Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico

At a glance

Where, who, when

Full name of the host university: Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM)
City, Country: Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
Homepage of the host university:http://www.udem.edu.mx/esp/Paginas/default.aspx
Author of the field report: Christian Plath
Degree programme at FH Aachen: B. Sc. Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty 8
Start and end of the stay abroad: 01/08/2017 - 15/12/2017
The semester abroad was completed in: 5th subject-specific semester

Assessments:

Quality of the programme content: 3,0
Study conditions / facilities at the host university: 1.0
On-site support and assistance: 1.0
Campus: 1.0
Transport links to the campus: 2.0
Food on campus (dining hall (Mensa), etc.): 1,0
Sports facilities: 2.0
Leisure activities: 1.0
Bars / discos / nightlife: 2.0
Quality / cost of living: 2.0
Contact with locals: 1.0

Preparations

When did you start the preparations? Approximately one year before departure, the deadline is in November of the previous year.
How does the application process work and what documents are required?
Step 1: Interview or registration at FH Aachen, either at the IFO or AAA depending on the faculty. If you are interested, you can contact both and you may be forwarded.
Step 2: The first documents you need are: transcript of records for the subjects you have completed (Examination Office), CV and cover letter.
Step 3: The Learning Agreement (download AAA) is used by FH Aachen to record the recognition of the subjects.
Step 4: After successful confirmation, you will receive a list of documents that must be sent to the partner university.
Does the host university require a language test? UDEM does not require a language test in advance. You will take a placement test for the relevant Spanish course when you arrive in the first few days.
Useful tips or further information on preparation: You should start preparing early. During, and especially at the end of the semester, it can take a while to get to a consultation hour, for example.

Formalities

Do I have to pay fees at the host university? No! You only pay the usual semester fee at FH Aachen.
Did you receive a scholarship to finance your stay abroad? No.
How do you get there, what are the approximate travelling costs? There is no direct flight connection to Monterrey. You can fly directly from Germany to Mexico City and Cancún, from where you can book a cheap domestic flight. There are also numerous connections via the USA. For the USA, an electronic transit visa (ESTA, approx. 15$) must be obtained in advance. There are very cheap buses within the city, but they should be used with caution. They are often old, overcrowded and you have to take good care of your valuables in the crowds. Taxis can be found everywhere, and will beep their horns as they pass. There is also the private taxi service UBER, where you can order a private journey via an app. Advantages: The price is about half that of taxis and you can use the app to check the exact route. In my opinion, it's the best way to get from A to B in Monterrey and many other cities in Mexico.
Did you have to take out additional health insurance? Yes, that's important! You need international health insurance for a long stay abroad. It is best to check with your own insurance company whether they offer additional cover abroad, as this is often cheaper. Otherwise, there are several comparison portals to find good prices and benefits.
Is further insurance necessary? No.

On site

What formalities have to be completed after arrival? The formalities concerning the university will be explained to you very clearly and comprehensibly when you arrive in the first few days. We recommend a Mexican mobile phone card, which you can buy from the major providers (AT&T, Telcel, etc.) and from the Coppel electronics store. The set-up price is €3.
Where is the best place to live and what are the average housing costs? My recommendation is to live near the university in the San Pedro neighbourhood. This is within walking distance of the university, various supermarkets and places to eat and is also close to most of the other guest students. The neighbourhood is also considered particularly safe. Prices start at around €200 per month for a room in a shared flat, with no upper limit. However, you are sure to find something between €200 and €300. Important: Monterrey is hot! From May to August, temperatures can reach 40 degrees or more. It is highly recommended that you move into a flat with air conditioning.
How did the flat search go? On the website https://www.vivanuncios.com.mx/ you will find numerous offers and you can get in touch with the providers in advance. Otherwise, you can book a hostel or AirBnB for the first few days and then take your time to look for accommodation, which is recommended so that you can view the properties. The university and the private organisation INTEGRATE will help you with this. The supply is generally good, which means that everyone can find a flat.
What is the average cost of living? Prices are generally lower than in Germany, even if Monterrey is considered the most expensive city in the country. If you shop at the supermarket and look after yourself, you can get by very cheaply. And eating out is not expensive either: classic Mexican snacks and dishes can be found for as little as €2-3. However, Monterrey also offers expensive and classy restaurants with European standards and corresponding prices.
What is cheap/expensive?
Expensive: partying in San Pedro, eating out in the centre of San Pedro
Cheap: services (hairdresser, taxi, ...), street food, bus travel, cinema
What are the shopping facilities like? There are numerous large supermarkets (Walmart, Soriana, HEB, ...), but also small shops (tiendas) in almost every block. The supply of goods is generally very good!

