Minimester II : June 27 – July 24, 2027
Location
The Country: Mexico
France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is famed for fashion houses; classical art museums, like the Louvre; and iconic monuments, including the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, the medieval abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, and the vast Palace of Versailles attest to its rich history.
The City: Merida
Mérida is the vibrant capital of Mexico’s Yucatán state. Known for its rich Maya heritage and colonial architecture, it offers colorful plazas, bustling markets, and lively cultural events. Nearby are the ancient Maya cities of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, as well as cenotes, nature reserves, and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches.
Classes
COURSES & CREDIT HOURS
You will be enrolled in six credit hours of lower or upper division courses and will do a series of assignments, both orally and in writing, for your Georgia Southern professor. Graduate students will earn three hours. Additionally, as part of your immersion experience, each morning, Monday-Friday, in small groups, you will spend four hours practicing your language skills with native speakers who are trained in teaching their language to foreigners.
- SPAN 1001/1002 – Elementary Spanish I & II
- SPAN 2001/2002 – Intermediate Spanish I & II
- SPAN 3195 – Studies Abroad: Language
- SPAN 3395 – Studies Abroad: Culture
- SPAN 4195 – Studies Abroad: Adv Lang
- SPAN 4395 – Studies Abroad: Adv Civ
Partner Language School
Habla is a Spanish language and cultural immersion institute located in Mérida, Mexico. Founded in 2009, Habla is dedicated to providing intensive, personalized Spanish language instruction and meaningful cultural experiences for students from around the world. Through small classes, homestays, and community engagement, Habla helps students develop communicative proficiency while gaining a deeper understanding of the people, history, and culture of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Excursions and Cultural Activities
- In-town cultural immersion activities
- Recreational activities
- A wide range of cultural attractions in Merida
- Tropical dance class
- Day trip to Uxmal
- Day trip to Río Lagartos
Travel Documents
All participants need a valid passport to enter Mexico. If you do not have a passport, please secure one as soon as possible. Visit www.travel.state.gov to learn more. Medical and liability documents will be provided by the Study Abroad Office for each participant to complete prior to departure. International health insurance is included in the program’s fees and is required by Georgia Southern.
Participants should also check if they require an ETIAS travel authorization.
Transient Students
Students from other accredited universities are invited to enroll in our Study Abroad programs. In order to receive credit at their home institutions, however, they must enroll as transient students at Georgia Southern for the summer.
Have Questions? Contact Us!
Eric Kartchner, Ph.D.
Interdisciplinary Academic Building 2053
Phone: (912) 478-5303
Email: ekartchner@georgiasouthern.edu
Program Cost and Eligibility
Program Cost: $4,381
Includes:
- 4 weeks of intensive language training
- Housing with a Mexican family
- Three meals a day
- Excursion and activities
Does not include:
- Georgia Southern Tuition and Fees ($1,134)
- International health insurance (required by Georgia Southern)
- Airfare (approx. $1,000)
- Laundry (approx. $50)
- Incidental expenses (public transportation, snacks, etc)
- Souvenirs
- Application and Deposit: $500 Non-Refundable Fee due by Feb. 15, 2027. (This amount will apply to the Program Costs. If application is accepted, deposit is nonrefundable; if application is not accepted, deposit will be refunded.)
- 1st Installment: $2,000 Due March 1, 2027
- 2nd Installment: $1,849.08 Due March 22, 2027
- Insurance Payment (Required): $31.92 Due March 22, 2027
- To make payments, visit the Global Portal
The $300 application fee is non-refundable. 80% of the remaining funds are refundable up to 40 days before the program start date, since program services are contracted in advance and must be paid whether or not the student is able to continue with the program.
- 2.0 Cumulative GPA
- Commitment to speak Spanish during the program
Many forms of financial aid can be applied to the study abroad program costs; please note that the Hope scholarship applies to your Georgia Southern summer tuition, although it cannot be used to pay the program costs themselves. Georgia Southern students who intend to pay all or part of the study abroad program cost with financial aid should meet with their academic and financial aid advisor ASAP and should apply for summer financial aid no later than March 1, 2027. Students from other University System of Georgia schools should contact their academic advisor and financial aid office at their home institution for instructions. All deposits and program payments should be made online.