Oaxaca, Mexico – Nature, Culture, & Spirit behind El Dia de Los Muertos | Fall 2025

Status

Open

Trip Destination

Oaxaca, Mexico

Approximate Price

TBD by Grant Funding Qualifications

Trip Date

10/18/2025

TO

10/25/2025

Application Deadline

07/17/2025

APPLY NOW

Cost Information

If you do not enroll in the Be World Ready course, you will be responsible for the full International Field Study cost of $5,000+ (subject to change). Prices may vary slightly for International Field Studies. For other Be World Ready programs, refer to the approximate costs listed on their respective webpage.

Program Information

This opportunity is available to all Niagara College students who:

      • Are a member of the Indigenous Community (and can provide proof of Indigenous status).
      • Are in good academic standing at the time of selection and prior to departure.
      • Are actively enroled in a program at Niagara College during the term(s) of travel
      • Agree to enroll in and complete the General Elective course (SOCL 1128) in the Fall 2025 (Sept 2025 to Dec 2025) OR agree to pay the full amount of the trip if not participating in the Be World Ready Course (Up to ~6K, depending on IFS destination)

      • Agree to attend ALL in-person/on-campus classes associated with the BWR course.

        • Students who do not wish to complete the 14-week Be World Ready course, during the Fall 2025 term will be required to attend 2 in-person pre-departure training sessions, complete the 3 module self-directed pre-departure training modules, and the post-experience in-person debrief. For this, you will receive a BWR certificate for your portfolio and a $500 BWR grant applied to your student account upon return.

Physical Intensity

High - extended walking, uneven terrain/inclines, sitting for day trips, longer periods of standing during site visits

Accommodations

6 nights in shared apartment/house style accommodations

Meals

Meals as outlined in itinerary, food prepared during experience, meals included on flights

Steps to Apply

  1. Click here to apply for the “Oaxaca, Mexico” IFS and verify your Participant Eligibility.
      • Approx. 2 minutes to complete
      • You will be sent an email to apply. Please click the attached link to complete your registration. 
  3. Confirmed eligible students will receive the instructions to complete payment instructions within 48 hours of receiving confirmation, followed by the second portion of the application, which will include your passport upload and further personal information.
  4. Receive email confirmation that your seat has been saved from [email protected].
  5. Get your suitcase out!

Oaxaca, Mexico – Nature, Culture, & Spirit behind El Dia de Los Muertos | Fall 2025

Experience the Culture, Nature, and Spirit behind El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)!

We’re going to the culinary and cultural capital of Mexico during one of the most amazing times of the year! If you love beauty, eating, bustling markets, bright colors, street art, friendly people, arts and crafts, rich history, and hands-on experiences—this is the experience for you!

Ready to go on a once in a lifetime journey to the heart of Mexico? This International Field Study to Oaxaca is an immersive land-based experience filled with hands-on reciprocal learning. Together we will explore connection to land, culture, and have the opportunity to learn the history and spirit behind El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). 

Travel during one of the most culturally relevant times of the year, your Fall Break Week (October 18-25, 2025), you will support the Oaxaca community prepare for El Dia de Los Muertos.

This opportunity is available to all Niagara College students who:

      • Are a member of the Indigenous Community (and can provide proof of Indigenous status).
      • Are in good academic standing at the time of selection and prior to departure.
      • Are actively enroled in a program at Niagara College during the term(s) of travel
      • Agree to enroll in and complete the General Elective course (SOCL 1128) in the Fall 2025 (Sept 2025 to Dec 2025) OR agree to pay the full amount of the trip if not participating in the Be World Ready Course (Up to ~6K, depending on IFS destination)

      • Agree to attend ALL in-person/on-campus classes associated with the BWR course.

