Pre-Departure Guide Mexico Spring 2018 - MEXICO SPRING 2018 - Augsburg College
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
Pre-Departure Guide
Mexico Spring 2018
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
Table of Contents
A. Related Components H. Travel Within Mexico
1. Orientation 1. Weekend Travel
2. Concurrent Programs 2. Spring Break
3. Living/Learning Environment 3. Optional Travel after Program Ends
4. Speaking Spanish 4. Visits from Family and Friends
5. Group Travel and Rural Homestays 5. Hotel Information
6. Urban Homestay
I. Extracurricular Activities in Cuernavaca
B. Required Travel Documents 1. Exercise Options and Sports
1. Passport Requirements 2. Nightlife
2. Visa Requirements and Tourist Cards 3. Religious Life
C. Safety and Security J. Money Matters
D. Health Information K. What To Bring
1. Common Health Concerns 1. General Recommendations
2. HIV/AIDS 2. Suggested Packing Check List
3. Zika Virus
4. Health Care Providers Map of Mexico and U.S. State Department
5. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Country Information
6. Immunizations
7. Diarrhea, Cholera, Typhoid and Dysentery Advice from Former Students
Prevention A. For Students of Color
8. Health Insurance B. For White Students
E. Arrival and Departure Information C. For Persons Identifying as Recovering
Alcoholics or Addicts
F. Locale and Facilities D. For Students with Mental Health Issues
1. Cuernavaca from Former Students
2. Currency Exchange E. For LGBTQ Students
3. Time F. For Straight Students
4. Weather Conditions G. The GSA (“Gay-Straight Alliance”) in Cuer-
5. Housing: Facilities and House Rules navaca, Mexico
6. Roommate Assignments
7. Dates Housing is Available
Appendices
8. Key and Linen Deposit
A. Augsburg University Policies
G. Communication B. Education for Life
1. Mailing Address C. Cultural Awareness
2. CGEE Communication with Parents
3. Phone Numbers and Cell Phones
4. Computers, Email & Internet Access
5. Library Resources
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
RELATED COMPONENTS OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Intensive Orientation Seminar (Fri., Jan. 19- “Global Educators Semester” (EDU): The pur-
Fri., Jan. 26, 2018) pose of this program is to help students gain val-
We will begin the semester with an intensive uable knowledge and skills for working with di-
week-long orientation seminar starting on the verse populations in the classroom, including im-
migrant children. Through studying issues of di-
evening of Friday, January, 19. Throughout
versity and education in Mexico and spending
the week, you will spend lots of time getting
many hours in Mexican classrooms, students will
to know the other students and faculty of develop key cross-cultural and professional skills
both your program and the other semester to help them work more effectively within Latino
program that is happening at the same time communities in the United States.
(see below). This is essential to the construc-
tion of a healthy living/learning environment. All three groups will share housing facilities, eat
You will also get an in-depth introduction to meals, take Spanish classes, attend many of the
some of the key issues that you will be study- same guest lectures, and participate in some of
ing throughout the rest of the semester. the same field trips. As a result, we will try to
coordinate several activities for the two groups.
We trust that the opportunity to share experienc-
Concurrent Programs
es and ideas with students from the other pro-
During your semester in Cuernavaca, there will be
gram will add to the diversity and richness of
three different cohorts living and studying in close
your overall experience in Mexico.
proximity:
Living/Learning Environment
“Migration, Globalization and the Environ-
Over the course of the semester, we strive to de-
ment” (MGE), draws students from many differ-
velop a living and learning environment in which
ent disciplines from colleges and universities all
the interpersonal dynamics are consistent with
over the United States. The program is rooted in
the ideals of social justice we are studying. Our
the philosophy of community-based experiential
educational philosophy values personal experi-
education for social transformation.
ences and recognizes that education involves
questioning oneself and the world. Hence, we try
“Social Work in a Latin American Perspec-
to foster an atmosphere in which you feel safe
tive” (SWK): The goal of this program is to de-
and supported as you grapple with new realities
velop cross-culturally competent, ethical social
and new questions about yourself and the world
work professionals with a global perspective by
in which we live.
providing a semester of transformative, experien-
tial learning focused on social and economic jus-
In order to create this kind of healthy living/
tice. Much like the MGE program, the social work
learning environment, students and staff will pe-
program is rooted in the philosophy of communi-
riodically participate in structured discussions
ty-based experiential education for social trans-
and activities designed to foment awareness and
formation.
responsible behavior with regard to issues of rac-
ism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and intercul-
tural communication.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
While these activities may sometimes take place You will very likely spend another 1-2 nights with
outside of the formal “classroom,” they are con- a family in a different rural community near the
sidered an integral part of all courses and an es- end of the semester. Please stay tuned for de-
sential part of the overall academic program. tails.
Another element of building a sense of cohesion All of the courses and the overall program will
is the collective responsibility for a few house- include extensive excursions, most of which will
hold chores, such as composting, bringing in the be day trips to a wide variety of organizations
drinking water jugs, and keeping the patio, library and communities. Details will be provided after
and computer rooms tidy. arrival in Cuernavaca. Please remember to bring
a small overnight bag or daypack with you for
Occasionally, your International Resident Assis- short trips.
tant/Fellow will facilitate to discuss issues that
affect you as a community of learners. She will For the SWK Cohort Only:
also organize optional activities, such as group There will be a two-week exchange with the Mex-
outings for ice cream or to water parks and other ican National School of Social Work at the Univer-
interesting and fun locations. sidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM),
including one week in Mexico City. We have a
Speaking Spanish formal exchange agreement with the National
Although the courses that are not offered for School of Social Work at the National Autono-
Spanish credit will be taught primarily in English, mous University of Mexico, the UNAM. As a re-
you will have ample opportunity to use your sult of this agreement, during the week immedi-
Spanish. Your courses will involve many field ately after Spring Break, a group of the Mexican
trips and guest lectures in Spanish that will be social work students will come to Cuernavaca for
translated for those who don't understand. Stu- one week to participate in classes and service-
dents who choose to do so may write papers in learning projects with you here. They will share
Spanish for POL/WST 341, HIS/WST 357, the MGE rooms with you in the program house(s) in Cuer-
Internship Seminar, the Independent Study, and navaca. We hope that you will take advantage of
SWK 294. You are encouraged to speak Spanish the opportunity to interact with Mexican stu-
as much as possible, even while living in a CGEE dents and show them around town. Please note
program house. that you should try to avoid having visitors come
during this week of the semester, as you will be
Group Travel Component and Rural expected to spend most of your time hosting the
Homestays Mexican social work students.
