Universidad De Montevideo International Student Guide 2010
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Universidad de Montevideo International Student Guide 2010 1 Universidad de Montevideo International Student Guide Academic Year 2010 CONTENTS 1. THIS IS URUGUAY……………………………………………………………………….4 2. THIS IS MONTEVIDEO……………………………………………………………………5 3. UNIVERSIDAD DE MONTEVIDEO………………………………………………………...5 Academic Calendar……………………………………………………………. .5 Universidad de Montevideo´s Educational System ………………………….…6 Academic Help ………………………………………………………….………8 Transcripts……………………………………………………………………….9 Services Provided by the University…………………………………………….9 International Affairs Office…………………………………………………….11 Services Provided by the International Affairs Office…………………………11 4. URUGUAYAN ENTRY REGULATIONS………………………………………………...12 5. SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LIVING IN MONTEVIDEO……………………...13 6. TRAVELING TO MONTEVIDEO ……………………………………………………....13 7. HOUSING ……………………………………………………………………….…...14 8. TRANSPORTATION …………………………………………………………………..16 Long-Distance Coaches and Buses……………………………………...…….16 Local Buses……………………………………………………………………16 Taking a Taxi …………………………………………………………………16 By Car in Uruguay …………………………………………………………....17 9. COMMUNCATION ………………………………………………………………….…...17 Useful Telephone Numbers …………………………………………………..17 Cellular Telephones..……………………………………………………….…17 2 Post & Post Offices ………………………………………………………….18 Money & Banks……………………………………………………………...18 9. HEALTH CARE AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES …………………………………...21 10. TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES ………………………………………….21 11. USEFUL FACTS ABOUT LIVING IN URUGUAY …………………………….………….22 Holidays ……………………………………………………………………..22 Time Zones …………………………………………………...………….….23 Electricity ……………………………………………………………………23 12. THE URUGUAYAN EXPERIENCE ……………………….…………………………..24 13. CHECKLISTS …………………………………………………………………….…25 3 This is Uruguay The Eastern Republic of Uruguay is a beautiful country featuring Montevideo, its capital city with picturesque, historic architecture; a long coastline filled with pristine, sandy beaches; and a rolling countryside. The second-smallest country in South America, Uruguay is bounded by Brazil, Argentina, and the South Atlantic Ocean. The Uruguay River forms its western border while the Río de la Plata’s estuary defines its southwestern territory. Nineteen departments divide the country, even though more than one-half of its population lives in the capital and largest city, Montevi- deo. Uruguay is one of the most politically and economically stable countries in South Amer- ica, and it is distinguished by its high literacy rate, a large urban middle class, and relatively even income distribution. Uruguay has a temperate and variable climate, with warm summers and colder, snow-free winters. The predominantly flat landscape is sometimes vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts, as well as to the pampero, a chilly and occasionally violent wind blowing north from Argentina. As a Spanish-speaking country in Latin America, most Uruguayans share a Spanish cultural background, even though approximately one-quarter of its population is of Italian origin. An estimated 88% percent of the population is of European descent, supplemented by two ethnic minority groups: mestizos (8%) and afro-uruguayans(4%). Uruguayan culture is unique; it is a fusion between significant European influence and local life in South America. Notable elements include: mate, a drink of indigenous origin; Carni- val, a celebration with Hispanic roots radically reinvented by African rhythms and folkloric expressions; candombe, a folk dance with an African-derived rhythm unique to Uruguay; and the gaucho, a historical, cultural, and national figure based on the historical mestizos who lived in the prairies, hunting and herding cows. Welcome to Uruguay! 4 This is Montevideo Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital, largest city, and biggest port. It stretches nearly twenty kilo- meters east to west and has a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with their own unique char- acter. The Old City still has remnants of colonial architecture and lays adjacent to the Center, a busy business district. Beachside districts like Pocitos and Punta Carretas have a mishmash of smaller houses and modern high-rises, while Carrasco’s suburbs are near the brand-new airport. It is a lively and modern city, characterized by its quality of life and for the cultural level of its friendly and open residents. Universidad de Montevideo Founded in 1986, the Universidad de Montevideo (UM) is a non-profit organization commit- ted to academic excellence, research, technological innovation, and social responsibility. Its main objective is to promote a culture of work and service through excellence in all academic activities. Today UM is nationally and internationally