Study Abroad Programs in State of Yucatan, Mexico

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.