STUDENT GUIDE 2016 INFORMATION FOR VISITING EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Transcription

1 STUDENT GUIDE 2016 INFORMATION FOR VISITING EXCHANGE STUDENTS

2 Welcome to the UAA! Dear Visiting Exchange Student, On behalf of the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (UAA), we want to offer you a very warm welcome! We are pleased you have chosen the UAA to experience academic mobility during this term through our exchange program. We believe that every visiting student makes a valuable contribution to the University culture and to the student community development. Getting to a new place can be an overwhelming but stimulating experience, the staff of the Department of Academic Exchange (DIAyB) has been working hard to make sure you will have a term to remember. Our objective is to provide you with the necessary information, help and support that will make your visit a rewarding academically and socially international experience. Within this guide you will find administrative information, orientation for the selection of the academic program that matches your home University, information about services the UAA offers to the visiting students and information about available accommodation services. As visiting student you will experience the diversity of the city of Aguascalientes, though small, it is well communicated through modern roads and an international airport. Aguascalientes combines modernity with local traditions. Refer to this guide continuously for the months prior your departure to Aguascalientes, if you have any question, do not hesitate to contact us either by or telephone, we ll be happy to assist you. Sincerely Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships Autonomous University of Aguascalientes

3 Important Dates: January-June Semester 2016 Academic Dates Orientation week January Classes begin Deadline for changes Registration of academic courses Classes end Sending out final grades January 25 th February 4 th February 9 th June 18 th Starting August 8 th August-December 2016 Academic Dates Orientation week From August 1 to 4 Classes begin Deadline for subject changes Subjects enrollment Classes end August 8 th August 17 th August 22th December 16 th Grades sending Starting February 2 nd, 2017

4 Prior to your visit and during your semester at the UAA, there are many aspects you should consider. This document will inform and guide you in all the important details. 1. Admission application and address: Complete with your personal address in the application form; it is important that your address is a valid one and the one that you check on a daily basis. It is very important that we have immediate communication in case we need to get to you information with sensitive time response. 2. Selecting courses: You should examine the academic courses you are interested in enrolling before arriving to Aguascalientes and together with your coordinator, counselor or advisor review the options as well as the credits of each academic course. Remember that it is possible that the UAA credit system does not exactly correspond to your university system. You will find more information later in this guide with regards to this point. It is very important that you report back any changes related to academic courses to the DIAyB (Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships). Note that these changes can only be done during the first two weeks of the mobility semester. 3. Visa (only for foreigners): Carefully read our section on visas and immigration issues. Upon arrival, you must submit a copy of your FMM form and passport to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships to confirm your immigration status. 4. Welcome session: We strongly advise your attendance to the orientation and welcoming sessions to the UAA. 5. Library: You can make use of the University library. It is important to return the borrowed books in a timely manner to avoid penalties due to late returns and at the end of semester the withholding of your grades record. 6. Take advantage: The UAA offers countless options: Extracurricular activities, workshops, sports, events, social projects are waiting for you. We invite you to review our official website and to ask for more details. 7. Get to know Mexico: Whenever possible, travel and explore your host country, and practice your language skills. Sometimes it is easier to speak in your native language, especially with other visiting students. If your native language is not Spanish, make an effort and communicate in Spanish during your exchange, it is worth it!

5 As visiting student through an exchange agreement, you are not obliged to pay an application or tuition fees. If your mobility is not through the exchange program with the UAA, we still can consider your application as independent student (visitor); however, independent students pay application and tuition fees depending on the number of academic courses they enroll in during the term. Visiting students from universities with exchange agreement with the UAA must submit the following documents. The application and documents must be submitted to the exchange office of the home institution. All documents can be scanned or digitalized and sent by National Students Application form CURP copy Birth certificate Transcripts Statement letter Facultative health insurance copy (IMSS or ISSSTE) International Students Application form Copy of Passport Transcripts Statement letter International health insurance with repatriation remains coverage Student visa (in cases that apply)

6 Description and selection of academic courses Exchange students cannot pre-register their academic courses online, so they must register them in person in the different Academic Departments at the UAA during the period of the orientation sessions. This section explains how to select the academic courses and the enrollment process. A detailed description in Spanish of every academic program can be found by following this link: where you will see all the academic courses the UAA offers within the chosen career study plan. If you need the complete program of the academic courses, you can request them via jeespar@correo.uaa.mx with Jessica Esparza BA. As exchange student you can choose between any academic courses offered in the UAA, provided they do not have any special restriction and that your language proficiency is good enough to communicate and to take notes. Bear in mind that Not all academic courses are available every semester. The academic courses and classes schedules are available approximately 6 weeks before the beginning of each semester at each Academic Center. Careful: Not every academic course is included in the career study plan. They are coordinated through the Department of the career. For example, the program of Political Sciences may include an academic course related to Finances, which is probably coordinated by the Department of Finances.

