Campus Guadalajara Student Handbook and Guide 1 Index 1. Welcome 2. Getting to Mexico a. Coming from the airport b. Coming from the bus station c. Check list d. What to bring e. Luggage f. Housing 3. Official Procedures a. Visa b. Insurance c. Driver’s License d. Bank Information 4. Communications a. Mail b. Telephone c. Cell Phones 5. About Mexico a. Life b. People c. Hospitality d. Weather e. Religion f. Holidays g. Money/Expenses h. Greetings i. Tipping j. Bargaining k. Annual Events 6. About Guadalajara a. Safety b. Superstores c. Convenience Stores d. Malls e. Markets 2 f. Cinema g. Theatre h. Museums i. Restaurants j. Traditional Food k. Sports Events l. Concerts 7. Getting Around a. City Layout b. Asking for directions c. City Bus d. Taxi Cabs e. Subway f. Expreso Tec 8. TEC Campus Guadalajara a. How to get to Tec Campus Guadalajara b. International Programs Office c. Campus facilities d. Offices e. Cultural activities f. Sports activities g. Eating 9. Tourism and Travel a. Places to visit b. By Bus c. By Airplane 3 Welcome Dear International Student, The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with general information about your stay in Guadalajara, Mexico and the ITESM University (also known as Tec de Monterrey, or just Tec). You will find not only information about school procedures and regulations, but also general tips for adapting to the Mexican culture and the city’s customs. You will find tips about how to travel throughout the city, how to understand people and deal with them, and where to go if you need help. You will learn about places to visit, Mexican holidays, weather, safety tips, etc. First, we suggest you to take an overall look at the handbook so you know what info you may find in it. It is better to read it completely before you get to Mexico since you will find tips about the preparation for your journey and you can also get an idea of what you will have to deal with in the near future. If you are already in Mexico, it will help you adapt faster to the city, and also give you ideas for your everyday life. After you read it, keep it as a reference in case you come across a situation in which the handbook can prove useful (a trip, school procedures, places to hangout, etc.). In addition to this handbook, remember you can always count with the International Programs Office staff in case you need help. Remember to keep an open mind during your stay in Mexico, since this is the best way of learning the most about new cultures. Be respectful to people and you will always find a helping hand around here. Good luck in your new adventure! Sincerely, International Programs Office Staff 4 Getting to Mexico Remember you must attend the Orientation Week Coming from the airport If you chose the Home Stay Program as your housing option, a member of your host family will go welcome you at the airport. Taxi Otherwise, the fastest way to come from the airport is by taxi, although it can be a little expensive since it is located 16 kilometres from the city of Guadalajara. The transfer time from the centre of Guadalajara to the terminal is 35 minutes approximately. If you decide on this option, remember to buy the ticket at the taxi stands inside the airport. They are located both at the national and international arrivals exits. The approximate rates for a car (up to 4 persons) are: Airport to TEC, rate is approx. $350 (south to north) pesos Airport to Midtown rate is approx. $280 pesos Bus Rates: from 7 to 12 pesos, according to the type of bus you take. These buses pass each half hour in front of the airport. An alternative option can be "Shuttle Gdl". This company offers shared ground transportation from the Airport to the Minerva area. The approximate rate for a one-way trip is $90.00 pesos per person. From the airport, shuttles depart every 30 minutes from 5:00 am to 00:30 am From the Minerva area, shuttles depart every 30 minutes from 4:30 am to 00:00 am The meeting point at the airport is located at the national arrivals exit, beside the restaurant “Wings”. The meeting point at the Minerva area is located in Av. López Mateos Norte #337, intersection with Av. México, beside a radio station. Coming from the bus station The best option is to request a taxi cab or an Uber. 5 Checklist Do not forget Passport & visa Letters of acceptance from the school Home/hotel/residence hall/family address and phone number School phone number Personal Items What to Bring Clothes June – September Light clothes, an umbrella or raincoat. December – March Sweaters and jackets. The rest of the months have a perfect weather, not too hot, not too cold. Items Laptop – If you have one (there is Wi-Fi all around