In order to learn about the impact of globaliza-
tion, migration and emigration on rural communi- Immediately following the visit from UNAM stu-
ties in Mexico, the group will spend an intensive dents to Cuernavaca, you will spend one week at
4-5 day seminar in Amatlan de Quetzalcoatl, a the UNAM in Mexico City, where you will partici-
rural Nahua indigenous community that has been pate in classes and fieldwork alongside Mexican
impacted by emigration, where you will stay with social work students. You will stay in an informal
local families. Unlike the urban homestays, in environmental retreat center owned by the uni-
which one student will be placed per household, versity, where you will be provided meals, as well
during the rural homestays, generally two stu- as transportation to and from classes at the
dents will be placed in each home. This “deep UNAM. The retreat center has strict rules which
dive” will take place during the second week of do not permit students to go out in the evenings.
the semester in order to help you make the Therefore, if you are interested in exploring night
plunge into a different environment. life in Mexico City, you should plan to do that
during your spring break, on free weekends or
after the semester ends.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
For the MGE and EDU Cohorts: Most of them go out of their way to adapt to you,
From Wed., March 8 until Sat., March 11 you will and several have participated in vegetarian cook-
most likely join a group of Augsburg students tak- ing classes that we have offered so that they can
ing an Environmental Studies course in an excur- meet the needs of vegetarian students. For your
sion to Mexico City and an organic ranch outside part, we ask that you open yourself to the experi-
of San Miguel de Allende. ence, accepting the good, the difficult, and the
unavoidable awkward moments, remembering
You may also spend a couple of additional days in that different is not better or worse, just differ-
Mexico City, where you will most likely stay in a ent.
guest house near downtown. You will continue
to listen to guest speakers and participate in ex- One student will be placed per home, but most
cursions related to the themes of Migration, students will be housed with families in the same
Globalization, and the Environment, including a neighborhoods. The homestay neighborhoods
visit to a shelter for migrants on the outskirts of tend to be a 20-50 minute bus ride from CGEE.
Mexico City. You will receive more information Previous students have expressed very positive
about such trips after arrival in Cuernavaca. feelings about their homestay experiences (see
comments below).
Urban Homestay
One of the most rewarding and challenging parts You will be sent a Homestay Information Form
of your semester will be the month that you on which you can indicate any allergies to pets,
spend living in a Mexican home. The homestay is special dietary requirements, and other prefer-
an essential part of the semester program. It is ences regarding your home stay, such as a re-
not only a time to be immersed in the Spanish quest for a gay or lesbian-friendly home, an al-
language, but more importantly, it is a time to cohol-free home, vegetarian food, etc. If it is
experience the diverse realities of Mexican life— extremely important to you to conduct a longer
to experience how the issues raised in the class- homestay, please indicate that on the form and
room and on visits are related to the daily lives of send a separate email highlighting that to Lis-
your host families. If you want or need a longer anne and the International Resident Assistant/
homestay, please contact Lisanne Morgan at Fellow. Please be sure to return your completed
Morganl@augsburg.edu and cgeemexi- form to Lisanne Morgan at mor-
co@augsburg.edu as soon as possible and also ganl@augsburg.edu and cc the International Res-
write that on your Homestay information Form. ident Assistant/Fellow at cgeemexi-
co@augsburg.edu by December 15.
In an effort to facilitate student contact with peo-
ple from the Mexican working class, CGEE has
relationships with families of modest means,
some of whom are involved in community, politi-
cal, environmental, and/or church activities. We
trust that the homestay will be one of your best
experiences in Mexico. All of the families that
receive students have been carefully chosen by
CGEE staff and have participated in orientations
and activities including a health and safety orien-
tation. They open their homes to students with a
strong desire for cultural exchange and solidarity.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
Quotes from former students regarding their homestay experiences
“I got a better feel for what real life is like in Mex- “[My host-mother's] stories and life experiences
ico and learned a lot of things that can’t be really opened my eyes to my privilege and
learned from a book.” changed my definition of the word ¨HARD¨… hard
work, hard life, etc. We shared meals together
“I now have a better idea of what Mexican family and had good conversation. I learned more
life is like–the good and the bad–and I’ve learned about the cultural differences (i.e. time and
how to break down stereotypes of what it means space), the language, and indirect conversation
to be a Mexican.” and how to detect it.”
“(This was) definitely the most important and ”I learned so much more about how a Mexican
meaningful experience of the whole program. family lives and works. I also was supported with
Many relationships developed, and I had opportu- my internship and to be the best person I could
nities to do things I wouldn’t normally have be. I think [CGEE] did a good job helping us pro-
done.” cess the situation before and during the [home
stay] experience. [The staff] was always there for
“It was really a time to be able to observe cultural us if we needed to talk or process our new experi-
differences in opinions, behaviors, religion and ences.”
way of life.”
” [The family was] welcoming, open to the fact
“I liked family stay. It was hard at times, but very that I made mistakes, great cooks, and very help-
good for me and my Spanish. I feel much closer to ful with Spanish. They always made an effort to
Mexico and the people because of it. I felt like a include me, and they were willing to try new
guest in my family sometimes, but felt very wel- things with me and accept my invitations to go
come. I learned so much about commitment to places.”
each other and gained a better understanding of
Mexican life and culture.” ”I loved being able to spend time in the family,
practice my Spanish and talk to my mom and
“It helped my Spanish a lot, and broke bad stere- little brother. I felt like family and at the same
otypes. It taught me a lot about Mexican culture time they went out of their way to make me feel
and life. I learned so much during those three comfortable. I was overwhelmed by their hospi-
weeks that would not have been possible by stay- tality... making sure that I had what I needed to
ing in the program house. It strengthened my get things done homework wise and accompany-
commitment to fight poverty and oppression. My ing me if appropriate. They were interested in my
host mother was a great inspiration for me. I life and asking me questions, seeing my pictures
learned about food, relationships, music, and and talking with me...I learned first-hand about
much more.” the DIF [social service] programs and maquilas
and immigration.”
