The LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF QUERETARO is
a prestigious institute with 25 years of experience teaching languages.
It is distinguished in the community for a constant concern for using the latest
but appropriate methodology for each group; it is -comprised of sludents of
Spanish, English, Italian, French, German and Japanese 1'500 young peop]e united
through modern languages.
Located on the west side of the main campus, the Facultad de Lenguas y Letras is housed in four new buildings with a number of features useful for language study. The literature class is scheduled to meet at the Centro de Estudios Linguísticos y Literarios in the Patio Barroco, a marvelous 18th Century building near the center of the town, on Avenida 16 de septiembre, corner of Rio de la Loza. Allow approximately 35 minutes to walk to or from the main campus.
In such a way is manifested the marriage of progress
and tradition, characteristic of the colonial city of Querétaro
which was founded in 1531.
Its temples, monuments, museums, mansions and residences are an example of the
original indigenious Barroque product of a society which has maintained its
aristocracy throughout time.
Welcome to our program in Querétaro, México. Based on our experience over the last ten years, we are confident you will find the city and its people a very attractive introduction to Mexican culture. Your language classes will be held on the modern campus of the state university at the Facultad de Lenguas y Letras UAQ (Language School.) The Spanish Course of the Facultad de Lenguas y Letras are directed to foreigners who desire to acquire or improve their knowledge of the Spanish Language. All of the classes are conducted in Spanish by specialized University teachers.
If you need more references and information in the USA about our Spanish Courses, contact :
Requirements:
Your Host Family
Your host family has been chosen to provide you a home
during your stay. You will find your family helpful, friendly and courteous,
and they will expect the same from you.
In general, they are members of México's middle class and you'll be staying
in comfortable homes. "Family" may mean a widow living alone, a woman with children,
an older couple or a couple with children. The word "family" is deceiving to
an American student who expects a complete family group to take him/her in and
integrate the student as a family member. Although this is sometimes the case,
more oRen it is not. Your adaptability will be helpful.
The question of etiquette will differ according to the family with which you
live, but the following things may require some adjustment on your part:
Mexican Tourist Card
In addition to a passport or other documentation of citizenship and ID, you
will be required to have a Mexican Tourist Card, normally good for six months
from the date of issue. This document is given to passenger on the flight to
México, or issued when you cross the border. Make sure your tourist card
is valid for at least ninety days; otherwise you will have to interrupt
your program and travel to another city to arrange an extension.
The card must be turned in to Mexican authorities when you leave México,
so do not wrinkle, mutilate, or lose it!. Once you have arrive at your
Mexican home, stash it away in a safe place.
Student ID You will be issued a student ID card by the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro which is helpful for getting into museums, archeological sites, libraries and the like. Some students are reporting discounts on airline tickets with international student identification cards. Call the Office of International Education at (503)346-3206 for information on obtaining an international studend ID. Call Council Travel at 1-800-228-2854 for fare information.
The Basics
Plastic Money.
Visa, Master Charge, and American Express charge cards can be used in many places.
They may also be used to get cash advances in increments of $50. Be sure to
record the card numbers. ATMs are available, Banamex and Bancomer banks (the
country's two largest, with branches everywhere) have ATMs which handle US cards.
Personal checks are not accepted (except at American Express offices when you
have an AmEX card)
Cash.
It's recommended that you do keep a $50 bill or two hidden away for
an emergency. Purse snatching is common so are ingenious pickpocket schemes,
including slicing pants or backpacks with razor-sharp knives.Do not
carry large amounts of cash
Budget.
You should plan on a minimun of . $50 U.S. per week for personal expenses.
In addition, add another $150 for travel on the break. (If you choose to stay
at home in Querétaro, please notify to your Mexican family at least one
full week in advance). Your housing payment will include $102 which will be
given to you in pesos, unless you have specified that you are staying at home,
in which case the money for that week will be paid to the se¤ora.
Don't forget to budget for the course texts you will be purchasing in México.
We estimate approximately $30 for the Modern México course and up to
$50 for the Survey of Mexican Literature Course.
Fahrenheit: 0 14 32 50 68 86 104 212 Centigrade: -17 -10 0 10 20 30 40 100"Normal" body temp: 98.6 F or 37 C
Avoirdupois Metric 1 oz 30 grams (gramos) 16 oz/l Ib. 450 grams 2.2 lbs. 1000 grams (1 kilogram)
US Metric 1 inch 2,54 centimeters 1 yard 91.44 centimetros 5/8 mile 1 kilómetro 1 mile 1.6 kms.
