Location

Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Program Description

The Dukes in Mexico - Culture and Language program offers students a unique opportunity to live and learn in two of Mexico’s most culturally rich cities: Mexico City and Guanajuato. Over the course of three weeks, students will explore the intersections of ancient and contemporary Mexican culture through guided excursions, homestays, and immersive learning experiences.

In Mexico City, students will stay 4 days in a centrally located bed and breakfast with a peaceful garden setting, just steps away from vibrant neighborhoods and major cultural landmarks. Activities include visits to the Teotihuacan and Templo Mayor pyramids, Zócalo, Frida Kahlo Museum, National Museum of Anthropology, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and a boat ride through the colorful canals of Xochimilco.

In Guanajuato, students will live with local host families for 2 1/2 weeks, gaining firsthand insight into daily life and Mexican hospitality. The program includes visits to Teatro Juárez, Diego Rivera Museum, and the Museum of the Mummies, as well as opportunities to enjoy street performances, mariachi and norteño music, and traditional markets. A day trip to Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, and nearby natural hot springs is also included.

Optional activities include zip-lining, horseback riding, trail hiking, and participation in a temazcal (Mexican sweat lodge).

We are exploring two possible course concepts, both of which are described below. We will finalize the course area and number through consultation with General Education area coordinators.

HUM 252: As a participant in this program, you will earn 3 credits from the Human Questions and Contexts category of the JMU General Education curriculum. This course satisfies 3 of the 9 total credits required for the Arts and Humanities area. This immersive course explores the cultural foundations of Mexico through the lens of ancient civilizations and their enduring influence on modern life. Students will study the belief systems, mythologies, and cosmologies of the Olmecs, Maya, Teotihuacan, and Mexica/Aztec peoples. Through site visits, readings, and experiential learning, students will examine how these civilizations made sense of the world—and how their traditions continue to shape Mexican identity today. The course blends academic inquiry with hands-on experiences, including museum visits, archaeological site tours, live performances, and traditional cooking classes.

UNST 300: As a participant in this program, you will earn 3 credits in Critical Thinking, one of the three Madison Foundations courses within the JMU General Education curriculum. This immersive, interdisciplinary course explores the vital role water has played in shaping the physical and cultural landscapes of central Mexico. From ancient Mayan and Mexica (Aztec) mythologies to the underground water tunnels of Guanajuato, students will examine how water has influenced architecture, ritual, and community life. The course also investigates the origins of local festivals—such as the celebration of the dam release in Guanajuato—and engages with present-day challenges related to water quality and scarcity. Through a blend of academic inquiry and hands-on experiences, students will visit archaeological sites, attend cultural festivals, and explore museums to understand the intersections of story, culture, and sustainability. This course invites students to think critically about how natural resources shape human experience—and how communities adapt to environmental change.

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Location Description

Mexico City is a dynamic metropolis where ancient ruins and modern life coexist. Students will explore the Aztec (Mexica) Templo Mayor, climb the Teotihuacan pyramids, and stroll through the historic Zócalo. The city’s cultural richness is further revealed through visits to the Frida Kahlo Museum, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the floating gardens of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These experiences provide a foundation for understanding the cosmologies and artistic expressions of ancient Mesoamerican cultures.

Guanajuato City, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a colonial-era treasure nestled in the mountains of central Mexico. Known for its colorful alleyways, underground tunnels, and vibrant arts scene, Guanajuato offers a perfect blend of history and charm. Students can ride the funicular to panoramic viewpoints, enjoy live theater at the Teatro Juárez, and sample local cuisine in bustling markets and bakeries. The city’s rich history as a silver mining hub and its pivotal role in the Mexican War of Independence make it a living classroom for cultural exploration.

A day trip to Dolores Hidalgo, known as the Cradle of Mexican Independence, will deepen students’ understanding of Mexico’s national identity. It was here, on September 16, 1810, that Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the famous “Grito de Dolores,” launching the movement for independence from Spanish rule. Students will visit key historical sites such as the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Museum of National Independence.

The program will also include an excursion to San Miguel de Allende, a city celebrated for its Spanish colonial architecture, artistic vibrancy, and cultural fusion. Founded in 1542, San Miguel played a strategic role in the independence movement and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved historic center and architectural beauty. Its cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and thriving arts scene make it one of the most compelling cultural destinations in the Americas.

Director

Rudy Molina | molinarm@jmu.edu| Educational Foundations and Exceptionalities

Jolie Lewis | lewis3jl@jmu.edu | Student Academic Success

Accommodations

While in Mexico City, students will be in hotel rooms. For the remainder of the program and once arriving in Guanajuato, students will be assigned homestays with families who live in or close to the center of the city.

Students will be allocated a weekly meal stipend that will cover approximately 14 meals per week.

Additional Items to Consider

There will be an orientation meeting prior to departure, and students will be asked to complete the BEVI questionnaire before departure and upon completion of the program. The BEVI asks respondents a series of questions about beliefs, values, and life events, which seek to illuminate “who learns what and why, and under what circumstances.” The instructor will use the results to facilitate conversation and reflection with the students, not for research purposes.

Pre-departure Coursework:

Students will be required to post video introductions of themselves, and they will complete 2-4 readings and submit entries that prompt them to reflect on several domains. Lastly, they will be required to complete a survey that assesses their cultural awareness.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Open to all class levels and majors, including graduate students. 

Open to non-JMU students

Spanish proficiency is not required; one Spanish language course of any level is highly recommended.