Idaho State University Signs New Student Exchange Agreement with University in Mexico

Idaho State University students will soon have the opportunity to study in Mexico through a new exchange partnership with Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). Beginning in Spring 2027, undergraduate students from a variety of academic disciplines will be able to spend one or two semesters in Puebla, one of Mexico’s most vibrant cultural and educational centers.

The agreement, signed by ISU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Adam Bradford and UPAEP Vice President for Outreach and International Affairs Andrés Barba Vargas, was made possible through the efforts of Dr. José Eduardo Villalobos Graillet, Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Department of Anthropology and Languages, and Shawn Bascom, Associate Director of Admissions and International Services in ISU’s International Programs Office. Applications for the inaugural cohort are expected to open this fall.

For Dr. Villalobos Graillet, the partnership carries special significance. He earned his undergraduate degree at UPAEP before completing graduate studies in Spain and Canada and joining Idaho State University. As a student, he participated in exchange programs in the United States and Chile and later completed an internship in UPAEP’s International Affairs Office, helping promote international education opportunities for students.

“International experiences shaped my academic and professional journey,” said Dr. Villalobos Graillet. “I hope this partnership will encourage ISU students to broaden their horizons, experience another culture firsthand, and build connections that can last a lifetime.”

Founded in 1973, UPAEP is one of Mexico’s leading private universities and serves more than 12,000 students. Located in Puebla, Mexico’s fourth-largest city, the university provides students with access to a region known for its rich history, vibrant cultural life, world-renowned cuisine, and proximity to important Mesoamerican archaeological sites, including Cholula, Cantona, and Yohualichan.

The exchange is open to students from all majors and offers academic opportunities across a wide range of disciplines. Students in Anthropology and Languages may find particularly strong opportunities through the program, with coursework in areas such as Mexican and Latin American culture and literature, sociolinguistics, language teaching, Indigenous cultures, food studies, and medical anthropology. Combined with the region’s rich cultural and historical landscape, these offerings allow students to connect classroom learning with firsthand cultural experiences. UPAEP also offers distinctive programs in fields such as Film and Audiovisual Production, Gastronomy, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Aerospace Engineering, and Bionic Engineering.

To help make studying abroad more accessible, eligible students may continue using ISU financial aid and scholarships during the exchange, and additional funding opportunities are available through several university scholarships.

Students interested in studying at UPAEP can learn more about the university’s academic programs and campus life at upaep.mx/en. Those interested in participating in the exchange should contact Idaho State University’s International Programs Office for information about eligibility requirements, application deadlines, financial aid, scholarships, and study abroad planning.