Although many customs differ from US practices, common courtesy travels
quite nicely across the border. "Gracias", "Por favor" and a few other
expressions will help you overcome many differences.
Among your goals is a desire to get to know Mexican culture. If you
arrive laden with strong beliefs, attitudes and habits, you may find that
you don't get to know Mexicans, you don't understand how they could do
(or say or eat) what they do, and your stay is anything but interesting
and pleasant. Remember that you are a guest in a foreign country: being
critical is resented. If you find some things frustrating, whether customs
or processes, try understanding what bothers you from within the culture
of México.
Being overly judgmental is a likely indicator that you expect everything
to be the way it is back home. On the other hand, you do not have to "do
as the Romans do" if something goes against your personal ethics or sense
of propriety.
Mexicans, like other Latin Americans and people from Mediterranean
countries, are generally much more animated in their speech than Americans
and Northern Europeans. You'll find your personal space to be greatly reduced
(here in the U.S., get closer than 18 inches and people start to back away),
and touching, a hand on the shoulder or an embrace is common in conversations
and greetings. Unless blatant, there's probably no impropriety intended.
On the other hand, women will find that the Mexican male is probably
much more aggressive and demonstrative than his American counterpart. Be
aware that a single (alone) female is fair game for all males. Unless you
are particularly seeking this type of attention, it's best to be accompanied
and be aware of your clothes. Most important, use common sense: Don't go
into a bar alone. Don't wear provocative clothing. Don't get into a taxi
with two men in it.
Traditionally, México has been a deeply religious society, and this remains true among the lower classes. In the countryside, even the poorest village is most proud of its church. Many of the convents and churches in México are of great artistic or historic interest. Please be aware as you enter these buildings that others are there for religious purposes and may be offended by improper dress or behavior.
In many areas there is a syncretism (mixing) of Indian
and Catholic rites, which forms a unique type of Catholicism. If you have a
chance in México City, a visit to Tepeyac and the shrine of the Virgen
de Guadalupe provides a wonderful demonstration of this syncretism. The Catholic
church was responsible for much of Mexico's cultural development -- both negative
and positive -- and continues to play an important -- and controversial role
today.
Besides the traditional Catholic family, you'll also find some evangelical Protestant
sects in Querétaro among the relatively affluent.
Don't hesitate in asking your family to be included in their Sunday worship,
if you wish. On the other hand, church attendance is completely optional and
a personal choice.
Some things you'll need:
One of the nicest gestures of friendship you can make
toward your new family is to give them some small gift when you arrive. Don't
bring just one--you'll want to show your Mexican family how much you enjoyed
your stay by giving them something when you leave. And along the way during
the eleven weeks there will be many times you will wish to give someone a little
something personal from home. Take the gifts with you-- don't mail them.
Here are a few ideas of small gifts:
A toy for your new brother or sister (if you know their age) will definitely
be a hit. Sweets -- jams, honey, chocolates (try the Euphoria Chocolate Co.)
-- are always welcome. In addition to a picture book, you might also bring something
from your home town or state. Although this is not a gift idea, a small picture
album of your family or of friends and activities at home or on campus can be
an excellent icebreaker. You can communicate instantly with your Mexican family
and friends showing and telling them what your life at home is like.
Luggage
The less you bring the easier and more fun it is to travel. Recommended:
one locking suitcase and one canvas bag or backpack at the most. If you
can't carry your stuff a mile, you are overloaded.
Remember when you are packing, you'll be bringing back more than you
took down. You'll need space. If you plan on bringing back many gifts,
bring an empty duffel bag.
Flying
The easiest, fastest, most convenient way to get to México. There are daily flights from Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities to México City. There are also flights to Leon (Aeropuerto del Baj¡o) which save the hassle and expense of going into México City. From Leon you can take a bus or van to Querétaro. Tourist demand, special packages, and changes in exchange rates all affect fare prices. Check with your travel agent to get the best rate.
Train
The train from the U.S. border is for the hardy and adventurous. It is much cheaper than flying - as low as $100.00, but it takes almost two days from Nogales to México City. It has been difficult in recent years to make reservations from inside the States. We suggest you deal with a travel agent and keep in mind the following:
DO NOT plan on driving any motor vehicle to México or while you are in México during the program. Operating a motor vehicle by a participant in an IUSI program is prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Buses to Querétaro leave from the CENTRAL CAMIONERA
DEL NORTE roughly every 30 minutes from 5:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight. Buy
a first class bus ticket and make sure you get on a first class bus! Omnibus
de México is one company that serves Querétaro with almost hourly
departures.