7 Ask your coordinator, counselor or academic advisor to review the chosen academic courses so as to define the equivalences that can be revalidated at your home university. After completing the preliminary selection of academic courses, follow the enrollment process: 1) During the orientation week you will be informed about the person who will be your Academic Coordinator and the place where you can find him. You must meet with him to review schedules and classrooms of the academic courses you initially selected. 2) After your interview with the Academic Coordinator, you must attend the selected classes starting January 25. At that moment your name will not appear in the attendance list. From this date you will have 2 weeks to carry out changes of the subjects as needed, provided they are authorized by your home university. After this deadline you will not be able to make any changes. 3) You will also be informed about the date you must submit the form with the academic load, and as well of the date in which you will be expected to complete your enrollment, you will need a photo ID size. 4) After completing the enrollment process you must verify with the different professors that your name appears in the attendance lists, if not, you must immediately inform the Department of Academic Exchange. It is very important to make sure that your name is in the attendance list, otherwise the academic course will appear as failed in the UAA system and your transcript will be sent in this way to your home University. Facilities and additional services UAA offers We believe that the extracurricular participation of students is essential for their personal development. Students get involved in these types of extracurricular activities to gain and improve skills and also to have fun and meet people. The UAA offers a wide and diverse range of extracurricular activities that meet the varied interests of the students. In the following paragraphs you will find a list of some of the services and extracurricular activities the UAA offers to students. To obtain a complete list with information and details about facilities, activities and student life, please go to the official website of the university:

8 Department of Broadcasting and Extension This Department offers various activities such as photography, writing, physical conditioning, reading workshops, ballroom, music, etcetera. These courses have a cost that is minimal as they are aimed to all age groups of the community. For further information about schedules go to: Sports and health promotion The Autonomous University of Aguascalientes has a gym and facilities to practicedifferent sports. At the UAA you can join to any of our teams: +Athletics +Basketball +Baseball +Soccer +Quick soccer +Handball +Weightlifting +Judo +Karate +Tae kwon do +Volleyball +Beach Volleyball More information available at the following link: University radio station Radio Universidad 94.5 is an independent radio station of the UAA located in campus. The station is run by professionals in collaboration with students and has worldwide coverage through is the possibility that exchange students participate and become involved in radio programs. Contact us or go to for more information.

9 Visas and immigration issues Mexican immigration laws are subject to frequent modifications. This section will provide you with general information about immigration procedures and the need to apply for a student visa before your departure to Mexico. Ask also the embassies or consulates in your home country about the legislation in force for citizens of your nationality. You can also check the INM (National Migration = Mexican immigration authority) website. For more information go to: Do I need to apply for a student visa? That depends on your nationality and how long you will stay in Mexico attending classes. In general, there are three different cases: 1) Students who plan to stay in Mexico to enroll in classes for less than 180 days (equal to a single semester), nationals of one of the countries listed in DO NOT need to apply for a visa. Upon arrival at Mexico, they will receive permission to stay for 180 days. Students with this type of permission can leave the country before the 180 days period expiration. It is not possible to extend the stay permit. Important: When you pass through immigration control at the airport in Mexico City, you need to show the immigration agent your UAA acceptance letter as proof that you will be attending an institution belonging to the national educational system to enroll in classes for a period of less than 180 days. 2) Students who plan to stay in Mexico for less than 180 days, i.e. one semester and who are nationals of one of the countries listed in DO need to apply for a visa. The type of visa these students need is the Visitor Visa without permission to engage in paid activities. 3) Students who plan to stay in Mexico to enroll in classes for two semesters (more than 180 days), do need to apply for a visa, regardless of their nationality. The visa these students need the Student temporal Resident Visa.

10 To apply for visa: If you belong to cases 2) or 3), you need to apply for a visa at the Mexican Consulate in your country before your departure for Mexico. To transact your visa at the consulate, you have to present a special letter from the UAA, addressed to the Mexican Embassy, along with other documents the respective embassy asks for. This letter certifies that you have been accepted in a temporal study program at the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes. The process for issuing the visa takes several weeks. Therefore it is important that we receive your documentation as soon as possible to send out the letter promptly. It is important that you inform us in advance the academic period you are planning to stay at the UAA. If you plan to stay for more than one semester at the UAA we need to send you a letter in those terms. If you are considering the possibility of staying two semesters in Mexico, it would be advisable for you to apply from the beginning for a visa of one year. Upon arrival in Mexico: When entering Mexican territory, all foreigners must fill out a migration document at the airport ( FMM = Multiple Migratory Form). Travelers receive the airline FMM form during the flight. At the airport an immigration officer will request the FMM form and passport, and will ask the visitor his purpose in coming to Mexico. At the bottom of the form there are several options; this section is for official use only (please, do not fill out this part!). The migration officer will select one of these options, cut the top part of the form and keep it; he will point out the valid number of days at the bottom of the FMM form, and give it to the student (see example below). The part of the FMM form the migration officer delivers you is your legal permission to remain in Mexico and you must return it upon your departure from Mexico at the end of your stay in the country. Failure to return this original form will result in a fine and will delay departure. You must submit a photocopy of the FMM form to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships at the UAA and keep the original FMM form in a safe place. It is advisable to make a photocopy of the FMM form and keep it handy in your schoolbag or in your wallet.

