The Program

UW-Eau Claire and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) have been exchanging students since 1977.  More than 200 students from each university have participated.  UW-Eau Claire students may choose to study at any of 3 ITESM campuses in Cuernavaca, Monterrey or Querétaro.

Location

ITESM is now México's leading university with 32 campuses in 26 cities.  You can find information about the 3 campuses involved in the UW-Eau Claire exchange here: http://dri.sistema.itesm.mx/dial/proyectos/sim/campuses_locations.html

Cuernavaca, known as "the City of Eternal Spring" is located 45 minutes outside of Mexico City, and has a student population of 1600.

Monterrey is in northern Mexico, and has a student population of 17,500. It is the flagship campus of the ITESM system and offers many more classes than the smaller campuses.

Querétaro is located in the heart of central Mexico. A downtown highlighted by colonial splendor, UNESCO named it a "World Cultural Heritage Site". 3,000 students are at this campus.

Each campus offers homestays or dormitories. You can find details about the housing options here: http://dri.sistema.itesm.mx/dial/proyectos/sim/housing.html

Courses

As a student at ITESM, you can choose from courses offered specifically for international students, and from any regular university courses for which you have the appropriate language level and academic background.  Most students take a mix of international studies and regular classes.

Depending on the campus, classes are offered in accounting, architecture, biology, business administration, chemistry, computer systems, economics, finance, journalism, mathematics, marketing, physics, psychology, Spanish language and literature and speech. The 3 campuses also have academic internship opportunities.

Most classes are taught in Spanish, although many international business classes on the Monterrey campus are taught in English.  Information on courses offered in English, Spanish, and specifically for international students, as well as past course equivalencies, can be found in the Center for International Education. You can also find course offerings here: thttp://dri.sistema.itesm.mx/dial/proyectos/sim/academic_options.html.


Academic Calendar

You may exchange for a semester or an academic year.  The fall semester starts in late July and ends mid-December.  The spring semester starts in early January and ends in late May.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for one semester is $3,875. This includes full-time UW-Eau Claire tuition, CISI insurance, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents add reciprocity; non-residents add non-resident fees.

Additional costs to expect: passport, international and local transportation, housing, food, books and personal expenses. You should estimate another $5,100-$6,250 for these costs.

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $8,975-$10,125. Cost estimates may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs.  Your aid package will be based on actual costs in México, including round-trip airfare.  You can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation;  a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You must be in good academic standing, and have a minimum cumulative resident GPA of 2.8. If you plan to take classes in Spanish, you must have completed Spanish 301 prior to participation in this exchange program. Business majors planning to take business courses in English are not required to have any previous Spanish study.

Application Deadlines

Applications for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008.  The priority application deadline for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010 is November 17, 2008.

Applications for Spring 2010 are accepted beginning January 15, 2009.  The priority application deadline for Spring 2010 is April 1, 2009. 

Complete applications will be reviewed after these dates.  Late applications will be considered  if space is still available.  Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application.  No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009 for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010, or after May 1, 2009 for Spring 2010.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments  

"The tec is a great institution, and I learned a lot. I lived my daily life in a different culture. My Spanish has improved I have had unforgettable experiences. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that every student should take advantage of!"-past participant

"Mexico has been a great experience. I have made friends not just with Mexican students, but with students from all over the world. So I learned a ton about Mexican culture, and bits about European and Asian cultures as well! "-Kathryn, past participant

"My experience in Mexico is something I will never forget. I have made what I believe to be long-lasting relationships with people from all over the world. I will never regret coming to Mexico." -Kendra, past participant

"I think that Mexico gave me a lot of great opportunities to meet and experience a new culture that is different than the stereotypes that people have of Mexico. I wish that I would have studied an entire year to experience more of the culture and thinking of the people." -Taylor, past participant

"This semester wasn't just about studying or writing papers. It was about getting to know not only Mexican students but also students from all over the world. Making friends, traveling with them, and spending time together is the best way I can think of to learn Spanish."
Rachel, past participant

"I came to Mexico expecting to learn about the Mexican culture and to improve my Spanish. I had no idea that I would learn so much about myself, my culture and other cultures as well. Attending ITESM and studying in Mexico was such a privilege, and I grew in so many ways because of it. My time in Mexico was nothing but a positive experience."
Melissa, past participant

"This year in Mexico was very different from what I expected. I have improved my language skills more than I thought possible. Many people would say that their study abroad experience was a once in a lifetime experience; however, I have fallen so in love with the Mexican culture and the Mexican people that I know that this is only the beginning."
Clara, past participant

"My experience opened my eyes to a culture that is so important in the United States today."
-Kelsey, past participant

"I loved my time in Mexico! The people are so friendly and the friends you make from all over the world and the memories will stick with you forever. I've never had so much fun in one semester."
-Shannon, past participant

"I would without a doubt recommend this program to anyone because it is the perfect opportunity to gain fluency in speaking another language as well as the opportunity to really grow to understand how to live in another culture. I had the opportunity to do an internship where I worked at an elementary school and all of these experiences have helped me to grow into a much stronger and wiser person."
-Katie, past participant

"I would definitely recommend this program to a friend...it is the experience of a lifetime and you will learn things that you would not have the chance to learn in the classrooms of UW-Eau Claire. Studying abroad is the greatest opportunity that you could have, so you should definitely take it!"
-Jaime, past participant

"In Monterrey I met friends that I will have forever, and my Spanish improved greatly. I would say that everything I came down to Mexico to do, I did. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it is my advice to take it."
-Jeff, past participant

"A challenging, eye-opening, enriching experience where my horizons were stretched beyond the American culture into a whole new world of opportunities."
-Jessica, past participant

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI  54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu