The 40-day course is designed to prepare you to successfully challenge a 5
semester unit academic course at most colleges and universities. Contact us
for more information.
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Do I need a passport?
US citizens need a passport to reenter the US. Check the State
Department website for details. Plan ahead, because passports typically take 6
weeks to obtain.
Citizens of other countries should contact the Méxican Consulate in their
area for information on entry requirements.
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How do I get to Tepoztlán?
If InterSpan purchases your ticket, you will likely travel with the group,
leaving from the San Francisco Bay Area, be met at the México City airport and
transported to the school in a van. If your route or schedule does not allow
you to travel with the group, InterSpan will still meet you at México City airport and
transport you to the school.
If
you choose to arrange your own air transportation, you are responsible
for arriving in Tepoztlán in time for your first class session. The
cheapest way is to catch the bus from the México City airport to
Cuernevaca ($15 USD) and then take a taxi to Tepoztlán (about $12 USD,
but the first offer will be $25 USD!) The easiest way is to take a taxi
from the airport. (Negotiable, but usually around $150 USD.)
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What do I need to bring?
Not too much -- please! Bring ONE suitcase that you can handle yourself and a small
carry-on or day pack. Size and weight limits on international flights are very
restrictive. When you receive confirmation of your flight we will give you the
latest baggage information from the airline.
You need casual clothes for school and one nice outfit for special
occasions. Inexpensive laundry service is available at the school. Bring
a GOOD pair of walking shoes. The streets are steep and paved with large cobblestones --
very hard on the bottoms of your feet if you don't have good shoes with
substantial soles.
Bring a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings. It rains most nights but
seldom in the daytime. A light travel umbrella is more practical than a rain coat.
There is a pool at the school, so bring your suit and sandals.
Don't bring a bunch of snack food. There are stores nearby!
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What about money?
Using an ATM to obtain pesos once you get there is the easiest way to go,
rather than taking a lot of cash with you. Make sure your PIN is
exactly 4 digits and you know it
in numbers, not letters -- international ATM's don't usually have letters on
the buttons.
Most stores, restaurants, and taxis will accept dollars (but at a poor
exchange rate,) so you don't need to panic about changing dollars to pesos
immediately.
You can bring some traveler's checks if you like. American Express are
the only brand the local bank will cash, but the money changing shop will take
other brands (such as the VISA traveler's checks issued by AAA.) Very few stores and
restaurants accept credit cards.
You won't need much cash as your room and meals are prepaid. If you prepay
any excursions you want to take, you will only need money for shopping and meals while away from your host family.
(There will be many wonderful opportunities to shop for local crafts, textiles
and jewelry.)
The $ means pesos in México. If you see a $ with 2 lines rather than one,
it means dollars. In a tourist shop you may also see prices such as "$20
MN" which means pesos (Moneda Nacional,) or "$20 USD" which
means U. S. Dollars.
NOTE: InterSpan cannot take credit cards or checks once you are in México.
While there, you must pay in cash for any excursions or other expenses
you have not prepaid.
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Do I need a textbook?
We will have them available so that you don't need to carry them. If you
want one early, contact us for information.
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Where will I be staying?
You will live with a Méxican family -- one student to a family. We
carefully select our families, so you will be comfortable, safe, and welcome.
You will have your own room and usually students share the family bathroom.
The homes have been inspected by school staff to insure that they are clean
and the rooms appropriate for students. The families speak Spanish and are used to students who are learning Spanish.
You will be integrated into the family's life, going shopping and running
errands with them, and participating in family events such as parties and
trips.
All the families are within walking distance of the school. If you are
pooped, a taxi anywhere in town costs $2 USD or less.
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Is the food and water safe?
The families prepare your meals with bottled water. We have bottled water
at the school. You should plan on only drinking and brushing your teeth with
bottled water. It is readily available and inexpensive.
Pay attention to where and what you are eating when you are away from your
"home." There are many good restaurants in the town. If you buy food
from street vendors, you are taking chances if it is not hot or not protected
from flying insects. Just use your common sense and you will be fine.
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Can I get vegetarian meals?
If you let us know ahead of time, we can arrange to accommodate your
special diet needs.
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Do I need "shots?"
None are required. However, it is always advisable to be immunized against Hepatitis-A
when traveling in the tropics. Check the CDC
website for the latest recommendations.
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What if I get sick?
There are fine doctors in town and an American hospital in Cuernevaca, 30
minutes away.
The most common illness is diarrhea from the change in diet, water, and altitude
and is solved with over-the-counter medications, liquids, and a little time.
Remember that you are required to have international medical insurance to
attend the school. We will provide information on vendors with your
registration confirmation.
Plan to take it easy at first -- Tepoztlán is 5500 feet high and the
combination of altitude, walking up hills, new food, or over-indulging in
alcohol can get to you if you are not careful.
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What is the weather like?
Wonderful. The region is often called "the land of eternal Spring." Expect 70 - 85
degrees day or night, little
humidity, and an occasional thunderstorm at night.
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Is there night life?
Well, it IS a pueblo of only 13,000 people. But, students have been able to find
the night life in the past. If you are desperate for a disco, Cuernevaca, the
"big city," is only 30 minutes and $10 USD away by taxi.
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Is it safe?
Follow the same rules you would at home and you will be fine. Crime is rare
in Tepoztlán, but you should always be aware.
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How do I call home?
You can buy a calling card many places in town that will allow you to
direct dial from a pay phone. Check with your home long distance carrier --
they may have a credit card you can use from México.
If you have a cell phone, you can probably arrange with the carrier for a
plan that will let you call to and from Mexico. Tepoztlán has no digital cell
towers, so your phone won't work without some effort. We have had success with
Verizon service from the bridge over the highway about a block from the
school. Their package deal (North American Plan) was an additional $20-30 USD a month
recently.
But, you
are in México to learn Spanish, so you probably want to leave
your cell at home anyway.
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Can I use the Internet in Tepoztlán?
There are several Internet cafes in town where you can check your email for
as little as 70 cents per hour. Most have reasonably fast connections with
computers running current Windows software -- sufficient for connecting to any
webmail service. Most will allow you to connect your digital camera so that
you can send home your favorite photo.
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Can I bring my child?
We can arrange for age-appropriate, 2-hour lessons for your child. Children
must be accompanied by a parent and be between 10 and 17 years old. We can
arrange for them to live with you or have their own host family, depending on your
wishes and the child's age. Contact us for more information.
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How do I get home?
If
InterSpan purchases your ticket, you will travel with the group and be taken to
the México City airport from the school in a van.
If you make your own travel
plans, we will assist you with arranging transport to the airport. If you need
to leave early, there will likely be a ticket change fee. Any costs will be your
responsibility.
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