Practical Information

I. Telephone calls, e-mail, traditional mail, facsimile

a) Telephone calls

Local calls: You can make both local and long distance calls from any public telephone. Buy a Ladatel prepaid card the first chance you get to make long distance calls in most public phones.

Long distance calls: For a direct long distance call from Mexico, follow this procedure:

• United States or Canada
  Dial: 001+ area code + phone number

• Rest of the world
  Dial: 00 + country code + city code + phone number

• Inside Mexico
  Dial: 01 + city code + phone number

You have the following options for long distance calls:

• Prepaid Ladatel cards: This is an expensive way to call long distance but one of the most convenient ones. Instead of coins, you need a card (available at the OXXO or Seven Eleven stores close to the campus). Public phones are available within the campus or outside.


• International credit cards issued by foreign telephone companies: These are not very common in Mexico. For more information on how to use these cards, please ask an employee of the issuing firm. For instance, to make a call to the U.S. with an AT&T credit card, you can call toll-free number 01-800-462-4240 and tell the operator the number you want to call. You may decide later whether to charge it to the card or make it collect.

Telephone service is relatively expensive in Mexico. If you buy a card abroad, check first if you can use it in Mexico and whether the issuer has a toll-free number you can call.

• Dormitories: Dorm students can also make calls from the premises. To have access to long distance service, you must first make a deposit equivalent to $20 USD (approximately 200 pesos). Your calls will be charged to this deposit until it runs out.  Once it runs out, you must renew it again with a $20 USD deposit.


• Collect calls: These are significantly more expensive than direct calls.  To use Telmex, you need to dial the operator (040), tell him you want to call collect (por cobrar), and tell him to connect you to the number you wish to reach.  For calls to the U.S., you can use the AT&T option by dialing 01-800-462-4240. 


• 1-800 numbers in the U.S.: These numbers are accessible from any place in Mexico, but they are not toll-free. To pay for these calls with your prepaid card, just dial 1-880 + the original toll-free number in the U.S.

b) E-mail

All international students are assigned a personal Tec e-mail account. It is activated during the first week of classes.

There are computers available on campus to access your Tec's e-mail account after the 1st day of class but not before.

c) Traditional mail and fax

Tecnologico de Monterrey has a post office. It is located beside the main entrance of the campus on the corner of R. Covarrubias and E. Garza Sada. It is open from 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on weekdays and from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. The telephone number is 83 58-19-21.

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For exchange students, the International Programs Department offers mail reception service free of charge.  The address where you can have your mail sent is:

Oficina de Programas Internacionales
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Edificio CEDES 8vo Piso
Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur.
Col. Tecnológico
Monterrey, NL  CP 64849
MEXICO

Every foreign student has a personal file at the International Programs Department where his/her mail will be placed. Students may also, occasionally, receive personal faxes through our office. These are also placed in their personal file. The fax number is +52 (81) 8359-3293.

In most cases, there is fax service available on campus to all students at a reasonable price.

II.  What to do in the event of an accident or illness

a) Emergencies, serious accidents or severe illness.

If any of these occur, you should go directly to Hospital San Jose Tecnologico de Monterrey (which is for Tec facility and one of the best in Mexico).

The address is:

Av. Morones Prieto Pte. 3000
Colonia Los Doctores

If you bought Tec’s health care insurance, all you have to do is show your card at the desk, and they will tell you what to do next.

• Other emergency phones:

City Fire Department
8342-0053 or Local Emergencies at 060

Red Cross
8375-1212

Hospital San Jose
8347-1010

Police
8344-45-38 or Local Emergencies at 060

 

b) Accident, illnesses, or minor injuries

Hospital San Jose has a clinic facility a few blocks away from the campus. You may go there whenever you feel sick.

Students who live at the Dormitories have 24-hour medical service. The Medical Center for the Dormitories is located at the Centrales II building, on the first floor (# 17 on the campus map).

III. Money

a) Where to get cash

The easiest way to get cash when you arrive is from an ATM. They are available on and near the campus. A few ATMs in Monterrey take foreign bankcards and will give you pesos charged to your account. You will also find some in the airport, so you can get pesos as soon as you land.

