Maya Mexico Winter
Dates
December 26, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Subjects
Honors, Spanish
Deadlines
Aug. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Sept. 15: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
During this winter study abroad, we spend four days in Mexico City and seven days in the Yucatan Peninsula. In Mexico City, academic excursions include the Zocalo and Historic Center, the original artwork of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, examination of products and markets, urban digital scavenger hunts, the famous temples of Teotihuacan, and guest lectures by local experts. In the Yucatan, we explore the spectacular Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, the vibrant markets & neighborhoods of Merida, off-the-beaten-path pueblos, a factory site visit, and a Mayan cenote (optional swim in natural pool). The program concludes with two days in the beach town of Playa del Carmen. Throughout, we employ a “Place as Text” learning model, which inserts students into social environments and fosters close observation of local culture. Note: items above are subject to change.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in late January after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
The Maya Mexico Winter program concludes with a two day visit to beautiful Playa del Carmen. There, students observe and analyze the island’s renowned street-scene, discuss the complicated relationship between tourism and environmental sustainability, and share their final project/oral presentation. Students will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful beach, as well.
Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and provides a striking contrast to Chichen Itzá. For some, the intricate and ornate pyramids, temples and other ceremonial structures at Uxmal represent the pinnacle of Maya art, design and architecture. This Puuc city and its surrounding towns also demonstrate the social and economic structure of Maya society. En route to Uxmal, we visit Hacienda Yaxcopoil— an unvarnished former large landed-estate, which speaks to the complex history of henequen (a hemp-like fiber) production…
At Chichen Itzá, students encounter the impressive convergence of Maya architecture, mathematics, agriculture, astronomy, commerce, and religion. The Pyramid of Kukulcan, Temple of the Warriors, Observatory, and Ball Court help students appreciate pre-Columbian advances and restraints. Our excursion culminates with an optional swim in a beautiful cenote (natural pool). Cenotes were spiritually important to the Maya, and there are many theories about their significance to death rituals, fertility offerings, and a connection to the underworld.
Beautiful and charming, Merida is the capital city of the Yucatán. Students actively explore vibrant markets, colonial architecture, local food, and other slices of daily life. Highlights include the Monumento a la Patria— a massive monument depicting centuries of Mexican history— and the Palacio del Gobierno, which houses striking murals depicting the regional history of the Maya and Spanish, painted by local artist Fernando Castro Pacheco.
Coyoacan is a quaint, artsy, cobblestoned residential neighborhood with a wonderful local market. Famously, it also is Frida Kahlo’s birthplace and final residence, which today is a museum. Known as Museo Casa Azul, it tells her moving life story through her eccentric art and period pieces. Students grapple with themes tied to gender, sexuality, disability, infidelity, radicalism and privilege, cross-cultural identity, and traditionalism and modernity.
The Zocalo— Mexico City’s open central plaza— is a site to behold. Lively and full of people, it provides a window into daily Mexican life— across the socioeconomic spectrum. The Zocalo’s impressive Spanish colonial architecture blends with pre-Columbian motifs and relics, including the base of the Great Aztec Pyramid. In the adjacent Palacio Nacional, students explore the captivating original murals of Diego Rivera, arguably the greatest artist of the Twentieth Century.
Located 30 miles outside Mexico City, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere prior to 1450. During its golden age, Teotihuacan covered 8 square miles and supported a population over 100,000. It is renowned for its immense causeway and pyramids— notably the Temples of the Moon and the Sun— which are comparable in size to the largest in Egypt. The Aztec Empire, which came to control Teotihuacan nearly 1000 years later, was as awestruck by it then as…
Mexico City is a stunning cosmopolitan blend of traditional and modern, evident in its impressive architecture, artwork, food, music, and fashion. Despite Mexico City’s size and population, its distinct and lively neighborhoods lend the capital an intimate, almost homey feel. We explore the famous Zocalo, cutting-edge exhibits like those found at the National Anthropological Museum, the original artwork of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, the city’s rich and colorful markets, and the ancient temples at Teotihuacan.
What's Included
Program Cost: $2,995 + airfare
To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($165), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $300, or if you are an avid shopper, you may consider bringing additional funds), and any fees from your college/university.
Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.
Student Voices
“I am so lucky to have a job I love, and to get to work with and learn from incredible colleagues and students. There is no better place to be creative and strive to make good change in the world than in the classroom—and then I get to watch students go on to do amazing things when they graduate. What a privilege it is to teach!”
