IFSA January in Mexico
IFSA specialises in the design, development, and implementation of Customised Group Programs. IFSA January in Mexico offers you the opportunity to follow your interest in history, humanities, or social science and learn about Mayan history in sunny Mérida.
The program provides a historical perspective of the main characteristics of the Pre-Hispanic Mayan Civilisation, including detailed information about the level of development reached by the Mayans from a historical, ethnographic, and ethno-archaeological perspective from precolonial times through contemporary Mayan groups. During your studies, experience the tropical Yucatán Peninsula amidst contemporary Mayan communities and the echoes of ancient achievements through walking tours, museum visits and archaeological site visits.
Field of study
- History of Mayan Culture and Civilization
For more detailed information regarding the course available, visit the host university's Program Overview.
Credit equivalent
3 US credits = 2 UQ units. Maximum of 2 UQ Units following successful completion of experience (pending UQ faculty approval).
Visa Information
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority, we cannot provide visa advice.
Please review the IFSA webpage for visa and immigration information.
Eligibility and application
All applicants must meet the UQ short-term experience criteria and IFSA's entry requirements.
If you are intending to undertake your experience for credit, it is strongly recommended that you submit your application to Global Experiences at least 4 weeks before applying to the host to allow sufficient time for the Faculty to complete the credit assessment. Please note, however, that it is your responsibility to meet the host application deadline.
Costs and funding
The participation mode of this experience is Study Abroad. The program fee is $5,143 AUD (Australia Outbound) and includes tuition, excursions and accommodation. A $500 USD program deposit is required upon confirmation of attendance. The deposit is applied to the total program fee.
More information about program fees is also available on the host university's website.
Accommodation
Accommodation in a single room in a homestay is included in the program fee; meals are included. More accommodation information can be found on the host university website.
Funding
Global Experiences Grants
When you submit your application for an experience, you are automatically considered for funding that is relevant to your nominated experience. Please refer to the Short-Term Experiences Funding page for details.
OS-HELP Loan
You may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student.
Key Dates
Application Deadlines
UQ: 24 September 2026
Host: 1 November 2026
Program Dates
Start: 2 January 2027
End: 17 January 2027
Fast Facts
Type: Study
Mode: Study Abroad
Location: Mérida (In-person)
Credit: For-credit or not-for-credit
Cohort: Undergraduate and postgraduate*
*Postgraduates can attend the program as not-for-credit only
OS-HELP Loan
If you participate in a short-term program you may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student.
Application Deadlines
OS-HELP loan applications can’t be accepted:
- any earlier than 6 months before the official start date of your overseas study
- any later than 3 months before the official end date of your overseas study.
*OS-HELP Loan applications are closed between 17 December and 5 January. Please visit the OS-HELP Loan website for more information on how to apply for an OS-HELP loan.
Refer to the funding page for more information on eligibility requirements and loan amounts.
Global Experiences Information Sessions
Students are encouraged to register and attend an information session to receive more details on the short-term application process, eligibility criteria, funding etc.