Student Report
Name of the University: Tecnológico de Monterrey
Exchange semester: Fall 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
- When and how did you receive information from the exchange university, and did you
encounter any difficulties?
- We received information from the exchange university around april the semester
before, we got the info on mail and on their application site. For the application
process and other information, there were no difficulties. It was very easy and we did
everything on the internet.
- You can also contact ISE monterrey on facebook that will gladely help you with pick
up for from air port for free, finding housing, give a small tour and whatever you want.
I really recommend doing that, they will help you with everything.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
- How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
You don’t need to apply for a visa, you are given 180 days to stay in the country, and that is
perfect for one semester.
Travel
- How did you travel to your destination?
We travelled with American Airlines starting with the first flight from Sola/Stavanger to
Frankfurt, then Frankfrukt to Miami and then Miami to Monterrey.
Housing
- Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from the
school?
Housing is not provided by the university, not that im aware of. I really recommend to live
where we stayd. Its called Villas Tec it is an apartment complexes about 15 minutes from the
university which most of the international students live as well as Mexican students. The
apartments in Villas have three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The standard are pretty good,
for Mexcio.
Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food, transportation, and
other personal expenses?
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
2300NOK
100NOK
2000NOK
200NOK
NOK
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
Everybody at the university speaks English so there was no problems in communicating with
the faculty or other students.
- How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
There was many possibilities to experience the country and the culture, this is because of the
two organizations, International Stuendt Organization(ISE) and INTÉGRATE, which are
organizations that help international student enjoy their stay in Monterrey. These groups
arrange several trips during the semester, through all over the country,
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
- The school (location, size, study structure, special academic areas etc.)
The school is huge much bigger then BI, its similar to a college. There are animals such as
peacocks, ducks and deers on campus.
When it comes to the study structure, there is a huge difference from what we are used to in
Norway. There is a lot to do like homework, projects, raports, three exsames and weekly
quizzes.
Course registration
- When and how did you register for courses?
We got an email from TEC in juni/juli to register our courses. Then we sent them in to BI to
get them approved. We would recommend looking at when the classes are and plan your
schedule, so you can use the longe weekend for travelling.
When did the add/drop period end?
Ather one week with classes.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
01.08.15
03.08.15
03.12.15
25.11-12.12
16.09 And 16.11
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
The introduction week is nothing like Fadderuken BI. We did not attend introduction
week so much but they offer city tour, campus tour and other useful activities. If you want
I week like Fadderuken you should contact ISE, they know how to party and have fun in
Monterrey. You will also get to know other Mexicans and foregiens.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
Yes. Mexcians are in general very helpful and you can ask about anyone about anything. If
you dont find your way to the classroom the first person you ask will most likely help you. To
find things at school can be a bit hard, but the international office would help you. You just
have to know, thing take TIME in Mexico. They are not as punctual as us norwegian, “så du
må smøre deg med tålmodighet.”
Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
Nothing . If someone asked us about it we were honest and told them what is was lik.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
Great! Mexicans are supereasy to make friends with. They want to everything, They love
showing you Mexico and are very nice and trustworthy.
- Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
Yes, many. ISE and Integrate make it superfun to be an exchange student in Monterrey, and
they arrange trips, parties, all kinds of stuff.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Tecnologico de Monterrey it is more common with small classroms talk and discuss
with teacher and students. They practice a lot of group work and presentation.
- The level is easier compared to BI, but there is much more to do. You have to work
throughout the semester.
Course materials
- The course materials are mostly online information and articles.
- Exam based on course lectures, given topic or power point
- How was the course evaluated
Final exam could come in all forms, some didn’t have final exam or you could
have a final presentation of the semester. Multiply chose exam and written
normal exam.
Some courses had mid term exam in some form, all this depended on the
teacher/professor.
There was small class quizzes
Small assignments
Presentations is really important
Group work is mandatory
Class attendance mandatory, some classes you can have absence 3 and others
classes 6, but nothing more.
Library and technology
-
The facilities are really nice, with small parks, lots of places to study and a gym at
school(for free). The school is huge.
Description of courses
Please list below all the courses you took while on exchange. Your comments are useful for
BI and for future exchange students, include information on the qacadmic level, challenges,
relevance to your studies, if the course was practical/theoretical, any enrolment issues, etc.
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisites
Comments
None
Approved
as
Elective
Written and
presentation
H1011
Introduction to
Mexican culture
Bachelor
Written and
presentation
None
Elective
Bachelor
Written and
presentation
None
Elective
Fz2016
Project valuation
and Financing
Bachelor
Written and
presentation
None
Finance
AD1005
Managment and
business model
innovation
Bachelor
Written
None
Elective
If you don’t
like history I
will not
recommend
this class. A
lof of work
load
This class
was also
about
history,
much to do.
I don’t
recommend
it
Recommend
this class,
the
professor
was good.
Work load
okey. You
will learn
excel
A very fun
class.
Various
tasks. Not
so much
work load
N13029
Doing business in
latin America
H11007
Spanish as a
foregin language
I
recommend
this class.
Ok with
work load
NI3031
International
business project
Bachelor
Written
None
Strategy
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
AMAZING, don't consider it, DO IT!! It was so worth it
Not much
work load at
all.
Recommend
it.