Mexico: Myths, Metropoles and the Magical
Set in the richly layered cultural and ecological landscapes of Mexico, this program invites you to think beyond traditional boundaries—blending architecture, urban design, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge.
This program offers Bachelor of Design in City Innovation students a chance to explore ancient cities, modern metropolises, and magical natural sites while learning how design is shaped by history, storytelling, and place. Whether you're sketching archaeological ruins, reflecting through journaling, or analyzing urban systems, you'll gain new tools to think critically, design thoughtfully, and approach the built environment with a global, future-facing mindset.
Key information
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Prof. Alberto de Salvatierra: alberto.desalvatierr@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team: group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links: Travel Advisory for Mexico
Info session recording
Program details
The information below was last updated: November 2025
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in two courses:
DSGN 500.1: Experiential Learning in Design in City Innovation (3 units)
DSGN 500.2: Experiential Learning in Design in City Innovation (3 units)
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Prerequisites
72 units and admission to the BDCI
Note: program itinerary is tentative and subject to change.
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Pre-departure
TBD, Calgary: Mandatory pre-departure orientation by Global Learning
May 4, 2026 (Calgary): Mexico: MMM Program Overview + Mexico General Orientation
May 7, 2026 (Calgary): Term Project Pin-Ups + Group Discussion, Work Session Day
May 8, 2026 (Calgary): Pre-Departure Detailed Orientation and Student Term Project Sketch Presentations
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In-field
May 11, Calgary: Travel day to Mexico City
May 12, Mexico City: Class (Meal) Discussion + Pre-Field Research Preparation
May 13 - 24, Mexico City: Lectures, field trips, walking tours, independent project time
May 25, Mexico City: Travel day to Querétaro
May 26 - 28, Querétaro: Lectures, field trips, walking tours, independent project time
May 29, Querétaro: Travel day to Oaxaca
May 30 - June 3, Oaxaca: Lectures, field trips, walking tours, independent project time
June 4, Oaxaca: Travel day to Puebla
June 5 - June 7, Puebla: Lectures, field trips, walking tours, independent project time
June 8, Puebla: Travel day to Mexico City
June 9, Mexico City: Travel day to Calgary
View the detailed itinerary. Note: program itinerary is tentative and subject to change.
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Costs
The estimated cost of the Mexico: Myths, Metropoles and the Magical Group Study Program is $7,260. This includes tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you? Since you are studying UCalgary courses and paying UCalgary tuition, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Accommodations will be student-appropriate, safe, and clean.
This program is open to undergraduate Bachelor of Design in City Innovation students in good academic standing, with a minimum of 72 units completed.
Applications will be considered after your application and unofficial transcript have been received in full.
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Written application questions
All Group Study Programs have general questions about how the program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program, and coping skills for travelling abroad. These questions are designed to help narrow down your motivation for applying and why you should be selected.
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you "save" your application, copy the questions into a Word document to compose your answers, check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
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Unofficial transcript
Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre. Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
You will be asked to upload your transcript as a PDF in the online application.
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Interview
Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline, November 10, 2025. Students may be asked to complete an interview in November. Further information will be provided by email to applicants.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
The advisor for this program is: Sydney Guthrie
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.