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Passport Requirements As a further safeguard, we require that you also
Be sure to obtain a passport if you do not have bring to Mexico a certified copy of your birth cer-
one. If you have one, be sure that it is valid tificate (see above where this is described) in case
through at least November 13, 2018. you need to reapply for a lost passport during the
semester.
To obtain a new passport, you need the follow-
ing: If you are under the age of 18, or are not a U.S.
Original birth certificate with an embossed citizen or permanent resident, please contact
seal, our Minneapolis office, as there are special doc-
OR umentation procedures you will need to follow.
An old U.S. passport (even if it has expired),
OR Visa Requirements and Tourist Cards
A certified copy of your birth certificate with (Important!)
the Health Department seal of the state of Entry into Mexico does not require a special visa
birth. This can be obtained from the county for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Upon
clerk in the county in which you were born arrival in Mexico (or on the plane), you will re-
for a small fee. (Note: A birth registration or ceive a tourist card, which you will complete and
hospital certificate is not acceptable.) present to immigration authorities. If asked on
AND the form, please indicate that your occupation is
STUDENT but the purpose of your trip is
Valid identification, such as a driver’s license.
“TOURISM.” While you are obviously planning to
Check payable to the Department of State for
study in Mexico, you will not be enrolled in a
$110 (10 year passport) plus a $25 execution
Mexican university and therefore may use the
fee to the facility processing the passport
standard tourist visa rather than having to apply
application.
for a special student visa.
Two identical passport photographs
When you go through Customs, be sure to tell
To renew your passport, you will need: the Mexican immigration officer that you would
Your most recent passport like to be given 180 days. There will not be a
Two identical passport photos place to indicate that on your form, so be sure to
A $110 fee, payable to the U.S. Department ask.
of State
With the tourist card (visa), you will need to pre-
For complete information and application forms, sent your passport. It is helpful to bring a photo-
see http://travel.state.gov/passport/ copy of the first page of your passport to carry
passport_1738.html with you in Mexico as identification. When you
get to Cuernavaca, you will be able to store your
Once you receive your passport, make two copies passport and tourist card in the safe. Be sure to
of the photo page. Send one to the Center for keep the tourist card (visa) – attached at the
Global Education and Experience in Minneapolis, bottom of the immigration form – since CGEE
and keep one to carry with you (in a separate staff will have to pay for it later and since you
place from your passport) when you travel. will have to present it to Mexican immigration
officials in order to leave Mexico.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety Concerns The decision to continue programming in Cuerna-
Throughout the course of the semester there are vaca, Mexico City, and the state of Morelos has
opportunities to visit different parts of the coun- been made with careful consideration of risk. Alt-
try, including the capital, Mexico City, which hough there has been highly publicized, drug-
claims to be the largest city in the world with a related violence in Cuernavaca recently, it has not
population that is estimated around at least 22 been directed at international students, foreign
million. It is a diverse city rich with innumerable tourists, or foreign residents of the city. There has
museums and other cultural attractions. Howev- been no random drug violence that has placed the
er, as in any large metropolis, there are safety general public at risk.
issues both in Mexico City and Cuernavaca. Our
staff in Mexico stays informed about the current The safety and security of students and participants
situation and takes every means possible to en- is the highest priority for the Center for Global Edu-
sure the students’ well-being, including providing cation and Experience, and the staff does not see
them with a thorough health and safety orienta- any fundamental changes affecting student safety
tion upon their arrival to Cuernavaca (see below). in the city and the areas where program travel
takes place. However, any violence is a cause for
Registering with the U.S. Embassy. CGEE will concern and, as would be necessary in any large
register you with the U.S. Embassy prior to depar- urban area, precautions have been taken to ad-
ture from the U.S. in case any emergencies occur dress the safety and security issues. Students and
while you are in Mexico. program participants are provided with very spe-
cific guidelines to follow for their personal respon-
Security Concerns in Mexico in Light of Recent sibility in reducing risk, and they will be immediate-
Drug-Related Violence in Mexico. The U.S. State ly notified of any heightened risk to their safety and
Department issued a travel warning on Septem- security. Students are urged to read the latest
ber 10, 2010 to note the changing security situa- State Department information at http://
tion in Monterrey, Mexico. The travel warning travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/
urges U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html before
Michoacán, Tamaulipas, and Guerrero, to parts planning independent, personal travel to ensure
of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, and Coahuila that they do not plan travel to areas of high risk
and advises U.S. citizens residing or traveling in identified in the current Travel Warning.
those areas to exercise extreme caution. (See
the full text of the Travel Warning at: http:// CGEE has successfully run programs throughout the
travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/ past semester for students and professionals, and
alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html). The has programs scheduled in the same locations
Center for Global Education and Experience throughout the coming year. Staff will continue to
does not operate programs or excursions in any monitor the situation and will not hesitate to can-
of the states mentioned above. Please see the cel or reroute programs, if needed, to secure the
Center’s security statement at http:// safety of students and travel seminar participants.
www.augsburg.edu/global/healthsafety/
If you or your parents have concerns about health
The Augsburg CGEE faculty and staff in Cuernava- and/or safety that you would like to discuss with
ca, Mexico, have been monitoring the reported faculty, staff, current or former students, or par-
increase in violence in Cuernavaca and through- ents of current and/or former students, please
out Mexico. contact Margaret Anderson at ander-
so4@augsburg.edu so that she can put you in
touch with them.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
In-Country Health/Safety Orientation. Upon ar- Safes. We do NOT recommend carrying pass-
rival in Mexico, all trip participants are given an ports with you in Mexico, except for the visit to
extensive health and safety orientation by one of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and any long-
CGEE’s staff members. This orientation covers distant travel you conduct during spring break.
topics from drinking water, to the insects they We have a safe in our office where you can keep
might see, how to deal with catcalls on the your passport and other valuables locked away
street, withdrawing money from ATMs and emer- during your time in Cuernavaca. There are also
gency response. At the end of the orientation, safe boxes in each room. You may bring a person-
participants are asked to read and sign a “Health al lock if you would like to use those safes.
and Safety Agreement” form.
