frequently asked questions

A study abroad program gives you the opportunity to combine earning college credit with seeing the world. If you have never been abroad, the program typically provides the guidance and security necessary for such a first international experience. While in college you have access to financial aid and many awards and scholarships, which can help you afford a study abroad program. Also such a program gives you the chance to travel without falling behind in your studies, an opportunity you won't have once you enter the workforce. An added bonus – which becomes increasingly important – is the opportunity to list such an international venture in your resumé, which will make you stand out among other job applicants once you complete your studies and apply for your first job.

• Almost 17,000 students have studied abroad with UNO since 1973
• You can earn UNO college credits in exciting destinations 
• No foreign language skills or knowledge are required
• In 2023, UNO awarded over $50,000 in institutional awards and scholarships to "Privateers" studying abroad

• Because Mexico is one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in the world, home of ancient Indigenous cultures, European heritage, internationally recognized art history, and vibrant culinary scene.
• Mexico and the United States share history, a 2000-mile border, and are each other’s single largest trading partner, and yet…
• For two countries that are so deeply related, we don’t know nearly enough about each other.  Knowledge of Mexico is a pathway to responsible global citizenship in North America, and valuable asset to your career in any field.
• It has long been said that there are “Many Mexicos,” and many of them are there to be explored in Oaxaca.  It is the Mexican state with the most municipalities (over 500) and among the highest levels of linguistic and ecological diversity in the nation.  Over a million people in the state of Oaxaca speak an indigenous language.  

Many of the classes that we offer are a part of UNO’s General Degree Requirements meaning that they are classes you will need to take in order to receive your degree, regardless of what your major is here at UNO.  

With that said, each student’s academic plan is different, and we recommend you meet with our office and your academic advisor to see how studying abroad can work for you.  

For summer of 2025 we are offering the following two courses.  Both are taught in English, and no Spanish is required to participate in the program:

• ANTH 3092 - Latin America: History, Environment and Culture (Dr. Roberto Barrios)
• SPAN 3040 - Latin American Literature in Translation (Dr. Sebastian Figueroa)

These two online summer courses are integral parts of a program that is specifically designed to fit the schedules and learning objectives of students with less time to travel in the summer.  

A lot can be learned in three weeks in a relatively small and intensely diverse region like Oaxaca.  We have designed these courses to maximize your experiential learning on-site, while giving you more time to prepare before traveling and then to reflect and demonstrate what you have learned after you return in an online course format that will last the entire eight weeks of the summer term.

Our on-site partner, Arcos Learning Abroad, will arrange for local homestays with Mexican families, where you will make friends, learn from local hosts and enjoy three meals a day.  

Your day will start with breakfast at home, and then you will meet your professors for two morning class sessions in classrooms at the Universidad Autonoma Benito Juarez de Oaxaca (UABJO).  After lunch with your host family, you will participate in afternoon excursions and cultural activities, after which you will enjoy dinner with your host family and have more time to explore Oaxaca on your own.  Weekends provide time for more extended excursions with your professors and classmates, and free time to experience life in a festive city where people love to be outdoors.

Though airfares and UNO summer tuition rates are subject to change, you should expect to pay the following for Summer 2025:

• Arcos Learning Abroad fee ($3145.00)
• UNO Summer tuition for 6 credits ($2092.00 for 2024, subject to change in 2025)
• Airfare to Oaxaca ($700.00, varies)
• Spending money (varies by student)

You will pay Arcos Learning Abroad and the University of New Orleans separately for this summer program.  

The first payments due will be to Arcos; a $200.00 deposit on March 15th, and then the remaining balance of $2945.00 on April 15th.  

UNO summer tuition is due according to the dates and deadlines set on the UNO website.  For last year’s summer tuition, and to monitor for new 2025 rates please visit here.   

Yes. Learn more about how to apply for awards and scholarships here.

Academic Admission Requirements
Undergraduates with a 2.25 cumulative GPA and graduate students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible to apply. Non-UNO students must submit an official transcript and other application materials to the UNO-Mexico program staff. New students seeking college credit must meet the general admission requirements of the University of New Orleans.

