CIEE-Merida: Summer Global Internship

Program Details

Program Location	Merida, Mexico
Sponsor	CIEE
Program Type	Co-sponsored
Course #	SA 31031
Duration	Summer
Upcoming Program Dates
To Be Announced
Past Dates
Summer 2026	06/15/26 to 08/08/26

Page Links
Overview	Purdue Credit
Eligibility	Academics
Housing	Program Costs
Financial Aid	Deadline
Returnee Info	Resources

Click here to apply for this program!

Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

Your CIEE Summer Global Internship program in Mérida lasts 8 weeks and features two key components: a full-time internship with an international organization (approximately 30-40 hours per week) and an internship seminar. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in Mexican culture. Live, learn, and work 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.

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:CIEE.

Eligibility

The program is open to Purdue students in good standing with majors in the College of Liberal Arts or Daniels School of Business. Students must be in good standing and have completed at least four semesters of university study and reached junior standing by the start of the program.

Students who have switched majors need to have taken some classes from the new major to qualify for participation. Degree-in-3-students should contact the Study Abroad Office about eligibility.

Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

GPA Requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none

Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts] [Daniels School of Business]

What does this mean? Click here to learn more.

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

Academic Program

Students in this program will intern 225-300 hours as well as take the class, Academic Internship Seminar on Global Workplace Culture, meant to develop career readiness skills and intercultural competencies and to provide guidance, support, and direction as the students navigate their internship experience.

Click here for an overview of the CIEE internship placement process!

NOTE TO STUDY ABROAD LIAISONS: Interns will work 225-300 hours while taking the above-mentioned class consisting of 45 contact hours. Therefore, Programs for Study Abroad recommends students receive six credits for this summer internship program, either as one 6-credit class or two 3-credit classes.

To learn more, visit the CIEE website.

Excursions

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Mérida will open doors for you to explore Mexico’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, 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
Explore one of the most beautiful underground cenotes along the Chicxulub Crater's ring
Discover 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.

Housing

CIEE Mérida offers homestays or accommodation in shared apartments or studio apartments. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.

Some housing options may carry additional fees, see CIEE website for more information.

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program.

The Program and Housing Fees include: internship placement and oversight, the internship class, on-site orientation, excursions and cultural activities, standard housing, and some meals (with homestay option only).

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2026

Costs per term to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee	$1,250.00
Study Abroad Fee	$609.40
Housing	$2,500.00
Insurance	$200.00

Approximate additional costs per term
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare	$600.00
Local Transportation	$120.00
Meals	$560.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$0.00 - $250.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos)	$175.00

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus;
consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process ;
complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Summer Programs	Mar 1

Returnees Information

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

Program Sponsor's Home Page: CIEE
Program Website
Search Google(tm)*
Department of State Consular Information
(You must find Mexico in list)
CDC Travel Information (You must find Mexico in list)

For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.