I did not grow up speaking Spanish- I only learned it in school. For this and many other reasons, I have always struggled with connecting to who I am. The IFSA-Butler Mérida Universities program provided me a unique opportunity to challenge my ideas of myself and of who I hope to be. I learned not only about myself, but about the journey my family took to the United States and the challenges the women in my family have faced and continue to grapple with everyday. I was incredibly nervous to study in Mexico. Before I left, it felt like the four months I would spend in Mérida would never end and that I would never be able to fulfill the expectations I had set for myself. Admittedly, many of these expectations were impractical, but the IFSA staff was always there to help me when I needed it. My host mother was there to listen to me. My local classmates at the university were there to challenge my thought processes and also to accept me for who I am. I left Mexico in December unable to believe that four months had passed so incredibly quickly. The IFSA program in Mérida challenges students to confront their places in society and the spaces they occupy. Our identities and the impacts we have on others were always at the center of discussion and at the forefront of our minds. IFSA pushes its students to redifine themselves and to be okay with feeling uncomfortable. I am incredibly grateful to IFSA for challenging me to confront who I am and to finally feel comfortable calling myself Mexican-American.

I decided to study abroad as a student of the IFSA-Butler Mérida program because of its public health concentration and its location in Mérida. The connections I saw between the course offerings, the extracurricular opportunities (observerships in primary health care settings and service learning through the associated medical school's community health fairs), and my own studies at my home university were more than ideal. Additionally, IFSA-Butler in Mérida offers the unique opportunity to be a student at more than one academic institution. I had classes at UADY, the medical school of UADY, and Universidad Modelo, and that allowed me to get to know and appreciate different academic cultures and systems within a single city. Our program directors were really great about encouraging a more critical perspective and understanding of community and culture: our own, Mérida's, and México's as a whole. In addition to Yucatán-specific academic readings and discussions, we had excursions to archeological sites and some of the cultural events in el centro. In combination, this allowed me to better understand the history and culture of Yucatán beyond simply reading about it or hearing about it in conversation. I would absolutely recommend this program to other students. In fact, I already have--several times! The structure and support of the program were excellent, and even if you don't think Mérida may be for you (in terms of your interests in México), that's all the more reason to go! The regional diversity of México is incredible. I'm sure you'll find the entire experience to be truly valuable.

This was a great option to study abroad and gain skills speaking Spanish for the summer. I could not take a whole semester to go abroad and I saw and learned so many amazing things in Merida and the surrounding area. Between Mayan ruins, to museums, to cenotes, and a 4 day trip to Cuba, they kept us busy and it was definitely a worthwhile experience.