Short-Term Study Abroad with Penn State in Mexico
Experience the natural beauty and vibrant cultural life that beckons from just across the southern border. Mexico is emerging as an alluring destination due to its multicultural history, striking landscapes, and diversity of its indigenous cultures.
Puebla, Mexico
During Plants, Places, and People (SC120N, BIOL 199, SPAN 1, 2, 3 and 296), faculty will teach the course at Penn State Abington and prepare you to deepen your knowledge of the topic by traveling with you to Mexico for eight days.
Experience Aztec, Mayan, Spanish, and Zapotec cultures in one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries.
Explore ancient pyramids and colonial-era architecture at UNESCO World Heritage sites in Mexico City and Puebla.
Use native plants to prepare traditional Mexican dishes, a cuisine that is simultaneously complex, refined, subtle, and sophisticated.
See how maize, cacao, and agave are cultivated and processed into globally important commodities such as cornmeal, chocolate, and mezcal.
Discover how Mexico balances sustainable development with the preservation of linguistic diversity.
Identify how Mexico’s investment in preserving the genetic diversity of maize is critical to our future global food security.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1
- Guided tour of the historic Mexico City
- Welcome dinner
Day 2
- Tour of mural and museum, local market lunch, evening Ballet Folklorico Performance
Day 3
- Day trip to the floating gardens of Xochimilco
Day 4
- Tour: UNAM Botanical Garden and Biodiversity Pavilion at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City; travel to Puebla
Day 5
Guided tour of Puebla
Traditional Mexican cooking class
Day 6
Mezcal Plantation
Talavera Pottery Workshop
Day 7
Free time at Callejon dos Sapos Market
Day 8
Depart for the Cholula Archaeological Site Tour and independent exploration
Farewell dinner
Day 9
Depart Mexico
Agave Strain, Mexico
Expenses
Costs range from $3,500 to $4,000, and Pell Grant recipients will earn awards. Charges will be applied to your bursar account upon enrollment in the course in addition to your tuition. Contact Melanie Boston, [email protected], for information about additional scholarships and financial support from Penn State and other sources.
Fees include airfare, ground transportation within Mexico, hotels, guided tours, and daily breakfast. Costs do not include lunches, dinners, and optional tours or free-time activities.
A valid passport is required for international travel. Non-U.S. citizens may require a visa in addition to their passport. Non-U.S. citizens should consult their embassy for information.
About Short-Term Study Abroad or Embedded Courses
Penn State Abington offers short-term, faculty-led courses with an international travel component as a viable alternative to traditional semester-long study abroad. The courses offer academic international experiences with reduced costs and time commitments.
Students enrolled in a faculty-led embedded course are enrolled in an internationally focused class that includes up to 10 days of travel. Travel occurs over fall or spring break. Course material and lectures prepare students both academically and culturally for the international excursion.
The goal is to embed students into the life and culture of the country they visit. Therefore, including international faculty and students at the host institution in academic and cultural activities is a highly regarded and critical component of all of Abington’s faculty-led programs.