Mexico City - Universidad Iberoamericana

Q. What does this program offer?
A. MU participates in a direct exchange program with la Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Situated in one of the world’s greatest cities, la Ibero, as it is called, has a large number of international exchange programs with universities all over the world. At Ibero you will not only be immersed in Mexican culture, but also in the society of international students and travelers living in Mexico City.

Q. What is it like there?
A. Ibero’s innovative, distinctive architecture signifies the progressive direction of the university. Ibero’s motto is “La Verdad nos hará libres,” and the university is committed to the social applications of education. At Ibero, you will receive quality instruction in a supportive environment. The university’s smaller size (10,000 students) allows for a low student-teacher ratio. Student activities in politics, art and sports and modern educational resources are readily available as well. The city’s many museums of art, anthropology, history and archaeology showcase the glories of Mexico’s past and present. Mexico City has some of the most exclusive discos in the world, as well as the most unusual and diverse entertainment. From the Ballet Folklórico at Bellas Artes, to raucous bullfights, to quirky jazz or techno clubs, Mexico City has something for everyone.

Q. What will I study?
A. You may choose classes from a wide variety of liberal arts courses offered at Iberoamericana, such as Art, Sciences, Religious Sciences, Political and Social Sciences, Economics, Philosophy, History and Literature. You may also enroll in special language and culture courses for international students. The extent of direct enrollment in regular university courses will depend on your performance in a Spanish placement test, administered to all international students upon arrival in Mexico.

Q. When can I go?
A. You can participate in this program for any of the following terms:
 Fall Semester
 Spring Semester
 Academic Year

Q. Where will I live?
A. There are no campus residence halls at Ibero. You may live with a Mexican family or rent an apartment. The Ibero Academic Exchange Office will help you arrange accommodations.

Q. Will I get academic credit?
A. For each semester of academic work completed abroad, you may earn between 12 and 15 credit hours. Course credit transfers to MU, but your grades will not appear on your MU transcript and are not figured into your GPA. Although you are guaranteed to receive credit for successfully completed courses, you must work with your academic advisors to get pre-approval for how the courses you take might fulfill specific degree requirements. As part of your pre-departure preparation, you will need to look up what courses are available on the program and then arrange to meet with your academic advisor(s) to get pre-approval for the courses you wish to take.

Q. Can I afford to go?
A. MU attempts to make the costs of studying abroad affordable for you. Because this is a reciprocal exchange program, you will pay MU educational fees, non-resident tuition (for non-Missouri residents), student activities fees, information technology fees, and the student health center fee for 13 credit hours per semester. You will also pay a $500 study abroad administrative fee to cover MU administrative costs. Additional expenses for this program include international airfare, on-site housing costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. See the estimated expenses page for more details about the cost of participating in this program compared to a comparable time at MU. Estimated costs for this program are listed below.

Q. Can I get financial aid?
A. Most financial aid that you normally receive for your classes at MU should apply to the cost of the program. If you are not a Missouri resident, you will be billed for MU non-resident fees and so remain eligible for any non-resident scholarships you receive from MU. Additional grants, loans or scholarships may be available to offset the extra costs incurred on this program. Please see the advisor for study abroad financing at the MU Financial Aid Office for more complete information. The International Center offers study abroad scholarships as well. Scholarship applications are included in the MU Study Abroad Application.

Q. Am I eligible?
A. If you are a sophomore, junior or senior, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, you are eligible to apply. Since you will be taking regular university classes with other Mexican students, you are also required to complete at least four semesters of university-level Spanish (preferably Spanish 2160) with grades of "B" or better before departing.

Q. How do I apply?
A. See the Study Abroad Application Instructions on this web-site for more information.

Q. Where can I find out more?
A. In the Study Abroad Resource Room at the International Center, you will find additional information on this and other overseas opportunities. Peer Advisors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and Study Abroad Advisors are available by appointment. You can also visit the Universidad Iberoamericana website for more information about the program.