11 Important: Students with permission to stay for 180 days and who leave Mexico during their stay (e.g. for short vacations) must return the FMM at the airport and will receive a new FMM form upon their return to the country. In this case they must submit a photocopy of the new FMM form to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships. During the first month of stay, students with a student visa for a year must go to the National Institute of Migration to exchange their FMM form for a foreigner photo credential (previously known as FM3 ). After receiving your photo credential you can leave and reenter Mexico whenever you want for a year without having to submit a copy of the new FMM form each time your return to Mexico in that period. Check in registration of the FMM form. The migration officer will keep this part. Check out registration of the FMM form. Save this part, do not ever lose it and submit a copy to the Department of Academic Exchange and

12 After arrival: Once in Aguascalientes, international students must follow some additional steps: All students have to submit a copy of their passport and of their FMM to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships at the UAA during the first days of the semester. Students with visa for 1 year have to exchange their FMM form for a foreigner photo credential. This must be completed within the first 30 days after their arrival to Mexico. Foreigners who do not comply with this obligation may be fined by the Mexican government. When students with visa for 180 days leave the country, they must return their FMM form at their airport. Do not ever lose your FMM form! The Autonomous University of Aguascalientes has the legal obligation to ascertain the migratory status of its international students to the Mexican government. Students who do not comply with the requirements and processes of enrollment mentioned, will be removed as students and will not receive credits for their studies during the stay. Accommodation Options: Our main interest is to help our visiting students in several aspects so that their experience in Aguascalientes and at the UAA be productive, constructive and pleasant. This is why we offer information for students who are looking to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment or house. We do not recommend that students rent an apartment from their place of origin. It is better that they visit their options and make the arrangement of services in person. During the orientation week, the students will be given a list of accommodation options to consult the available offer. With regards to this, the UAA is just a link between two parties, and is not responsible for any financial or legal responsibility resulting from the rent of services such as cable, internet, telephone, gas, electricity, water, and others. Hotels: Upon arrival in Aguascalientes, students can stay in a hotel and go to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships as soon as possible to ask about accommodation options. Below there are some of the hotels we recommend, where students can stay while looking for a place to stay:

13 Art Hotel Nieto #502, San Marcos Phone number: (449) Colonial 5 de Mayo #552, Centro Phone number:(449) Continental República de Brasil, #609, Américas Phone number:(449) Elizabeth Central Av. De la Convención Sur #107, Las Américas Phone number: (449) Hotel San José Hidalgo #207, Centro Phone number :(449) Las Américas 5ª. Avenida #502, Las Américas Phone number:(449) San Antonio Zaragoza #305, Centro Phone number:(449) Villas del Bosque Av. Aguascalientes Nte. #414, Bosques del Prado Phone number: (449) : Insurance and Health Information All students must have health insurance; national students must submit a copy of their IMSS affiliation with change of address. Foreign students must submit a copy of their health insurance (major medical expenses insurance). It is important that the insurance policy be valid during the entire stay in Mexico. If you are under special medical treatment, make sure to bring the medications you need while staying in Mexico. Bring a prescription to validate the amount of medications you are bringing. You may have to show this certification when going through customs.

14 IN CASE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT NOTIFY THE STUDENT MOBILITY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY Upon arrival you must take a medical exam that includes a general medical evaluation: stomatology (dentistry), optometry, nursing and laboratory tests. This medical exam has a fee of $ (Three hundred and ninety two pesos 00/100 M.N.), that you must pay at the university Medical Didactic Unit. Failure to comply with this exam will prevent students to enroll to the UAA. How to get to the UAA There are several ways to get to the UAA. We recommend ordering a taxi the first day so you familiarize yourself with the route you must take every day. Once you find the place where you will be staying, you can look up into the different options of transportation to get to the UAA. Below there is a link where you will find public transportation routes and a map of the city of Aguascalientes: Personal Safety: In the city of Aguascalientes, as in many others around the world, the visitor or foreigner runs unwanted risks. Therefore below you will find several recommendations to help you avoid these situations: Do not leave briefcases, backpacks or bags unattended. Be careful on the street, the subway or in stores to prevent theft by pickpockets. Do not travel or walk on your own by night or in unfamiliar places. It is preferable to travel in groups whenever possible. Do not carry with you large amounts of cash or credit cards. Do not carry with you your passport or visa, it is preferable to take a photocopy of these documents and leave the originals in a safe place. If you become a victim of theft, hand over your items without arguing, your items are not worth enough to endanger your life.