Cell Phones. CGEE will provide you with a Mexi-
Emergency Contact Cards. You will be given a can cell phone upon arrival in Mexico UNLESS you
credit-card sized emergency contact card to carry have your own cell phone to use (at your own
at all times. The card includes the phone num- expense) and provide us with that number so we
bers for lodgings in Mexico, as well as phone can reach you when necessary. Upon arrival in
numbers for CGEE staff members and emergency Cuernavaca, you will either give us your cell
numbers (police, hospitals, ambulance, etc). Ad- phone number or a US $30 deposit for one of our
ditionally, the card has phone numbers for local cell phones, which will be programmed with the
authorized taxi companies with whom we have a phone numbers of radio taxis, CGEE-Mexico fac-
contract, specifically for security purposes. ulty and staff phone numbers, and emergency
numbers, such as hospitals, police, etc.
Safe Taxis. As mentioned above, CGEE has a re- You will receive your deposit back at the end of
lationship with one of Cuernavaca´s authorized the semester when you return the phone. If you
taxi companies, Taxi Monarca. Commonly re- lose the phone, you will be provided with a new
ferred to as “radio taxis,” these taxis are sent by phone but forfeit your deposit.
a central headquarters to pick up and drop off
customers at a fixed price. Taxi Monarca is famil- CGEE cell phones will have enough air time on
iar with CGEE and the location of our houses, and them for you to call radio taxis and make emer-
is a reliable, safe option for getting around the gency calls. However, should you choose to use
city (particularly after dark). We also recommend the cell phones for personal use, you will need to
Radio taxi Citlalili. add airtime, which is easy to do.
Travel outside of Cuernavaca. You should avoid On-Call System. Every evening and weekend
traveling alone and taking overnight buses when there is a designated “on call” staff member who
traveling long distances in Mexico, as there have carries with her/him our “on-call cell phone.” This
been reported incidents on overnight buses in staff member can be reached at any time of the
certain regions of the country. night to assist in any urgent situation. The phone
number for the “on call cell phone” is widely dis-
It is very important that our staff be able to reach tributed (signs around the houses, listed on par-
you in case of an emergency. Therefore, you are ticipants schedule and emergency contact cards,
required to complete a Travel Information Form taught at orientation, loaded into student cell
and give it to the CGEE staff before you travel phones, etc). You also have all staff’s home
outside of Cuernavaca. (You can also send that phone numbers and cell phones in case the
information to cgeemexico@augsburg.edu and emergency cell phone does not work for some
lutterma@augsburg.edu via email.) You are al- reason or other. Between 10:00pm and 5:00am,
so required to carry a charged cell phone with you can also talk with one of the night watchmen
airtime on it at all times so that we can reach if who are at the house.
necessary.
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MEXICO SPRING 2018
Night watchman. There is a night watchman on Instead, students should take “taxis de si-
duty every night of the week between 10:00pm tio” (taxis from a stand at the airport and in
and 5:00am. The night watchman does rounds of bus terminals, etc.) or call radio taxis because
both CGEE houses and sits outside to monitor our the taxi drivers in these services must report
facilities and the neighbourhood activity. every time that they pick up and drop off a
passenger, which provides greater security to
Security Cameras. The CGEE houses have securi- passengers.
ty cameras in front of them in order to tape any
After dark and before sunlight, do not walk
activity in front of our houses and to see who is
or take buses. Rather, take radio taxis when
at the doors before opening them. These camer-
it is dark out! After calling the radio taxi to
as add to our security and help reduce risks of
pick you up, WAIT INSIDE until the taxi arrives
crime.
before going out to the street and immedi-
ately getting in the taxi. We will reimburse
Additional Security Measures in Light of Drug-
any radio taxi expenses related to the pro-
Related Violence
gram, while you are obviously responsible for
expenses in going out on your own when it's
In addition, in light of the recent drug-related
not program-related.
violence, we urge you to follow the following risk
reduction measures. Ask CGEE-Mexico faculty and staff and other
local people about the safety of places you
Carry a charged cell phone with airtime on it intend to visit.
at all times, so that we can reach you and
Avoid The Bull, which has opened and closed
you can reach us in case of emergency. You
over time, but is known for using roofies.
can also use this phone to call radio taxis (see
Most importantly, former students were
below). It will be programmed with CGEE
roofied and then sexually assaulted there. As
staff home numbers, on-call numbers, emer-
you hear of incidents like this from people
gency numbers, radio taxi numbers, and oth-
you meet, tell the staff and other students so
er numbers you may need. CGEE will provide
that we can all reduce our risks.
you a cell phone upon arrival in Cuernavaca
unless you have your own cell phone that Avoid going to discos and nightclubs until
you want to use in Mexico and provide us the violence subsides, as many nightclubs
with that number . You will need to pay a have staff who sell drugs and therefore could
deposit of US $30 for the CGEE cell phone, suffer violent attacks. Only go to places on a
and the money will be returned to you when recommended list that staff will give you. The
you return the phone after the semester recommended list includes places where we
ends. know the owners. Remember, there are LOTS
of fun things to do in Cuernavaca other than
When taking taxis, always take radio taxis, as
going out to bars and discos. There are movie
they are much less risky than flagging taxis off
theatres and activities you can engage in with
the street because RADIO TAXIS (such as Ra-
your host families.
dio Taxi Monarca, with which we have a spe-
cial agreement), have to report to base every At Casa CEMAL and Casa Verde, do not leave
time they pick up and drop off passengers, the front doors open and do not buzz people
whereas there is no control of taxis you flag in or open the front doors without first look-
on the street. Do not flag down taxis on the ing at the security camera monitor to see
street. This is particularly important in Mexi- who is there.
co City, where there has been taxi-related
crime.
