Start and end of the stay abroad: 08.02.2024 - 03.03.2024
Author of the field report: Patrick Schröder
Degree programme at FH Aachen: B.Sc. Industrial Engineering and Management (subject area: Mechanical Engineering)
The semester abroad took place in: 3rd semester
Assessments:
Quality of the programme content: 1,7
Study conditions / facilities at the host university: 1.0
On-site support and assistance: 1.0
Campus: 1.0
Transport links to the campus: 3.0
Food on campus (dining hall (Mensa), etc.): 2,0
Sports facilities: 1.0
Leisure activities: 1.0
Bars / discos / nightlife: 1.0
Quality / cost of living: 2.7
Contact with locals: 1.0
Preparations
Why did you choose Mexico as the country for your winter school? As we have the opportunity to complete a two-semester double degree at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, I was very interested in getting to know the culture and landscape of Mexico beforehand.
When did you start your preparations? October 2023
Useful tips or further information on preparation: It is an advantage if you can communicate a little in Spanish in order to shop in everyday life or speak to locals. However, many people in Mexico can speak English.
How does the application process work? Application via the DHIK programme, requirements can be found on the DHIK website.
What formalities had to be completed before travelling? If you want to travel to Mexico, you should take out international insurance to cover all eventualities. A visa is not required for shorter stays.
Do I have to pay fees at the host university? The winter school as a whole programme (accommodation, meals and activities) cost 900€. There are no other special fees for the host university.
Did you receive a scholarship to finance your stay abroad? I received the PROMOS scholarship from FH Aachen, which provides great financial support.
How would you recommend travelling to the host university? I would recommend a direct flight (approx. 800€ from Frankfurt), as flights with stopovers can be quite long. Alternatively, you can also fly via the USA (e.g. Dallas, Houston), but you will need an ESTA for your stay in the USA.
On site
Where is the best place to live and what are the average accommodation costs? During the winter school, you only have the option of living in the "Residance hall" (Doorms) on the Querétaro campus. These are only a few years old and therefore very modern. However, you should be aware that the building (with a communal kitchen) and the rooms (with room attendants) are more like a hotel.
What was it like looking for accommodation? Students don't have to look for accommodation at all, as this is taken care of by the DHIK.
What is the average cost of living? The average cost of living is divided into the included accommodation costs and meals (morning and midday). You have to provide your own dinner. Other costs include transport (Uber) and food for travelling.
What is cheap/expensive? Transport with Uber is very cheap, as is most food (e.g. avocados). However, there are also very expensive foods such as dairy products (e.g. kefir). Bars and restaurants tend to be cheaper than in Germany.
Climate / local situation: We were in Querétaro in February and were therefore there in winter. Nevertheless, it was usually 30 degrees and sunny. You should pack for summer. Mexicans usually wear long trousers.
About the host university
Briefly describe the host university! The Institute of Technology and Advanced Studies Monterrey (Spanish: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey or ITESM) , founded in 1943, is one of the largest private universities in South America and is one of the best technical universities in the world. The ITESM network now comprises more than 30 regional campuses in various Latin American countries. The main campus is located in Monterrey, Mexico, with around 24,000 students from all over the world. In total, more than 95,000 students are registered at the university. In 2006, the Wall Street Journal ranked ITESM as the 7th best business school in the world, ahead of MIT, the Haas School of Business, Wharton and Stanford and behind Columbia University and Thunderbird. In 2007, ITESM was named the 10th most expensive university (tuition fees) in the world in the FORBES ranking. - Source Wikipedia
How was the overall quality of the courses and lectures? During the Winter School, we were able to choose a total of two modules. There was a choice of three modules in English and three modules in German, each of which was taught by professors who also travelled to the Winter School. I personally really liked the tribology module at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, as it fitted in very well with my curriculum as an industrial engineer and aroused my interest. The Sustainable Management Accounting module at Zwickau University of Applied Sciences, on the other hand, was only okay. However, it is also possible to change modules during the Winter School if the professor agrees.
How are the facilities at the host university? The Querétaro campus has first-class facilities. From sports facilities to food shops and the Borregos' own fan shop, the campus has a lot to offer. For example, there is a swimming pool, football pitch, Olympic running track, football stadium, gym and much more. The classrooms are excellently equipped, with no lack of materials or air conditioning. There is also the option of using bicycles on campus or a private shuttle that travels across the campus every day. There is also a large car park, as most students arrive by car.
Are there any special features on campus or anything that should be mentioned? It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol or drugs on campus, and smoking is also not tolerated.