– Dr. Laura Hunt, Maya Mexico Winter
“My KIIS journey was to wonderful Mexico. My focus was photography throughout Maya Mexico. We ventured throughout Mexico City, Merida, and Cancun. Our focus was primarily to capture the culture, landscape, and interaction of people in social settings. I was blown away by how different Mexico was and it took me completely by surprise. I fell in love with all of the colors and people that made up the entirety of the locations we visited. I can honestly say that I have become a better photographer because of my journey with KIIS and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. I would absolutely return to Mexico. Thank you KIIS for everything that you do and for providing me with a wonderfully life changing experience.”
– Jacob, Maya Mexico Winter
“As parents, we seek opportunities to support our daughter’s efforts to enrich her education and expand her academic opportunities. Participating in KIIS’ Maya Mexico program allowed Mallory to learn about Mexican history and culture while also being immersed in the Spanish language. We very much appreciate the support and care that Dr. Dizgun and his team with KIIS provided Mallory during her time abroad, giving her an enjoyable and educational experience, and us a sense of confidence and safety. We are excited for her and her next KIIS experience!”
– Chris, parent of Maya Mexico student
“I signed up for a trip to see ancient ruins. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t simply see, but experienced and gained an appreciation for an ancient civilization and their language, social norms, and beliefs.”
– Elizabeth, Maya Mexico Winter
“Seeing Mayan ruins was pretty incredible, but breaking through language barriers, experiencing an entirely different culture and learning about the unique backgrounds of the people that I met was life changing.”
– Leah, Maya Mexico Winter
“There’s not many words that I can say about my KIIS experience other than AMAZING. With my background I could never have had an opportunity like this. Thank you KIIS!”
– Jalen, Maya Mexico Winter
“The Maya Mexico experience was very beneficial in providing a new and incredible cultural experience along with assisting in how to overcome a language barrier.”
– Nathan, Maya Mexico Winter
“Maya Mexico was just an incredible experience! You simply don’t imagine how different life is there since it is so close to the states, but it drastically changed my worldview.”
– Mary, Maya Mexico Winter
“I loved my trip and the experience was more than anyone could have given me staying in the states. My favorite day was spent in a town where I learned about culture, food and even improved my Spanish speaking skills. This experience opened my eyes but also made me a better candidate for graduate programs!”
– Krystal, Maya Mexico Winter
You didn’t have to know Spanish to feel immersed in the culture, but the people we met and the places we went really made it an unforgettable experience!”
– Amelia, Maya Mexico Winter
Take Your Education Further
Description
Dates
December 26, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Subjects
Honors, Spanish
Deadlines
Aug. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Sept. 15: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
During this winter study abroad, we spend four days in Mexico City and seven days in the Yucatan Peninsula. In Mexico City, academic excursions include the Zocalo and Historic Center, the original artwork of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, examination of products and markets, urban digital scavenger hunts, the famous temples of Teotihuacan, and guest lectures by local experts. In the Yucatan, we explore the spectacular Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, the vibrant markets & neighborhoods of Merida, off-the-beaten-path pueblos, a factory site visit, and a Mayan cenote (optional swim in natural pool). The program concludes with two days in the beach town of Playa del Carmen. Throughout, we employ a “Place as Text” learning model, which inserts students into social environments and fosters close observation of local culture. Note: items above are subject to change.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in late January after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
The Maya Mexico Winter program concludes with a two day visit to beautiful Playa del Carmen. There, students observe and analyze the island’s renowned street-scene, discuss the complicated relationship between tourism and environmental sustainability, and share their final project/oral presentation. Students will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful beach, as well.
Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and provides a striking contrast to Chichen Itzá. For some, the intricate and ornate pyramids, temples and other ceremonial structures at Uxmal represent the pinnacle of Maya art, design and architecture. This Puuc city and its surrounding towns also demonstrate the social and economic structure of Maya society. En route to Uxmal, we visit Hacienda Yaxcopoil— an unvarnished former large landed-estate, which speaks to the complex history of henequen (a hemp-like fiber) production…
At Chichen Itzá, students encounter the impressive convergence of Maya architecture, mathematics, agriculture, astronomy, commerce, and religion. The Pyramid of Kukulcan, Temple of the Warriors, Observatory, and Ball Court help students appreciate pre-Columbian advances and restraints. Our excursion culminates with an optional swim in a beautiful cenote (natural pool). Cenotes were spiritually important to the Maya, and there are many theories about their significance to death rituals, fertility offerings, and a connection to the underworld.
Beautiful and charming, Merida is the capital city of the Yucatán. Students actively explore vibrant markets, colonial architecture, local food, and other slices of daily life. Highlights include the Monumento a la Patria— a massive monument depicting centuries of Mexican history— and the Palacio del Gobierno, which houses striking murals depicting the regional history of the Maya and Spanish, painted by local artist Fernando Castro Pacheco.