        • Students who do not wish to complete the 14-week Be World Ready course, during the Fall 2025 term will be required to attend 2 in-person pre-departure training sessions, complete the 3 module self-directed pre-departure training modules, and the post-experience in-person debrief. For this, you will receive a BWR certificate for your portfolio and a $500 BWR grant applied to your student account upon return.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: JULY 17, 2025

Travel Visa + Immigration Documentation:

Students are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) or ETIAS on their own; Be World Ready is not able to apply for any travel visa(s) or ETIAS on your behalf. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation 11 weeks before departure to apply for a Visa as long as you have confirmed your appointment date at [email protected]. All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges upon reentry to Canada. Travel restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada may change at any time. All travellers are responsible for remaining up to date with any restrictions and requirements for travel and re-entry to Canada leading up to and throughout their International Field Study. Niagara College Canada will assume no responsibility for any changes to governing body travel restrictions, required documentation for travel or any refused entry as a result of change. Travellers are encouraged to review the Government of Canada Website for the latest restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada, as well as to check entry requirements to their destination country as a Canadian citizen. If an ETIAS is not acquired, a visa appointment is not secured, or if a visa application is rejected, Niagara College and Be World Ready are unable to refund any payments made. All payments made towards the International Field Study are final.

All international or domestic students, in full-time or part-time* status, and in good academic standing at Niagara College, are eligible for a Be World Ready grant to help offset the cost of their international experience. You must be actively enroled in studies during the term of travel to participate. International Field Studies participation is prioritized for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS since beginning their studies at Niagara College. Students will not directly receive grant money as the full value of the grant has already been applied to the final payment to offset the total cost of the learning experience abroad. For students who do not complete all grant requirements by established deadlines (including the time of submission), the full grant amount may be charged directly to their student account. Details on grant requirements will be shared with you as part of the mandatory Be World Ready (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) course, which all students participating in a Be World Ready International Field Study must enrol in and successfully complete. Eligibility requirements can vary from term-to-term, and from one opportunity to the next.

*Part-time students, are defined by Be World Ready as those actively enroled in a Niagara College program, taking a minimum of 2 classes during the term of travel that contribute to their program progression and credential completion. Students taking a class that does not contribute to a program would not qualify to participate in a Be World Ready International Field Study.

Travel on an unforgettable journey to Oaxaca, Mexico!

Day 1: Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Kick off your journey with excitement as we head to Toronto Airport. Our group flight to Oaxaca departs today so get ready for takeoff! After your arrival, prepare for a warm welcome with a welcome dinner from the hosting team.

Day 2: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte Alban, followed by lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Start the afternoon off by interacting with an Indigenous Human Rights Organization to learn about Community Exchange with OIHDO.

Day 3: Start the day with a guided walking your of Oaxaca’s Historic Center to discuss the Colonial Era, followed by a Presentation on the Status of Indigenous Women. After lunch, we will be learning about the resilience and artistic resistance of a group of Women Artists at their Gallery. Following this, meet a powerful elder who will talk about the cultural significance of mezcal and mezcal tasting.

Day 4: Today, we will be heading to Sierra Norte and visiting the community of Capulalpam to participate in a welcome ceremony, where we will learn about Communal Governance in indigenous areas, and visit with the community.

Day 5: Today is all about Farming and Healing. We will observe the biodiverstiy of birds in the forest with a local expert, along with learning about traditional agriculture by harvesting, picking, and cutting the stalks of plants. We will also learn about Sacred Corn, and have a group circle to reflect on our experience. After lunch we will attend a “sweat lodge” which is traditionally used for cleansing and spiritual fortification.

Day 6: Start off the day with a visit to Venadario, a deer sanctuary, followed by a hike to the Mirador de la Cruz. We will meet with the local community and talk about cosmovision on Communal Land, discussing the gold mines. Following Lunch, we will attend a workshop learning about the Oracular Calendar of 260 days, with a traditional healer and midwife, followed of a workshop of Pan Serrano.

Day 7: Today we will attend a Farewell Ceremony, followed by a visit to the community of Guelato de Juarez. You will have this afternoon free to explore, shop, and enjoy Oaxaca.

Day 8: Today, you will visit the community of San Bartolo Coyotepec, where you will visit the Popular Arte Museum of Oaxaca. We will also complete a hands-on ceramics workshop, and after lunch, attend a meeting where we will learn about indigenous roots of el Dia Los Muertos.

Day 9: Time to say goodbye to the beautiful and unforgettable, Oaxaca, Mexico. Check our of your accommodations and fly home to Toronto with unforgettable memories from your week of learning, reflecting, and celebrating in Mexico. This is the best reading week, ever.

