YFU Logo

1-800-833-6243

Study Abroad in Mexico

Apply Now
Choose Your Program

Academic Year Programs

During your time in Mexico, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

2027 Fall Year
$14,995Age Eligibility Born July 31, 2009 – June 30, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Mid August
  • ✈️Return: Mid June
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Mexico on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
Apply

Academic Year Program Details

School

You may be enrolled in either the local public or private high school, dependent on your host family location. In some exceptional cases, students may be asked to pay an additional fee for a private school of up to $1,000, which will be in addition to the tuition.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in Mexico, students will attend an arrival orientation to meet with other international students and prepare them for the year ahead. Year program students can also expect a mid-year orientation as well as a re-entry orientation prior to the program end.

Extracurriculars

Schools in Mexico usually don’t offer extracurricular activities, but YFU students are definitely encouraged to get involved in sports, clubs, or teams offered by their host communities in order to pursue their passions and make new friends outside of school.

For an additional cost, YFU Mexico organizes a trip for its exchange students. Sometimes this trip is combined with the mid-year orientation, while in other cases it takes place in October or April, depending on logistical capacity and school days.

The destination varies each year based on where students are located, always taking into account student safety. Some examples of past destinations include Michoacán, Guanajuato, Yucatán, the Huasteca Potosina, Veracruz, and Mexico City.
Language

Spanish. Students should be motivated to learn Spanish and are encouraged to begin learning before they apply. No prior Spanish language experience is required, though a basic familiarity is helpful. Students will be provided access to an online language training platform to support their learning ahead of departure, as well as ongoing language support throughout the program. Immersion in a Spanish-speaking host family and school environment will accelerate language growth significantly during the exchange.

Semester Programs

During your time in Mexico, you will live with a host family and attend a local high school.

2027 Fall Semester
$13,395Age Eligibility Born July 31, 2009 – June 30, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Mid August
  • ✈️Return: Early January
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Mexico on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
Apply

Semester Program Details

School

You may be enrolled in either the local public or private high school, dependent on your host family location. In some exceptional cases, students may be asked to pay an additional fee for a private school of up to $1,000, which will be in addition to the tuition.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in Mexico, students will attend an arrival orientation to meet with other international students and prepare them for the semester ahead.

Extracurriculars

Schools in Mexico usually don’t offer extracurricular activities, but YFU students are definitely encouraged to get involved in sports, clubs, or teams offered by their host communities in order to pursue their passions and make new friends outside of school.

Language

Spanish. Students should be motivated to learn Spanish and are encouraged to begin learning before they apply. No prior Spanish language experience is required, though a basic familiarity is helpful. Students will be provided access to an online language training platform to support their learning ahead of departure, as well as ongoing language support throughout the program. Immersion in a Spanish-speaking host family and school environment will accelerate language growth significantly during the exchange.

Study Abroad Participants
What to Expect

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to the vibrant country of Mexico: home to ancient pyramids, colorful festivals, stunning Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, and some of the world’s most celebrated cuisine.

Mexico’s educational system has been growing rapidly, with institutions like the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) consistently ranked among the top universities in Latin America. While studying in Mexico, you and your new Mexican friends will most likely take classes in history, literature, Spanish language, art, anthropology, and environmental science.

While you are abroad, adventure and culture will meet you at every turn. You may visit the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán, catch a lively mariachi performance, or explore the colorful markets of Oaxaca with your host family. There are breathtaking natural wonders to discover, from the crystalline cenotes of the Yucatán to the monarch butterfly reserves in Michoacán. Your host family may introduce you to beloved dishes like tamales, chiles en nogada, and fresh street tacos. On special occasions, you will likely taste tres leches cake or buñuelos, a crispy fried pastry dusted with sugar.

After an unforgettable adventure in Mexico, you will return home with rich cultural memories, a deepened appreciation for history, and friendships that span the globe!

YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, need-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Mexico:

YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund

Visa Information
Information concerning visas will be provided upon enrollment.

Additional Costs
As part of the visa process, students are required to register for a residence permit in Mexico. Program tuition does not include the residence permit fee, personal spending money, or school-related costs such as books, transportation, and school trips.

As an exchange student in Mexico, you’ll most certainly be swept up in the warmth, color, and energy that Mexicans bring to everyday life. Don’t miss the pride behind these moments: while Mexico has faced its share of challenges, it’s a nation of which its people are incredibly proud

Have questions or want to learn more about YFU Study Abroad Programs?

Join a Webinar

It was hard to be uprooted in a foreign place, and be sent to another family in another country with a completely foreign language, but it turned out to be the most fantastic experience I could have had. It also taught me to be confident and to find poise and strengths within myself. I gained a world perspective and maturity that helped me do well in college afterward. It was a life-changing, wonderful year.

– Theresa