What the Mexico Culture and Language program has to offer • An intense social science experience in a beautiful, historic area of Mexico
• An exploration of the rich history of the prehispanic Mayan civilization and its influence in Mexican culture
• Academic visits to archaeological sites throughout the Yucatán
• Cultural events and excursions led by IFSA-Butler staff, including visits to historic towns, nature preserves, local museums, beaches, theaters and cooking lessons
Excursions and field work
• The IFSA-Butler orientation includes a day trip to the archaeological site of Dzibilchanltun and to the beach port of Progreso
• Orientation also includes a bus tour of Mérida with historical information and social composition
• The program fee includes three day-long field work experiences that are part of the academic program; destinations include an archaeological site in a historical town, fishing village, or nature preserve
• IFSA-Butler staff also organize outings to cultural events, museums and theaters
• Additional event at students' expense: Four-day optional trip to the Inframundo: Includes visits to cenotes and other lesser-known sites of archeological import, lodging and some meals. Cost: US $600.
Housing
• Host family housing is arranged by IFSA-Butler
• Program fee includes three meals per day
Academics
• Program is designed exclusively for IFSA-Butler students
• At the end of the three field work excursions, all students are required to write a one-page paper that will be evaluated and counted as part of all three courses
• Spanish Language is a mandatory course for all students on the program
• Program consists of two levels:
Advanced I: Intermediate-level students (three semesters of university-level Spanish) take two or three classes. Students enroll in Intermediate Spanish Language and either Introduction to Underwater Archaeology or History of Mayan Culture and Civilization.
Advanced II: Advanced-level students (four or more semesters of university-level Spanish) enroll in two or three classes. In addition to Advanced Spanish, students may choose to enroll in one or two of the following classes: Mexican Anthropology, History of Mayan Culture and Civilization, Introduction to Underwater Archaeology or Doing Business in Mexico.