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Index Welcome

1. Getting to Mexico a. What to bring b. Luggage c. Housing

2. Official Procedures a. Visa b. Insurance c. Driver’s License d. Bank Information

3. Communications a. Mail b. Telephone c. Cell Phones

4. 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

5. About Guadalajara a. Safety b. Superstores c. Convenience Stores d. Malls e. Markets f. Cinema g. Theater h. Museums i. Getting around Guadalajara j. Traditional Food k. Sports Events

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l. Concerts 6. Getting Around

a. City Layout b. Asking for directions c. City Bus d. Taxi Cabs e. Subway f. Expresso Tec

7. TEC Campus Guadalajara a. International Programs Office b. Campus facilities c. Offices d. Cultural activities e. Sports activities f. Eating

8. Tourism and Travel a. Places to visit b. By Bus c. By Airplane

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Welcome

Dear International Students, 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 best 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 journey!

Sincerely,

International Programs Office Staff

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Getting to Mexico Remember you must attend the Orientation Week

Coming from the airport

If you chose the Home Stay Program, they will go welcome you at the airport.

Taxi It is the fastest way to come from the airport, although the most expensive.

*Remember to take a taxi buying the ticket at the airport. Rates: Car (1-4 people) Airport to TEC, rate is approx. $330 (south to north) pesos Car (1-4 people) Airport to Midtown rate is approx. $260 pesos

Bus Rates: From 6 to 11 pesos, according to the type of bus you take. These buses pass each half hour in front of the airport.

Coming from the bus station

Again, the easiest but most expensive way is to take a taxi. You can also take a bus, which will bring you downtown (around “La Minerva”, which is considered as a reference point throughout the city) for 10 pesos. It takes at least 45 minutes to get close to any point you are going to.

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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

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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.

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.

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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. Best way to learn Spanish. To find out more about this program, please contact: Marcelo González Damy International Students Advisor marcelo.damy@itesm.mx Ph: +52 33 3669 3000 ext. 5809

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.

You can also book a room for a few nights while you search for a

place to stay.*

* Availability depends on the free rooms left by those being residents.

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 misbehavior 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.

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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. To check prices, enrollment process, regulations, and more information, please check out the Residence Hall web page at: http://w3.gda.itesm.mx/residencias/

Self-housing

Because of the closeness to TEC we suggest finding a place in zones 1, 2, 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 four zones.

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The following neighborhoods 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:

http://rentar-casa.vivastreet.com.mx/rentar-departamento+guadalajara-y-area-met 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:

These prices may vary according to the area, number of rooms, if it is unfurnished, etc.

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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 enrollment in the Institute.

Keywords to find a place 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. / Colonia – Neighborhood

Comparto – I share

Coto – Enclosed neighborhood, usually very expensive

Cuarto de Servicio – Laundry room

De lujo – Luxury

Dep. / Departamento – Apartment

Esq. / Esquina – Corner

Estacionamiento – Parking Lot

Flete – Freight

Inlcuye servicios – Electricity, water and gas are included in the rent price

Jal. / Jalisco – State of Jalisco

Rento – I rent

Tanque Estacionario – Gas tank installed. It’s recommended to have these types of

tanks

Tel. / Teléfono – Telephone, device or number.

Vigilancia – Place that has special security hired for surveillance over the

neighborhood

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Official Procedures Visas**

It is mandatory to have a Valid FMM (Multiple Immigration Form / Forma Migratoria Múltiple) registered as Student (Estudiante), while studying at Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara. This is the document you will get in the airport at the migration point regardless you already have a visa or not. It is very important that you show your admission letter to the Immigration Officer and ask him to admit you as a STUDENT (ESTUDIANTE); this means that he should check the corresponding box in the Official Use section. Please verify this before leaving the immigration area. If the Officer did check the Student (Estudiante) box, the subsequent registration process you’ll have to do at the local immigration office will be easier.

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After receiving this document, you will have to register at the INAMI (Instituto Nacional de Migración / National Immigration Institute). The process you’ll have to follow will depend on whether you are in possession of a Student Visa or not, the length of your stay, and the status you were admitted in. For more information please consult the INAMI’s website at: www.inami.gob.mx

Remember to bring your acceptance letter from TEC. Considerations Documents you may need to bring

Economic solvency proof (in case you didn’t get a Student Visa). You can bring bank statements or notarized letter from your parents or your financial aid proof. In this case you’ll also need a copy of your parents official IDs (passport preferably).

Charges to process registration at the INAMI *

Registering as an student at INAMI: $750.00 pesos

Changing your status from tourist to student: approx. $1,300.00 pesos. *NOTE: These prices may vary. Please check at the INAMI's website before making any payments. **On Orientation Week you will receive advice on immigration processes.