______________________________________________________________________

Selection Process: International Field Studies participation will be prioritized for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS since beginning their studies at Niagara College. Participants will be confirmed by Be World Ready based on not having participated in a BWR experience before, being in good academic standing now and before the departure of the IFS, being actively enroled in a program at Niagara College during the term of travel, and confirmation that you understand and agree to your enrolment in the general or liberal elective course requirements to participate. Please note that if you have not been contacted with an offer to participate within a week of submitting your application, that means you’ve been waitlisted based on funding criteria. Not everyone who applies at the same time will receive a decision at the same time. Please be patient as we review all applications and consider eligibility and funding criteria. 

Disclaimers: Be World Ready does its best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however, all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.

Please Note: Be World Ready reserves the right to prioritize and advance applications based on academic alignment with vocational programs. In accordance with program selection criteria, International Field Studies (IFS) are intended as educational experiences, not group vacations. Applications that appear to be primarily recreational or submitted as part of large social groups may be subject to further review.

Eligibility: Participation in an International Field Study is available for students who have not yet taken part in a Be World Ready IFS experience since beginning their studies at Niagara College. Be World Ready attempts to have a balance of domestic and international students, and that weighs into our selection process. Participants must be in good academic standing at the time of selection and prior to departure, be actively enrolled in a program at Niagara College during the term of travel. Students must confirm that they understand and agree to their enrollment in the General or Liberal elective course requirements. Students who have an outstanding general or liberal elective course requirement that needs to be satisfied will be prioritized, as the mandatory Be World Ready course will provide 3 general or liberal elective credits. 

* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person for International Field Studies (IFS). To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant applied to this IFS, mandatory training and tasks are required to be completed, training and task expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff upon registration and further clarified at the beginning of the mandatory Be World Ready course. Failure to complete the requirements as outlined by BWR staff and by Be World Ready course faculty will result in the value of the grant being billed back to the applicable student account, up to a maximum of $5000.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: JULY 17, 2o25

Included

  • Round-trip airfare, including 1 checked bag
  • Accommodations
    • Students will share rooms with assigned roommates (you will have the opportunity to select a roommate), each having their own bed.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Transportation to/from Toronto
  • Activities as described in the daily itinerary
  • Ground transportation in the country
  • The rate per student is in Canadian Dollars and inclusive of taxes and fees

Not Included

  • Visa/ETIAS/Travel Authorization Fees (if necessary)
  • Passport (or any associated costs)
  • Meals not outlined in the daily itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Souvenirs
  • Departure taxes (otherwise known as an Exit Tax) or additional fees for items not noted as included, if applicable. An example of additional fees could be overweight baggage.
The Be World Ready program at Niagara College prepares you for global success through education, exchange, and international experience. This program offers you the opportunity to experience culturally diverse learning environments, understand different perspectives and connect practical skills with a global mindset to help you launch your career.
An international field study is a 7 – 10 day experience that incorporates both vocational and cultural elements, while visiting some of the world’s most famous sights! Many of our international field studies are customized for specific Schools and programs at Niagara College, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. All international field studies depart during the Niagara College break weeks to ensure that students do not miss any classes.
All international field studies will include roundtrip airfare (where applicable), accommodations, travel insurance, entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary, and some meals as outlined in the itinerary. A detailed list of inclusions and exclusions will be viewable on the posted webpage for any international field study on our website. Participants can expect to purchase some meals on their own and will need to bring spending money for any souvenirs, extra excursions, incidentals or items of a personal nature.

No. All aspects noted as included in the overall cost of the selected international field study are mandatory with no exceptions made. Our international field studies are built using group pricing and it is important that we do not deviate from the inclusions as it could negatively impact our ability to offer fair pricing to all participants.

In addition to affecting group pricing, these are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

No. Students are not able to book their own flight in any way or alter the flights confirmed by Be World Ready. The round-trip flights as confirmed by Be World Ready are part of the package pricing, and the group is to travel to and from the destination country together.

These are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

Each international field study destination has different accommodation providers or themes. Accommodation types that are used may include a combination of dorm-style rooms, homestays, tourist class hotels, or occasionally hostels. We strive to ensure we use centrally located accommodation when in city centres, allowing our participants to explore their surroundings more easily. Private accommodation is not guaranteed.

Rooms will vary in style on each trip; however, they are commonly twin share (2 people to a room with separate beds where possible). Single rooms may be available for an additional room fee provided adequate notice is given to Be World Ready staff. We strive to ensure you have comfortable, affordable accommodations anywhere you travel.

