UW Contemporary Mexican Culture, Politics, and Media

Location

Mexico city is the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of only two founded by Indigenous peoples. Mexico is the United States' top trading partner and boasts a unique and shifting political landscape, economic policy, and media environment. With a metropolitan population exceeding 22 million, Mexico City serves as the command center for the North American supply chain and a vital hub for cultural exchange. 

Housing

You will stay in a local hotel for the duration of the program and will share a room with another program participant. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and some group lunches and dinners will also be included throughout the three week program.

We typically place students in rooms with others of the same sex. In some locations, this is necessary for legal or cultural reasons. We understand that not all students may identify as female or male, and we want to create a welcoming environment for you while you are abroad. We are happy to work with students who identify as transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary regarding life abroad. If you have questions or concerns regarding housing as it relates to your gender identity, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor.

Program Considerations

In a physical sense, the on-site experience may be very different from life on the UW campus. You may walk or take public transportation more than you are used to in Madison. The physical activity level will vary by program, but in general you should be prepared for extended periods of time walking, potentially on uneven terrain.

For many students, discovering and experiencing new foods is a part of the experience. It is important to consider any dietary restrictions, whether they are due to health conditions, religious beliefs, or individual needs, and look into whether you can get the foods you need locally.

How you identify yourself in Madison may differ from how people will view you on-site. Consider exploring our Identity Resources to reflect on how your identities may impact your experience. Students with disabilities should keep in mind that attitudes and laws related to disabilities vary by country, and these differences may impact the level of accommodation available in a particular location. More details are available on our page on Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities.

We encourage you to contact your Study Abroad Advisor and share your accommodation needs with us as early as possible. This will allow us to help you explore your options in advance.

Excursions and Activities

You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of enriching excursions during your three weeks in Mexico. These excursions may includes tours of various points of interest in the city including a street art tour and visits to local museums, libraries and cultural centers. You'll have opportunities to taste local foods, engage with local university students, and visit local markets. 

You will take a day trip to the famous pyramids of the architecural site, Teotihuacan, which is located about an hour outside of Mexico City. You'll have a guided tour of the site and lunch together as a group for this day trip. You'll also spend a day in Xochimilco which is a historic borough south of Mexico City that is known for its canals, ancient floating gardens, and vibrant culture. It is also home to the critically endangered axolotl!

On-Site Support

The UW-Madison Program Leader, Sara McKinnon, leads the program and is responsible for teaching the course. Local IFSA staff will also be available to help support the program.

Orientation

IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.

Upon arrival to Mexico City, participants will be met by the UW instructor and partner staff.  An on-site orientation will cover information related to student housing, cultural considerations, health and safety, and local logistics.

Visa

A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for this program. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. Non U.S. Passport holders may have different visa requirements. Ask your Study Abroad Advisor if you have any questions.

Getting to Your Program

You are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to the program site but will be given guidelines on arrival and departure times.

Insurance

You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees. IFSA will be enrolling you in this coverage and will provide more information.

If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and will remain/study in, or travel to your country of record (the location of your permanent residence), the insurance provided for you is the same as the “study away” insurance provided to U.S. citizens studying on domestic U.S. programs. You may want to explore alternative or additional international health and medical insurance that will cover your needs both while in and during any period of transit to/from your country of record. This may include participation in a national healthcare plan or coverage provided under a personal healthcare plan in your country of record.  If you have questions about the coverage of the “study away” plan, please speak with your Study Abroad Advisor.

All other students participating on an international program will automatically be enrolled in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), the university's international health, medical and repatriation insurance policy.

Program cost information includes program fees, as well as out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Once accepted, you will receive a cost sheet that includes confirmed program fees and additional out-of-pocket expenses. "The IAP Program Fee" and all processes and policies stated on this cost sheet apply to all participants on programs managed by International Academic Programs (IAP) and in partnership with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and Wisconsin School of Business.  All students participating on approved programs are all eligible to apply for scholarships administered through IAP when they meet the scholarship eligibility and selection criteria.

Winter Intersession 2027-28 Cost Details

Financial Aid

UW–Madison students can typically use their financial aid on UW–Madison study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programs. You need to complete a FAFSA if you want to be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid.

Beginning in 2026-27, the Office of Student Financial Aid will require all incoming undergraduate students to submit a CSS profile.

Review our financial aid and funding your experiences pages for more information.

Scholarships

Check out our scholarships page to find:

• A scholarship chart listing internal and external opportunities, with descriptions, deadlines, and amounts.
• Timelines of when UW-Madison study abroad scholarship applications open and close.
• Tips for writing scholarship essays.

Program Scholarships

This scholarship list includes scholarships we know are relevant to this program. It is not an exhaustive list of all available scholarship opportunities for study abroad. Although we make our best effort to ensure the list is up-to-date, this information changes frequently, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify information. For additional scholarship information, please visit our scholarship page.

National
Social, Environmental, and Economic Development (SEED) Scholarship

Returned Student Network

View the Returned Student Network to contact a returned student

How to Apply

First, make sure you have reviewed the information for Prospective Students on the IAP website.

There is also specific Academic Planning information that you should review.

Next login to the IAP Online Application.

Wondering when applications will open for this program?

View our application schedule.

After the Deadline

IAP completes a review of all applications to determine if students meet minimum eligibility requirements.

Disclosure

Students Requiring Accommodations: Consult and register with the McBurney Disability Resource Center McBurney Services if you will need academic, housing, and/or other disability-related accommodations or services abroad.

International Students: Talk with International Student Services about your visa status and study abroad.

Military-Connected Students with Veteran’s Benefits: Talk with University Veteran Services about how your benefits can be used for study abroad.

This program is offered by International Academic Programs.  We have a team that works with each program.  Each member of this program team is able to help students with different kinds of questions. Visit the advising webpage to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Enrollment Manager

For questions on application advising, program eligibility, course equivalency request process, grade processing.

Emily Wink (Make an appointment with Emily Wink, or email emily.wink@wisc.edu)

Study Abroad Advisor

For questions on program experience, academics, housing, visa, health safety, student identity, funding and scholarships, returned student resources.

Kate Hamoonga (Make an appointment with Kate Hamoonga, or email kate.hamoonga@wisc.edu)

Financial Specialist

For questions on billing, funding and scholarships, financial policies.

Judy Humphrey (judy.humphrey@wisc.edu)