A&SRC Explorers

Welcome to A&SRC Explorers!

Experiencing Mexican Culture

A&SRC Explorers is the signature program of the Arts and Sciences Residential College (A&SRC). This application-based competitive program is open to full-time A&SRC members in good academic standing with demonstrated RLC, campus, and community engagement.

Selected students will enroll in Encountering Global Cultures (MLNG2000) during the Spring 2025 semester and travel abroad during Spring Break (March 8-15, 2025). Our destination is Mexico, with stays in Mérida and surrounding areas in the Yucatán Peninsula.

The student cost for this travel experience is $425.00 (plus passport acquisition fees). The program’s sponsors (UTC’s Center for Global Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and Division of Access and Engagement) cover the remaining cost.

Our faculty-led cohort will explore sites of pre-Columbian civilization, consider how the confluence of Meso-American and European cultures informed Mexican cultural identity, and experience a glimpse of daily life in modern Mérida.

Join us and explore historically rich and culturally vibrant Mexico!

A&SRC Explorers pose in front of the Monument to the Nation in Merida, Mexico. Spring Break 2024.

Students pose in front of the Merida sign in the city's Historic Center

Students pose for a photo at an exhibit in the Great Museum of the Mayan World.

Student enjoys a typical dinner of panuchos and salbutes

Students and faculty pose in front of UADY's Welcome sign

Students enjoying the nightlife in Merida

Students pose in front of the Magician's Pyramid in Uxmal

Students enjoying a swim at Cenotes Santa Barbara

A&SRC Explorers and UADY students and faculty at social event

Students pose in the balcony during the Hacienda tour

Students learn about the Ceramics Lab in UADY's Archaeology Department

Students learning about Mayan civilization at Uxmal site tour

More fun in the sun at Progreso Beach

Photo Op in front of Chichen Itza Castle

Student poses in front a hieroglyph resembling the Power C in Chichen Itza

Lunch with students from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY)

Students pose for photo during lunch at Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

Students pose in front of a fountain at Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

A&SRC Explorers touring Valladolid

Students pose in front of the Monumento a la Patria in Merida

Students posing at rear of the Monumento a la Patria-Merida

Students looking at henequen fibers in a manual processing tool

"A view from the Underworld" - Photo of a tree and the sky as seen through the cenote opening captured from the water

Students learning about indigenous flora

Students at Progreso Beach

Students look onto the expansive archaeological Mayan site of Uxmal

Students swimming at Cenote Sazi

Bonding with the Wildlife at Choco-Story Museum at Uxmal

A&SRC Explorers learning to prepare an old Mayan dish called papadzules during our day at UADY

Section Menu

A&SRC Explorers Downloadable Application

Submit Application Materials Here

Tentative Itinerary

(March 8-15, 2025)

Enjoy pedestrian and bicycle tours of "la ciudad blanca," Mérida, Yucatán.
Engage and exchange with students and faculty at the UADY (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán).
Experience local music and dance traditions at the live Vaquería Yucateca show.
Mingle with the locals at a Mercado (market) shopping adventure.
Swim and soak up the sun at Progreso Beach.
See and hear Mayan legends come to life at the Mayan World Museum of Mérida.
Explore the Mayan ruins at the Chichén Itzá and Uxmal archaeological sites.
Discover the significance of cacao (chocolate) at the Choco Story Museum.
Contemplate Mayan mysticism as you relax in a cenote (underground swimming hole) excursion.
Consider colonial plantation life and economy on a henequen hacienda tour.