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DO NOT give out our addresses or phone
numbers to people you meet. Get their num-
bers instead if you want to contact them.
Please, be extremely responsible in this
matter.
Do not buy, sell or use illegal drugs. If you do
so, you not only put yourself and Augsburg
University at risk, you will also be sent home
from the program. If you get caught, you will
face consequences with Mexican authorities.
CGEE cannot bail you out, in the case you are
arrested.
Do not associate with anyone you think may
be involved in selling, buying, and/or con-
suming drugs. Do not go to their homes or
businesses. Avoid all contact with them.
Do not drink to excess. Excessive drinking
puts you at greater risk. While the drinking
age in Mexico is 18, IF you drink, be very
careful about how much you drink. Recent
studies have demonstrated that students
abroad tend to drink far more than they do at
home. For your own safety, please be the
exception to that rule!
Do not travel to Acapulco or anywhere in
the state of Guerrero, including Taxco or
Zihuatenejo/Ixtapa, as there are strict travel
warnings there. As mentioned earlier, you
should check the U.S. State Department web-
site before travelling outside of Cuernavaca
and give your travel contact information to
CGEE staff. However, due to violence against
tourists in the Acapulco area, we urge you to
visit OTHER, more beautiful beaches at this
time. There are also lots of beautiful water
parks near Cuernavaca.
Despite this long list of “DO NOTs,” please know
that students, staff and faculty regularly go out
to safe places and have a wonderful time! You
are not going to be locked into your houses; you
just need to be careful about what you do and
where you go, so that you can reduce risks as
you make friends and explore Mexico.
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HEALTH INFORMATION
Common Health Issues Also be aware that pollution in Mexico City is a
Staff and students at CGEE in Cuernavaca have problem year round, but is especially acute dur-
experienced a number of minor health problems. ing the dry season (October - May). If you have a
Most of these problems have been gastrointesti- history of respiratory illness, heart problems or
nal and parasitic infections. Although we have allergies, you could experience complications
not had any reported cases among students for while there. While strenuous walking is not a
over five years, the most serious problem in the regular part of the program, there could be an
past has been Typhoid Fever. Typhoid is caused occasion when this is necessary to reach a cer-
by a type of Salmonella (Salmonella-typhi) which tain location. Varying road conditions can at
is endemic to Mexico and has been a particular times make anticipating this very difficult alt-
problem in Cuernavaca over the past several hough our field staff will keep you informed
years. Typhoid is transmitted through food and whenever possible. If your particular health con-
water that has been contaminated with infected dition makes this a concern, please be prepared
human feces. to communicate your limitations to the academic
coordinators.
CGEE does everything in its power to protect staff
and students from illness, including periodic tests HIV/AIDS
of cooking personnel, bacteriological studies of You should also be aware that the state of More-
the water and kitchens, constant vigilance of hy- los (where Cuernavaca is located) has the third
giene and sanitary conditions of the houses, and highest rate of HIV-AIDS infection in Mexico. If
educational work with students and host families. you plan on being sexually active while in Mexi-
Typhoid and other gastrointestinal infections can co, you should be aware of this and use protec-
be prevented by being careful about what you tion to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
eat and drink and practicing proper hygiene
(which includes the regular washing of water Dengue fever
bottles). In the event that you do become sick, Dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosqui-
however, there is competent and professional toes, has recently been found in Morelos, mainly
medical care available in Cuernavaca, and in most in the southern part of the state rather than
cases these diseases can be treated with com- Cuernavaca. Therefore, it is wise to reduce the
mon antibiotics. risk of acquiring dengue by remaining in well-
screened or air-conditioned areas when possible,
Other Health Concerns wearing clothing that adequately covers the
The altitude is high in both Cuernavaca (6,000 arms and legs, and applying insect repellent to
feet) and in Mexico City (7,300 feet); that, com- both skin and clothing. The most effective repel-
pounded with potential culture shock and the lents are those containing N,N-
overall intensity of the program, may make you diethylmetatoluamide (DEET).
tire easily. In general, you should drink three
times as much water as you normally do in order
to avoid dehydration.
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Zika Virus The Grupo Delicias AA/NA meetings are held eve-
The Zika virus is primarily spread to people ry day at 7:30pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal
through mosquito bites. Currently, there is no Church, Calle Minerva #1, Colonia Vista Hermosa
vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. Zika (right around the corner from the Superama on
causes a relatively mild illness, and the most Avenida Río Mayo). For information, contact Ann
common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint at lutterma@augsburg.edu
pain, or red eyes; four in five people who acquire
Zika infection may have no symptoms. If you are an alcoholic or drug addict, we would
like to suggest that you let staff know so that we
Our staff continue to monitor the situation. We can support you in your recovery process. BE-
follow CDC/U.S. Government recommendations FORE departing for Mexico, please contact CGEEE
and alerts and will provide updates as needed. -Mexico Site Director Ann Lutterman-Aguilar
CDC information about Zika. (lutterma@augsburg.edu) so that the Mexico
team can work with you to support your recov-
Health Care Providers ery. We also encourage you to "come out" to
The Center staff in Cuernavaca has done exten- your peers so that they can be supportive of you.
sive research on health providers in the area. In
addition, our health insurance provider can set There are also regular Al-Anon meetings in Eng-
up an appointment for you with English-speaking lish on Tuesdays from 12:15-1:15pm at St.
doctors in general care, general care, gastroen- Michael’s Episcopal Church, Calle Minerva #1,
terology, gynecology, ear, nose and throat, men- Colonia Vista Hermosa (right around the corner
tal health. You do not need to pay up front, as from the Superama on Avenida Río Mayo). There
the doctor’s costs are covered by the insurance. are Al-Anon meetings in Spanish at the same loca-
However, medicines are not always covered, so tion on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from
you need to budget money for medicines just in 5:30-7:00pm.
case.
