By Rafael Ontiveros

Staff writer

The Center for Global Education and Engagement seeks students for a new study abroad program in Yucatan, Mexico.

The 10-day program will be paired with a directed study from the Anthropology 185 course from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24, 2027. 

The number of applicants is a maximum of 18 people, fees will range from $2,890 to $3,490 depending on group size.

This will be the first time East Los Angeles College CGEE will offer a winter session in Yucatan, Mexico.

The previous winter study abroad session was held in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Julie Bernard has taught anthropology at ELAC since 2008 and previously led three Oaxaca study abroad trips.

Students will be based in three anchor cities: Merida, Valladolid and Ek Balam. 

Anthropology 185 will combine archaeology, history, culture and environmental learning. 

Some archeological destinations include Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Cobá, Oxkintok, Dzibilchaltún and Ek Balam. 

Cultural activities include a cooking class in a traditional Maya village, visiting the Tihosuko Caste War Museum, meeting Kimbila embroidery artisans and watching a reenactment of Maya Pitz, a ball game. 

This trip aims to help students understand contemporary Maya culture and practices in the modern day.

Applicants will have to make a $500 non-refundable deposit on top of the total cost for the program. 

The first $200 of the deposit is due Oct. 14. 

Students can not save a place in the program without paying the deposit. 

The last $300 of the deposit must be paid by Oct. 15. 

The remaining cost of the trip is due Nov. 14.

If 10 students enroll the cost will be $3,490, 12-15 students will cost $3,190 and 16 students or more would decrease the cost to $2,890.

Final Applicants will attend a Zoom meeting about 10 days after the deposit deadline and then a in-person orientation in December.

 The fees cover ground transportation, lodging, 10 breakfasts, seven lunches, four dinners, entry fees for archaeological sites and museums.

The expenses do not include airfare, unlisted meals, passport fees, personal spending and enrollment costs for the Anthropology 185 course. 

The Los Angeles Community College District provides medical insurance to faculty and students.

However, additional travel insurance is recommended.

The co-director of the trip Lynn Vogel-Zuiderweg said that students have experienced funding cancellations in the past. 

“Several students thought they could have raised the money, but they couldn’t, or they thought they were going to get a scholarship, but then they never received one,” Vogel-Zuiderweg said.

The CGEE advise using financial aid to cover costs when applicable and pursuing scholarship options. 

A recommended scholarship resource is the California Colleges for International Education website. 

Students can reach the CGEE at cgee@elac.edu.

For questions about Anthropology 185, students can email Bernard at bernarjl@elac.edu.