Transatlantic Studies in Merida, Mexico
Transatlantic Studies in Merida, Mexico
- Next planned program offering is Winter Break 2025
- Complete SPAN 346 or 442, which are both major and minor level courses
- Live with a host family
- Participate in cultural activities
This faculty-led program allows students to earn 3 credits of Spanish major or minor credit while living with a host family and exploring the local sites of interest to learn more about the history of the region and the influences across continents. KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement is partnering with CIEE, a study abroad provider, to offer this program.
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. During January, Mérida will be celebrating the anniversary of the city (founded in 1542) and there will be many performances, including dance, music, and theater. Outside of Mérida there are Mayan architectural sites, Spanish haciendas, biodiverse natural reserves, and cenote swimming holes.
Students will enroll in one course and earn 3 credits. Students who have not yet taken SPAN 346 will enroll in SPAN 346: Transatlantic Hispanic Cultures (3 credits). Those students who have already taken SPAN 346 will enroll in SPAN 442: Special Topics in Latin American Literature & Cultures: Transatlantic Studies in Mérida, Mexico. Both courses meet a requirement for the Spanish major and minor. All students will have two class sessions prior to their departure for Mérida and one after returning. In addition, students enrolling in SPAN 442 will do additional literary readings and analytical activities related to Mexico.
While in Mexico, the group will have class during the week at the CIEE Yucatan Center. The KU faculty director and a local CIEE instructor will co-teach the course. The group will also have two lectures and participate in cultural activities and to deepen the understanding of the classroom content.
CIEE will match students with a homestay family. There will be one or two students per homestay in individual rooms. The homestay will include two meals per day as well as internet access.
All students will need to have data accessible on their cell phone and not just rely on Wi-Fi during the program.
Classes will take place weekdays at the CIEE Center and students will take public transportation or taxis to arrive. In addition to a couple of invited lecturers, it's planned that there will be an activity with local students to meet and speak with them. There will also be several cultural activities to complement learning. It’s planned that the group will visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, which holds more than 1,000 Mayan artifacts and a henequen hacienda, where the fiber was made into ropes and other products. Other planned activities include a visit to a local market, a cooking class, and a Latin rhythms dance class.
A weekend excursion to Chichen Itzá and Valladolid is also planned. Chichen Itzá, located near Valladolid, is one of the most famous pre-Columbian cities built by the Maya and was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by UNESCO. Students will have the opportunity to discover the archeological site and swim in a cenote.
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. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities 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.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to KU students who will have successfully completed SPAN 324 and SPAN 328 by the time of the program. The minimum GPA requirement is a 2.5, though exceptions are considered after submitting a petition.
Stuart Day, Professor in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, the Dean of the School of Professional Studies, and Vice Provost of the Edwards Campus will lead the program. Vice Provost Day's main area of teaching and research is contemporary Latin American literature, with a focus on theater and performance in Mexico. He has previously led other study abroad programs.
Read more about the state of Yucatán, where Mérida is located, as well as the city of Mérida itself. Keep an eye on the events section for updated information for MéridaFest 2025.
Passport and entry requirements
All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Mexico. The U.S. Department of State recommends it's valid for six months beyond the return date. No tourist visa is required. For students who need to apply for an adult passport, please view the processing times and apply for one soon. 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 understanding their entry requirements. Be in touch with KU Study Abroad with questions.