campus) Electricity adapter (110 V) – If you don’t have an adapter, you can buy it in Guadalajara at Wall-Mart, Steren, or Radio Shack. Traditional items from your home country – If you’re taking a Spanish course, since there will be a project involving them. Luggage We suggest you verify with the airline the allowed number of baggage, weight and dimensions in order to avoid paying overweight – believe us, you’ll want to bring lots of souvenirs back home. 6 Housing Housing in Guadalajara is not as difficult as some may think. You just need to be aware of certain aspects in which to base your decision when choosing a place to live. We offer two different options for housing international students: 1. The Home Stay Program. 2. Student dorms inside the Campus or off Campus (just in front). Otherwise, you’ll have to look for housing on your own. Home Stay Program It is designed for students who wish to stay within hosts that have met the requirements of the International Programs Office and share their customs and values. It is also the most convenient option for practicing your Spanish. To find out more about this program, please contact: [email protected] Residence Hall Tec de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara, offers student dorms (called “Residencias”). You can choose to pay one semester or a year at an acceptable price. If you decide to cancel the contract after being enrolled to Residencias, you will have to pay a fine. ATTENTION: There are some important regulations that you must be aware of before applying to the Residence Hall: 1. It is forbidden to introduce alcohol or drugs even inside the rooms (except for cigarettes, but you cannot smoke indoors), 2. Or entering the building under the effects of any drugs or in a state of inebriation. You may get a misbehaviour report, and if you get two of these you may be expelled from the residence hall. 3. Men and women are separated into two buildings and there is always a person guarding the entrance, as well as security cameras inside the elevators and in the hallways – it is not allowed to introduce people of opposite genders to your room. If you can deal with these rules you can have a comfortable stay at the Residence Hall. If not, we suggest you look for housing outside of campus. 7 To check prices, enrolment process, regulations, and more information, please check out the Residence Hall web page at: http://www.gda.itesm.mx/residencias/ Self-housing Because of the closeness to TEC and its security, we suggest finding a place in zones 1, 4 and 5 (follow the link on the map). TEC is located in zone 5, and most of the city’s cool day and nightlife happen in these three zones. 8 We strongly recommend you NOT to live near downtown NOR the Chapultepec area, since the ride can last around 1 hour. Consider classes may start as early as 7:00 am and finish as late as 10:00 pm. The following neighbourhoods are located in nice areas of the city where you can find a nice apartment or house. We recommend you look into this list due to commodities, location, prices, accessibility and security. Autónoma Arcos Vallarta Camino Real Chapalita Colinas de San Javier Colomos Providencia Country Club Jardines del Bosque Jardines Guadalupe Jardines Universidad La Estancia Ladrón de Guevara Lomas del Bosque Lomas del Valle Lomas Universidad Los Cubos Plaza México Gran Plaza Prados Tepeyac Prados Vallarta Providencia Puerta de Hierro Rinconada Santa Rita Univa Valle Real Altamira Atlas Colomos Cuidad Granja Hacienda de Tepeyac Jardín Real Lomas de Zapopan Seattle Solares Examples of search engines: www.roomslikehome.com www.guadalajarastudenthousing.com Costs A regular apartment two bedrooms one bathroom kitchen dining room living room _____________ = $5,000 to $7,000 Mexican pesos. Take into consideration that: 9 These prices may vary according to the area, number of rooms, if it is unfurnished, etc. Most owners ask for a one or two months deposit, which has to be paid by the time the contract is signed. This deposit will be given back at the end of the contract, unless there were damages previously unregistered in the building. Tecnológico de Monterrey cannot be involved in any kind of negotiations between the landlord and the tenant, nor can we serve as co-signer for the rental agreement; we can only give a written proof of the student’s enrolment in the Institute. Keywords Amueblado – Furnished; we recommend you to always look for a furnished apartment Arrendar, Alquilar – Same as “rentar”: To rent Bonitos Acabados – Materials inside the place like wood, paint, steel well done Cochera – Garage Cocina Integral – Kitchen with all facilities included Col.