Office of Study Abroad

Academics

Course Overview

You will simultaneously take two courses in public health and health care systems for a total of 8 credits. The courses will be taught by local faculty from our academic partner, IFSA, under the direction and guidance of HSSP faculty. All academic work will be taught in English, though a basic knowledge of Spanish will help in hands-on clinical settings.

Your learning will consist of a combination of classroom lecture and coursework, guest speakers and site visits throughout Mérida and the surrounding region. All aspects of this program will deepen your understanding of comparative health care systems and contemporary and historic health care practice in the Yucatán Peninsula. Additional excursions will focus on creating a deeper understanding of contemporary and historic life and culture in the Yucatán, and an overnight visit to Havana, Cuba, will provide the opportunity for students to engage with a different structure of health care practice and compare it to what they are learning in Mérida and what they have experienced back home.

Courses Offered in Summer 2026

Academic Excursions

Students will participate on academic excursions within and around the city of Mérida to contextualize their in-classroom learning and provide hands on experiences in healthcare settings. Past academic visits have included the medical school of Universidad Autonoma de Yucatán, Centro Marista de Acción Social, a sleep lab, and visits to the rural communities of Yaxcabá and Izamal to observe and learn about traditional medicine practices. 

Prerequisites for the Program

Although there are no formal prerequisites, students are strongly encouraged to enter the program with at least one semester of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent) to have the best chance at being successful and getting the most out of their experience in Mérida. Please contact Ash Trebisacci with questions.