About the host university

Briefly describe the host university! The UDEM is a private university in Monterrey, Mexico. It has around 13,000 students spread across a wide range of degree programmes. The campus therefore has numerous buildings with modern facilities, plenty of opportunities to work and take breaks, computers for research, a small supermarket and several dining options and cafeterias. Even if you have a larger gap in your timetable, you can still spend a good day at UDEM.
How was the quality of the courses? Attendance is compulsory and is checked by a show of hands before each lesson. The groups are therefore quite small (approx. 30-40 fellow students), which allows you to actively participate in the lessons, ask questions and generally get involved. In terms of content, the overall level is somewhat lower than what we are used to at FH Aachen. In some cases, an exam contains far less material than is the case in Germany.
What are the facilities like at the host university? The equipment in most faculties is outstanding: projectors, computers and electronic blackboards are now standard. The computers that are made available to students in the computer room work quickly and are always functional. However, should there be a problem, there are numerous staff members who will take care of the maintenance and repair of the equipment at any time. There is also the option of printing and borrowing books free of charge. As mentioned above, there are several options for eating out. There are also sports facilities, a running track, football pitches, cash machines and much more.
What are the opening hours on campus, how are the libraries, are there scripts for the lectures? The opening hours are based on the timetables, which normally include events from 8.15 am to 9.45 pm. The same applies to the Library, where there are two group study rooms and a large quiet study room. Each lecturer decides individually whether to work with a textbook or their own script. This is communicated in the first lecture.
How many hours per week did you have on average? If you take five courses, you have 15 hours of lectures per week. This is about the number of hours you have to prepare for and follow up on the subjects. It is usual that you have to hand in a written homework assignment every week, give a short presentation and/or take a short test at the beginning of the lesson. (More details in the next point). The grade is graded from 0 to 100 and, unlike at FH Aachen, is made up of attendance and participation, the written homework, the two mid-term exams and the final exam. This means that a poor performance in one part can be compensated for by the others.
The credits you receive at UDEM are converted by FH Aachen. It is advisable to discuss with the Examination Board whether there is a minimum number of credits and therefore how many subjects you have to take (mobility window). There is no prescribed number of subjects for Business Administration and Engineering.
Have the professors prepared you well for exams? The content of the exams is close to the subject matter. I rarely encountered surprises or transferable skills in the exams. The lecturers are available before, during and after the courses as well as during consultation hours. Open questions can therefore always be clarified!
Are there special introductory courses for visiting students? Yes, this is comprehensive and detailed! There is little to worry about on arrival, all questions will be answered in the first three days of orientation.
What do I need to bear in mind when the certificate is issued at the foreign university? UDEM will send the original certificate to FH Aachen. This happens about three months after the end of the semester abroad.
Who was the contact person at the foreign university ? The International Office (DIPI) takes care of various matters for exchange students. In addition, each visiting student is assigned a student contact who is available to answer any questions.
What did you like / dislike about the campus?
Good: the overall programme (see above), the support, the quality of life on campus, the people, etc...
Not good: the general compulsory attendance. In some courses I would have preferred to work independently.
Other: Everyone at UDEM is helpful. If you have any questions, speak to someone in a friendly manner without hesitation!

About the courses and lectures attended at the UDEM

Course attended: Spanish
Course duration & scope, teaching format: 3 hours per week (WS), seminar-style teaching
Keywords for the course description: Small groups, lots of oral participation -> learning success
Form of assessment: Written exams.
Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Engineering Mechanics 3
Lecturer: Dr José Santiago Cruz Bañuelos
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 WS, lecture and exercise in one
Keywords for the course description: Frontal teaching, self-calculation exercise
Form of assessment: Written examinations.
Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Introduction to project management
Lecturer:Martha Lorena Taboada Morón
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 WS, lecture and exercise
Keywords for the course description: Frontal teaching, very application-oriented. You design your own project over the entire semester.
Form of assessment: Homework to hand in, short written tests, written exams.
Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Finance
Lecturer: Mtro. Patricio Eugenio De La Garza Cadena
Course duration & scope, teaching format: 3 WS, VL
Keywords for the course description: Classical lecture, short tests every hour.
Form of assessment: Short tests, written ha, lectures in groups.
Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Organisation
Lecturer: Dra. Ana Patricia Eulalia Núñez Cervera
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 3 WS, seminar-style teaching
Keywords for the course description: Soft skills subject, interactive participation with laptop, tablet, etc.
Form of assessment: Written HA, lectures, final thesis
Is the course recommended? Yes.

Leisure activities

What is the range of sports facilities on campus? Various courses as well as running track, football pitches, fitness.
Do I have to pay for the sports programmes? No!
What leisure activities does the campus offer? One highlight is the surrounding mountains, to which the university also offers tours. Some trails can also be explored on your own.
What sights are there locally? Macroplaza is the largest public square in the country. Obispado is a viewpoint in the centre of the city and is an excellent place to get an overview of the city.
What tourist attractions does the surrounding area have to offer? Various, most of which are related to nature. Action sports enthusiasts and outdoor fans will get their money's worth here!
Are there organised (possibly subsidised) excursions for visiting students? Yes, practically every weekend! These are presented in the first few days on arrival and then communicated via Facebook. It is 100% worth taking part.
Are there many good restaurants and bars nearby? There are several restaurants and bars in San Pedro with a higher price level. There is a wide range of bars, restaurants and discos in the centre. It is usually worth taking the longer route to the centre.
Are there any specialities to be aware of in the local cuisine? Never trust a Mexican when he says "no, no pica" (no, it's not spicy). Hot sauces are usually served separately. Preferably try them in small doses beforehand. Otherwise: try everything, Mexican cuisine is very varied and has even been a World Heritage Site since 2011!
Where do you go in the evening (pubs, bars, discos, cinemas)? You can meet up in a student flat share (casa) or go to the Centrito in San Pedro. There are also many places to go out in the centre of Monterrey. Despite the high level of security, I recommend carrying a minimum of things with you at all times: Cash, ID and a charged mobile phone should be enough. Leave important documents and credit cards at home.
Are there any special customs/customs among the locals and what is an absolute taboo? The highlight is the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is celebrated in November. The city is colourfully decorated and the deceased ancestors are honoured. This custom was made into a film by Pixar last year (film: Coco). There are few taboos, the city is very Americanised and resembles European culture in many ways. It is customary for men to wear long trousers, although it can get hot. For Mexicans, shorts belong on the beach!

Final considerations - Conclusion

How would you rate your stay abroad overall? I can recommend it to anyone and it has helped me in many ways. The support I received from FH Aachen before my stay abroad and during my time at UDEM was always obliging and very helpful.
Did you choose the right time for your semester abroad? Yes, I think the fifth subject-specific semester was very suitable, because I had already completed the subjects of the foundation degree programme, but still had a good selection of subjects for recognition at the UAS.
What were the high and low points of your stay?
Flop: The heat at the beginning, the traffic in the city
Top: Excursions with the university and privately, the presentation of grades at the end, graduation ceremony (-n)
What will remain unforgettable? The food and the cheerful nature of the people.
What advice would you like to give to other students on your degree programme who decide to spend a semester abroad at this foreign university? Stay calm, you shouldn't expect everything to always work the way you are used to at home. Talking helps: Mexicans are very talkative and almost all things are negotiable. You can take many subjects. At the beginning it is unusual to have to hand in homework and prepare for the next lesson. These initial difficulties disappear over the course of the semester. If in doubt, take two more subjects and cancel them during the semester if necessary.
Any criticism or suggestions? ---