Students will be given the opportunity to meet their fellow travellers before the deadline to submit their roommate requests. Be World Ready does their best to accommodate rooming requests, but please note that final rooming arrangements are subject to room occupancy requirements and availability. A rooming list will be created by Be World Ready staff and shared with our accommodation providers before your departure. All participants will be emailed and will have the opportunity to identify their preferred roommate(s). While we will make every effort to ensure all preferences are met, we cannot guarantee it.

As long as they are current full-time Niagara College students and meet the program eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any persons to participate in any of our international field studies that are not current full-time students at Niagara College.

In addition to regular communications shared with participants leading up to the departure of their international field study of choice, Be World Ready requires students to attend the Be World Ready course, which includes but is not limited to, online trainings and pre-departure training sessions. During the pre-departure training sessions, students will be presented with the overall expectations of the trip as well as in-depth details concerning their itinerary.

During their time abroad, students will be able to communicate with their trip leads directly, 24/7, with any questions or concerns.

All participants are required to hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return to participate in any opportunity involving outbound travel.

You are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) on your own. Be World Ready is unable to tell you what visa you require and how to apply. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation as needed to apply for a Visa. While Be World Ready is not able to advise or guide you in a heightened level of detail through any particular visa process, you may consider hiring a travel visa service to assist you with the visa application process, such as CIBT visas. Please note that Be World Ready and Niagara College do not endorse any third-party vendors, nor have any influence or control over any outcomes or services rendered. We cannot apply for a visa on behalf of any participant.

All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges with reentry to Canada.

Yes, while it is great to have a Nexus card, all participants must hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return in order to participate in any opportunity outside of Canada.
Depending on your destination country, we encourage you to book an appointment with a travel health professional regarding any additional vaccinations and medications you may need. It is strongly encouraged that you book an appointment with the Campus Nurse to go over this information. To do so, please visit the medical office to book an appointment at your respective campus.
Be World Ready takes the safety of our staff and students very seriously and has a rigorous risk management assessment when creating all opportunities. Be World Ready staff monitor destination country risk levels as communicated by the Government of Canada. Your safety is the most important aspect of this trip. Be World Ready and Niagara College take all possible precautions to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable experience while travelling abroad.
Students who sign up during the active promotional period for the international field study will be presented with a payment schedule to follow. At time of registration, students will be only required to pay the full non-refundable deposit that is disclosed at time of registration. Students who are permitted to sign up late will be expected to catch up on any payments missed according to the payment schedule advertised. In some instances, there may only be one payment due date.
Complete the eligibility quiz linked on the webpage of the International Field Study you’re interested in to find out if you meet eligibility requirements.
No. Students will not directly receive grant money as the full value of the grant has already been applied to the final payment to offset the total cost of the learning experience abroad. For students who do not complete all grant requirements by established deadlines (including the time of submission), the full grant amount may be charged directly to their student account. Details on grant requirements will be shared with you as part of the mandatory Be World Ready (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) course, which all students participating in a Be World Ready International Field Study must enroll in and successfully complete to receive funding.
Students are only permitted to travel on an IFS to their home country if the IFS is program specific. IFS’ that are open to students from all programs do not permit students to travel if the destination is their home country. The purpose of the grant funding is to help students gain global competencies that they would not otherwise be exposed to, and as such, travelling to destinations they’ve previously lived in does not support this goal.
Students have the potential to travel and receive funding through Be World Ready up to 2 times; students can travel once on either an International Field Study, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange, and they can potentially travel again for a Work Abroad opportunity (if eligibility requirements are met – please note that if more applications are received than work abroad grants available, priority will be given to those who have never travelled on any type of Be World Ready experience before). So, if you’re wanting to travel on an International Field Study, note that participation on an IFS is permitted only for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange since beginning their studies at Niagara College.

Gallery

Other Important Information

Payment Options

Be World Ready
Niagara College

100 Niagara College Blvd
Welland, Ontario
L3C 7L3, Canada

[email protected]

Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
Niagara College International supports leadership development in NC students by providing diverse, global perspectives and opportunities, allowing students to develop intercultural skills and global citizenship values.

Niagara College © 2024  | Disclaimer  |  Privacy  |  Accessibility  |  Terms & Conditions

Niagara College Logo