Insurance

At Campus Guadalajara it is MANDATORY for all international students to be covered by the Health Insurance plan offered by our institution; it is the only insurance we can accept, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. The insurance company is Travel Guard Chartis*** www.intercambioseguro.com/ingles/viaje_estudios.html ***You do not need to do anything on the website; our office will be in charge of insuring all students, as a group. COST

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August - December 2012 = $334.08 US dollars. Students will have to make this payment upon arrival, during the first weeks of classes. COVERAGE July 27, 2012 to December 07, 2012. If you wish to be insured from a previous date or remain protected after the initially established dates, the cost for the extra days will be added to the original price, it is not possible to be insured for less days than the ones already established.

For those students coming for a year, coverage for next semester will go from

January 05, 2013 to May 25, 2013; cost may change for that term. Students who wish to remain protected after the initially established date will receive a tutorial on Orientation Week. Also, on Orientation Week’s tutorial you will receive a handbook from the Health Insurance Company.

Driver’s License

Mexican Driver’s License If you want to acquire a Mexican driver’s license you must go to:

Secretaria de Vialidad y Transporte Av. Alcalde (at the intersection with Circunvalación División del Norte) Colonia Jardines Alcalde, C.P. 44290 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. You must bring the following documents in original and photocopy:

FMM (and Student Visa if you have it)

Passport

Knowledge of blood type

A receipt or bill with your Mexican address on it (bank statement, phone bill, electricity bill, gas bill, Wal-Mart or Sears statement).

Cost MX $350.00 to MX $600.00 Tests

A practical one to test your driving skills, A written one to test your knowledge on the traffic laws and common driving

manners (you must prepare for the written exam by reading the traffic laws for the state of Jalisco),

A sight test to determine if you must wear glasses when driving.

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International Driver’s License You are allowed to drive in Mexico if you own an International Driver’s License. To acquire one no test is required, but you must have a valid Driver’s License from your home country and be 18 years old or over. www.jalisco.gob.mx/wps/portal/sriaVialidad

Keywords Pasaporte – Passport

Forma – Form (document)

Trámite – Procedure

Estudiante – Student

Turista – Turist

Visa – Visa

Oficina – Office

Oficina de Migración – Immigration Office

Licencia de Conducir – Driver’s license

Auto – Car

Recibo – Bill

Bank info

Bank Loans It’s quite difficult to get a loan to finance your studies here in Mexico if you’re a foreign student. If you don’t have a working permission you won’t be allowed to have any lucrative activity.

Bank Accounts To open an account you will need:

A student visa A proof of a valid address (no receipt will be accepted, only bills as gas or

electricity) Types of accounts you can open:

Savings account Credit Card account Checks account (although they’re not very common here)

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Exchanging money (rates, institutions/banks, contacts) You can exchange money in Banks and Exchange agencies. List of banks with an agency in Guadalajara:

Bancomer BBVA -- www.bancomer.com.mx

Banamex / Citybank -- www.banamex.com.mx

Santander Serfin -- www.serfin.com.mx

Banorte -- www.banorte.com.mx

Banco de Mexico -- www.banxico.org.mx

Bansi -- www.bansi.com.mx

HSBC -- https://www.hsbc.com.mx

Scottiabank Inverlat -- www.scotiabankinverlt.com

Banco del Bajio: http://www.bancodelbajio.com.mx/

Banregio: https://portal.banregio.com/

Inbursa: https://www.bancoinbursa.com/

IXE: http://www.ixe.com.mx/portal/

Keywords

Banco – Bank Casa de Cambio – Exchange Agencies Financiamiento – Financing Cuenta – Bank Account Tipo de cambio – Exchange rate Dinero – Money Tarjeta de Crédito – Credit card Pago – Payment

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Communications

Mail

Correos de México National Post Service http://www.sepomex.gob.mx

It is not very efficient and it is very slow. Its use is recommended only for letters (not packages), which are not urgent.

You can find public mailboxes inside Tec.

You can buy postal stamps at any Mexican Post Office, most of which are

located at Alcalde Avenue (downtown). To check more offices go to: http://www.sepomex.gob.mx/ServiciosLinea/Paginas/copostales.aspx Courier service To send packages or any important document, it is always recommended to use a courier service such as Federal Express (FedEx), UPS, DHL, or Estafeta (only inside Mexico). All of these are easy to find in malls and commercial areas. The International Programs Office provides express mail and fax reception services. This is limited to receiving official documents, envelopes or small packages with emergency purposes only. To receive mail or faxes provide this information: Mail Address: <Student’s Name>/ Tec de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara Programas Internacionales Av. General Ramón Corona 2514. Colonia Nuevo México. 45201. Zapopan, Jalisco. México. Fax number: +52 33 3669 3083 Attention: <Student’s name> Check with the secretary at the International Programs Office to find out if your mail or fax has arrived. Please note that the International Programs Office is not responsible for damaged or lost mail.

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Telephone

Local Phone Numbers Local numbers in Guadalajara are formed by 8 digits. Example: 3621-0244. The number of digits can change depending on the city you are in. National Calls To make a call to other cities or states in Mexico, you must first dial:

The code for national calls (01), Followed by the city code (example: 33 for Guadalajara), And finally the local number in the city.

