Global Business & Entrepreneurship in Mérida, Mexico

• Visit technology firms, global organizations, and manufacturers to gain firsthand insight into international business and innovation. 
• Be exposed to startup ecosystems through incubators and research parks that highlight entrepreneurship and emerging industries.
• Engage with social enterprises to better understand community development and sustainability-focused business models. 
• Be immersed in Mérida’s historic sites, explore local heritage, and understand the influence of culture and heritage on business practices.
• Earn 3 hours of academic credit which can be applied to your major and as a 3-hour IDR credit.

The  Global Business & Entrepreneurship in Mérida, Mexico winter break study abroad program is scheduled to run from January 2 –  January 11, 2027.

This Global Business & Entrepreneurship in Mérida, Mexico program immerses students in international business and entrepreneurship through experiential learning. Students engage with startups, global firms, and innovation hubs, gaining insight into technology, consulting, and social enterprise. Mérida’s safety, affordability, and entrepreneurial ecosystem make it an ideal setting for global learning. The program also incorporates cultural exploration of historic sites, helping students understand how cultural context shapes business practices while building a global mindset.

Mérida, Mexico

Mérida is the capital of the Yucátan state and has a population of around one million. The area is rich in history of the indigenous Mayan people and filled with colonial architecture. It’s also a modern city with several universities and important museums. Mérida is an excellent location for business students because it combines a stable economic environment, strong regional industry, and a uniquely global cultural context — all in one of the safest, most livable cities in Mexico. 

All students will enroll in one of the following courses for three credit hours:

• ENTR 400 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship (approved elective for the minor in Entrepreneurship and the Management & Leadership major) OR
• IBUS 499: Topics in International Business (approved elective for the Co-major or Minor in international business or the Management and Leadership Major)

Through participation in this study abroad programs, students will:

• Identify and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities in the Mexican market by analyzing local customer needs, resource availability, and competitive dynamics.
• Apply entrepreneurial frameworks (e.g., value proposition design, business model canvas, lean startup principles) to startups, social enterprises, and tourism ventures observed during site visits.
• Compare forms of entrepreneurship—technology startups, social enterprises, lifestyle businesses, and nonprofit ventures—within the Mérida ecosystem.
• Analyze how culture, institutions, and economic conditions in Mexico influence venture creation, innovation, and growth.
• Evaluate the role of entrepreneurship in regional development, including job creation, social impact, and quality‑of‑life outcomes.
• Analyze cross‑cultural differences in business practices and communication between Mexico and the United States.
• Communicate entrepreneurial insights through written analysis and presentations based on direct engagement with entrepreneurs and organizations.

In addition, students enrolled in KU Core 34 can complete the Global Culture goal and earn an additional three hours of course credit by completing the Global Business & Entrepreneurship study abroad experience and UNIV 342: Sponsored Educational Experience.  UNIV 342 is a 3-credit hour asynchronous course that, when combined with a study abroad experience, satisfies the Global Culture goal of KU Core 34. 

Participants will stay in centrally located, double or triple occupancy hotels in Mérida, Mexico.  Breakfast will be provided daily.  Many lunches and group group dinners are also included in the program.  

All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more. 

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process. 

Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program. 

• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Physical and Mental Health Histories
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities 

This program is ideal for students who are pursuing degrees in the KU School of Business and who hold an interest in international business and entrepreneurship.  Students should hold a minimum 2.5 GPA and have completed one semester of college-level coursework in advance of participation.

Program Cost for Global Business & Entrepreneurship in Mérida, Mexico (will be available in mid-August)

Business School Scholarship

Business students are eligible for School of Business scholarships to participate in this program. Students who have not previously received study abroad scholarships from the Business School will have priority for scholarship awards.  For more information, application instructions, and submission details, please see the Global Business Studies' website.

The program will be led by Jana Fitchett (jfitchet@ku.edu), Lecturer and Case Competition Director in the KU School of Business.

Jana  Fitchett is a dynamic, student-centered educator with 20 years of university teaching experience and two decades of corporate leadership in sales, marketing, and small-business management.  She has led multiple study abroad programs through the KU School of Business, including recent programs offered in Spain, Panama, Italy and Israel. 

Study Abroad Program Coordinator: Angela Perryman 
Have a quick question or interested in setting up an appointment? 
Email me at: aperryman@ku.edu

Read more about the state of Yucatán, where Mérida is located, as well as the city of Mérida itself. 

Passport and entry requirements

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Mexico. The U.S. Department of State recommends a passport be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the planned date of return to the United States.  No tourist visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico.

Students who need to apply for an adult passport should do so as soon as possible.  Students can view the current processing times and application requirements on the U.S. Department of State website. KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement has a Passport Center where students can apply for a U.S. passport.

Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for investigating entry requirements specific to their country of nationality.  Please reach out to KU Study Abroad with any questions.