15 The UAA has an emergency phone number that is available 24 hours a day, the number will be provided to the exchange students upon arrival. Welcome to the UAA a pleasant and exciting world full of opportunities experiences and adventures is waiting for you

16 JARDIN BOTANICO RIO SAN PEDRO 133B 133 AV. AGUASCALIENTES PTE UNIDAD DEPORTIVA UNIVERSITARIA PROFESOR ENRIQUE OLIVARES SANTANA CFE GUADALUPE GONZALEZ B AUDIORAMA VELARIA A AV. UNIVERSIDAD B 101A 108C 108B 108A

17 ÁREAS ADMINISTRATIVAS B 1-B 1-B ,8 RECTORÍA SECRETARÍA GENERAL DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE DOCENCIA DE PREGRADO DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE INFRAESTRUCTURA UNIVERSITARIA DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE PLANEACIÓN Y DESARROLLO DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE FINANZAS DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y POSGRADO DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE DIFUSIÓN Y VINCULACIÓN GALERÍA UNIVERSITARIA DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE SERVICIOS EDUCATIVOS CENTRO DE CIENCIAS BÁSICAS CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DEL DISEÑO Y DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN CENTRO DE CIENCIAS ECONÓMICAS Y ADMINISTRATIVAS CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD CENTRO DE CIENCIAS SOCIALES Y HUMANIDADES ÁREAS DE APOYO 2 1-A 1-A C 108B 108C DEPARTAMENTO DE COMUNICACIÓN Y RELACIONES PÚBLICAS CONTROL ESCOLAR Y CAJAS FEDERACIÓN DE ESTUDIANTES LIBRERÍA UNIVERSITARIA TIENDA DE PRODUCTOS POSTA UNIVERSITIENDA CAFETERÍA ORIENTE CAFETERÍA PONIENTE RADIO UNIVERSIDAD CASETA DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE VIGILANCIA CASETA ORIENTE CONMUTADOR MENSAJERÍA BIBLIOTECA CENTRAL AUDITORIO DR. PEDRO DE ALBA CASETA PONIENTE SUAP UNIDAD MÉDICA DIDÁCTICA AUDITORIO DR. ALFONSO PÉREZ ROMO CAFETERÍA NORTE CAFETERÍA BIOMÉDICAS SALA EXPOFORO LABORATORIO DE SIMULACIÓN DEL ESPACIO ARQUITECTÓNICO BIBLLIOTECA NORTE LABORATORIO DE HIDRÁULICA MANTENIMIENTO TRANSPORTES ALMACÉN PROCESOS GRÁFICOS INVENTARIOS ESTACIÓN METEOROLÓGICA DEPORTES A CUBIERTO HOSPITAL VETERINARIO BIOTERIO AUDITORIO ING. JAVIER SALAZAR NEGRETE UNIDAD DE TELEVISIÓN UNIVERSITARIA PEDRO RIVAS CUÉLLAR PLANTA DE TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS ALBERCA UNIVERSITARIA CAFETERÍA SUR FOMENTO AL SEGUNDO IDIOMA Y CAADI UNIDAD DE ATENCIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN EN PSICOLOGÍA SERVICIOS UNIVERSITARIOS DE ATENCIÓN A LA SALUD SALÓN UNIVERSITARIO DE USOS MÚLTIPLES UNIDAD DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS AUDITORIO DR. IGNACIO T. CHÁVEZ EDIFICIO POLIVALENTE DR. LUIS MANUEL MACÍAS LÓPEZ UNIDAD DE VINCULACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA EDIFICIO DE GESTIÓN DEL DISEÑO BIBLIOTECA SERVICIOS SANITARIOS CAFETERÍA AUDITORIO PUESTO DE VIGILANCIA ESTACIONAMIENTO ASTA BANDERA MONUMENTAL

18 Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships Building 1-B. Third Floor. University City. Av. Universidad # 940, University City, C. P , Aguascalientes, Ags. MÉXICO. Phone Number: +52 (449) (449) ext 237 Fax:. +52 (449) Head of Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships Patricia Langford de la Rosa Phone Number: +52 (449) ext 237 plangford@correo.uaa.mx Visiting Students Responsible Jessica Esparza Phone Number: +52 (449) jeespar@correo.uaa.mx