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Mérida
3.0 (4.0 scale)
3-4 semesters of university-level Spanish or equivalent
June-July (6 weeks)
April 1
http://www.uady.mx/indexf.html
Emily Keene

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 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
• Cooking classes and exposure to the unique regional cuisine
• 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
• Students earn 7-10 U.S. semester credit hours
• 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.