In addition, there are on-line Alcoholics Anony-
There are several prestigious, well-equipped, mous (AA) and Al-Anon groups and meetings that
modern hospitals only a 15-20 minute drive from you can attend via the Internet. For example,
the CGEE facilities, and the hospital covered by past students have participated in the following:
your health insurance (Hospital Henri Dunant) is http://www.usrecovery.info/Chat/AA.htm and
considered one of the two best hospitals in the http://xat.com/AAnonymous_Room?p-0&ss-0 for
region. AA, and http://www.12stepforums.net/
alanon.html for Al-Anon.
CGEE-Mexico staff are also familiar with homeo-
pathic doctors if you prefer that. However, it Mental Health
may not be covered by the health insurance. If you are seeing a therapist or psychiatrist at
home, be sure to inquire as to whether or not it is
Alcohol and Drug Abuse feasible for you to have online sessions via Skype
As mentioned earlier, alcohol abuse is a serious or another format while you are in Mexico. Some
health risk. Therefore, while those of you who therapists are open to this, and that way you can
are over 18 are allowed to drink, as per local continue to work with the person whom you al-
laws, we encourage you to develop a social life ready know. If, on the other hand, you want to
that does not depend upon alcohol. Some of you see a psychiatrist in Mexico, our insurance will
may be in recovery from drug or alcohol addic- connect you to an excellent English-speaking one.
tions, and others of you may decide that you
need to seek out a recovery program while in
Cuernavaca.
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In addition, past CGEE students who have pre- Again, if you have already been immunized, inoc-
ferred to see a psychologist instead of a psychia- ulation must have occurred within the last three
trist, have often made appointments with English years. The Typhoid vaccine does not guarantee
-speaking Adela Iglesias: 311-2244, or cel: (044) absolute protection from Typhoid since there are
777-104-2077. If you have any questions or con- over 100 strains of the disease. It does, however,
cerns, please ask a staff member. offer some protection, and doctors have noticed
a lessening of the severity of symptoms and
Past students have also taken advantage of quicker recovery from Typhoid among those U.S.
online chat groups and online support group patients who had received the inoculation.
meetings a variety of issues, including anxiety,
depression, and other mental health issues. One Hepatitis A: The Centers for Disease Control rec-
website that has many different online support ommend that travelers to Mexico and Central
groups and chats on a variety of issues is the Dai- America receive an immune globulin (IG) shot or
ly Strength website: http:// Hepatitis A vaccine for protection against Hepati-
www.dailystrength.org/component/ tis A. According to the CDC, travelers to Mexico
option,com_comprofiler/task,ie_login/fb_login,1 and Central America are at high risk for Hepatitis
Another is Healthful Chats at http:// A, especially if travel plans include visiting rural
www.healthfulchat.org/mental-health-chat- areas and extensive travel in the countryside or
rooms.html The latter hosts a wide variety of cha- eating in settings of poor sanitation. A study has
trooms and support groups for issues such as shown that many cases of travel-related Hepatitis
anxiety bipolar disorder, body dysmorphic disor- A occur in travelers to developing countries with
der, depression, eating disorders, gender identi- “standard” itineraries, accommodations, and
ty, OCD, and PTSD. The inclusion of these sites food consumption behaviors. Hepatitis A vaccine
here is not intended as an endorsement but ra- is preferred for persons who plan to travel re-
ther a way to share some of the resources availa- peatedly or reside for long periods of time in in-
ble and to make you aware of the plethora of termediate or high-risk areas. Immune globulin is
resources on the worldwide web. If you find oth- recommended for persons of all ages who desire
er resources that you like better, please let us only short-term protection. The vaccine requires
know, and we will include them in future versions a series of injections, the first of which must take
of this manual. place at least four weeks prior to travel. The im-
mune globulin is a single dose shot. Because it
Immunizations offers only short-term protections, it should be
You should make sure that you are up to date on administered shortly prior to travel. Our most
all of your inoculations (polio, diphtheria, teta- recent information, however, says that immune
nus). Check with your doctor about the timing for globulin is in very short supply.
all of the inoculations. Some should not be taken
together. Malaria: Some travelers to Mexico and Central
America opt to take chloroquine that is a preven-
Typhoid: We require students to have had a tative medication for malaria. You should know
typhoid immunization within the last three years. that it does have possible side effects, so check
The immunization must be completed at least with your doctor. The possibility of contracting
two weeks before arriving to Mexico and the pro- malaria is extremely low in Cuernavaca but could
cess should be initiated as soon as possible since be higher in some other areas that you may
the immunization usually requires two shots a choose to visit on your own. We urge you to talk
month apart. with your own doctor about this and to check
with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) before
traveling.
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Cholera: Cholera is transmitted through con- Insurance
taminated food and water, and is therefore pre- Medical Insurance: As a Center for Global Educa-
vented by being careful about what you eat and tion and Experience and Experience student, you
drink. The Minnesota State Health Department will be covered by Augsburg University’s Foreign
discourages travelers from receiving the cholera Travel Abroad insurance, administered by Educa-
vaccination as it offers little or no protection tional and Institutional Insurance Administrators.
against the disease, and can cause side effects. This plan includes travel, accident and sickness cov-
erage (a $250 deductible per incident applies). See
Diarrhea, Cholera, Typhoid and Dysentery Benefits Summary and information card.
Prevention
You will be given more information about this Should you require any medical care during your
once you get to Mexico, but in general, you semester in Mexico, you should contact the Inter-
should follow certain rules for eating and drink- national Resident Assistant or another staff mem-
ing: ber who can call the insurance company for you to
Drink bottled or boiled water (available at the set up an appointment so that you do not need to
house and in your family stay), or bottled pay medical costs up front – unless you choose to
drinks, including soda water. see a homeopathic doctor. In some cases, the in-
All meat and fish should be well cooked. surance will cover the costs of x-rays and lab work,
Avoid salads and any kind of raw vegetables but they may not always do so. Therefore, costs
unless the greens/vegetables have been that you should budget for are medicines, which
washed and then soaked in a disinfectant can cost between US $50 and $100 dollars, and lab
solution. (The cooks at Casa CEMAL disinfect work (US $10-100), depending on the particular
the fresh fruits and vegetables they serve to medicines and type of lab work being conducted.
you.)