Example, calling from Mexico City to a local number in Guadalajara:

01-33-3621-0244 (national code + city code + phone number)

Cell-Phone Numbers All cell-phone numbers in Mexico are formed with 13 digits:

Land-line to cell-phone Cell-phone prefix + City Code + Cell-phone number (example: 044-33-10921908).

Cell-phone to cell-phone No need to dial 044

A common practice is to give only the cell-phone number without 044.

Long Distance land-line to cell-phone

Replace the (044) prefix for the code for national cell-phone calls (045). Example, 045-33-38441923.

International Calls

Dial 00 + Country code + Phone Number Calling Mexico from Other Countries

Mexico’s Country Code (52) + City Code + Phone Example: +52-33-36693014

Calling a Mexican cell-phone number from other countries

Mexico’s Country Code (52) + 1 + City Code + Phone Example: +52-1-3336693014

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Public Telephones In order to make a call from a public telephone you need to buy a prepaid card called LADATEL. These LADATEL cards can be found in most convenience stores such as Oxxo, 7-11, Wal-Mart, Soriana, etc.

Cell-phones

Having a local cell-phone number will make your stay in Guadalajara a lot easier. We recommend you either buy a new cell phone, which will cost from $400 pesos and over, or just buy a Mexican Chip for your phone, which costs around $150 pesos. The company that has a better and wider service is TELCEL. Please visit their web page for further information: http://www.telcel.com

Keywords Teléfono - phone Number Marcar – to dial Teléfono público – Phone booth Celular – Cell phone Clave lada –Area code Paquete –Package Enviar- To send Entrega –Delivery Impuesto – Tax Estampilla-Postal Sobre –Envelope Carta – Letter

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About Mexico Mexico's culture is rich in history, and is firmly based in family, religion, people and tradition. Mexicans are very proud people – proud of their heritage and proud of their accomplishments. They know that there is a lot to be done to make Mexico better, and they will criticize lots of different things about it, but they are still very patriotic. Family is a central theme in Mexico, and a cornerstone of their culture. It is not unusual for 3 or sometimes 4 generations of family to meet up for afternoon lunch, sit around the table, talk, gossip, laugh and joke with each other. This is not a special event: this is the usual family life. On weekends, parks, museums, and local attractions are packed with families enjoying their free time together. Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Unlike other countries, you won’t find much people who speak English in Mexico. It is always necessary to speak and understand Spanish when asking for directions to people in the streets, or negotiating prices with taxi cabs for example.

Life

Generally speaking, Mexico's pace of life is slower than most other countries: especially in comparison to their major cities. Things are promised, but not always delivered at the promised time (ranging from the new table you ordered to the gardener showing up!), this can be frustrating, but once you understand that this is part of the culture you will probably relax into it. Adjust to the calmer rhythm that exists in Mexico. People here will rather be absolute diplomats, than to give you a straight "yes/no" answer. This makes everyday situations, as well as business negotiations, different to those in other countries: commitment is possible, but not in the way you would get it back home. There is a saying that in Mexico, 'yes means no and no means maybe'. This is a very good analogy of the way Mexican culture deals with the concept of truth: things are not immediately clean cut here.

People

Mexican people are very warm and friendly, especially in smaller communities, where they will make you feel welcome and help you in any way they can. Guadalajara is no exception. It will be easy for you to meet many people and make lots of new friends. Mexican People love foreign cultures, and they love to hear about different people and places. The more effort you make to integrate yourself into their communities and their way

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of life; the more receptive they will be to you, and they will appreciate the fact that you have made the effort to do so.

Hospitality

Mexican people are very welcoming to foreign people. You may often be invited for lunch or dinner to their houses. They will refer to their houses as “your house” as a form of courtesy. Most of the time, they will be eager to help you in any way they can, and sometimes you won’t even have to ask for help, because they will offer before you do.

Weather

The city is known for having a great weather, sometimes considered by some as “near perfect”. Summer and winter are very mild. Afternoon showers are present almost every day in summer months, from late

May to late September. May is the hottest month of the year. July and August have the strongest storms. Usually, rain only lasts 2 or 3 hours,

after that it becomes sunny again. Here is Guadalajara’s average temperature:

HIGH °F/°C LOW °F/°C January 75 / 23 41 / 05 February 79 / 26 45 / 07 March 85 / 29 50 / 11 April 87 / 30 54 / 12 May 90 / 32 55 / 14 June 89 / 31 61 / 16 July 80 / 26 61 / 16 August 83 / 27 59 / 15 September 83 / 28 59 / 15 October 82 / 27 59 / 15 November 74 / 24 50 / 10 December 73 / 22 49 / 11 http://www.pricetravel.com.mx/guadalajara/clima

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Religion

There is no official religion in Mexico, since the constitution guarantees separation of church and state. However, Roman Catholicism is practiced by more than 90 percent of the population. The shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the nation's patron saint, is located in Mexico City which is the site of annual pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of believers. Mexican people are catholic and yet, tend to have a lot of supernatural beliefs. A large number of people in Mexico still go to church, and it is common to see the Christian Crucifix and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe in people's houses, public buildings, offices, cars, taxis and buses.

Holidays

On Mexican Holidays, most schools, banks, and government offices are closed. So, it is always advised to keep in mind these days when making plans. The official ones are:

January 1 – New Year Day February 5 – Constitution Day (day off: 1st Monday of the month) March 21 – Anniversary of Benito Juarez birth (day off: 3rd Monday of the month) May 1 – Labor Day September 16 – Independence Day November 20 – Mexican Revolution’s Day (day off: 3rd Monday of the month) December 25 – Christmas Day

Expenses

In Mexico, the cost of living can be generally lower than it is in other countries, although a growing range of items (especially clothing, audio/visual items, technology, software, cameras, and some luxury goods) are less expensive in the US. Food and housing is usually not really expensive, but wages and salaries tend to be lower in Mexico than in other countries, and big-ticket 'luxury' goods like cars, jewelry, designer fashion and so on can be the same price and in some circumstances, more expensive than you would pay back home. Sales taxes apply to all products and services; the rate is 16% of the price of the product. This tax is called I.V.A. (Impuesto al Valor Agregado). As a difference to other countries, you don’t have to worry about calculating the total tax for the product you

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are buying since most prices you see in stores already have the I.V.A. included (unless it says they have not).

Greetings

Mexican people are high contact people. They greet each other by hugging and kissing in the cheek (for women). When a man greets another man they usually shake hands and give a brief hug if they are very close friends.

Tipping

Tipping is a common practice in Mexico. At bars and restaurants the usual tip percentage is %10 or 15%, however, if you are not satisfied with the service, you don’t have to tip. You may also tip the bell boy at the hotel and at the airport. We don’t usually tip taxi drivers, but you may if you want to.

Bargaining

In outdoors markets, they announce a price higher than the one they intend to sell for. People are expected to negotiate a cheaper price which can be up to 30% less than the original price.

Annual Events

Independence Day takes place the night of September 15. People gather around in bars or in the downtown plaza, and at midnight the president and local governors climb to the balconies in many governmental buildings to do what we call ‘El Grito’, which is basically a representation of when Father Miguel Hidalgo gave the speech that started the independence movement. Usually this night people drink a lot, so take a little more caution than usual when traveling at night on the street, this night is about freedom, tequila, and pure folklore. Day of the Dead. This event takes place on November 2nd, and it’s celebrated by preparing ‘Altares de Muerto’. These are little altars decorated with flowers, decorative paper in orange and purple mostly, and food offerings. They are usually dedicated to a member of the family that passed away, or to a famous person. In Guadalajara, the most important venue for this celebration is the ‘Panteon de Belen’, which is located 10 minutes away from the Degollado Theatre, on the Belen Street, next door to the morgue. Being the oldest cementery in the city (closed in 1874), it has a lot of legends. During the month of November, they offer night tours of the cementery and its legends, followed by a play about death called ‘Don Juan Tenorio’.

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The Cervantino International Festival in Guanajuato is the most important cultural and artistic event in Mexico and Latin America. It has been held in the same city 35 times and it gathers over 2,400 artists from 27 countries around the world. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy the best in music, dance, theater, visual arts and film; as well as to meet people from all over Mexico and the world and party with them until sunrise. This Festival is held in October, but if you wish to attend you need to make hotel reservations at least 2 months beforehand. For more information please visit their official website at: http://festivalcervantino.gob.mx/ The October Festival (Fiestas de Octubre) in Guadalajara is the largest and most important cultural festival in the city. Its main venue is the Auditorio Benito Juárez, where you will find handcrafts, rides, games, art displays, a extreme sports section, food court and two concert halls. The main concer hall, located at the center of the Auditorio, presents a circus show two times a day and a free concert by a famous artist every night. The Palenque, hosts a cock fight and a concert by a internationally famous singer at a cheap price every night. In additions there are plays and art displays all over the city. For more information and a calendar of events, please visit the webpage: http://www.fiestasdeoctubre.com.mx/ In December the Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL) takes place, and is the most important International Book Faire in Latin America. It is organized by the University of Guadalajara. The goal of FIL is to get the book professionals and exhibitors that are attending an optimum business environment and a reading public eager to know the authors and acquire the latest market developments. Since 1993, the FIL has a country or area as the guest of honor, to show the best of his literary and cultural. Since that time the guests of honor were: Colombia (1993), USA (1994), Venezuela (1995), Canada (1996), Argentina (1997), Puerto Rico (1998), Chile (1999), Spain (2000), Brazil (2001), Cuba (2002), Quebec (2003), Catalan Culture (2004), Peru (2005), Andalusia (2006), Colombia (2007), Italy (2008), etc. http://www.fil.com.mx/

Keywords Antro – Night Club Bebida – Drink Cena – Dinner Fiesta – Party Aventón (also ride) – Ride Concierto – Concert Tocada – Small band concert Cine – Movie theater Película – Movie Periódico - Newspaper

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About Guadalajara

Location: west-center part of Mexico

Altitude: 1567m above sea level.

