SPANISH: LANGUAGE & CULTURE IN THE MEXICAN CONTEXT

Program Dates: June 28 - July 26, 2025

Program Overview

Travel to Mérida, la Ciudad Blanca, one of Mexico’s most beautiful and safest cities. In Mérida you will experience the unique tapestry of history, languages, and cultures dating back to the 16th century. A city of contrasts, you can find streets lined with colonial architecture, 19th century mansions reminiscent of the Henequen era, and pockets of 21st century art, architecture, and cuisine. The city reflects the heritage of its residents, celebrating Mayan, Spanish and Cuban roots. Mérida’s residents, who are proud of their colonial roots and their Mayan heritage, will welcome you warmly as they host you and invite you to enjoy the celebration of their culture. You will participate in cultural excursions to the most important Mayan ruins; the Unesco World Heritage site at Chichén-Itzá; a guided tour of the Loltun Caves and the ruins at Uxmal, as well as the first monastery built in Mexico in Izamal. You will learn about and visit the Yucatecan cenotes, as well as the protected wildlife reserves at Celestún. Its cultural offerings, size, and safe character make Mérida the perfect place to study the Spanish language and Mexican culture, as well as Pre-Hispanic and modern Mayan culture. This program also includes a multi-day excursion to the Caribbean coastline to visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum, among other cultural attractions.

Directed by Professor Juliet Falce-Robinson, UCLA

Program Courses (8 units)

All students are required to enroll in one of the follow curriculums:

• Curriculum I: Elementary Intensive Spanish – SPAN 2 & SPAN 3
• Curriculum II: Advanced
  • SPAN 150 - Mexican Identity and Literature
  • SPAN 170 - Mexican Identity and Culture

Download file: Merida-Information-Session_11-20-24-gz-tou.pdf

Sponsor(s): Department of Spanish & Portuguese, UCLA Study Abroad, UCLA International Education Office