Student Conduct Admission Requirements
Students must be in good standing with their home institution to be considered for admission to the UNO-Mexico program. As part of the program application, all students must complete the “Academic & Disciplinary Record Form,” including the authorization to release academic and disciplinary records to the UNO-Mexico program administration for verification with the Student Conduct office at the home institution. These records, which will be reviewed by authorized program personnel only, will be used to determine eligibility for admission to the program. Students on disciplinary and/or academic probation will not be accepted to the UNO-Mexico program.  After review of all application materials, students will be notified in writing of their admission status with the UNO-Mexico program.

If you've never left the country before or never studied abroad before, it can seem overwhelming, but do not worry! Keep in mind that many of our students are in your shoes! Whether this is your first time on a plane or if you're an experienced traveler, here's a general timeline of what you want to do:

• Apply for the program
• Submit required paperwork to our office (transcript, photo, immunization records, etc.) 
• Apply for a passport (if you don't have one already or renew yours if necessary).  Be sure to send us a copy of the page that has your photo on it once you receive it as we require that for our records

As soon as possible!  Passports can take weeks or sometimes even months to be processed, so please don't wait until the last minute to begin this process.  You can apply for a passport at most major post offices. Please visit this website for more information.

Also don't forget to share a copy of your passport (the page with your photo and passport number) with our office as we require it prior to departure.

Please visit the UNO Financial Aid website here for more information and for deadlines for securing your aid for the summer.

You will enroll directly in the summer courses for this program and pay your tuition at normal summer rates directly to UNO.  

Remember: it is up to you to talk to your university and counselor to make sure the credits can be transferred for a specific class.

When you have registered for your course, you will receive further instructions from the professors about required books. As an online course, you can expect many readings to be available to you electronically through UNO’s Canvas platform.

Once you've been accepted into the program: 

• Start looking at flights (feel free to run your itinerary through our office to make sure it will have you arriving/departing by the right time). Airfare is not included in the program cost, but we are happy to help you identify a flight where other UNO faculty or students will be present.  
• Send your flight information to our office via email
• Start budgeting for your summer
• Make notes about future payment deadlines and make sure to make your payments on time.  Also let us know if you are planning on using Financial Aid for this summer (see Fees page if you have questions)

Make sure you disclose any/all medications you are taking to us via the Immunization/Medical form that you are required to submit. This is kept confidential, but we do need to have this information in case anything happens to you while we're abroad.  Make sure that you take enough of your medication with you before you leave the U.S. and that you keep it in its original container, as prescribed in case customs in has any questions. You will not be able to fill prescriptions while abroad.

Unfortunately we do not have a mailing address during our short stay in Oaxaca. Tell your friends and family this in advance

You must book your flight on your own. Do not make non-refundable reservations until the program is confirmed by our office. Also, please consult with us regarding time of arrival.

Most students like to travel with others on the program.  We will share everyone's flight information ahead of time so you can see if anyone else is on your flight and coordinate taxis, etc. if you wish. 

Please make sure to book the correct dates.  If you have a question about arrival dates, please email us before booking your flight. You can also use a travel agent or frequent flyer miles. Once you have your itinerary, e-mail it to us and we will look at everyone’s flight plans so we can coordinate travel partners. 

Students must ARRIVE in Oaxaca on June 7, 2025.  Students must DEPART from Oaxaca no earlier than June 28, 2025, and should bear in mind that all program services and support end on June 28, 2025.  

We will send you specific instructions about transportation before the program.

Yes, there is an onsite orientation at UNO before our departure. Of course, not all students can attend, so participants who are not local can join virtually. We will also have another orientation upon arrival in Oaxaca.  

Yes. Insurance is included in the Arcos Learning Abroad fee. 

Applications to UNO are due on February 14, 2025.

Having questions is normal. Please feel free to contact us by e-mailing studyabroad@uno.edu and/or Professor Barrios at rebarrio@uno.edu.  You may also stop by the UNO International Center, Room 116.