Program Details
Location
Mexico City
Term
Winter Break (Fall semester on campus)
Housing
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Incoming First Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
3.0
About
Travel to Mexico to learn firsthand about modern Mexican art, cinema, literature, and architecture after on-campus reading, film viewing, and discussion. Explore key sites in and around Mexico City such as Teotihuacán, Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, and the Palace of Fine Arts. You will engage with others in the class about how, in the wake of the Mexican Revolution, the relationship between art and politics became all-important, with questions of personal identity bound up with questions of national identity. You will also study the relationship between developments in Mexico and international movements in the arts.
This course will lead you to reflect on art and politics, art and nationalism, and art and society, and to consider the implications in relation to the United States, the international community, and your life.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Live in shared housing for the duration of the program. A welcome and farewell meal, as well as some additional meals will be provided. Additional meals not included can be taken at local restaurants and cafés.
Excursions
Excursions for this seminar may include:
- Tour Mexico City including the main square, cathedral, and historic center.
- Day trip to Teotihuacán (the pre-Columbian site with the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon).
- Visit the world-famous Museum of Anthropology
- Visit Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, and the Kahlo-Diego Rivera House and Studio
- Visit the National Palace and see the spectacular Rivera mural
- Visit the house and studio of the great architect Luis Barragan
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Learning Outcomes
In this course you will:
- Learn about the major developments in modern Mexican art, literature, film, and architecture from the time of the Mexican Revolution (1910) to the Mexico City Olympics (1968).
- Examine important works by acclaimed artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siquieros, and Luis Barragan.
- Discover Mexico past and present while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites Teotihuacán, Xochimilco Gardens, and the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), a classic of mid-century modern design
Faculty & Staff
This program is led by Robert Silberman, an Associate Professor of Art History in the College of Liberal Arts. Rob has previously led a similar learning abroad program.
Program Structure
Program Level
2000 level coursework
Courseload
One 3-credit course in fall, one 1-credit course over winter break
Course Schedule
This is an embedded fall semester course, with the abroad portion in Mexico taking place over winter break and on-campus classes taking place during the fall semester.
On-campus Fall Semester 2026 course meets: Mondays, 2:30–5:00 p.m., Heller Hall 445 (West Bank)
Abroad term: Winter Break 2027.
Coursework
Coursework will include brief writing assignments based on the readings and film viewing, participation in class discussions, and a mid-term and final paper, as well as brief reports for the Mexican sites and a final statement on the significance of the Mexican experience.
While this Honors Seminar Abroad is primarily aimed at University Honors Program participants, non-Honors students may be eligible to apply and participate upon review after the priority deadline.
You will receive credit for: HSEM2081V (3 credits- fall term) & HSEM 2082H (1 credit- winter break travel abroad). You must enroll in both classes to participate in this program.
Liberal Education fulfillment: HSEM 2081V: Arts & Humanities or Global Perspectives
Approved for: This honors seminar abroad fulfills both an honors course experience, and a non-course honors experience.
Academic Registration
If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.
If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.
You will register yourself for the Fall 2026 HSEM2081V course prior to the start of the semester. The Learning Abroad Center will register you for the Winter Break HSEM 2082H course (part of spring semester registration/billing).
The fall course will be part of your regular fall credit load and regular tuition charges apply.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Break 2026–27 | January 4–14, 2027 (tentative) | May 15, 2026 | August 15, 2026 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 11 | 12:00 p.m. | Online only: ID: 99730385358 Passcode: 587G9S Email Ian Ringgenberg at [email protected] with questions. |
| Tuesday, May 5 | 2:30 p.m. | In-person (Heller Hall 230) or online. Register for the info session. |
| Wednesday, May 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Online only. Register for the info session. |
| Monday, May 11 | 11:00 a.m. | Online only. Register for the info session. |
On Campus Dates
Fall Semester: Mondays 2:30–5:00 p.m., Heller Hall 445
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The estimated Cost of Participation for this program is $4,700–$4,900.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses. Estimated costs for this are $1,300–$1,500 for this program.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
**The 3 credit fall course is part of a regular fall credit load and tuition charges. The 1 credit abroad/winter break course is counted into spring semester credit load and charges along with any program fees.
If you are registered for less than 13 credits or if you are a non-UofM student or a UofM graduate student, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Winter Break 2027 (Fall 26 on campus course)
A Revolution in Art: Modernism in Mexico
Prepare
Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.