yucatan-government-palace-night
Merida, Mexico

Summer Intern + Study Abroad

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Tentative Dates

-

6 weeks

Credit

6-7 semester hours

9-10.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

45 Weeks
5 Days
2 Hours
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Overview

Your CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad program in Mérida lasts 6 weeks and features three key components: A part-time internship with an international organization (15-20 hours per week), an internship seminar, and a 3-credit academic course taught by CIEE faculty or online through CIEE’s global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with cultural and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in Mexican culture. Live, learn, and work in Mérida!

Unique Experiences

Dive into digital design for social media

at a bilingual magazine and website company

Assist in creating detailed plans and 3d models

of gardens, parks, and other landscapes

Create engaging content and analyze social media trends

for a company specializing in garden design and hardscaping

Experience
  • yucatan-male-overlooking-skyline
  • yucatan students swimming in cenote

Your Intern and Study Abroad Destination in Mérida

Mérida is Mexico’s vibrant, colonial city, celebrated for its rich Mayan and Spanish heritage, stunning architecture, iconic landmarks like Paseo de Montejo and the historic Plaza Grande, world-class museums, charming cafés and traditional markets, lively festivals, and beautiful cenotes and natural reserves. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Mérida is the perfect place to study or intern abroad.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while doing an internship abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Mérida.   

yucatan-ciee-classroom

Program Highlights

  • Internship Placements: CIEE offers the largest inventory of internship placements that align with your career aspirations. 
  • Academic Courses: Choose from in-person courses at CIEE Mérida or online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major. 
  • Workshops: Participate in workshops to enhance your resume, develop your interview skills, gain cultural competence, and network in Mexican business culture. 
  • Company Visits: Visit a digitally native company, a consulting firm, or a local non-profit foundation to gain an in-depth understanding of the work environment in Mérida. 
yucatan chichen itza

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Mérida will open doors for you to explore Mexico’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, contemporary trends, vibrant art, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.     

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • Visit the Chichen Itza to marvel at the centerpiece of Mayan civilization and the astronomical precision of El Castillo 
  • Take a trip to El Corchito to experience the region’s flora and fauna diversity while enjoying a boat ride through the lagoon to get to the mangroves 
  • Explore the fascinating ruins of Uxmal, a highlight of the Puuc Route and known internationally for its intricate stone carvings and the Pyramid of the Magician 

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Top 7 Spanish Immersion Programs with CIEE Study Abroad

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Let’s be real: There’s no better way to learn Spanish than actually living it. Forget the textbook exercises and Duolingo streaks – envision yourself chatting with locals about fútbol (not... keep reading

From CIEE

Study Abroad in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Ready to trade your dorm room for palm trees and panuchos? Studying abroad in Mexico is your chance to do just that! Picture this: You’re taking classes at the stunning... keep reading

From CIEE

Top 6 Mexico Study Abroad Programs

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Picture yourself trading your college campus for the vibrant streets of Mérida, where every day is a new opportunity to explore Mexico’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. This city... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE Mérida: Study in one of Mérida’s most beautiful neighborhoods, Calle 47, which leads to the Gastronomical Corridor, full of cozy and amazing restaurants and bars to enjoy in the afternoons. CIEE Mérida boasts five classrooms, a student lounge, and a shared student life and academic advising office.

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with optional online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 6-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

ASU

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Internships

Discover Internship Opportunities

We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.

Explore Industry Options

Mérida boasts a diverse work scene, with internship placements in tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, and volunteering alongside a growing presence of tech startups. The city is known for its rich culture, strong sense of community, relaxed pace of life, affordable cost of living, and warm climate! 

A female intern picks crops from a field

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Gain experience in agricultural markets, agribusiness companies, and NGOs to study food production and global processes.

An intern works on a design in a workshop

Architecture and Construction

Develop hands-on technical skills and responsible building planning while working for global architecture firms abroad.

Business Management and Administration Internships

Business Management and Administration

Study international business practices, multicultural leadership, and global market dynamics in Scotland, China, and more.

A female intern works on a computer server

Information Technology

Explore diverse tech environments, cutting-edge innovation, and emerging technologies in South Korea, Spain, and more.

Two female interns work on an engineering project

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Gain hands-on skills in sustainable technologies, research projects, and scientific studies in Costa Rica, Mexico, and more.

And intern and a manger reviewing warehouse inventory

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Deepen your understanding of international trade dynamics, supply chains, and logistics in firms, agencies, and centers.

Browse Internship Opportunities

Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.

Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2026 6 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Karla Zarco

Center Director

Karla is the Center Director of CIEE in Mérida, and she brings to CIEE more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...

Alan Barroso

Program & Student Life Manager

Alan joined CIEE Mérida in March 2022 as Student Life and Academics Manager. He is an experienced Psychologist focused on student coaching and tutoring. He holds a master in education.

Celia Novelo

Senior Program Coordinator

Celia is the Program Coordinator at CIEE Mérida. She is motivated by her experience abroad in France and loves to exchange intercultural experiences with students. Celia holds a Master in...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Utilize the Internship Search Tool

Search our catalog of internship opportunities to view the placements that align best with your academic and professional goals.

2

Start a Program Application

You're one step closer to an amazing internship abroad experience!

3

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

4

Contact CIEE

We're here to help! Email us if you have questions or need help applying to this program. Upon your acceptance, you'll speak with on-site CIEE staff about your internship goals. CIEE will reach out to companies that align with your goals, interests, and qualifications.

Request Info