Be very careful of what you eat in restaurants You will be responsible for getting to and from any
and don’t eat food from street vendors. For appointments and paying for transportation. If you
example, fruit that you peel is the safest bet; need language assistance or other help, please talk
drinks with ice can be bad if the ice is not to the International Resident Assistant or another
made from bottled water, etc. member of the staff. In the case of medical or oth-
er emergencies, you can contact the faculty or staff
Play it safe! You will learn to eat and drink wise- person who is on call.
ly once you are in Cuernavaca. At some point dur-
ing the semester, you will undoubtedly have an Personal Property Insurance: Please note that you
upset stomach. Some students have opted to are responsible for the cost of replacing any per-
take an antibiotic to prevent diarrhea (two such sonal property that is stolen, lost, or damaged.
options are bactrim, a sulfa drug; or doxycycline, Your personal possessions may be covered by your
a form of tetracycline). These only prevent cer- family’s household insurance, but check to make
tain types of diarrhea disease, so hygiene and sure (especially if you plan to bring along anything
avoidance measures remain important even if of value). If you want additional accident or life in-
antibiotics are used. You may want to bring along surance, most companies can help you with this.
acidophilus and take a tablet/capsule before
eating or drinking anything. It is available in If you plan to bring your laptop, please note that
health stores in the U.S. These suggestions, along you will be responsible for the cost to repair or re-
with bananas, which are always on hand, are place it, whether or not the damage is the result of
helpful. Note: drugs such as Lomotil, Paragoric, your action or the action of another student, staff
and Kaopectate are not recommended because person, or unknown person. It is strongly recom-
they can be dangerous in the case of infectious mended that you consider property insurance for
diarrheas. any theft or damages.
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ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Your program fees do not cover your travel costs If you depart on a different day, you must make
to and from Mexico. You are responsible for your own arrangements (including payment) for
making your own arrangements to and from the transportation. Since you must allow two hours
airport in either Cuernavaca or Mexico City. to get to the airport from Cuernavaca and are
Please plan to arrive at the airport by 3:00pm on supposed to check-in between 2-3 hours in ad-
Friday, January 20 in order to have supper and vance, we recommend that you choose a flight
begin the orientation that evening. that leaves no earlier than 11:00am. If you
We will arrange for one or two pick-up times at a must take an earlier flight, you may need to take
meeting point in the Mexico City airport on Friday the bus to the airport. There are comfortable
as well as a pick-up at the Cuernavaca airport, direct buses from Cuernavaca to the airport that
which has limited flights from the United States leave as early as 3:15am and cost approximately
(Chicago, Oakland, and a few other cities). These US $15.
times will be based on the arrival times of all
group members. Therefore, you may have to Should you decide to stay for a few days after
wait for a couple of hours in the airport to coordi- the program ends, please remember that no
nate with our pick-up times. meals will be provided after breakfast on Sun-
day, May 13 and that you must vacate your room
If you need to arrive on Thursday, you may stay in by 12:00pm on Mon., May 14.
our facilities overnight for free. However, please
contact the International Resident Assistant at Storage after the end of the semester
cgeemexico@augsburg.edu as soon as possible You may make arrangements to store your be-
to make arrangements. If you will already be in longings in one of our facilities. However, please
Cuernavaca (in order to take extra Spanish classes note that CGEE takes no legal responsibility for
before the semester or to travel before classes items lost or stolen while in storage. In addition,
start) you will need to check with CGEE staff you must arrange to collect your items from
about the possibilities of staying at the CGEE storage during office hours: Monday-Friday,
guesthouse or make alternative housing arrange- 9:00am-2:30pm.
ments. Again, please let the International Resi-
dent Assistant (cgeemexico@augsburg.edu )
know of your plans.
In order to coordinate appropriate meeting times,
you will need to notify us of your travel plans as
soon as you have your flight information. Email
your itinerary to our Minneapolis office
(anderso4@augsburg.edu) and the International
Resident Assistant (cgeemexico@augsburg.edu).
The last day of classes is Fri., May 11. We will
finish around 6:00pm that day. Saturday, May 12
will be free for you to pack and say goodbye be-
fore departing on Sunday, May 13. The Center
will provide transportation to the airport in
Mexico City on Sunday, May 13.
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LOCALE AND FACILITIES
Cuernavaca
You will spend most of the semester in Cuernava-
ca, a city known for its perennial springtime
weather, making it a favorite vacation and week-
end get-away for Mexico City residents. Located
in the state of Morelos, Cuernavaca is about 1½
hours south of Mexico City. Both the city and the
state are important in Mexican history: the pal-
ace of the Spanish conqueror, Hernán Cortéz,
borders the central plaza in Cuernavaca; the
state itself was named after Father José María Currency Exchange
Morelos y Pavon, one of the founders of the The unit of currency in Mexico is the peso. The
Mexican War of Independence against Spain in exchange rate at the time of printing was approx-
1810; and Morelos is the birthplace of Emiliano imately $19.69 pesos to US $1. However, the rate
Zapata, who led the cry “Land and Liberty” in the fluctuates.
Mexican Revolution of 1910 in the southern half
of the country. Cuernavaca is also known for its Time
role in innovative grass-roots education, alterna- Most of the year the time is the same as U.S.
tive health practices, Base Christian Communities Central Standard time. Mexico also employs day-
(“BCCs”), and economic cooperatives, as well as light savings, just as in the United States, alt-
its free trade zone (CIVAC), which serves national hough Mexico changes time on different days
and international businesses, such as NISSAN. than the United States. Therefore, there are a
North Americans, Japanese and Europeans are few weeks of the year in which Mexico is on
attracted to Cuernavaca’s climate and its numer- Mountain time rather than Central Standard.
ous Spanish language schools. Please be sure to check.
Weather Conditions
In Cuernavaca, the climate will usually be sunny
and pleasant (70° - 80° F) most days, cooling at
night. There is a dry and a rainy season. You will
be there mostly during the dry season (October-
April), when temperatures are lower in January
(50°s and 60°s F) and steadily climb through April
and May, when it can get quite hot. You may
catch the beginning of the rainy season (May-
October), when there are often daily afternoon
and evening showers.