Nonetheless or notwithstanding, we advise you to bring $500 Mexican pesos with you, especially if you arrive on a Friday evening or the weekend, as banks and money exchanges are closed. Two money exchanges are located quite close to the campus, and they are usually open normal business hours on weekdays.

b) Money from your own accounts

You can do the following to transfer money from your account to Mexico:

Credit card deposits. You can have money deposited to your (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) credit card account and withdraw that money from a Mexican ATM.  Campus Monterrey has six ATMs where you can withdraw money.

c) Bank accounts.

It is also advisable to use Traveler’s Checks to open a bank account in town. The main requirements are:

Student I.D. from Tecnologico de Monterrey, current passport, and a valid visa.

Evidence of current address during your stay in Monterrey (provided by International Programs).

Letter of acceptance from Monterrey Tec (provided by International Programs).

A minimum deposit of US $300 or the equivalent.

d) Money transfers.

Money transfers are rather complicated, and we do not recommend them. Usually, each Mexican bank does its transfers through a single foreign bank, often preventing clients from completing their transactions. Nonetheless or notwithstanding, if you wish to use this means, ask your bank which Mexican banks you can use for transfers, and what the required procedure is.

e) What must I pay at Tecnologico de Monterrey?

During Orientation Week you will be required to pay your tuition (unless you are an exchange student), housing (if applicable), and health care insurance  (if applicable), etc.   Keep in mind that you can pay with Traveler’s Checks, personal checks payable by U.S. banks, or cash. Credit cards are not accepted.

It should be noted that some exchange students, depending on the type of agreement we have with their school, do not need to pay tuition or housing at Tecnologico de Monterrey.

IV. Climate

Read “The City of Monterrey.” It is also advisable to visit different web sites such as: http://www.turismomonterrey.com/

V. Clothes and dress code

Read the following before deciding what clothes to bring:

In the summer and fall terms, temperatures are extremely variable, so bring clothes for different climates.

• November-February: 5-15° Celsius (41-60° F)
• May-September: 35-40° Celsius (95-104° F)
• March, April, October: 18-25° Celsius (65-77° F)

Some regions of Mexico are colder than Monterrey in the summer, so if you are planning to travel around Mexico during your stay, we recommend you to bring some light winter clothes even though you are coming in the summer.

The dress code on campus is casual (jeans and sneakers). Please keep in mind that some restaurants and bars require formal attire. As you may be invited to parties and even wedding receptions, bring formal clothes too. At least a two-piece suit and a tie or an evening/cocktail dress, as the case may be. Don’t forget to include a pair of formal shoes.

VI. Getting around Monterrey

a) Local transportation

The best way to get around Monterrey is by taxi; there are always taxis on the streets. The average cost of a trip from the Tec to Downtown is around $35 pesos, which is reasonable.

These are the taxi numbers:

• Sitio Avenida del Estado

Tel. 8358-2823
Ave. del Estado and E. Garza Sada

• Sitio Tec

Tel. 8358-2063
R. Covarrubias and E. Garza Sada

• Sitio Brisas

Tel. 8358-3648
Ave. del Estado and Río Panuco

b) Metro Taxi

Tel. 8340-2725

c) Radio Taxi *Very recommended!

Tel. 8372-0884

We advise you to call a taxi rather than flagging one down on the street. Urban buses are very inexpensive, but trips take more time and are not as comfortable as in a taxi. The Metro (elevated train and subway) is also a safe and fast way to move around, but lines are few. Therefore, we recommend a taxi if you are not going beyond the Metropolitan Area limits.

d) Expresso Tec

Tecnologico de Monterrey has a number of shuttles called Expresso Tec.  They have six different routes and operate as school buses. They are always on time, have air conditioning, and the seats are very comfortable. If you want to use this service, you need to pay for it during Orientation Week. Let the International Programs office know that you want this service at least one week before the official arrival days this will make things easier for you during the payment process.

(See the fares on http://expresotec.mty.itesm.mx/)

VII.  Food

There is a large variety of convenient stores and fast food restaurants around the campus such as:

Subway        McDonald’s             Carl’s Jr.       Jac&Ray      KFC

We advise you not to buy tacos, hot dogs, or hamburgers within the first few days because it is unsafe. This does not mean that Mexican food is bad for you, the problem is that you are not used to the ingredients and seasoning, and it can cause you stomach problems at the beginning. Gradually, your body will get used to the new food and you will develop a taste for all kinds of dishes. We recommend you buy bottled water instead of drinking from the tap.

If you eat out, you are expected to leave the waiter a 10 – 15 % tip, depending on the quality of the restaurant and service. Some restaurants will include the tip in the check for parties of six or more. 

