Ateneo De Manila University Office of International Relations
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THE ATENEO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE BOOK The Ateneo de Manila University Office of International Relations 1 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3 History ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Mission‐Vision Statement ............................................................................................................... 4 The Loyola Schools .......................................................................................................................... 4 Professional Schools ....................................................................................................................... 4 The Office of International Relations (OIR) ..................................................................................... 5 Introduction to the Exchange Programs ......................................................................................... 5 School Culture ................................................................................................................................. 6 Important Offices to Remember ..................................................................................................... 7 Facilities .......................................................................................................................................... 8 I. THE PHILIPPINES ................................................................................................................................. 13 Location ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Brief History .................................................................................................................................. 14 Some Places to Visit ...................................................................................................................... 14 Map of Metro Manila .................................................................................................................... 16 Weather ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Disaster Preparedness .................................................................................................................. 19 Clothing ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Currency ........................................................................................................................................ 21 Languages ..................................................................................................................................... 21 Food and Drink .............................................................................................................................. 25 Culture........................................................................................................................................... 26 Calendar of National Holidays ...................................................................................................... 27 Christmas in the Philippines and in Ateneo .................................................................................. 27 II. PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP .............................................................................................................. 29 Before leaving your country .......................................................................................................... 29 Estimated expenses for visa extension and Special Study Permit: ............................................... 30 III. ARRIVAL IN MANILA ......................................................................................................................... 31 Airport Information ....................................................................................................................... 31 Entry visa ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Arrival and pick‐up instructions for passengers arriving at NAIA TERMINAL 1 ............................ 32 Arrival and pick‐up instructions for passengers arriving at NAIA TERMINAL 2 ............................ 33 2 Transport from the airport to Ateneo .......................................................................................... 33 Reporting to OIR ........................................................................................................................... 34 Informing your embassy ............................................................................................................... 34 List of embassies and contact details ........................................................................................... 34 IV. REGISTRATION ................................................................................................................................. 37 Admission ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Pre‐registration Procedure for Undergraduate Exchange Students ............................................. 37 Load Revision Process for Exchange Students .............................................................................. 38 Class Cards .................................................................................................................................... 38 V. SETTLING IN ...................................................................................................................................... 39 Accommodations .......................................................................................................................... 39 Map of the Ateneo de Manila University...................................................................................... 40 Food .............................................................................................................................................. 41 Markets in the Quezon City area .................................................................................................. 42 Laundry ......................................................................................................................................... 43 VI. OTHER NEEDS .................................................................................................................................. 44 Staying in Touch: Communications ............................................................................................... 44 Getting Around: Transportation ................................................................................................... 46 Keeping Healthy: Hospitals and Insurance ................................................................................... 52 Drug Stores Around Ateneo .......................................................................................................... 56 Fitness Centers and Spas............................................................................................................... 56 Spiritual Needs: Places of Worship ............................................................................................... 57 Money Matters ............................................................................................................................. 60 Shopping and Entertainment ........................................................................................................ 62 VII. WHEN IT’S TIME TO RETURN HOME ............................................................................................... 63 3 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Ateneo de Manila University! The Ateneo de Manila is a Catholic university that is more than 150 years old. It offers education centered on a liberal arts program that is distinctly Filipino, Catholic and Jesuit. Its thrust of forming men for others is ingrained in its graduates, many of whom have helped shape, and continue to shape, the country’s history, culture, politics, and economy. The Ateneo de Manila University is one of the best private universities in the Philippines and a first‐rate university in Asia. It stands out because of its strong liberal arts tradition and its commitment to service and excellence. It offers reputable major programs in science and engineering, social sciences, humanities and management, with English as the primary medium of instruction. Moreover, the university prides itself in its multicultural environment and global outlook. The Ateneo is also one of the few quiet, tree‐lined campuses in Metro Manila, which makes for a peaceful environment conducive to learning, contemplation, and relaxation. It is a peaceful and green campus situated in proximity to the comforts of the city—restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, malls, banks, supermarkets, public transportation, and more. History The Spanish Jesuits established the Ateneo de Manila in 1859 in Intramuros, Manila. It was then Escuela Municipal de Manila, a public primary school. It changed its name to Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1865, the same time it was elevated to secondary