The altitude is high, both in Cuernavaca (6,000 ft)
and Mexico City (7,300 ft), so you may find your-
self getting tired more easily until you acclimate.
Again, be sure to drink 2-3 times as much water
as you are used to drinking.
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Housing We will most likely designate one of the houses
The Center for Global Education and Experience an alcohol-free house in support of students who
(CGEE) maintains two houses in Cuernavaca for are addressing issues of recovery and for those
its study programs. One of these will be your who simply prefer an alcohol-free space.
home base during the semester. Both are located
in Colonia San Antón, a 15-20 minute walk to the Dining facilities are in Casa CEMAL and class-
main downtown area. rooms are in both houses, so both will be used by
all students for program activities. There are also
The house in which the office is located is known facilities to wash clothes by hand in both houses,
locally as Casa CEMAL (the Spanish acronym for although some students choose to go to the
CGEE: Centro para la Educación Mundial). It has nearby laundromat, which charges reasonable
five bedrooms with bunk beds, six bathrooms, a prices for full service washing, drying and folding.
dining room, a living room, a classroom, small
library, a study room equipped with a printer, In order to get a better idea of what
four computers with internet access, ample gar- the houses look like, take the “CGEE
den space, and wireless access for students who -Mexico house tour” at http://
bring laptop computers. Approximately 2-3 stu-
www.youtube.com/watch?
dents will share each bedroom. All meals will be
v=JhmKdiyaprUandfeature=relmfu
prepared for you and served in Casa CEMAL, and
you will participate in dish duty.
The Universal language school, which has a small
swimming pool, ping-pong table and racquetball
court, is conveniently located on the same street
as the CGEE houses. Also located on the same
street are a bakery, a laundromat, an Internet
café, four small grocery stores, two stationery
stores, a Pentecostal Church, and the San Antón
Catholic Church.
House Rules
As mentioned in the section regarding the Living/
Learning Environment, you will be expected to
wash your own dishes and participate in other
household chores, such as composting. As a
group, you will have to determine your own rules
The other house CGEE maintains is called Casa regarding quiet hours, phone usage, and other
Augsburg, which is across the street from Casa issues that will affect the group.
CEMAL. Often referred to as Casa Verde, this
house has several bedrooms, many bathrooms, Smoking is not permitted inside either of the
one large classroom, a living room, kitchenette, houses. Students who smoke tobacco may do so
and several spaces to study or hang out. outside in areas designated by the group. Mariju-
There is also a study room equipped with a print- ana is an illegal drug in Mexico and is strictly
er, five computers with internet access, and forbidden. Importantly, the Mexican govern-
wireless access for students who bring laptop ment makes no distinction between it and so-
computers. called “hard” drugs.
Return to TopMEXICO SPRING 2018
Any students who use it or any other illegal drug You are encouraged to get together with new
while in Mexico will be sent home, as illegal drug friends in Cuernavaca in public parks, inexpensive
use can endanger you and jeopardize the Univer- restaurants, and other gathering places. For sug-
sity’s legal status in this country, especially in gestions, please talk to the CGEE staff, who en-
light of the current violence taking place between courage you to make friends locally and spend
opposing drug cartels. time with them in the community.
If you are 18 or older, you may legally drink alco- With the exception of family members, as stu-
holic beverages in Mexico. Moderate consump- dents, with the exception of members of your
tion of beer and other alcoholic beverages is al- Mexican host family, you may not invite visitors
lowed in public spaces in Casa Augsburg and Casa inside either of the CGEE houses without seek-
CEMAL. However, drunk and disorderly conduct is ing permission 24 hours in advance. This is due
not permitted and is grounds for being sent to the commitment of maintaining the safety and
home. In addition, participants may not drink security of the entire group. For safety reasons,
during any class sessions, including interdiscipli- you may not have parties in the CGEE residen-
nary sessions and reflections, and sessions with cies in Mexico. If you want to invite friends
outside speakers. Most importantly, we encour- over, you must write a formal request and give
age you to create a comfortable living and learn- it to the International Resident Assistant/Fellow
ing environment that is not dependent upon al- at least 24 hours in advance.
cohol consumption, as any group of people inevi-
tably has at least one or more alcoholics in the If you do have visitors over, you are responsible
group. Please be sensitive to your peers, some of for signing them in with their I.D. (writing down
whom who may be in recovery or may have their official ID number) in the notebook near the
suffered from the alcohol abuse of family mem- front door. You must then accompany them in
bers and friends. Please seek out alternatives to public spaces as long as they are on the premis-
drinking rather than adding to the alarming rates es. Do not leave your guests unattended.
of students in study abroad who abuse alcohol.
From Sundays through Thursdays, visitors must
While we would like you to make yourself at leave by 10:00pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, visi-
home in the CGEE program houses during the tors must leave by midnight. If a visitor arrives
weeks that you reside in one of them, it is essen- after 10:00pm, a night watchman will sign the
tial that you be respectful of the rest of the peo- person in and photocopy her/his ID. If visitors
ple who live in the house and of our neighbors. It have not left by the designated times, the night
is also important to be extra careful about the watchman on duty will escort them out. Any visi-
security of all who live in the house. Therefore, tors who engage in drunk and disorderly conduct
you may not give the phone numbers of the will not be allowed back on the premises.
CGEE houses out to people that you have just
met. You may only give them to family members During the weeks that you live with host families,
and friends from home. When meeting new peo- you may continue to use the library and comput-
ple, ask them for their phone numbers and call er services at Casa CEMAL between 7:00 am and
them instead. If you choose to give out the 10:00pm. However, during the home stay, bed-
number of your cell phone, that is up to you. rooms are off limits, as they may be used by oth-
er groups or be left alone so that the cleaning
staff does not have to do extra work. You may
not shower or sleep in either Casa CEMAL or Casa
Augsburg. Students who are found on the CGEE
premises after 10:00pm or before 7:00am will be
charged a fine of US $20.
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