student guide 2016 - Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes

STUDENT GUIDE 2016
INFORMATION FOR VISITING EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Welcome to the UAA!
Dear Visiting Exchange Student,
On behalf of the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (UAA), we want to offer you a very
warm welcome! We are pleased you have chosen the UAA to experience academic mobility
during this term through our exchange program. We believe that every visiting student makes a
valuable contribution to the University culture and to the student community development.
Getting to a new place can be an overwhelming but stimulating experience, the staff of the
Department of Academic Exchange (DIAyB) has been working hard to make sure you will have a
term to remember. Our objective is to provide you with the necessary information, help and
support that will make your visit a rewarding academically and socially international
experience.
Within this guide you will find administrative information, orientation for the selection of the
academic program that matches your home University, information about services the UAA
offers to the visiting students and information about available accommodation services.
As visiting student you will experience the diversity of the city of Aguascalientes, though small,
it is well communicated through modern roads and an international airport. Aguascalientes
combines modernity with local traditions.
Refer to this guide continuously for the months prior your departure to Aguascalientes, if you
have any question, do not hesitate to contact us either by email or telephone, we´ll be happy to
assist you.
Sincerely
Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships
Autonomous University of Aguascalientes
Important Dates:
January-June Semester 2016
Academic Dates
Orientation week
January 18-21
Classes begin
January 25th
Deadline for changes
February 4th
Registration of academic courses
February 9th
Classes end
June 18th
Sending out final grades
Starting August 8th
August-December 2016
Academic Dates
Orientation week
From August 1 to 4
Classes begin
August 8th
Deadline for subject changes
August 17th
Subjects enrollment
August 22th
Classes end
December 16th
Grades sending
Starting February 2nd , 2017
Prior to your visit and during your semester at the UAA, there are many aspects you should
consider. This document will inform and guide you in all the important details.
1. Admission application and email address: Complete with your personal email address in
the application form; it is important that your email address is a valid one and the one that
you check on a daily basis. It is very important that we have immediate communication in
case we need to get to you information with sensitive time response.
2. Selecting courses: You should examine the academic courses you are interested in enrolling
before arriving to Aguascalientes and together with your coordinator, counselor or advisor
review the options as well as the credits of each academic course. Remember that it is
possible that the UAA credit system does not exactly correspond to your university system.
You will find more information later in this guide with regards to this point. It is very
important that you report back any changes related to academic courses to the DIAyB
(Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships). Note that these changes can only be
done during the first two weeks of the mobility semester.
3. Visa (only for foreigners): Carefully read our section on visas and immigration issues. Upon
arrival, you must submit a copy of your FMM form and passport to the Department of
Academic Exchange and Scholarships to confirm your immigration status.
4. Welcome session: We strongly advise your attendance to the orientation and welcoming
sessions to the UAA.
5. Library: You can make use of the University library. It is important to return the borrowed
books in a timely manner to avoid penalties due to late returns and at the end of semester
the withholding of your grades record.
6. Take advantage: The UAA offers countless options: Extracurricular activities, workshops,
sports, events, social projects are waiting for you. We invite you to review our official
website and to ask for more details.
7. Get to know Mexico: Whenever possible, travel and explore your host country, and
practice your language skills. Sometimes it is easier to speak in your native language,
especially with other visiting students. If your native language is not Spanish, make an effort
and communicate in Spanish during your exchange, it is worth it!
As visiting student through an exchange agreement, you are not obliged to pay an application
or tuition fees. If your mobility is not through the exchange program with the UAA, we still can
consider your application as independent student (visitor); however, independent students pay
application and tuition fees depending on the number of academic courses they enroll in during
the term.
Visiting students from universities with exchange agreement with the UAA must submit
the following documents. The application and documents must be submitted to the exchange
office of the home institution.