Transportes Chihuahuenses is perhaps a better bet, although it does not have
as many buses on the route. Super luxury service is available on something called
Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales. ETN features individual TV monitors, a stewardess
serving coke and coffee, and tickets at double the price! They do drive at the
legal speed limit, which can be refreshing and perhaps worth the price difference.
Be aware that buses do not always leave on schedule.
In eleven weeks you will gather a lot more information
on this subject than is possible to cover here. The following is intended to
get you started exploring and enjoying Querétaro.
When you are in Querétaro, do explore, ask questions and listen to the
many answers: This is where the language will take hold. Ask your family; start
by walking to the neighborhood store. Hop on the bus at the corner and ride
it full circle.
There are several areas in Querétaro to discover. Downtown is one center of the social culture. The many plazas, often near churches or civil buildings of historic importance, are great places to meet with friends. Often, outdoor musicians will be performing. The shops all along the plazas and streets carry everything from jewelry to bakery goods. Many artisans live in and around Querétaro and sell their work in other, more popular tourist spots, but if you look along the linle streets and behind doors covered with bougainvillea you will find them. Start at the Plaza de Armas, and work out from there.
Specifically note: Tienda del Sol, a department store with most supplies you might need, located on the jardín Zenea, and Woolworth's, on Madero just west of ju rez st., another department store. Here you can also cash traveler's checks with purchase. In the northeast corner of the city, Sanborn's in the Plaza del Parque offers the conveniences of a US drugstore, plus a melange of books and magazines, and a first rate restaurant at reasonable prices. Vip's on Constituyentes is similar in format. These four stores contain most antidotes to "culture shock."
Downtown in the area of the jard¡n Zenea, you'll also
find bookstores: the Correo del Libro next to the Tienda del Sol, the Librería
Cristal next to the Plaza de la Corregidora (corner of Corregidora and Angela
Peralta with another branch in Plaza de las Américas), and the Café
Sophia, Pasteur Norte, between Morelos and Avenida 15 de mayo.
There are also several malls and traditional markets in the city, as well as
Plaza de las Am‚ricas and Plaza del Parque---shopping centers a la Querétaro.
Las Américas has a good bookstore, Librería México.
Two markets - the Escobedo and the Cruz - will give you the real experience
in market exchange as it survives in México today. This tradition has
existed among the people of México since long before the Spanish touched
foot in the Americas. There you'll find that the handmade tortilla still lives.
Markets like these are found in every town in México. They are the perfect
place to shop for goodies for a picnic lunch: aguacates, tomatoes, fruit, queso
de Chihuahua, carnitas, and of course, the freshest tortillas imaginable.
Upcoming attractions in Querétaro are previewed every Monday in the Diario de Querétaro. Theater, movies, cultural events, etc., are listed in a column - usually on page one of an inside section, titled "Esta Semana."
RESTAURANTS. Among the many excellent ones, try
Tirreno, Chiquilin, Arcangel, La Mariposa, Cafeterla San Antonio or La Rosa
for great Mexican food. Having breakfast in La Mariposa, you may be struck by
the feeling that you are in the real México.
Vegetarian? Try La Primavera, at two locations: Vergara #7 and Corregidora 130
Sur.
The Big Splurge: 1810, Querétaro Grill, La Estancia or Gitano's. Our
favorite is Nico's. ($8-12 dollars per person.) While these are among the tops,
it would seem that Querétaro sprouts a new first class restaurant about
once a month.
Although Querétaro does not have a reputation for night life (many queretanos go to San Miguel de Allende or México City to party and spend the night), there are several restaurants and cafes with music; cinemas, and some good theater. In recent years large discos have sprung up on the east side of the city. It won't be long before you experience staying up late, Mexican style. If you leave town for the evening, STAY OVERNIGHT. Mexican highways are very dangerous after dark. (And don't forget to do your family the courtesy of letting them know you won't be home.)
Alma Rosa Sánchez Alabat, Resident Director Tel.: (442) 1921200 Ext. 6100-6102
Facultad de Lenguas y Letras, UAQ Tel.: (442) 1921272
webmaster@uaq.mx