Vic OE Evaluation Form
A: Student Information
VUW degree(s)
Major(s)
Exchange
Institution
VUW Tri & Year
of Exchange
LLB (Hons), BA
Spanish
Universidad de Monterrey
Tri 2, 2012
B: Finances
Please detail your basic costs in New Zealand dollars. This will help future students plan their own budgets.
(Enter your number rounded to the nearest dollar.)
Books
$0
Accommodation
$300 per month
Return Airfare
$2300 (more or less, I went travelling before and after thereby increasing
my flight costs)
Local
Transportation
Meals
$40 per month
Visa
$150 (student visa – much better and cheaper to get it organized in NZ)
Health & Insurance
$1000 (travel/ health insurance, but you can get it cheaper)
Personal Spending
$1500 (for the trimester)
Communications
(phone, etc.)
Other fees (specify)
$0 (I used Skype)
What unexpected
costs did you
encounter? What
items were more
or less than
expected?
Did not expect to have to pay for the student visa, it is better (and I think
free) to get it done in NZ before leaving for Mexico.
I paid far too much for insurance because I had less than 2days to get it
done. If you shop around you can find much better deals. Latin America is
particularly expensive to find insurance for due to its reputation as being
a dangerous place, raising the chances of being robbed etc and also due
to its poor health infrastructure meaning (e.g. poorly resourced hospitals)
meaning that if you become very ill you will have to be flown to the USA
or a more expensive hospital in your host country.
$200 per month
$0
How did your financial expenses compare to what you originally expected to spend?
Financially, Mexico was a great destination. Food and accommodation is very cheap. I paid more for my
accommodation than my friends because I opted for a more modern apartment with air conditioning and
furnishings. Others were paying about $200NZD a month. Certain parts of Monterrey are not very safe
which meant my friends and I chose to spend money on taxis rather than risking using the buses unless we
were accompanied by some local friends. Even then it was not very expensive to travel around.
By what means did you maintain your finances? What would you recommend? (Credit card, foreign bank
account, travelers checks, etc)?
I used a debit card and withdrew cash every month and spent that. It was better than setting up an account
with all the fees and documents you have to provide the bank. Just be sure you have a safe place to store
your money when you are not using it.
What financial advice would you give students attending the same university as you?
I would say it’s always good to make some local friends who have their own car - that is a really good way to
save money on transport. My friends and I also had pre-parties before going out clubbing which was
awesome fun and much cheaper as the clubs in the area are rather expensive. Another thing is to make
sure you live close to the university near the street Alfonso Reyes. That is the exchange student
neighbourhood and means that you can walk to your friends’ homes as opposed to having to taxi there.
What was the average cost of a can of coke or coffee in your host country?
A can of coke would cost around $0.70NZD
C: Visas & Insurance *Please note this information is recommended by VUW students & current at the time of their
exchange. For all up-to-date visa information you must check with the embassy/consulate of your host university.
Did you have to apply for a visa? If so, was it difficult? What was the process, how long did it take and how
much did it cost?
Yes I had to apply for a student visa. It was not difficult. I went to the Mexican Embassy here in Wellington
to ask for information on it. It is best to arrange an appointment with them rather than go unannounced.
They advised me to get a tourist visa to enter Mexico and once there change my tourist visa to a student
visa. In the end that is what I did it was arranged by the student exchange office at UDEM so was not
complicated however it did cost me a small sum of money. On reflection I think it is easier (and cheaper) to
apply for a student visa through the Mexican embassy here in NZ before leaving.
Do you have any advice for future students when applying for visas to your host country?
As above – apply here in NZ (although there is no real problem doing it in Mexico!).
Also once arriving in Mexico be sure to keep EVERY piece of paper given to you in the airport. They are all
very important for applying for visas, licenses and in some areas even accommodation.
Did your host university have a mandatory insurance? Or a particular insurance they recommended? If Yes,
what was it and how much did it cost?
Yes there was mandatory health and travel insurance. Mine cost around $1000NZD, but I was quite
unorganized. I think with some shopping around you can get a much better deal.
What insurance company did you use and would you recommend it to future students?
I used STA Travel to organize my insurance.
D: Academics at Host University
Which courses did you take while on exchange? Please rate the difficulty of each course (1-5, 1 = Very Easy
& 5 = Extremely Difficult) and leave any comments you may have.
Course Title
Language of
VUW course
VUW
Instruction
equivalent or
points/credits
elective
value
Rating (1-5)
Comments
VUW Trimester 1/YEAR
VUW Trimester 2/YEAR
Advanced
Spanish
Spanish
-
-
-
Amazing
teacher
Margarita Towns – I
learnt a lot and my
Spanish
improved
immensely.
History of Latin
America
Spanish
-
-
-
Very interesting paper.
Video
and
Sound Art
Spanish
-
-
-
Awesome
fun!
