Study Abroad Programs in Merida, 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.

Welcome to a modern city with ancient roots! With 300 days of sunshine a year, a reputation as one of Latin America’s safest environments, and two outstanding universities, Mérida has plenty of allure. Dig into rich layers of Mayan culture. Take advantage of opportunities to build language skills as you study and socialize with peers at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and Universidad Modelo. And round it all out with unique excursions and a homestay to enhance local connection. Our IFSA Mérida Universities Program offers semester programs at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) and Universidad Modelo in stunning Mérida, Mexico, allowing you to study alongside local students and experience two types of Mexican higher education institutions.

Your First Year Abroad program in Mérida lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Mexican culture. Live and learn in Mérida! Mérida is Mexico’s cultural gem, full of history, color, and spirited traditions – a wonderful backdrop for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks wandering the plazas of Plaza Grande, tasting cochinita pibil at Mercado Lucas de Gálvez, and discovering the art and music scenes throughout the city. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Mérida is the perfect place to study abroad.

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.