Monumento a la Patria a sculpture near Merida, Mexico

Study Abroad in Mexico

Explore Mayan ruins and immerse yourself in the Spanish language

Centre-in-Mexico is located in Mérida, Mexico, a vibrant, historic, and beautiful city on the Yucatan Peninsula, cradled between Mayan ruins and the Caribbean coast. Students have two study pathways to choose from. The first is Centre-in-the-Yucatan, and the second is through a small Spanish-immersion program at Marista University.

Centre student sitting in front of Mayan ruins in Yucatan, Mexico

Program Option

Centre in the Yucatan

This program is led by a Centre College faculty member who teaches two of the courses offered. All students are placed in homestays with families that have hosted Centre students for many years. Each homestay is handpicked by our on-site coordinator and matches the needs and preferences of students selected for the program. The Centre-planned and paid-for excursions around the Yucatan peninsula are highlights of the program. Recent programs have also spent a week in Cuba.

Colorful city architecture against a blue sky near Merida, Mexico

Program Option

Marista University

The Universidad Marista de Mérida, with a student population of about 2,225, was founded in 1996 and is part of the Marist brotherhood congregation, a Catholic order founded in 1817 in France. The Marista program is a great option for independent, very advanced Spanish speaking students. Spanish comprehension, reading, and writing skills are a must since all courses are taught in Spanish.

Courses and Cost

The Fall 2023/Spring 2024 program will be directed by Professor Genny Ballard, Professor of Spanish. 

All students will take:

  • Culture and Identity in Modern Mexico (LAS350) 
  •  A Spanish course at the appropriate level (Spanish majors may take a course in both language and literature)*

Tentative options include:

  • Spanish Fundamentals (SPA 110) 
  •  Spanish 120 
  • Intermediate Spanish I (SPA 210)
  •  Intermediate Spanish II (SPA 220)
  • Advanced Spanish Conversation (SPA 240) 
  •  Introduction to Literary Analysis (SPA 250)
  • Spanish American Culture (SPA 271)

In addition, students will choose from the following courses:

  • Ancient Maya Culture (ANT 451) 
  • Human Ecology in the Yucatan (ENS 251) 
  • Critical approaches to Music, Art, and Dance of Mexico (SPA 371)

* Note: It is possible for Spanish majors to take three Spanish courses if eligible

Selection of courses provided by the Universidad Marista de Mérida.

Estimated cost: the same as studying in Danville, plus a $375 deposit (surcharge/emergency fund/carbon offset), and a $25 travel medicine fee for a total of $400. Flights to the abroad site are also the responsibility of the student.

Study in Mexico Information