Frequently Asked Questions
Flight/Transportation
Textbooks
Insurance/Medical
Orientation/Pre-Departure Preparation
Guadalajara
I'm flying with the group. What will I do upon arrival in Guadalajara? Once you go through customs and grab your baggage, look for USD representatives as you make your way out of the terminal. Have your housing information handy. We will take care of the rest! Please memorize your host family phone number and address as well as a few major cross streets. This will help you with transportation while you are in Guadalajara.
I'm not flying with the group. Once I arrive in Guadalajara, where will I go and how will I get there?
Upon exiting the airport, you will see a small booth for taxis just outside the door. In your Orientation Packet, you will receive the address of your host family/hotel and a map of the neighborhood. Show the address and map to the man at the taxi booth. You will pay him and he will give you a ticket to give to your taxi driver. Please memorize your host family phone number and address as well as a few major cross streets. This will help you with transportation while you are in Guadalajara.
Can I fly with the group to Guadalajara but return on my own?
The group flight rate only applies to students who fly round trip with the group. Students who wish to alter the group schedule will need to make arrangements separately through the airline or through the Guadalajara Summer Program travel agent, Ana Rosa Escalante at: anarosauniverso@prodigy.net.mx. There is a charge for changes made to the group flight ticket.
How do I get the textbooks for my classes this summer?
A list of Guadalajara Summer Program professors, classes and textbooks will be available on our web site in the spring. All textbooks will be available at the USD Bookstore and MUST be purchased in the US before departure. If you do not live in the San Diego area, you can call the USD Bookstore at: (619) 260-4551 and have the books sent to your house before you leave. Non-USD students may also want to check their home university bookstore for the textbooks.
I don't have insurance/my insurance doesn't cover me in Mexico. What do I do?
All Guadalajara Summer Program participants are automatically covered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Upon acceptance to the program, participants will receive detailed information about the coverage provided by CISI.
What vaccinations will I need for Mexico?
According to the USD Health Center, your tetanus shots should be up-to-date (you should have a shot once every ten years). The Hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended. This vaccination is a series of two shots, 6 months apart. You can get the first shot before you leave, and the second upon return if time doesn't permit both shots before departure. A Hepatitis B vaccination could also be beneficial. This vaccination is a series of three shots within 6 months. The first two shots need to be at least one month apart. You can get the first two shots done before you leave and the third upon return if necessary. The USD Health Center offers each of these vaccinations and is located in Camino 161 on the USD campus. For those of you who do not attend USD, please ask your physician about the shots mentioned above.
ORIENTATION/PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION
When is the orientation in Guadalajara?
The mandatory orientation will be on Saturday, June 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the ITESO campus in Guadalajara.
May I miss the orientation Meeting in Guadalajara?
No. It is MANDATORY for all Guadalajara Summer Program participants. Do NOT miss it!
How will I get to the orientation meeting in Guadalajara?
A USD bus will pick you up from your USD-designated bus stop and take you to the ITESO campus. Your Señora will show you where the bus stop is located.
Who will be my roommate?
Your orientation packet will include a list of your roommates. You will receive your packet at the pre-orientation meeting or in the mail soon after. If you do not receive the packet before May 16th please contact the Guadalajara Summer Program Office immediately.
I have not sent my 2x2 photo to the program yet. How shall I get that to you?
For security reasons the US Consulate in Mexico needs a photo ID of each student in the program. This photo has no relation to your application acceptance or your passport. If you do not attend USD, please send a small 2x2 headshot photo of yourself to the following address: Guadalajara Summer Program, 5998 Alcalá Park, S315, San Diego, CA 92110. You may also send it electronically via email ("jpg" format only please) to the following address: guadalajara@sandiego.edu. If you are a USD student, you must stop by Campus Card Services in the Bookstore to have your picture updated at no charge. They will send the photo to our office.
Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?
YES! Effective January 2007, all visitors traveling to Mexico MUST HAVE A PASSPORT. Students should also bring a goverment-issued photo ID (ie. passport). Students will not be permitted to leave the country without a passport
What should I do if I don't have a passport yet?
If you do not have a passport yet, you should apply for one AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Passports take 4-6 weeks to obtain after submitting an application, so students should apply no later than April 1st. For more information, consult the U.S. government website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Do I need a visa to travel to Mexico?
US, Canadian, citizens as well as "green card" holders do not need visas. However, certain nationalities require a Mexican consular stamp or stick-on called a visa, in addition to their immigration documents (tourist, business, student, immigrant, pensioner card). All of this depends on whether that country has negotiated with Mexico a visa agreement or not, and under what terms..To find out if your nationality requires a visa to study in Mexico, please visit: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=135&op=page&SubMenu=#
When are all payments due?
All payments are due to be paid in full by May 15, 2008. Any students with an outstanding balance will not be able to participate in the program.
Are there gyms in Guadalajara where I will be able to work out? Yes. Guadalajara is a very modern city with most of the amenities of any large city in the United States. A temporary summer membership may be purchased at most gyms. There will also be a weight room, basketball court, volleyball court, soccer field, running track and sports equipment available to use for all Guadalajara Summer Program students on campus at ITESO.
The Guadalajara Summer Program administration highly recommends keeping the program bulletin with you at all times during your stay in Guadalajara and memorizing your host family phone number, address and major cross streets. It would also be helpful to memorize the phone number for the Hotel Guadalajara Plaza, which is where the Director and other administrators will be staying. From within Guadalajara, the number is: 3208-4400. Please memorize it! If dialing from the US, use the prefix: 011-52-33.