Very
different from law, very
creative.
Oral
and
Written
Communication
Spanish
-
-
-
Very simple, probably not
a
paper
I
would
recommend
Course Registration/Enrolment
Please describe the registration process at your host university. What kind of help was available?
The UDEM Exchange Office is very helpful and dedicated to students. If you have any concerns or
questions you just need to send an email through to them and they will respond within days.
Once there if you have any problems with any classes they support you in changing papers as
well.
How successful were you in registering/enrolling for classes you wanted? What advice would you
offer to next year's exchange students about registration at your host university?
My advice is to use the Exchange Office at UDEM as much as possible, they know what they are
talking about and make life so much easier.
Do you have any advice for future students when choosing and applying for courses?
I would advise to choose courses based on when they are taught. At UDEM classes are either on
Tuesdays and Thursdays or Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. I chose all of my classes to be on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. This makes for two very long busy days but frees up Mondays and
Fridays to head off travelling on the weekends. This is important because attendance is
compulsory at UDEM, if you fail to attend more than twice or three times you could fail the
paper.
Academic Experience
How did your academic experience differ from your time spend at Victoria? Did the academic
experience meet your expectations?
In all honesty the classes in UDEM were much easier than here at Victoria. Because of the culture
and the compulsory attendance it felt more like a high school experience than a university one.
Many projects are completed in groups rather than individually and teachers often give out
specified homework.
How did the style of teaching at your host university compare with that at VUW? How did the
workload compare to what you would expect at VUW?
For me the workload was much lighter but that may be because I chose not to study law over
there. Studying in Spanish was my biggest challenge, otherwise the papers would have been too
easy.
What would you recommend as an appropriate course load for other VUW students visiting your
partner university? What specific courses would you recommend to visiting VUW students?
Why?
I would definitely recommend taking Spanish language papers and Latin American history or
culture papers. They are really interesting and necessarily more resourced than what we have
here in NZ.
What advice would you give VUW students about succeeding academically at your host
university?
Do your homework!!! It may seem really easy but if you get it all done you gain points that make
your exams easier. Much better to gain points throughout the trimester than to leave it all up to
the exam.
What was your impression of the computer facilities, library, and internet access at your host
university?
All very good – UDEM is a private university and is very well resourced.
If you went to a country where English is not the native language, how did you prepare for this?
Were there any intensive language courses provided by the host university?
I had previously been on exchange so spoke Spanish already. I would say though most people at
UDEM speak English very well if not fluently, including teachers. There were some great language
courses provided by the university.
E: Accommodation
What form of accommodation did you stay in?
I rented a room in an apartment block near the university.
What were the pros and cons of this form of accommodation?
It was wonderful because it was independent and private. My apartment was a little more
expensive than what my friends rented but it had the comforts of air conditioning and was fully
furnished.
What accommodation would you recommend to future students?
Rent!! Do not go to the uni accommodation. Although it is very well resourced, it is much more
expensive and you have to bother with security guards every time you return later at night.
Further, if you are wanting to host a party at your place you have to apply for permission which
can be really annoying.
How early can you move into accommodation?
I hired a hotel room for 3 nights when I first arrived to Monterrey and in that time found an
apartment to rent. It was very easy – there is a lot of student accommodation available close to
the university.
What options were available for meal plans or cooking facilities? How satisfied were you with the
food?
We had a kitchen which had everything except an over – it was great.
If you lived in off-campus housing, how easy was it to find? What should future VUW exchange
students know about living off-campus?
Very easy to find – there are always rooms up for rent very close to the university. Any concerns
just ask the Exchange Office or your assigned “I-Buddy” when you arrive.
Do you have any tips of advice for future students when applying for accommodation?
Be sure to rent a room near the university with a flexible renting arrangement. Do not sign up for a
lease that lasts longer than you plan on being there, it is possible to find a room that you can rent
monthly.
G: Personal & Cultural Connections
What was it like making friends? How successful were you at making friends with local (i.e., not
international) students?
Monterrey is very close to the Texas border and as a result most people speak English. Mexican
people are especially very friendly and interested in travel so tend to be very welcoming to
exchange students. One thing to note is that UDEM is a private university and so the students
that attend there are generally from very wealthy backgrounds. Due to the proximity of the USA
many students tend to have a more American culture/ set of values rather than Mexican. For
example Halloween is celebrated much more in Monterrey than the traditional Mexican
celebration of the Day of the Dead. I did not have any trouble making friends, although most of
my friends were also exchange students as we were going through the same experience and had
the same interests.
What was it like to adjust to the culture of your exchange country/university?
It was fine for me. Some people struggled with the food, but I loved it. There was not as much of
a culture shock as I had expected due to the American influence on the culture in Monterrey.
What, if any, cultural differences did you find particularly challenging? How would you
recommend students to prepare for these differences?