All documents can be scanned or digitalized and sent by e-mail ([email protected]):
National Students
International Students
Application form
Application form
CURP copy
Copy of Passport
Birth certificate
Transcripts
Transcripts
Statement letter
Statement letter
International health insurance with
repatriation remains coverage
Facultative health insurance copy (IMSS or
ISSSTE)
Student visa (in cases that apply)
Description and selection of academic courses
Exchange students cannot pre-register their academic courses online, so they must register
them in person in the different Academic Departments at the UAA during the period of the
orientation sessions. This section explains how to select the academic courses and the
enrollment process.
A detailed description in Spanish of every academic program can be found by following this link:
http://www.uaa.mx/direcciones/dgdp/catalogo/ where you will see all the academic courses the
UAA offers within the chosen career study plan.
If you need the complete program of the academic courses, you can request them via email
[email protected] with Jessica Esparza BA.
As exchange student you can choose between any academic courses offered in the UAA, provided
they do not have any special restriction and that your language proficiency is good enough to
communicate and to take notes.
Bear in mind that Not all academic courses are available every semester. The academic courses
and classes schedules are available approximately 6 weeks before the beginning of each semester
at each Academic Center.
Careful: Not every academic course is included in the career study plan. They are coordinated
through the Department of the career. For example, the program of Political Sciences may
include an academic course related to Finances, which is probably coordinated by the
Department of Finances.
Ask your coordinator, counselor or academic advisor to review the chosen academic courses so
as to define the equivalences that can be revalidated at your home university.
After completing the preliminary selection of academic courses, follow the enrollment process:
1) During the orientation week you will be informed about the person who will be your
Academic Coordinator and the place where you can find him. You must meet with him
to review schedules and classrooms of the academic courses you initially selected.
2) After your interview with the Academic Coordinator, you must attend the selected
classes starting January 25. At that moment your name will not appear in the
attendance list. From this date you will have 2 weeks to carry out changes of the
subjects as needed, provided they are authorized by your home university. After this
deadline you will not be able to make any changes.
3) You will also be informed about the date you must submit the form with the academic
load, and as well of the date in which you will be expected to complete your enrollment,
you will need a photo ID size.
4) After completing the enrollment process you must verify with the different professors
that your name appears in the attendance lists, if not, you must immediately inform
the Department of Academic Exchange. It is very important to make sure that your
name is in the attendance list, otherwise the academic course will appear as failed in the
UAA system and your transcript will be sent in this way to your home University.
Facilities and additional services UAA offers
We believe that the extracurricular participation of students is essential for their
personal development. Students get involved in these types of extracurricular activities to gain
and improve skills and also to have fun and meet people. The UAA offers a wide and diverse
range of extracurricular activities that meet the varied interests of the students.
In the following paragraphs you will find a list of some of the services and extracurricular
activities the UAA offers to students. To obtain a complete list with information and details
about facilities, activities and student life, please go to the official website of the university:
www.uaa.mx.
Department of Broadcasting and Extension
This Department offers various activities such as photography, writing, physical conditioning,
reading workshops, ballroom, music, etcetera. These courses have a cost that is minimal as they
are aimed to all age groups of the community.
For further information about schedules go to: http://sned.dgd.uaa.mx/cursos/index_cont.html
Sports and health promotion
The Autonomous University of Aguascalientes has a gym and facilities to practicedifferent
sports. At the UAA you can join to any of our teams:
+Athletics
+Basketball
+Baseball
+Soccer
+Quick soccer
+Handball
+Weightlifting
+Judo
+Karate
+Tae kwon do
+Volleyball
+Beach Volleyball
More information available at the following link:
http://dgse.uaa.mx/DGSE/front/#deportes/principal
University radio station
Radio Universidad 94.5 is an independent radio station of the UAA located in campus. The
station is run by professionals in collaboration with students and has worldwide coverage
through http://radiopodcast.uaa.mx/.There is the possibility that exchange students participate
and become involved in radio programs. Contact us or go to http://radio.uaa.mx/webradio.html for
more information.
Visas and immigration issues
Mexican immigration laws are subject to frequent modifications. This section will provide you
with general information about immigration procedures and the need to apply for a student
visa before your departure to Mexico. Ask also the embassies or consulates in your home
country about the legislation in force for citizens of your nationality. You can also check the
INM (National Migration = Mexican immigration authority) website. For more information go
to: www.inami.gob.mx
Do I need to apply for a student visa?