Capital of the State of Jalisco

It is the second largest city in the country.

With an area of more than 500Km2, Guadalajara’s metro area is formed by 4 main municipalities: Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, and Tonala. The city is located within Central Time Meridian (-6 GMT). It’s only about 500km away from Mexico City, and about 300kms from the pacific coast line.

Guadalajara is known worldwide for its traditional hospitality, with a wide variety of cultural and recreational attractions and delicious cuisine. But most of all, it is known for its people. More than just a city, it represents Mexican culture with its folklore, the renowned Mariachi, handcrafts, tequila and the national sport, ‘Charrería’. Few cities can offer such a variety of interesting things to see and do, involving the visitors in a cultural, historical and legendary atmosphere.

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Safety

Guadalajara’s crime rate is relatively low for a city of its size. We recommend taking some basic precautions. As you would do on any big city, be discreet when wearing expensive jewelry, keep an eye for people you do not trust, do not walk alone at night especially in dark or unoccupied areas. A note about local policemen: There is a wide variety of ways that policemen do their job. You will find the nicest policeman who is willing to help you, as well as the corrupt police officer who is trying to take advantage of you. As you drive or walk on the street, if officers think you look suspicious, they can ask you to stop and check your belongings so they can be sure you are not carrying drugs, guns, or any illegal stuff. This won’t happen often, in fact it may never happen to you, but just in case, try to be cooperative and respectful with the local policemen whenever they approach you.

Superstores

These are big shops where you’ll find all you need: food, clothes, tools and electrical devices, books and pens, toiletries, etc. The most common and easy to find are:

Wal-Mart

Bodega Aurrera

Superama

Soriana

Waldos dólar mart

Special Stores

These are shops specialized for example in tools, office supplies, medicines, body care, etc. Among the best known you will find: Farmacias Guadalajara (open 24/7)

Sam’s Club

Costco

Office Depot

Office Max

Home Price

Home Depot

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Malls

These are places where you will find lots of individual shops of all types: clothes, perfumes, shoes, music, movies, fast food, etc. The main “plazas” are: CENTRO MAGNO Av. Vallarta, n°2425 GRAN PLAZA Av. Vallarta n°3225 PLAZA AMERICAS Av. Las Americas y Manuel Acuña PLAZA AMISTAD Av. Patria y Naciones Unidas PLAZA PABELLON Av. Patria y Acueducto PLAZA GALERIAS Av.Vallarta y Av. Rafael Sanzio PLAZA DEL SOL Av. Mariano Otero y Av. Lopez Mateos Sur PLAZA CORDILLERAS Av. Manuel Clouthier y Av. Patria PLAZA LOS ARCOS Av. Vallarta n°2440 PLAZA MEXICO Av. Mexico n°3300 PLAZA PATRIA Av. Patria y Manuel Avila Camacho PLAZA UNIVERSIDAD Av. Patria y Pablo Neruda PLAZA ANDARES Blvd. Puerta de Hierro 4965 Fracc. Plaza Andares CP 45116 Zapopan, Jalisco PLAZA CIUDADELA Labna No. 1437 Col. Jardines del Sol CP 45050 Zapopan, Jalisco (33) 36-31-82-71 PLAZA TERRANOVA Manuel Acuña 2929 Col. Providencia CP 44600 Guadalajara, Jalisco Tel: (33) 3642 0773 / (33) 3647 7314 PLAZA MILENIUM Categoría: Plaza Av. López Mateos Sur 2375 Col. Ciudad del Sol CP 45050 Zapopan, Jalisco Tel: (33) 3631 4121 / (33) 3631 2852

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Markets

These are places in which you will find all you need (especially handcrafts) at very good prices. The main markets are:

Mercado Libertad (best known as San Juan de Dios, Downtown) Tianguis Cultural (hippie/hipster) only Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. (Av.Alcalde

and Washington) next to “Parque Agua Azul” Tonalá Tlaquelaque (handcrafts)

Cinema

If you are looking for the latest Hollywood movie, or most commercial films, Cinepolis Cinemex or Cinemark are the way to go. You will find them inside almost any shopping mall. If you’d like to see something more alternative, pay a visit to the ‘Cineforo’, which is the official cinema theatre of the University of Guadalajara.