Coyoacan is a quaint, artsy, cobblestoned residential neighborhood with a wonderful local market. Famously, it also is Frida Kahlo’s birthplace and final residence, which today is a museum. Known as Museo Casa Azul, it tells her moving life story through her eccentric art and period pieces. Students grapple with themes tied to gender, sexuality, disability, infidelity, radicalism and privilege, cross-cultural identity, and traditionalism and modernity.
The Zocalo— Mexico City’s open central plaza— is a site to behold. Lively and full of people, it provides a window into daily Mexican life— across the socioeconomic spectrum. The Zocalo’s impressive Spanish colonial architecture blends with pre-Columbian motifs and relics, including the base of the Great Aztec Pyramid. In the adjacent Palacio Nacional, students explore the captivating original murals of Diego Rivera, arguably the greatest artist of the Twentieth Century.
Located 30 miles outside Mexico City, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere prior to 1450. During its golden age, Teotihuacan covered 8 square miles and supported a population over 100,000. It is renowned for its immense causeway and pyramids— notably the Temples of the Moon and the Sun— which are comparable in size to the largest in Egypt. The Aztec Empire, which came to control Teotihuacan nearly 1000 years later, was as awestruck by it then as…
Mexico City is a stunning cosmopolitan blend of traditional and modern, evident in its impressive architecture, artwork, food, music, and fashion. Despite Mexico City’s size and population, its distinct and lively neighborhoods lend the capital an intimate, almost homey feel. We explore the famous Zocalo, cutting-edge exhibits like those found at the National Anthropological Museum, the original artwork of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, the city’s rich and colorful markets, and the ancient temples at Teotihuacan.
What's Included
Program Cost: $2,995 + airfare
To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($165), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $300, or if you are an avid shopper, you may consider bringing additional funds), and any fees from your college/university.
Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.
Student Voices
“I am so lucky to have a job I love, and to get to work with and learn from incredible colleagues and students. There is no better place to be creative and strive to make good change in the world than in the classroom—and then I get to watch students go on to do amazing things when they graduate. What a privilege it is to teach!”
– Dr. Laura Hunt, Maya Mexico Winter
“My KIIS journey was to wonderful Mexico. My focus was photography throughout Maya Mexico. We ventured throughout Mexico City, Merida, and Cancun. Our focus was primarily to capture the culture, landscape, and interaction of people in social settings. I was blown away by how different Mexico was and it took me completely by surprise. I fell in love with all of the colors and people that made up the entirety of the locations we visited. I can honestly say that I have become a better photographer because of my journey with KIIS and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. I would absolutely return to Mexico. Thank you KIIS for everything that you do and for providing me with a wonderfully life changing experience.”
– Jacob, Maya Mexico Winter
“As parents, we seek opportunities to support our daughter’s efforts to enrich her education and expand her academic opportunities. Participating in KIIS’ Maya Mexico program allowed Mallory to learn about Mexican history and culture while also being immersed in the Spanish language. We very much appreciate the support and care that Dr. Dizgun and his team with KIIS provided Mallory during her time abroad, giving her an enjoyable and educational experience, and us a sense of confidence and safety. We are excited for her and her next KIIS experience!”
– Chris, parent of Maya Mexico student
“I signed up for a trip to see ancient ruins. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t simply see, but experienced and gained an appreciation for an ancient civilization and their language, social norms, and beliefs.”
– Elizabeth, Maya Mexico Winter
“Seeing Mayan ruins was pretty incredible, but breaking through language barriers, experiencing an entirely different culture and learning about the unique backgrounds of the people that I met was life changing.”
– Leah, Maya Mexico Winter
“There’s not many words that I can say about my KIIS experience other than AMAZING. With my background I could never have had an opportunity like this. Thank you KIIS!”
– Jalen, Maya Mexico Winter
“The Maya Mexico experience was very beneficial in providing a new and incredible cultural experience along with assisting in how to overcome a language barrier.”
– Nathan, Maya Mexico Winter
“Maya Mexico was just an incredible experience! You simply don’t imagine how different life is there since it is so close to the states, but it drastically changed my worldview.”
– Mary, Maya Mexico Winter
“I loved my trip and the experience was more than anyone could have given me staying in the states. My favorite day was spent in a town where I learned about culture, food and even improved my Spanish speaking skills. This experience opened my eyes but also made me a better candidate for graduate programs!”
– Krystal, Maya Mexico Winter
You didn’t have to know Spanish to feel immersed in the culture, but the people we met and the places we went really made it an unforgettable experience!”
– Amelia, Maya Mexico Winter
Take Your Education Further
Additional information
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