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The Merida program offers truly amazing opportunities for language and culture immersion through coursework as well as the homestay option, internships and service-learning.
– Valerie Grimsley
Merida program director

meet the director

Valerie Grimsley
Every Central College Abroad program boasts a resident director who plays a unique role in students’ experience. Directors provide academic advising; teach a hands-on seminar where students learn about the host city and then experience it first hand; and lead the cultural excursions connected to the seminar class. Central College Abroad takes pride in the personalized attention that it can provide its students.

Valerie Grimsley, the on-site program director in Merida, brings over 18 years of expereince and a wealth of knowledge about Mexico, its culture and cross-cultural understanding. Valerie received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Central College, her Master of Science in international business administration from Central Michigan University, and is ABD in health administration from Central Michigan University. While an undergraduate student at Central College, Valerie studied on the Merida program. She describes her studies on Central's program as the pivotal experience of her life and strives to bring that same experience to today's program participants. 

As the on-site program director, Valerie facilitates personal growth and learning by offering on-site support, academic advising and a complete on-site orientation to the host city and country.