Xalapa is the capital of the Mexican state of Veracruz and has a population of around 425,000. It is located at the transition between the Mexican Sierra Nevada and the coast of Veracruz to the Gulf of Mexico, 350 kilometres east of the capital Mexico City. Surrounded by volcanoes and mountain ranges, the city is characterised by enormous differences in altitude. The climate in Xalapa is predominantly temperate and humid with an average annual temperature of 20 °C. The Veracruz region is characterised by its biodiversity, colonial cities, outdoor activities and numerous museums.

The Universidad Veracruzana was founded in 1944 and is one of the largest public higher education institutions in Mexico with 80,000 students. It has a co-operation with the Tropical ResearchCentre (Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, also known as CITRO ), which was founded in 2007. Students from the University of Oldenburg will be able to study there for the first time in 2024. Courses can be chosen from the Master's programme in Tropical Ecology (Ecología Tropical).

The school for exchange students(Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros) offers free Spanish courses. During their stay abroad, students have the opportunity to register for traditional Mexican cookery courses as well as further education courses and intercultural trips.

The International Office of the Universidad Veracruzana does not have a student residence, but offers exchange students a list of accommodation options. Before the start of the stay abroad, the International Office offers future students a video conference in which all open questions can be clarified.