Spanish in Merida, Mexico

The Modern Languages Department of Ohio University will sponsor in spring semester 2014 its 35th annual Mayab Program in Merida, Mexico. The program is designed to allow the serious student to enrich their knowledge of the Spanish language and Latin American culture through total immersion in the life of Mexico. All courses carry full Ohio University credit and are conducted according to the standards required by the University.

Program dates
January 8 - April 26, 2014 (to be confirmed)

Eligibility and selection process
This program is open to undergraduates of all majors with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Applicants must have completed SPAN 1120 (formerly SPAN 113) or equivalent and demonstrated their ability to handle Spanish language courses, and have a sincere interest in expanding his or her horizons though exposure to a foreign culture.

Admission to this program is by a rolling admission procedure, with applications reviewed by the program director as they are received. With enrollment held to just 15 students to ensure program quality, we recommend early application as all the places may be filled before the final application deadline.

Students who have a judicial record and will be on probation for a judicial offense at any point during the program may petition to study abroad. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

A series of meetings with the director will take place during the fall semester. Participants are expected to attend the Spanish Conversation Hour and comply with regulations of the program as established by Ohio University and the Program Director.


Application deadline

Living arrangements
Students live in middle to upper-middle class Mexican homes. All families have experience boarding students. No hotel or apartment accommodations are permitted.

Courses and credits
There is a 12 - 15 hour minimum load. Courses cover slightly more than Athens campus courses.

• First Level:
  • SPAN 2110, 2120 Intermediate Spanish I-II
  • SPAN 3300 Mexican Civilization and Culture
• Second Level:
  • SPAN 3110, 3120 Adv. Conv. and Comp.
  • SPAN 3320 Yucatecan Civilization
• Advanced Level:
  • SPAN 3550 Introduction to Literature
  • SPAN 4900 Special Topics
  • SPAN 4437 Applied Phonetics
  • SPAN 4517 Themes from Spanish American Prose
  • SPAN 3310 Mayan Civilization and Culture

Costs: TBC

Additional Information on Mexico
To learn more about this study abroad destination, please visit the CIA World Factbook. 

Health and safety
Ohio University Office of Education Abroad suggests you follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control for healthy travel to your destination: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.
Refer to the State Department site for information related to safety and security at this destination: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html.

Requesting accommodation for disabilities
If you plan to participate in an Ohio University-sponsored study abroad program and wish to request accommodation, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to schedule an appointment to complete an Education Abroad Disability Accommodation Request Form. We recommend you do this as early as possible to allow sufficient time to determine what accommodations may be made for this program. 

Entry and exit requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States.  If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year, apply for your passport now: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Some countries also require a visa to legally enter and reside in the country. Entry and exit requirements for this country can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.  US citizens may need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this program.
You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country.  Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Information for NON-US citizens can be found here.


For more information contact:
Dr Joanna Mitchell
Department of Modern Languages
Gordy Hall 244

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