Mexico's subtropical Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect place to learn, or brush up on your Spanish, whatever your major. Washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan is also home to a panoply of well-preserved Maya sites, including six of Mexico's 31 UNESCO World Heritage sites. And the Maya culture is not just an ancient phenomenon; Maya pueblos, where traditional language, folklore, religion, food, and customs are preserved, still dot the Yucatan. For students of economics and business, the region is an ideal place to study the effects--both good and bad--of NAFTA. And you don't have to be an environmental scientist to appreciate the Yucatan's biodiversity; the peninsula has everything from rainforests to crystal beaches, with abundant flora and fauna to match. With its reliance on tourism, the Yucatan is one of Mexico's most secure and best-developed regions, as well as its most fascinating.

The tranquil, colonial city of Merida will be your point of arrival and your base in the Yucatan. The city is a wonderful blend of Mayan, Hispanic, and modern-day Mexican cultures--not to mention colorful birds, wily geckos, and bejeweled beetles. Merida is the capital of the Yucatan but still has plenty of local charm, with elegant architecture, open-air markets, a variety of museums, and delicious regional cuisine. And don't be fooled by the old world atmosphere; the city has free wireless in all its public parks. Cosmopolitan and friendly, Merida also has a vivid cultural life of theater, dance, music, street festivals, sports, and folklore. On weekends, the nearest beaches are a mere 20 miles away.

Program Description

The Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY), founded in 1922, is the oldest and largest university in southern Mexico. The university is also ranked among the top 10 public universities in the country. It has campuses all over the city of Merida. With 18,000 students and a faculty of 1,300, UADY offers 42 bachelor degrees as well as 24 masters programs. The schools of Business and Medicine (UADY boasts one of Mexico's most prestigious medical faculties) are UADY's two most competitive. The School of Anthropology has courses in History, Literature, Anthropology, Archeology, Communications, and Tourism, all of which are open to Rutgers students. In addition, UADY has a well-developed service learning program, open to international students, in which credit for "international service learning" can be earned.

Information at a Glance

• Academics

• Academic Calendar

• Accommodations and Meals

• Safety in the Yucatan

• Program Costs

• Scholarships
  

• Travel Brochure

For more information about this program, please visit the University of the Yucatan website.