High School Immersion Program in Mexico
A school and cultural immersion in the heart of Yucatán
Key Information
- •Age: 15 to 18.5 years old
- •Academic level: middle school or high school in France
- •Duration: 1 term, 1 semester or 1 school year
- •Language: good knowledge of English; basic level of Spanish is an asset
- •Conditions: good physical and mental health, motivation, maturity
- •Location: Yucatán State – city of Mérida and surroundings
- •Type of institution: Mexican private high school
- •Accommodation: volunteer host family
Why study in Mexico?
Living a high school program in Mexico goes far beyond a simple tourist stay. The student is immersed in the daily life of a Mexican family while being schooled in a local high school, guaranteeing complete linguistic and cultural immersion.
The program takes place in the State of Yucatán, mainly in Mérida, a regional capital recognized for its safety, authenticity and quality of life. This region offers an ideal setting for a first international experience in Latin America.
Étudier au Mexique permet de :
- ▸Discover a rich culture deeply rooted in Mayan history
- ▸Progress rapidly in Spanish, both spoken and written
- ▸Develop open-mindedness and autonomy
- ▸Live a strong human experience, within a warm and welcoming society
Program objectives
- ✓Lastingly improve Spanish skills (oral and written expression, pronunciation and accent)
- ✓Integrate into Mexican family and school life
- ✓Be schooled in a Mexican private high school offering quality education
- ✓Live a true international cultural exchange
- ✓Validate the school year upon return to France, subject to agreement from the home institution
How does the program work?
A volunteer Mexican host family welcomes the student as a full member of the family. Shortly after arrival, the student joins a Mexican private high school, usually the one attended by the host family's children or located nearby.
This total immersion during adolescence is particularly effective for:
- ▸Acquiring solid mastery of Spanish
- ▸Understanding local culture and habits in depth
- ▸Developing essential intercultural skills
The exchange is reciprocal: the student discovers Mexican culture, while the family opens up to a foreign culture.
About the city of Mérida
Capital of Yucatán, Mérida, nicknamed the white city, is renowned for:
- ▸Its safety
- ▸Its cleanliness
- ▸Its colonial architecture
- ▸The warm welcome of its inhabitants
Located just 30 minutes from the beach and at a reasonable distance from major sites like Cancún or Playa del Carmen, Mérida remains an authentic, little-touristed city perfectly suited for a school program.
It's an ideal environment to become a true Yucateco and experience deep cultural immersion.
The Mexican high school
The Mexican education system is based on structured, lecture-based teaching, while encouraging participation, group work and expression of ideas.
Students learn to:
- ▸Work autonomously and in an organized manner
- ▸Respect a clear school framework
- ▸Express their opinion constructively
As part of the program:
- •The student is enrolled in a private high school
- •Registration and tuition fees are included in the IMMERSION program
- •The institution designates a reference teacher (Welcoming School Ambassador) responsible for the student's well-being
- •A mentor student is assigned to accompany the student from arrival
- •In some schools, wearing a school uniform is mandatory.
Daily life and transportation
- ▸Transportation is mainly by public transport, at reduced cost with a student card
- ▸When possible, the host family can also provide some transportation
- ▸School supplies, uniform and specific materials remain the student's responsibility
Local coordinator and monitoring
Each student benefits from the support of a local coordinator (LC) based in Yucatán.
The coordinator:
- ▸Comes from the local context and knows the regional culture perfectly
- ▸Ensures regular monitoring of the student and host family
- ▸Helps the student manage culture shock and any difficulties
- ▸Maintains constant contact with IMMERSION
Monthly reports are sent to keep families informed of the progress of the stay.
What is included in the program
- ✓Accommodation with volunteer host family
- ✓Full board
- ✓Enrollment in a Mexican private high school
- ✓Registration and tuition fees
- ✓Local coordinator throughout the stay
- ✓Regular monitoring and monthly reports
- ✓Health insurance
- ✓Support from IMMERSION for application and visa procedures
- ✓Support from IMMERSION before and during the stay
What is not included
- •Airline tickets
- •Fees related to visas or residence permits
- •School uniform and supplies
- •Personal expenses
- •Pocket money
- •Outings and personal activities
Mexico Through the Lens
Explore the daily life of our students in Mexico through this gallery of authentic photos. Discover the precious moments shared with host families, life in Mérida, and cultural activities that make this experience an unforgettable adventure.
They lived the adventure
Discover the authentic experiences of our students who dared to immerse themselves and came back transformed.
Receive the Brochure
Want to learn more about this program? Receive our complete brochure with all the detailed information, important dates, and steps to start your immersion adventure in the United States.
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