VIII. Cultural aspects

This section describes some general aspects of Mexican culture intended to help you understand a number of situations and attitudes that may differ from your own culture, at least during the first few weeks of your stay. Additionally, you will get information and can ask questions during the orientation session.

Of course, the best way to get to know and understand a culture is by making friends. We recommend you make friends with Mexican students and if you are living with a host family, with the members of that family.

a) Social relations

Most people in Monterrey are very friendly, although our society is seen as rather conservative as compared to other Mexican regions, so it may take some time before you make local friends. But this should be of no concern, all you have to do is take the first step and the rest will come easily. Besides, 54% of our students come from other places in Mexico, and you’ll have ample opportunities to meet them. Don’t be shy; try to socialize as much as you can, since making friends will be very important to your experience in Mexico.

Invitations

Generally, foreign students, particularly girls, are very visible in the campus. Many people will want to meet you and learn about you and your culture, as well as practice a foreign language. Men will ask women out, sometimes quite insistently. If you are not interested, you must firmly refuse.  Going out on a date may be understood as intending to start a relationship, so if this is not your case, it’s better to hang out with mixed groups. Informal and casual invitations will not involve any commitment. When a girl asks a boy to go out, most likely, he will be expected to pay for dinner, tickets, etc.

Walking down the street

It is quite common for boys and men on the street to whistle or compliment the girls passing by. This is no cause for concern, as it is customary and part of our culture. Just ignore them, avoid eye contact, and walk on.

Greetings

Men will generally greet you with a handshake, and possibly a hug if you are close friends. Women frequently greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, even if they have just met. When they have known each other for some time, women greet men with a kiss on the cheek and vice versa.

b) The concept of time in Mexico

It is a worldwide perception that Mexicans are always late and leave things for “mañana.” (Tomorrow). Although sometimes this is the case, many times it is not.  You should learn to differentiate between situations where it is important to be on time and where being late is of no consequence.  To put it simply, school and work schedules must be met.  You may be fifteen minutes, half an hour, or even an hour late to social events and group meetings with friends and schoolmates.

It is important that you keep this in mind since it is likely you’ll have to work with schoolmates on some project. Perhaps the first to arrive will be five minutes late, the rest will probably be 15 to 30 minutes late. No one considers this tardiness wrong, but if it bothers you in anyway, we advise you to discuss it with your group to reach an agreement.  Remember that you are new, and need to be assertive but restrained with your remarks.

In general terms, professional services, as well as stage performances, shows, cultural events, and sporting events will start on time.

c) Being polite

As anywhere else in the world, respect for local customs by foreigners is greatly appreciated in Mexico.

Being polite in Mexico is important.  The following are phrases that are commonly used:

Greeting: (¡Buenos días!; ¡Hola!; ¿Cómo está usted?)
Saying goodbye: (¡Adiós!;  ¡Hasta luego!; ¡Nos vemos!)
Apologizing: (¡Perdón ¡Disculpe!)
Asking permission: (to pass through, reach across the table)   (Con  permiso.)
Asking for something:  (¿Por favor; sería tan amable de …?)
Thanking: (¡Gracias!; Te lo agradezco!)
Addressing older people: (use the pronoun usted)
Congratulating:  (¡Felicidades!; ¡Te felicito!)
When somebody sneezes: (¡Salud!)

These are only a few phrases you will use in everyday situations. We hope this information will help you to become accustomed to the Mexican culture. Remember that others will gladly help you if there are any doubts.

IX. Traveling in Mexico

Our best advice is that you try to travel farther into Mexico and visit different regions. The best choice is by bus, as the service is very good and rather inexpensive. You can also travel by train, but it is impractical and the quality is poor. On the other hand travelling by plane is expensive.

We advise you to bring extra money for these trips. Something around at least  4000 - 6000 pesos (400 - 600 US, approximately) should be enough to travel to some places. Some will be organized by the International Programs Department; we hope you will join these groups.

A few additional tips:

• Avoid traveling alone; traveling with your Mexican schoolmates is much better.
• Don’t take expensive jewelry or excessive cash with you.
• If you travel down south, don’t drive, especially if you are alone. It’s better if you take a first class bus or plane.
• Don’t befriend strangers. Avoid contact.
• Be very alert to the boarding time at the bus depot (Central de Autobuses). Don’t lose sight of your luggage.

In the orientation sessions you will receive more information and advice for traveling in Mexico.