weitere Erfahrungsberichte für Mexiko
Land:
Mexiko
Universität:
Universidad Marista Merida
Semester und Studiengang:
3. Semester Bachelor Tourismusmanagement
Aufenthalt:
wintersemester 2016
Über die Universität:
First of all the University Marista in Mérida is the best choice in terms of achieving your educational goals, your living expectations besides school as well as a supporting institute in all your desires (f.i. scheduling your classes so that you can adjust your traveling plans).
However, I had a complete cold start in the beginning. So be prepared to jump into ice cold water, if you like myself don´t speak Spanish, even though I had a semester course before. But I love challenging myself. And if you start your classes with all the good intensions you can show to your class mates, teachers and even the administration people, I promise you everything will be alright. Just do it ;)
Speaking of the staff. They are really competent, help you out in every way and make you feel very comfortable from the start. I want to highlight one person, which you will also read in other reviews of the Universidad Marista de Mérida. She will be your best friend in every sense. Her name is DIANA GONZALEZ, she is the coordinator of all the exchange students and helped not only me out with all the issues I had to face on and off campus (yes she is that friendly), but also all the other exchange students in the semester.
But not only Diana is living the University Slogan "ser para servir", from the cleaning ladies, the Mensa guys, all the teachers up to the president of Marista they make you feel HOME and are really interested in YOU, if you bond with them.
Most of all I want to say that the students of Marista are very open minded, you can bond with them very easily and make friends for life.
As you are reading this I hope you can see my appreciation of this semester abroad, against all doubts I had before, I had really awesome five months at this university, and there is nothing I am writing to flourish anything here.
Betreuung vor Ort:
I want to begin by saying something about the accommodation. Don´t rush to fast and book your self in one of the student apartments. My best friend and I were taking our time because we were prioritizing a more calm and private accommodation, so that we have a place to rest and bond with all the more festive houses whenever we want. I think you get what I am saying ;) But none of the less it depends on you what you want, if you are arriving on your own it might be better to stay with the other exchange students from all over the world. I can highlight Housing Merida and Integrate Merida to not only live with them but also participate on their activities etc.
Getting around in Merida is easy because there are so many possibilities. I chose the UBER App (on my smartphone) that lets you call an Uber anywhere at anytime of the day. Busses are cheaper but way more complicated and in a rush you definitely don´t want to wait for a bus that might not take you to the place you have to be.
In terms of having a cellphone provider I can recommend TELCEL. Everywhere I was in Mexico I had good reception and you can choose the amount of data volume, amount of days and many more possibilities to adjust your desire.
Tipps:
I want to cherish you to trust me as a stranger in saying that this city within the beautiful state of Yucatan is the best shot you can get within Mexico. I have been travelling around this beautiful country and found other cities that are also really amazing. But if you read a little bit about Merida you will recognize that this city is a mayor city in the whole history of this region. You are quick to go to everywhere, with Cancun and the whole Maya Riviera on the Caribbean Coast around the corner, you have infinite possibilities to explore.
Enjoy the semester at this University because it will be over faster than you think.
If you have problems make them being heard by the person of favor.
Participate on the many activities the university itself provides you.
Most importantly besides all the academic pressure you have, don´t forget to have fun! It really was an incredible semester abroad!