Some students found the food to be either too fatty or without much variety. I think students
need to be open-minded, try everything and go to the supermarket to be able to prepare your
own food if you do not like it. The supermarkets have very similar stuff to NZ.
What parts of the culture did you most appreciate?
The Mexican culture is extremely vibrant and people based. Mexican people tend to find any
excuse to celebrate and throw a party. It is fun, warm and diverse, the culture changing hugely
around the country.
How were you treated by local people? By university staff and faculty? By students?
I was treated very well. New Zealanders seem to be very popular because we come from such a
far away and mysterious land.
As far as you could tell, how easy would it be for students with disabilities to study at your
partner university? For students who are visible minorities in your host country? For students
who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered?
I think UDEM is a very welcoming place. However, I would warn that they are not as progressive
as NZ in terms of social acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Younger people
tend to be much more open-minded however Mexico is a Catholic country and strong
stereotypes and traditional ideals still exist, unfortunately.
Did you face any issues regarding discrimination in your host country? What were they, and what
advice would you give to future students?
No I did not, neither did any of my friends to my knowledge.
H: Extra-curricular/Social Activities
What organized activities (clubs, sports, etc.) were available to students? What extra-curricular
activities would you recommend to future exchange students?
UDEM has a gym with all sorts of sporting activities open for students. There are also extracurricular classes you may take, although you are limited to choosing only 1 or 2 activities. I did
boxing outside of the university which was fun and a great way to keep off that taco weight!
What do you recommend other visiting students see or do on their weekends or holidays?
Try and travel as much as possible on weekends and holidays. Monterrey is not a great tourist
destination, the best things to do there are visit the famous Parque Fundidora, climb some of the
beautiful surrounding mountains and spend a Sunday at the markets in the center of the city.
Apart from that, weekend trips to Zacatecas, Real de Catorce and the closest beaches or taking a
few off university to fly down to the south of Mexico where the pyramids, famous beaches,
museums and celebrations are held.
What opportunities were there for students to work on-campus? Off-campus?
I am unsure of this, I was not allowed to work while I was in Mexico.
What volunteer or internship opportunities were there for students?
Also unsure about this.
5 things to take to your host country or region
1
2
3
4
5
Jandals
Light clothing for the crazy heat
A puffer jacket (small, compact and you will be surprised by how cold it can get in the desert and
the mountain areas of Mexico!)
Really nice clothes to go out in (the clubs can be quite snobby)
Some awesome kiwi recipes to make kai for your mates
5 pieces of useful advice would tell a VUW student going to your host university
1
2
3
4
Be staunch about learning and speaking Spanish as people will want to practice their English with
you.
With accommodation be sure to find a place near the university that you can pay for monthly (so
you can move out when you like and don’t get stuck on a 6month lease when you are there for only
4 months)
Plan trips away and stick to them – time flies and there is so much to do in Mexico!
Learn how to barter
5
Find out about the main Mexican festivals and travel to the place where they most celebrate them
(e.g. go South for the Day of the Dead in September).
Top 5 Things to do
1
2
3
4
5
What are your ‘Top 5 Things To Do’ future VUW students at your host university or city/country?
Spend Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico (like Oaxaca or Chiapas)
Travel slowly down the Pacific Coast of Mexico (amazing beaches, turtles, whales and much cheaper
than the Caribbean coastline)
Spend at least a week in Mexico City (Frida Kahlo’s house is definitely worth visiting btw)
Sign up with the International Student Embassy (ISE Monterrey) a student group which runs tonnes
of epic parties and trips around the country. One must do is the trip to Xilitla with them – amazing!
If you have time and extra cash try and get to Playa Escondida in Las Islas Marietas near Puerto
Vallarta. An absolutely stunning place.
I: Personal Experience
Please write one paragraph about your exchange experience. Plus, don’t forget to submit some
photos to the exchange office!!
Mexico is an incredible country with a hugely diverse range of places, food and people to meet.
The most important thing I learnt during my time there is the Mexican mantra that “Life Must be
Celebrated”. Every occasion is an excuse to unite friends and family and celebrate. This was quite
different to what I was used to here in NZ, especially with my law degree where every spare
minute was an excuse to get to the library and get some mahi done. I landed in Mexico without
knowing a soul in the country. I was completely alone Mexico meaning I had to make my own
decisions, find myself a place to live, friends to hang out with, places to go. To me Mexico was a
place to be free. Free from the responsibilities of home, free from the expectations of friends to
behave in a certain way – free to be who I am without those usual outside influences. This
freedom gave me the space I needed to really grow and become an independent, confident
young woman. I travelled a lot and made a tonne of life-long friends, as it usually tends to go
with exchanges. It was a dream and now I can’t wait to go back and to meet up with my friends
around the world. I have no regrets from my exchange – it was one of the best things I could
have done as a woman in my early twenties. Absolutely incredible.