That depends on your nationality and how long you will stay in Mexico attending classes. In
general, there are three different cases:
1) Students who plan to stay in Mexico to enroll in classes for less than 180 days (equal to a
single
semester),
nationals
of
one
of
the
countries
listed
in
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Paises_No_Visa, DO NOT need to apply for a visa.
Upon arrival at Mexico, they will receive permission to stay for 180 days. Students with this
type of permission can leave the country before the 180 days period expiration. It is not
possible to extend the stay permit.
Important: When you pass through immigration control at the airport in Mexico City, you need
to show the immigration agent your UAA acceptance letter as proof that you will be
attending an institution belonging to the national educational system to enroll in classes
for a period of less than 180 days.
2) Students who plan to stay in Mexico for less than 180 days, i.e. one semester and who are
nationals
of
one
of
the
countries
listed
in
http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Paises_Visa, DO need to apply for a visa. The type of
visa these students need is the “Visitor Visa without permission to engage in paid activities”.
3) Students who plan to stay in Mexico to enroll in classes for two semesters (more than 180
days), do need to apply for a visa, regardless of their nationality. The visa these students need
the “Student temporal Resident Visa”.
To apply for visa:
If you belong to cases 2) or 3), you need to apply for a visa at the Mexican Consulate in your
country before your departure for Mexico.
To transact your visa at the consulate, you have to present a special letter from the UAA,
addressed to the Mexican Embassy, along with other documents the respective embassy asks
for. This letter certifies that you have been accepted in a temporal study program at the
Autonomous University of Aguascalientes.
The process for issuing the visa takes several weeks. Therefore it is important that we receive
your documentation as soon as possible to send out the letter promptly.
It is important that you inform us in advance the academic period you are planning to stay at
the UAA. If you plan to stay for more than one semester at the UAA we need to send you a
letter in those terms. If you are considering the possibility of staying two semesters in Mexico, it
would be advisable for you to apply from the beginning for a visa of one year.
Upon arrival in Mexico:
When entering Mexican territory, all foreigners must fill out a migration document at the
airport (“FMM” = Multiple Migratory Form). Travelers receive the airline FMM form during the
flight. At the airport an immigration officer will request the FMM form and passport, and will
ask the visitor his purpose in coming to Mexico. At the bottom of the form there are several
options; this section is for official use only (please, do not fill out this part!). The migration
officer will select one of these options, cut the top part of the form and keep it; he will point
out the valid number of days at the bottom of the FMM form, and give it to the student (see
example below).
The part of the FMM form the migration officer delivers you is your legal permission to remain
in Mexico and you must return it upon your departure from Mexico at the end of your stay in
the country. Failure to return this original form will result in a fine and will delay departure. You
must submit a photocopy of the FMM form to the Department of Academic Exchange and
Scholarships at the UAA and keep the original FMM form in a safe place. It is advisable to make
a photocopy of the FMM form and keep it handy in your schoolbag or in your wallet.
Important: Students with permission to stay for 180 days and who leave Mexico during their
stay (e.g. for short vacations) must return the FMM at the airport and will receive a new FMM
form upon their return to the country. In this case they must submit a photocopy of the new
FMM form to the Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships.
During the first month of stay, students with a student visa for a year must go to the National
Institute of Migration to exchange their FMM form for a foreigner photo credential (previously
known as “FM3”).
After receiving your photo credential you can leave and reenter Mexico whenever you want for
a year without having to submit a copy of the new FMM form each time your return to Mexico
in that period.
Check in registration of
the FMM form. The
migration officer will keep
this part.
Check out registration of
the FMM form.
Save this part, do not ever
lose it and submit a copy
to the Department of
Academic Exchange and
After arrival:
Once in Aguascalientes, international students must follow some additional steps:



All students have to submit a copy of their passport and of their FMM to the
Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships at the UAA during the first days of
the semester.
Students with visa for 1 year have to exchange their FMM form for a foreigner photo
credential. This must be completed within the first 30 days after their arrival to Mexico.