Cinepolis http://www.cinepolis.com.mx/index.aspx Cinemas lumiere http://www.cinemaslumiere.com/ Cineforo universitario http://www.cineforo.udg.mx/ Cinemex http://cinemex.com/ Cinemark http://www.cinemark.com.mx/default.aspx Multicinemas

http://www.multicinemas.com.mx/Cartelera/Aspx/indexmc.aspx?ciudad=19

Theater

The two main theatres in Guadalajara are the ‘Teatro Degollado’, and ‘Teatro Diana’. Teatro Degollado is located at Downtown Guadalajara. It’s the oldest and most important theater in Guadalajara. It is often used as a concert hall for different types of events ranging from classical music to renowned singers concerts. Teatro Diana is located on Av. 16 de Septiembre, about 10 minutes away from downtown. It was recently renovated and now hosts a wide variety of events, from broadway plays to concerts from national and international performers. Please visit their website for more information on future events: www.teatrodiana.com

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Museums

Museo Regional de Guadalajara: It became a museum in 1810, after being a military base and a catholic priest’s seminary. It has 14 rooms with archeological and rustic art displays. It’s most popular display is the bones of a mammoth found in the area. It’s located downtown at: Liceo 60, in the corner with Av. Hidalgo. Museo de Arte de Zapopan: It hosts various art displays from national and international artist. It was recently renovated and is quickly becoming one of the people’s favorites. It located in downtown Zapopan, at: Andador 20 de Noviembre 166. Museo Trompo Mágico: This is an interactive museum for children. It has six exhibition rooms with permanent displays, where kids are free to touch and play while learning about art, culture and science. It’s located at: Av. Central 750. Residencial Poniente. Casa Museo "José Clemente Orozco" Opened in November 1951, was created by Margarita Valladares wid, in order to show the life and work of her husband, who lived in this house in her last stay in Guadalajara. In this museum you can see a legacy of Jose Clemente Orozco's mural "The Good Life" (mural removable) which was painted in early 1945, for an exclusive French club called "Turf Club". Casa Museo "José López Portillo" La Casa Museo Lopez Portillo offers a permanent exhibit of antique furniture, while not belonged to the family named above, they set ornamental styles of yesteryear. The museum offers visitors guided tours (by appointment), plays, recitals, exhibitions and book presentations. Wax Museum In the wax museum displays more than 100 figures representing historical figures, athletes, national and international actors. Some of the characters immortalized in wax are: Vicente Fox, Vicente and Alejandro Fernandez, Salma Hayek, Ana Gabriela Guevara, Juan Francisco Palencia, Cantinflas, Porfirio Diaz, Benito Juárez, Antonio Banderas, Brad Pitt, Gandhi, Yasser Arafat and many more. Visit or buy Guía La Perla if you wish to look for more museums: http://www.guialaperla.com/index.php?idCont=1288&type=blg

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Getting Around Guadalajara

Since nightclubs, bars and restaurants vary from time to time, our recommendation is to get in contact with the local students to learn about the current popular bars or night clubs. Getting in contact with local or international students which have been in Mexico before is useful. They can share tips about which days you can get discounts at different places, about what kind of ambient of each place has or simply about where to go.

A very cool and useful guide, as we previously mentioned, is Guía La Perla – its slogan is Para El Turista Local (For the Local Tourist), which means you will be guided as locals are to very typical places or to new, cool and indie bars, galleries and restaurants around Guadalajara. http://www.guialaperla.com/ You can buy it at Gonvill bookstores (there is one on campus) for MX $130.00.

Traditional Food

The state of Jalisco is gastronomically speaking very rich. There are many Fondas around Guadalajara, where you should try traditional food, such as:

Tortas Ahogadas Birria Pozole Tacos Jericalla Carne en su jugo

Sport Events

Guadalajara has three major soccer stadiums: ‘Estadio Jalisco’, ‘Estadio 3 de marzo’ and ‘Estadio Omnilife’. Being soccer the main sport practiced all over Mexico, these stadiums are the main option to enjoy a sport event, which take place many times a month.

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Concerts

Guadalajara has recently become a must-stop city for many artists, groups or bands that include our city in their tours. If you wish to check the complete offer it is best that you visit http://www.ticketmaster.com.mx/

You will also find other cultural activities in the Ticketmaster agenda.

Once again, on Guía La Perla many events are updated frequently and you can check them online under Próximos Eventos.

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Getting Around City Layout

Guadalajara is divided into 4 sectors: Sector Hidalgo, Sector Juarez, Sector Libertad and Sector Independencia. They are divided by the avenues ‘Calzada Independencia’ and ‘Av. Vallarta’ (also known as ‘Av. Juarez’ after crossing Av. Federalismo to the east). These avenues are very important and we recommend you memorize their names and know their location. Some other important avenues that will help you understand the city layout are:

North to South avenues (parallel to Calzada Independencia):

Av. Patria

Av. López Mateos

Av. Américas

Av. Chapultepec

Av. Federalismo

Av. Alcalde ( Av. 16 de Septiembre in the south part)

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West to East avenues (parallel to Av. Vallarta):

Av. Hidalgo

Av. México

Av. Lopez Cotilla

Av. Mariano Otero

Av. Manuel Acuña

Av. La Calma

Av. Guadalupe Av. Lázaro Cárdenas

Downtown Guadalajara (‘El Centro’) is located at the crossing of Av. Juarez with Av. 16 de Septiembre. Av. ‘Calzada Independencia’ marks the limit between downtown Guadalajara and what we recommend visiting. We could divide the city into the east and the west area. The avenue that can state this limit is ‘Calzada Independencia’. Most of your daily activities will be performed in the west side of the city, as it has more to offer: universities and schools, malls, museums, theaters, cinemas, etc. The best point of reference for your daily activities is ‘La Minerva’, which is a fountain located at the crossing of Av. López Mateos with Av. Vallarta. This spot is crucial to most people and you can get there very easily by asking local citizens. ‘La Minerva’ is not the center of the city, but is taken by reference for many directions you can get, and also it will be the center to most of your daily activities.

Asking for Directions

The best option for knowing how to get to a destination is to ask for directions to your Mexican friends or to local citizens. Sometimes information about local transportation is not accessible over the internet or is not accurate, so it is better to ask the people who use the local transportation system. It is always a good idea to do this before leaving your house, so you already know where your destination is and how you’ll get there. If you are already on your way and you are not sure which way to take, you can ask people in the streets for directions; in most cases they will be eager to help you, just keep in mind that just a very little percentage of the population speaks English so you’ll need to practice your Spanish before doing this.

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City Bus

There are plenty of bus routes in Guadalajara, you may consult them on this link: http://www.rutasjalisco.gob.mx/ Or else, the best way to know them is to ask for directions.

Routes that will take you to school Route 629-B It goes through Av. Vallarta (starting from ‘Federalismo’ Avenue). Route 631 It goes through the northern part of Av. Patria, Av. Avila Camacho, and Zapopan. Cost = MX $6.00 (Except for some routes that have a higher cost like route Premier or Turquesa). This cost remains the same regardless the distance you travel in the bus. Transvales This is a prepaid system to get a 50% discount on local bus routes. Instead of paying cash when boarding the bus, you’ll give a ‘Transvale’ ticket and show your student id. Note: You can buy a little guide with most of bus routes in any magazine kiosk. It’s called ‘Rutas”. It is not expensive and it is very helpful when trying to find the best route.

Taxicabs

In Guadalajara you can call a taxicab site over the phone or take one from the street. Taxicab sites tend to be more expensive but safer. If you call them over the phone; specify when and where you want the taxi, and the destination. The cost will be stated over the phone so you know in advance how much you need to pay before accepting the deal. Taxi express 3637 4525

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http://www.reservacionesexpress.com/ The cheaper way is to go out to the street and take one of the many taxicabs that run throughout the city. Legally they are supposed to use a taximeter to ensure a fair price, but don’t be alarmed if a taxi driver is reluctant to use it and tries to negotiate the price before the trip. ALWAYS be sure to arrange the deal before boarding the cab, either that you ask for the meter or for a fixed price; if you are not satisfied with the deal just let it go and take another cab, prices are negotiable and there should be plenty of cabs. If you opt for the meter, just be sure you are charged with the correct price rate: 1 one is for daytime, 2 is for night time (after 9 pm) and is more expensive, and 3 is for going outside the city (like going to the airport) and is usually really expensive. If you opt for the fixed price, negotiate it until you are satisfied, with a little practice you should be able to tell the difference if someone is charging a fair price. NOTE: For your own safety, it is always best to take a cab from an official Taxicab site.

Subway

The subway in Guadalajara is not very useful, as it only has two routes, one that goes through Av. Federalismo, which runs from north to south, and a route that goes through Av. Juarez from mid-town Guadalajara to the very east part of the city. Its cost is the same as the standard for local buses, and you can also use ‘Transvales’ tickets to board it.

Expreso Tec

At TEC we offer a school transportation service called ‘Expreso Tec’. It is very comfortable and useful to go to school every day. Please visit this website in order to know prices, schedules and routes: www.gda.itesm.mx/expresso

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Keywords Camión - Bus Minibus – Small bus Ruta - Route Calle - Street Semáforo - Headlight Cuadra – Block (side of a block) Manzana – Block (refers to the complete block) Tránsito – refers to the Transit Department Glorieta – Traffic circle, roundabout Periférico – The highway that runs around the city Parada de Camión – Bus stop Tren Ligero – Subway or Light Train Cambio – Change (having coins)

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TEC Campus GDL TEC Campus Guadalajara

http://w3.gda.itesm.mx/virtualtour/

International Programs Office

This office is located inside the campus and administrates foreign student’s matters. It should be your first contact with your new student life in Mexico. You can go there whenever you need orientation about academic procedures or your everyday life in the city. Don’t be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it. We are always willing to help you. Contact Information: Dirección de Internacionalización. (International Programs Office) Location: Administrative Building, 3rd Floor. Phone: (52 33) 3669 3000 ex. 5800 Fax: (52 33) 3669 3083 Open from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm Website: http://www.webtecgdl.com/pi/study.php

Campus Facilities

Classroom Buildings (Aulas): There are six in total. They are enumerated and you can recognize them by the name ‘Aulas’ along with its number. They are all four floors in height and most of the times have 10 classrooms per floor. Administrative building: Situated between the building ‘Aulas 2’ and ‘Aulas 3’, here you will find most of the main offices. Library This building has many useful resources for your everyday life at TEC. Here you can find the library, computer lab, video archive, group and individual study rooms, amongst others. Student Center (Centro Estudiantil): The gym is situated in this building, alongside with big classrooms where most of the dance and music courses take place.

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Media center: Inside you can find TV and radio broadcast equipment, as well as computers for multimedia development and 3D animation. Residences hall: This is where students from other cities around Mexico live, and although it is an option for foreign students, most of them rather live on their own because the residence hall has very strict rules (see ‘Housing’).

Sport areas: These include the pool, the gym, soccer fields, basketball, tennis courts, athletics yard, and softball field and volleyball courts. They are all situated at the back of ‘Aulas 1-4’ buildings. Cafeteria: The main cafeteria is located across the parking lot from the Residence Hall. They have three different menus everyday and you can get each for $40 pesos. Cyber-Plaza: A green area situated at the back of ‘Aulas 1-2’ buildings, which serves as a place to study and socialize for all the student comunity. There are a lot of worktables with network ports attached so that you can work online (although you can be online everywhere in the campus if you have a wireless network card installed on your laptop). Common areas: Alongside the classroom buildings, you can find many benches where you can rest, work or study while waiting for your next class or at anytime. Please check the appendix for a larger map.

Offices

CASA (Academic Services and Treasury) . Downstairs in Aula 2 This is the office to go for general school matters. Think about this office whenever you don’t know which department concerns your problem; here you will be oriented about which office you should go after. Also, this office is in charge of receiving payments related with school procedures. CEC (Computer Lab) Library, second floor This is not an office, but a working place with a service module. Nevertheless it is important to mention it, as you will need to go there for different procedures regarding computers. For example, you can configure your laptop to be compatible with the wireless network, or open an email account, etc. Look also for the service module located at the third floor between the buildings ‘Aulas 1’ and ‘Aulas 2’.

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Cultural Activities

You will be able to enroll in cultural courses from a wide variety of courses, like music, dancing, arts, etc.

Sports Activities

You will be able to enroll in courses for learning and practicing a specific sport. Or you are will be able to use the sport facilities on campus by your own. You can also enroll in the representative teams as well as internal championships of specific sports.

Eating

Inside the campus, there are many options. Main cafeteria You can have a complete meal. Kiosks Small kiosks at the Cyber Plaza, which also sell meals, snacks and coffee. Starbucks There are two Starbucks Coffees at campus. Also, there are many automatic vending machines all over campus. The third option is not inside the campus, but just outside the main entrance. Along the street, there are some rustic restaurants.

Keywords Salón – Classroom Edificio – Building Estacionamiento – Parking lot Clase – Course Deportes – Sports Cancha – Field Alberca – Pool Calificación – Grade Tarea – Homework Maestro – Teacher Biblioteca – Library

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Travel In Mexico you will find a variety of places to visit, like beaches, natural resorts, colonial cities, and big metropolis such as Mexico City. The list of places to visit is very extensive and we have to make another handbook just to talk about all of them. This is a small list of the most popular places to visit. www.visitmexico.com

Traveling By Bus

Since there are very few railroads for passengers in Mexico, travelling by bus is very common. There are three bus stations in Guadalajara: Central Vieja or ‘old bus station’ Only used to travel mostly to nearby little towns in the state of Jalisco, and its buses are rustic and cheap. Central Nueva or ‘new bus station’ This bus station is divided in 8 modules, with different bus companies and destinations. Buses leaving from this station go to most major cities and tourist destinations Terminal Zapopan Located near TEC, this is the newest station in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, and it is the closest to zones 1, 2, 4 and 5. Buses leaving from this station may go to the pacific coast, to the north of the country and some nearby cities. The best way to get to the bus stations is by taxicab; getting by bus is just a little more difficult because stations are located in the suburbs of the city. Suggested Bus Companies ETN Primera Plus Omnibus de Mexico Turistar

ADO

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Traveling By Airplane

The major airline in Mexico is Aeromexico. Low-cost Airlines

Volaris0 Viva Aerobus Interjet

We suggest checking their websites and book in advance and you will get super cheap tickets! The airport is located outside the city; it is 30 min from a central spot like ‘La Minerva’. If you are flying by Aeromexico, you can get the free ride from and to the airport for free.

Keywords Línea – Bus Company Norte, Sur, Este, Oeste – North, South, East, West Zona – Zone Playa – Beach Pueblo – Town Central – Bus Station Camión – Bus Aeropuerto – Airport Aerolínea – Airline Avión – Plane Boleto – Ticket Viajar – To travel Viaje – Trip

This Handbook was made under supervision of the International Programs Office at Tec de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara. It is strictly forbidden to copy and publish it without authorization of the author. Doing so represents an illegal act prosecuted by Mexican Laws of Intellectual Property and Copyright.