Mexico

Mexico

Study Abroad Mexico: A Popular Tourist Destination Full of Culture

If you’re a U.S. student looking for a fun-filled study abroad destination that’s not located on the other side of the world, then Mexico just may be the perfect place for you.

Bordered on the north by the U.S., Mexico is a bustling tourist destination that offers visitors great food, cultural activities, music and sights to see.

  • If you travel to Mexico for a summer study abroad program you should stop to visit the Yucatan Peninsula, a peninsula located between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. While there you can visit Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city composed of stone palaces and temples that date back to 600 A.D.
  • For a semester abroad you can take your time exploring Copper Canyon, a group of six canyons located in the southwestern state of Chihuahua. All six canyons together are larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in the U.S., and one of the most spectacular sights to see while there is Basaseachic Falls, which is Mexico’s second highest waterfall at 312 meters.

Every place you visit in Mexico has a story to tell and sights to see, so make sure you have enough time between classes to visit as many places as possible!

Study Abroad in Mexico Universities

Mexico is the fifth largest country in the world, and it also has the largest Spanish-speaking population. That’s why it’s one of the best places for students to learn Spanish, because when you study Spanish in Mexico you not only learn how to communicate in Spanish, but you also learn why it’s such a popular language around the world.

  • One of the best places to study Spanish in Mexico is the University of Guadalajara, which is known to have one of the best Spanish language and Latin American Culture programs in the world. Founded in 1948, the university gets an average of 2,500 international students every year that take Spanish classes that range from Level 1 for beginners and Level 10 for Masters of Spanish. Other classes range from human rights in Mexico to exploring contemporary Mexican art.
  • You can learn how to speak Spanish while also taking classes taught in English at Iberoamerican University, which offers a six-week summer course to international students. Classes taught in English include art, business, music and law, and Spanish-speaking classes include Beginning to Advanced Spanish, Latin American Literature and Spanish for Teachers. The best part of the program is that you’ll be placed to live with a Mexican family for complete immersion into the culture, with meals and laundry services covered.

For more study abroad Mexico information, see the Universities section, and for ideas to help pay for your experience see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.

Your Travel Options in Mexico

Mexico is the second most populated country in Latin America, so it has developed an extensive transportation to meet the growing need for travel of its inhabitants.

  • One of the most common ways to travel in Mexico is by bus. The bus system is well-organized throughout Mexico, it runs just about anywhere you can travel and it’s very affordable. You can only get one-way tickets, so you have to buy your return tickets at your recent location. One thing to be cautious of is how crowded the buses can get since drivers tend to pick up anyone who is willing to pay for the transportation. You can find a list of major bus companies in Mexico at DifferentWorld.com.
  • Metro trains are also a very popular way to travel throughout Mexico. Mexico City actually has the second largest metro system in North America, serving over 1 billion passengers a year. It is one of the cheapest metro systems in the world, offering free service to the elderly and physically impaired, while also reserving seats for women and children in the front. You can find a map of the Mexican metro system at UrbanRail.net.
  • Other methods of transportation in Mexico are taxis and cars. You can catch a taxi or rent a car in any major city. If you are in Mexico City you can use a taxi service like Taxi Mexico. And if you need to rent a car you can use an online car rental service like the Mexico Car Rental Guide to find an affordable car to tour through Mexico.

Even if Mexico may not be too far away from your home, you should always follow study abroad health and safety guidelines to prepare you for any unexpected accidents that could occur.

Exchange Rates for Mexican Currency

Mexican currency is known as the peso.  The dollar symbol ($) is the same symbol that is used for U.S. currency.

Here’s what you need to know about the Mexican dollar:

  • Coins = 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100
  • Bills =  $20, $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1,000

You can use a Mexican currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the Mexican peso.

Best Places to Visit in Mexico While Abroad

There are a few key places that you need to visit while you are studying abroad in Mexico in order to get the full cultural experience. From beaches and monuments to restaurants and shopping centers, Mexico has something for everyone.

  • If you’re interested in enjoying the sandy beaches and beautiful wildlife of Mexico, then the island of Cozumel should be your stop. A popular tourist destination, the island is known for its great scuba diving and fishing. It has over 100 restaurants and hotels, and all of the food sold on the island comes from within its own boundaries.
  • Another good outside venue is the Sea of Cortez, which separates California from Mexico. It is a popular fishing area that is also a great place to see some of the world’s most endangered sea mammals.
  • For students more interested in the deep-rooted history of Mexico, then Mexico City is the best place to see some of the country’s most historic sights. The city not only has more museums than any other city in the world, but it also has sights like the Aztec ruins and the Basilica of Our Lady Guadalupe, one of the most religious buildings in all of Mexico. It’s also home to the National Palace, which houses the Mexican government’s executive branch.
  • Mexico City is also considered one of the best places to shop in all of Mexico. This is because the city offers shoppers everything from upscale New York-style boutiques to outside open malls. The area of Polanco in Mexico City offers many luxury and trendy boutiques for the student traveler, as well as handmade jewelry, art and other crafts made by locals.

Important Study Abroad Mexico Information

When you study abroad in Mexico you should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need: