Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Universidad de Las Americas – Puebla,
Mexico
SPANISH SPEAKING EXCHANGE
Facts
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Language of instruction: Spanish
Number of students currently enrolled:
Semester 1: August-December
Semester 2: January-May
Note: In Latin America, the academic year runs from January to December. In order to allow you to start
and finish your studies abroad on time, you will reverse the academic year at your host university (i.e. your
semester 1 will be their semester 2 and vice-versa).
About the University
UDLA is located in Cholula, a suburb of Puebla, a metropolitan area of approximately 3 million inhabitants.
Puebla is one of the oldest colonial cities on the American continent and nearby many pre-Columbian
pyramids can be found. Mexico City is 2 hours away and travel around Mexico and neighbouring countries
is easily accessible. UDLA is set out in a campus style with many gardens and parks. There are 4 dormitories
on campus and 2 off campus. The student population is 8000, 5% of which is foreign, and as many live in or
near Cholula the atmosphere around the area is very nice. There are two gymnasiums, tennis courts, pool
and two cafeterias.
Website: www.udlap.mx
Information for international students:
http://www.udlap.mx/internacional/exchangestudents/
http://www.udlap.mx/international/files/20160506_International-Student-Guidebook.pdf
Academics
Course/credit load:
Courses available:
Course enrolment:
For Information on credits please consult our credit guidance sheet:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/international_exchange_credit_loads.pdf
1. An International Student may enrol in courses from any of our degrees,
according to his/her level of study (undergraduate or master).
2. An International Student may enrol in courses from any level of any
study area, as long as his/her study degree (graduate or undergraduate)
is maintained.
3. UDLAP offers courses in Spanish and English, please check the
availability of courses in each language.
4. In order to see the study plans of each degree, click Study Plans:
http://www.udlap.mx/ofertaacademica/mapaoferta.aspx?idioma=2
Before arriving at UDLAP, the student’s UDLAP Incoming Coordinator will send
him/her a course selection form that must be filled out. According to this form,
the UDLAP Incoming Coordinator will sign the student up for his/her courses
before Orientation Week.
Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Universidad de Las Americas – Puebla,
Mexico
During Orientation week, the student will receive his/her class schedule, and it
will be possible to make changes.
ADDS AND DROPS
During the first 3 days of classes at UDLAP, the student will be able to add
and/or drop courses. After this time, there will be no additional changes.
Academic restrictions
If the Exchange Student is wishing to take courses of Culinary Arts,
Anthropology, Medicine and Nursing, he/she must ask for approval before
applying.
Your final course selection must be agreed and approved with your Exchange Coordinator and any
course changes made whilst you are away must have their approval.
Accommodation
University accommodation:
Application process:
Private accommodation:
http://www.udlap.mx/international/udlap-dormitories.aspx
Accommodation is available to all students at UDLAP.
Once a dormitory reservation has been made, it cannot be cancelled and housing
deposits will not be refunded.
For more information about the Residential Colleges please check:
http://www.udlap.mx/internas/alojamiento.aspx?idioma=2 or contact
[email protected].
IMPORTANT: Prices vary each semester and Off-campus housing is also
available.
Private accommodation arrangements must be made individually by the student.
But keep in mind that UDLAP is a campus university and therefore you would
need to travel to campus. If you prefer to live off-campus, finding an apartment
or house is your responsibility. The on-campus information center known as
M.A.R.I in the “Centro Social” publishes listings of available apartments, the
apartment address, costs and telephone numbers to contact the landlord. You
will also find many signs in the streets renting apartments. Signing a lease in
Cholula is still not a common practice, thus facilitating the search for apartments.
The International Office at UDLAP does not provide information on apartment
availability. The best way to find an apartment is to arrive a few days prior to the
first day of the Orientation Week program. You will have to make reservations in
a hotel until you find roommates and an apartment.
Costs
Estimated costs of living:
http://www.udlap.mx/international/living-costs.aspx
Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Universidad de Las Americas – Puebla,
Mexico
Insurance:
All International Students at UDLAP, without exception, are required to have
international health and medical insurance coverage for the entire period of stay
in Mexico, and that must include:
 International emergency and sanitary evacuation.
 Repatriation of remains in case of death.
Once purchased the student’s own international health insurance in his/her
home country, he/she will have to provide us with:
 A copy of the policy, including name, date of birth, policy number,
emergency phone number of the insurance company, coverage dates
and at least 4 hospital’s at Puebla where the insurance is accepted, prior
to the arrival at UDLAP.
IMPORTANT: The student will not be able to sign up for courses officially if
he/she has not yet provided proof of medical insurance to the International
Affairs Office.
Employment:
Students would need to check with the international office at UDLAP after
arrival.
Orientation
The Orientation Week (Semana de Orientación) is UDLAP’s chance to welcome
new international students to UDLAP and to Mexico. It is a week where you will
receive a lot of important information about the university on topics such as
course registration, immigration and financing; but it is also a week where you
will get the chance to take part in immersion activities, meet new people, go on
field trips, and hopefully adapt yourself to your new surroundings before you
start classes.
Visas
Due to the fact that the student’s study program in Mexico lasts more than 180
days the student must obtain a STUDENT TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA “Visa De
Residente Temporal Estudiante” in the embassy or consulate of Mexico nearest
to his/her place of residence.
In order to know where are located the embassies and consulates of Mexico in
the student’s country, the following links can be checked.
 EMBASSIES: https://directorio.sre.gob.mx/index.php/embajadas-demexico-en-el-exterior .
 CONSULATES: https://directorio.sre.gob.mx/index.php/consulados-demexico-en-el-exterior.
In order to know the requirements needed to obtain the visa, the student can
contact his/her university or the embassy or consulate of Mexico in his/her
country.
Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Universidad de Las Americas – Puebla,
Mexico
Disability Statement
Some destinations may be more accessible than others for disabled students. If you require any
adjustments due to disability or specific learning difficulty and you wish to study abroad please
contact Thomas Ozers in the International Office ([email protected]). We will work
together with you to explore the help available at your host institution. It might also be helpful if
you discuss this with your Personal Tutor and the Disability Office as well.
These notes are for guidance only. We have tried to keep them up to date, but it is very difficult to do so without your input. So, if you can keep
notes of any inaccuracies in this information we should be glad to hear of them on your return to Edinburgh. Any other observations and
impressions about your stay will also be useful and will help those students who participate in the exchange in future years.
These notes are for guidance only. We have tried to keep them up to date, but cannot
guarantee 100% accuracy. If you notice any errors please contact
[email protected]