respected, and its students are in high demand because of UM’s high quality of education. It is associated with the Roman Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei, which provides appropriate spiritual guidance with no distinction of creed, in order to instill the virtues required for a functioning society. The University offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Schools of Busi- ness Administration and Economics, Communications, Engineering, Law, and Humanities; Business School (IEEM); the Center for Biomedical Science; and the Institute of Higher Edu- cation Academic Calendar 2010 Semester I (March - July) Intensive Spanish Language Course: March 2 – April 30 International Student Orientation: March 4 – March 5 Classes begin: March 8 Holiday: March 29 – April 10 (Holy Week) Holiday: May 17 Classes end: June 25 Exam Period*: June 29 – August 7 Semester II (August - December) Intensive Spanish Language Course: August 2 – September 24 International Student Orientation: August 5 – August 6 Classes begin: August 9 5 Holiday: August 25 Holiday: October 11 Holiday: November 2 Classes end: November 19 Exam Period*: November 23 – December 30 Final exams are mandatory unless otherwise stated by the professor or if the student meets the exemption criteria. Final exams have assigned dates within the exam period, but it is possible to reschedule exams—at the professor’s discretion—if the student must return to his or her home country before the scheduled exam date. Professors are in no way obliged to make an exception to the mandatory scheduled exam dates. Universidad de Montevideo’s Educational System Universidad de Montevideo’s educational system may be considerably different from that of your home university. The following sections will introduce the Uruguayan educational struc- ture as well as Universidad de Montevideo’s academic regulations, grading system, language requirements, and registration procedure. Student Status International Students studying at the Universidad de Montevideo can be registered as degree- seeking students or as non-degree seeking students. Degree-seeking students are studying to- wards an undergraduate Bachelor’s or postgraduate Master’s degree. Non-degree students are both exchange students, whose admission is based on student exchange programs or agree- ments between universities, and visiting students who apply for entry independently, outside the aforementioned programs or agreements. Non-degree students are full-time students of a university or college who will join classes at our university for one semester or academic year and have the right to take courses at our university to be submitted for recognition at the home university. Structure of Studies At the Universidad de Montevideo, a Bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years except for in the Schools of Law and Engineering. Degrees in the Schools of Law and Engineering can be completed in five years, but have the equivalent value of a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree. At the Universidad de Montevideo, a Master’s Degree can be obtained in two years. Within a degree program, students can take courses that complement their studies in departments other than that of their course of study. Non-degree students are assigned to a School within the University, but may take courses from any department. 6 Academic Regulations Certain academic regulations are obligatory in order to pass your courses. These regulations are to: Attend a minimum of 75% of your classes. Obtain a minimum grade of six (6) in your course as through the professor’s as- signed coursework, including partial exams, written work, oral presentations, par- ticipation, etc. Pass the final exam with a minimum score of six (6). Obtain a final average that is equal to or above six (6) between the course and final exam. Students have the right to take their final exams a maximum of three times in the six months following the academic semester: once during the official exam period, once at the start of the following semester, and once during the exam period of the following semester. In addition, students who are native Spanish speakers should take a minimum of 24 credits and a maximum of 30 credits per semester. Students whose native language is not Spanish should take a minimum of 18 credits and a maximum of 24 credits per semester. Grading System At the Universidad de Montevideo, the grading scale is from one to twelve. Grades from six to twelve are passing, while grades below six are failing. Below is a chart with United States’ letter grade equivalents, the accompanying quality ratings, and the UM grade points. Letter Grade Quality Comments UM Grade points A Excellent 12 A- Excellent 11 B+ Above average 10 B Above average 9 B- Above average 8 C+ Satisfactory 7 C Satisfactory 6 D Non Satisfactory - Failure 5 F Failure 0-4 7 Language Requirements The Universidad