Location | Academics | Housing | Dates/Deadlines | Program Costs | Eligibility/How To Apply

CWU Universidad de las Américas, Puebla , Mexico - Academic Year Programs

Location

The Universidad de las Américas, Puebla is located in San Andrés Cholula, a small town located at less than 5km from Puebla. Puebla is a metropolitan of approximately 3 million inhabitants and has most of the services any large city in any part of the world has to offer.

University Profile: Universidad de las Américas

The UDLA has 5 faculties: Engineering, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities and Business. The Business, the Engineering and the Humanities faculties all have large computer labs for students. On campus students can benefit from the two gymnasiums, the tennis courts, the pool, have lunch in one of the two cafeterias or enjoy the afternoons in one of the beautiful gardens and green areas. Furthermore, the UDLA has 4 dormitories on campus and 2 dormitories off-campus.

The UDLA has a student population of 8,000 students. Of these 8,000 students 5% are foreign. During the fall semester 2003, we received more than 280 students from more than 80 different universities.

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Academic Departments

Classes Offered

The exchange at UDLA-Puebla is open to students with beginning to advanced Spanish skills. The course of study you will follow depends on the results of an online language placement test, taken prior to your arrival. (Instructions on the test can be found in the UDLA Application forms, available in the Apply Here section of this website.)

There are four levels into which a student may be placed: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Superior.

Basic: Level 100 courses

Intermediate: Level 200 courses

Advanced: Level 300 courses

Superior: Level 400 courses

Basic: If a basic level is obtained, students may take courses taught in English and courses in Spanish as a second language. You may take English courses from level 100-499. For a sample list of courses, please click here

Intermediate: If an intermediate level is obtained, students may take courses taught in English and courses in Spanish as a second language. For a sample list of courses, please click here

Advanced: If an advanced level is obtained, students may choose from courses taught in English, courses in Spanish as a second language and content courses (direct enrollment courses) offered in Spanish. You may take English courses from level 100-499. The descriptions of the content courses are available at:

Students are expected to choose their courses prior to arrival and have these courses pre-approved at CWU. Brief course descriptions are available at:

http://www.udlap.mx/internationalstudents/Default.aspx

Please note that the detailed syllabi are only available in January after the first class. Furthermore, the description of the courses lists all the courses offered at UDLA. As a result, this does not mean that all classes will be offered during both the spring and the fall term. The course availability will only be posted in November for the spring semester.

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Housing

Universidad de las Americas guarantees housing to all international students if they apply before the application deadline. Finding the best option for living arrangements depends greatly on what students are looking for. The three options available are:

1. Homestay program: (limited availability)
2. Campus Halls
3. Off-campus apartments

Homestay program: In the homestay program, a Mexican family houses an international student in their home for the duration of the entire semester. Living with a Mexican family is an excellent way for students to improve their Spanish and discover the Mexican culture. UDLA-P asks that that students describe their homestay preferences in the application form to receive a placement that best matches the student's interests.

When living in a Mexican home, students will have their own private bedroom, washroom, access to the telephone line. The family also provides three meals daily. Please note that there are a limited amount of available families. Students will be placed on a first come, first served basis.

Dormitories: The UDLA-P offers both on-campus halls and off-campus halls. The rooms are shared (2 students per room) and the common areas are shared with 8 students in total. Students are housed with 7 students from Mexico. The student has access to a kitchen and a common area. Suites are equipped with washroom facilities and a washer/drier.

Students have the option to rent linen upon arrival, but please note that linens are not always available. It is recommended that students bring their linens from home or purchase them upon arrival and at the end of their stay, donate them to local organizations if they do not wish to carry them home. Kitchen utensils will also need to be purchased by the students.

Living in the dormitories is probably going to be different from living in the dormitories in the US. Since the entire cost of the dorm is applied once the reservation is made, cancellations upon arrival are not possible.

Off-campus apartments: There are many furnished apartments for both national and international students off campus. Living off campus is a wonderful experience for students who wish to discover the town of Cholula. Many international students (especially coming from Europe) opt for the off-campus apartments.

Reserving an off-campus apartment prior to arrival is not an option, but apartments can be obtained upon arrival. According to UDLA-P, finding an apartment is very easy in Cholula. Students will have to wait until arriving in Mexico in order to find an apartment and to find roommates, and should plan to stay in a hotel for the first few nights while looking for an apartment. Students regularly find an apartment within one week, though this is not guaranteed. The International Office does not have any information regarding availability. Rather, students have to visit M.A.R.I. in the Social Centre here on campus.

Most furnished apartment costs from $1000 -$ 2500 Mexican pesos per month which may or may not include electricity, gas and telephone.

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Students must obtain an international medical insurance before arriving to Mexico. This is required for all students studying in Mexico.

The UDLA offers many extra curricular activities: sports, trips, mentor systems, information meetings, dance or music classes etc.). The cost is not included in the tuition.

The UDLA has many computer labs, all with access to the internet. In the rooms of the dorms each student will have an internet connection.

At the international office we work with a group of Mexican students called the "Amigos Internacionales", who help the international student s integrate in Mexico. They organize several events.

Program Dates & Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: (August 6, 2007 - December 15, 2007)
  • Application Deadline: April 1
• Spring Semester: (January 2007 - mid-May 2007)
  • Application Deadline: October 1

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Program Costs

Program Fees:

• The program fee for the CWU program in Puebla, Mexico is $2400

Program fees include:

• Tuition and fees
• On-site and U.S. based staff support
• Credit transfer assistance

Sample Program Budget

See our What Does It Cost page for more information on fees & deposits you may be responsible for.

Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid and scholarships apply to the cost of study abroad programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor at their home campus for specific information about awards and eligibility. You can also visit our What Does it Cost web page.

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Eligibility

• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
• Language Requirement: 1 year college level language or equiv.
• Good academic standing
• No current disciplinary record
• An interview may be required

How to Apply

Before you begin your application, we highly recommend that you see a study abroad advisor to ensure that you have all the information you need about program logistics and eligibility. CWU students can call 963-3622 or drop by the International Center, Room 101 (across from L&L), to schedule an appointment.

• Apply Here

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More Information

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice. Contact Study Abroad & Exchange Programs for more information.

Students must obtain an international medical insurance before arriving to Mexico. This is required for all students studying in Mexico.

The UDLA offers many extra curricular activities: sports, trips, mentor systems, information meetings, dance or music classes etc. The cost is not included in the tuition.

The UDLA has many computer labs, all with access to the internet. In the rooms of the dorms each student will have an internet connection.

At the international office we work with a group of Mexican students called the "Amigos Internacionales," who help the international students integrate in Mexico. They organize several events.

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