How many hours a week did you work on average? 3 hours per day, occasionally no modules but excursions or smaller activities on campus, such as a dance course.
Did you have personal contact with the professors? The professors are always there to support you and usually know their way around the campus.
Did you have specific contacts at the foreign university? There are two or three employees at Tec de Monterrey who help supervise and organise the winter school on behalf of the partner university.
What are the transport links to the campus like? What needs to be considered? Students and professors always took Uber to the city centre or the surrounding area, as Uber is the safest and cheapest transport option.
What are the sports facilities on campus like? You can do almost all sports on campus. Sport is generally very important at Tec de Monterrey.
Do I have to pay for the sports programmes? No, you can use all sports facilities free of charge.
About the courses and lectures attended at VIU
Course attended: Tribology Lecturer: Klaus Dürkopp Course duration & scope, teaching form: 2.5 CTS Keywords for course description: Seminar-style teaching. Fundamentals of tribology, no specific treatment of the topic. Form of assessment: Oral examination in the form of a presentation Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Sustainable corporate accounting Lecturer: Melanie Weber, M.A. Course duration & scope, teaching form: 2.5 CTS Keywords for course description: Lecture/exercise. Form of assessment: Written examination 60 min Is the course recommended? No.
Leisure activities
What leisure activities does the study location offer? You can go hiking in Santiago de Querétaro, the nature in the surrounding area is very impressive.
Name a few sights in the city! The Querétaro aqueducts are the symbol of the city. The oldest part of the city is around the Plaza de Armas. There you will find the Casa de la Corregidora (Palacio de Gobierno), the government palace built in 1770.
Which tourist attractions in the surrounding area should you visit? In my opinion, San Miguel de Allende is a must-see. This small town is simply beautiful, and a rooftop bar at sunset is well worth a visit. There is also a great farm that we visited with the Winter School.
Are there any restaurants, bars or museums worth mentioning in the neighbourhood? Where do you go in the evening and what do you recommend? There are plenty of bars, cinemas and other night-time activities in Querétaro.
Are there any specialities to be aware of in the local cuisine? Mexican cuisine is very flavourful and generally different from German cuisine. Unfortunately, you have to reckon with the fact that your stomach doesn't absorb a meal very well. It is normal to react with stomach cramps, diarrhoea or other symptoms. Nevertheless, it is super tasty and you can try a lot of things here that you wouldn't find in Germany. I often ordered tortas instead of tacos, which is of course a matter of taste. You should be careful NOT to drink tap water.
Final considerations - Conclusion
How would you rate your stay abroad overall? In conclusion, I would repeat the Winter School at any time. It's simply a great opportunity to meet new people, as well as local Mexicans, you also meet students from all over Germany. After the Winter School, for example, we organise a trip to Berlin with a group of 11 people to see each other again. At the same time, Mexico has incredibly beautiful flora and fauna. My personal highlight are the many small towns in Mexico, which are very stylish. The architecture is well worth seeing, as are the many beautifully laid out parks. In general, the atmosphere in Santiago de Querétaro and the surrounding area is very pleasant, so I always felt comfortable. This is also due to the fact that the state of Querétaro is one of the safest in the whole of Mexico.
Did you choose the right time for your semester abroad? The timing was perfect for me, as I "skipped" the rainy February in Aachen and the trip was right between the first and second exam periods of the winter semester. So I was able to switch off completely during the trip and enjoy Mexico.
Did you make new friends? I met new friends from Aachen, as we each applied for the winter school and travelled together.
How did you cope with the local language? I was able to communicate reasonably well with the basics in Spanish. It often helps if you are simply brave and try to speak, which actually works quite well. If you can speak Spanish at a higher level, I think this can have a very positive influence on the trip, as you come into contact with the locals even more and learn a lot more about the country and the people there.
What advice would you give to other students on your degree programme who decide to attend a winter school at this foreign university? Take the time to travel with a group or privately beforehand to explore the country a little on your own. I think a self-organised trip through a foreign country in a new culture is something else than an organised trip by the DHIK. I travelled to Mexico City with a group of six 10 days before the start of the winter school and can only recommend this to anyone. In the few days we visited the metropolis Ciudad de Mexico, travelled by bus to Oaxaca and went surfing in the Pacific in Puerto Escondido. Simply an unforgettable time.
Any criticism or suggestions? In my opinion, more off-campus activities could have been organised. As you live and study on campus, you get to know it very well. One module instead of two offers the opportunity to include more exciting activities in the Winter School programme.