Foreigners who do not comply with this obligation may be fined by the Mexican
government.
When students with visa for 180 days leave the country, they must return their FMM
form at their airport. Do not ever lose your FMM form!
The Autonomous University of Aguascalientes has the legal obligation to ascertain the
migratory status of its international students to the Mexican government. Students who do
not comply with the requirements and processes of enrollment mentioned, will be removed as
students and will not receive credits for their studies during the stay.
Accommodation Options:
Our main interest is to help our visiting students in several aspects so that their experience in
Aguascalientes and at the UAA be productive, constructive and pleasant. This is why we offer
information for students who are looking to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment or
house. We do not recommend that students rent an apartment from their place of origin. It is
better that they visit their options and make the arrangement of services in person.
During the orientation week, the students will be given a list of accommodation options to
consult the available offer. With regards to this, the UAA is just a link between two parties, and
is not responsible for any financial or legal responsibility resulting from the rent of services
such as cable, internet, telephone, gas, electricity, water, and others.
Hotels:
Upon arrival in Aguascalientes, students can stay in a hotel and go to the Department of
Academic Exchange and Scholarships as soon as possible to ask about accommodation options.
Below there are some of the hotels we recommend, where students can stay while looking for a
place to stay:
Art Hotel
Nieto #502, San Marcos
Phone number: (449) 917-9595
Colonial
5 de Mayo #552, Centro
Phone number:(449) 915-3577
Continental
República de Brasil, #609, Américas
Phone number:(449) 978-2829
Elizabeth Central
Av. De la Convención Sur #107, Las Américas
Phone number: (449) 978-2926
Hotel San José
Hidalgo #207, Centro
Phone number :(449) 915-5130
Las Américas
5ª. Avenida #502, Las Américas
Phone number:(449) 978-5100
San Antonio
Zaragoza #305, Centro
Phone number:(449) 916-3320
Villas del Bosque
Av. Aguascalientes Nte. #414, Bosques del Prado
Phone number: (449) 912-1722:
Insurance and Health Information
All students must have health insurance; national students must submit a copy of their IMSS
affiliation with change of address. Foreign students must submit a copy of their health
insurance (major medical expenses insurance). It is important that the insurance policy be valid
during the entire stay in Mexico.
If you are under special medical treatment, make sure to bring the medications you need while
staying in Mexico. Bring a prescription to validate the amount of medications you are bringing.
You may have to show this certification when going through customs.
IN CASE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT NOTIFY THE STUDENT MOBILITY
OFFICE IMMEDIATELY
Upon arrival you must take a medical exam that includes a general medical evaluation:
stomatology (dentistry), optometry, nursing and laboratory tests. This medical exam has a fee
of $392.00 (Three hundred and ninety two pesos 00/100 M.N.), that you must pay at the
university Medical Didactic Unit. Failure to comply with this exam will prevent students to
enroll to the UAA.
How to get to the UAA
There are several ways to get to the UAA. We recommend ordering a taxi the first day so you
familiarize yourself with the route you must take every day. Once you find the place where you
will be staying, you can look up into the different options of transportation to get to the UAA.
Below there is a link where you will find public transportation routes and a map of the city of
Aguascalientes:
http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/estado/mapas.aspx
Personal Safety:
In the city of Aguascalientes, as in many others around the world, the visitor or foreigner runs
unwanted risks. Therefore below you will find several recommendations to help you avoid
these situations:
 Do not leave briefcases, backpacks or bags unattended.
 Be careful on the street, the subway or in stores to prevent theft by pickpockets.
 Do not travel or walk on your own by night or in unfamiliar places. It is preferable to
travel in groups whenever possible.
 Do not carry with you large amounts of cash or credit cards.
 Do not carry with you your passport or visa, it is preferable to take a photocopy of these
documents and leave the originals in a safe place.
 If you become a victim of theft, hand over your items without arguing, your items are
not worth enough to endanger your life.
The UAA has an emergency phone number that is available 24 hours a day, the number will be
provided to the exchange students upon arrival.
Welcome to the UAA a pleasant and exciting world full of opportunities experiences and
adventures is waiting for you
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UNIDAD DEPORTIVA UNIVERSITARIA
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RECTORÍA
SECRETARÍA GENERAL
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE DOCENCIA DE PREGRADO
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE INFRAESTRUCTURA UNIVERSITARIA
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE PLANEACIÓN Y DESARROLLO
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE FINANZAS
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y POSGRADO
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE DIFUSIÓN Y VINCULACIÓN
GALERÍA UNIVERSITARIA
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE SERVICIOS EDUCATIVOS
CENTRO DE CIENCIAS BÁSICAS
CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DEL DISEÑO Y DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN
CENTRO DE CIENCIAS ECONÓMICAS Y ADMINISTRATIVAS
CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD
CENTRO DE CIENCIAS SOCIALES Y HUMANIDADES
ÁREAS DE APOYO
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DEPARTAMENTO DE COMUNICACIÓN Y RELACIONES PÚBLICAS
CONTROL ESCOLAR Y CAJAS
FEDERACIÓN DE ESTUDIANTES
LIBRERÍA UNIVERSITARIA
TIENDA DE PRODUCTOS POSTA
UNIVERSITIENDA
CAFETERÍA ORIENTE
CAFETERÍA PONIENTE
RADIO UNIVERSIDAD
CASETA DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE VIGILANCIA
CASETA ORIENTE
CONMUTADOR
MENSAJERÍA
BIBLIOTECA CENTRAL
AUDITORIO “DR. PEDRO DE ALBA”
CASETA PONIENTE
SUAP
UNIDAD MÉDICA DIDÁCTICA
AUDITORIO “DR. ALFONSO PÉREZ ROMO”
CAFETERÍA NORTE
CAFETERÍA BIOMÉDICAS
SALA EXPOFORO
LABORATORIO DE SIMULACIÓN DEL ESPACIO ARQUITECTÓNICO
BIBLLIOTECA NORTE
LABORATORIO DE HIDRÁULICA
MANTENIMIENTO
TRANSPORTES
ALMACÉN
PROCESOS GRÁFICOS
INVENTARIOS
ESTACIÓN METEOROLÓGICA
DEPORTES A CUBIERTO
HOSPITAL VETERINARIO
BIOTERIO
AUDITORIO “ING. JAVIER SALAZAR NEGRETE”
UNIDAD DE TELEVISIÓN UNIVERSITARIA “PEDRO RIVAS CUÉLLAR”
PLANTA DE TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS
ALBERCA UNIVERSITARIA
CAFETERÍA SUR
FOMENTO AL SEGUNDO IDIOMA Y CAADI
UNIDAD DE ATENCIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN EN PSICOLOGÍA
SERVICIOS UNIVERSITARIOS DE ATENCIÓN A LA SALUD
SALÓN UNIVERSITARIO DE USOS MÚLTIPLES
UNIDAD DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS
AUDITORIO “DR. IGNACIO T. CHÁVEZ”
EDIFICIO POLIVALENTE “DR. LUIS MANUEL MACÍAS LÓPEZ”
UNIDAD DE VINCULACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA
EDIFICIO DE GESTIÓN DEL DISEÑO
BIBLIOTECA
SERVICIOS SANITARIOS
CAFETERÍA
AUDITORIO
PUESTO DE VIGILANCIA
ESTACIONAMIENTO
ASTA BANDERA MONUMENTAL
Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships
Building 1-B. Third Floor. University City.
Av. Universidad # 940, University City, C. P. 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags. MÉXICO.
Phone Number: +52 (449) 910 74 47
+52 (449) 910 74 00 ext 237
Fax:. +52 (449) 9107447
www.uaa.mxwww.uaa.mx/dgip/intercambio
Head of Department of Academic Exchange and Scholarships
Patricia Langford de la Rosa
Phone Number: +52 (449) 910 74 00 ext 237
[email protected]
Visiting Students Responsible
Jessica Esparza
Phone Number: +52 (449) 910 7447
[email protected]