Student Report
Name of the University: ITESM, Tec de Monterrey, Mexico
Exchange semester: Spring, 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
I started reciving information from TEC in October, first on how to apply and later on
other topics and with the acceptance.
Applying for a visa
I did not need a vise to stay in Mexico for less than 180 days. There is only a form that
has to be filled out when crossing the boarder into Mexico, but Tec informs well on
how to do this correctly.
Travel
I chose to go through Florida, US (to visit a friend first) with Norwegian, and then
with American Airlines from Orlando to Dallas to Monterey.
Housing
There are two organisations helping international students find housing, make social
events, airport pickup and so on (International Student Embassy and Integrate). They
are good at getting in contact early through Facebook, as they get a list of incoming
exchange students from the Uni. On their wepages, they have a form for housing and
help you find something that meets your wishes. Most international students, however,
live in Villas Tec or Torres Tec, and some in Garza Sada 1892.
Costs
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
NOK 2600
NOK 300 (in total for the semester)
NOK 1000
NOK 400
NOK
Other expences arose when travlling. Food can be made cheaper, but we eat out quite a
lot.
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
o Most of the students spoke at least some English. The faculty mostly did not,
expect professors and international office. Most people outside of campus did
not speak English either.
- How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
o Monterrey is a rather Americanized city and some of the Latin feeling is
missing. Mexico, however, is a great country and the travelling possibilities are
huge. In addition, I did two courses related to Mexico and Latin America,
which helped knowing the history behind the culture I felt.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
The school consists of several buildings one on campus and the campus has some green
areas with some animals (peacocks, deer, ducks and a few others) wandering around where
they want to. There are a few different cafeterias and some other food outlets on campus
(Starbucks, Super Salad, ect.).
The classes are small, attendance is required and there is a lot of work throughout the
semester, with hand-in homeworks, projects, presentations and partial exams. Most classes are
1,5 hours twice a week.
Course registration
The course registration happened online before leaving Norway, which was a rather
simple process. You are not allowed to join classes you are not registered for. The add period
is two weeks, and you are able to drop for a longer periode. However, you are not allowed to
register for more than 30 ECTS credits in order to test out two options and then choose one
later on.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Jan. 6, 2015
Mandatory Orientation: Jan. 6-9, 2015
Classes begin: Jan. 12, 2015
May 6, 2015
May 8-19, 2015
Spring Break: March 30-April 3, 2015
Arrival
The introduction week was mixed with the new program students, and therefore a lot
happened only in Spanish. We were divided into different teams, with just a couple of
internationals in each. It was lasting only two-three days and it is all a competition with
someone winning a prize at the end.
The International Office
The information was sufficient and relevant before arriving, and the people working
there were very friendly and helpful throughout the semester. We did get some e-mails
about things every now and then and some events were arranged. Otherwise, their
office was a good place to go with any kind of doubt. They wish to be our family
while we are there, and they sure do make us feel safe and cared for.
Promoting BI and Norway
We had one international day where those who wanted had a stand about their country
and later a presentation about their university. I participated with having a stand and
talking to those passing by throughout the day.
Also, the more informal, everyday-talk expressing my love for Oslo and Norway has
at least made people interested in coming to visit.
Social activities
-
-
How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
o There are two organisations arranging events and travels for international
students and both of these are run mostly by national students. Most of the
social crowd did end up being internationals, as we all come just for a semester
and want to experience a lot of the same things during that time.
I did get some good, national friends as well, but these were people I met more
without the international crowd.
And the classes are mixed (depending on the subject of course), which is a
good way to meet national students as well.
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
o Those two organisations (International Student Embassy and Integrate) arrange
weekly clubbing, monthly kitchen races (super fun event!), monthly-ish travels
and often bigger parties more unevenly spread out.
o There are some student organisations on campus for regional areas, but these
are not running well unless there are degree seeking students from those areas.
They do though arrange open events every now and then.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
o The teaching style depended on the professor, but compared to BI, they are all
classes, not lectures, which makes a closer relation between students and
professor. Some did spend classes going through assignments and expected us
to read the theory at home, others did the opposite. Most classes were rather
informal, though the teacher respect is different than in Norway (as respect to
elders and so on in general).
o The workload is a lot bigger than at BI, as we do six subject in stead of four
and have hand-in homeworks, projects, group works, presentations and so on
in each of them. The level is though a lot lower.
Course materials
o Most teachers used PowerPoint presentations, some used online articles, I have
a text book in one of my courses. Some expected us to find relevant books in
the library without specifically telling us which one.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
o The exam was based on what we did in class. Presentations, assignements,
discussions, homework, ect.
- How was the course evaluated
o Final exam (written)
o 2 Mid-term exams (written or oral)
o In-class quizzes throughout semester
o Small assignments and/or papers
o Presentations
o Group work
o Class attendance
o Class participation/debates
o Homework
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities
o The library was old and rather worn out, but it got torn down after I left and
they are construction a new one now, to be finished within two years, I think.
The library has been moved to a temporary location, but I do not know how
well this will function.
The library did have four floors: 1st with books and a computer lab, 2nd with
books and individual desks for quiet studying, 3rd with serious work stations
for group work and 4th with more relaxed group work facilities (including
couches for napping).
o There is one other computer place, which I never used, so I do not know too
much about this option.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisites
Written, group
presentation
RI 2034 Negotiation
and Conflict
Management
Bachelor
Final paper
None
(Spanish
knowledge)
None
RI 2012 Latin
American and
Caribbean Regional
Scenario
Bachelor
None
Elective
HI 2013
Communication Skills
2 (Spanish language)
Bachelor
Book report,
group
presentation,
written/multiple
choice
Written, oral
None
(Spanish
knowledge)
Elective
EC 2026 Economics
for International
Business
H 1011 Introduction
to Mexican Culture
Bachelor
Written, group
project with
presentation
Written handins,
presentations
Some
introduction to
economics
None
Elective
HI 2017 Spanish as a
Foreign Language 2A
Bachelor
Approved Comments
as
Elective
Elective
Elective
Demanding
professor,
interesting
course
A lot of
reading, very
politically
and history
focused
Slightly
ahead of the
other
Spanish
course, but
mostly the
same topics
Very basic,
with a kind
professor
Unstructured
but
interesting
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
- I do not feel that the subject I took abroad will help me academically,
however, some of them were helpful in order to understand the culture I
was in.
Culturally and socially, the exchange has been a great semester. I have
made good friends from around the world, as well as establishing another
home in Monterrey where I will always be welcomed back.
When it comes to future career possibilities, I think the most important
aspect is the improvement of my Spanish knowledge and also proving that
I can adjust to a new environment and function there.