Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla / BUAP Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some BUAP courses had plenty of homework, but I made sure to select courses with a smaller workload than usual at Wellesley. There was often a little bit of time at the beginning of class spent waiting for the professor to arrive. Readings were left at a copy shop, so students could purchase copies instead of expensive books. I asked another student in the class for directions to whatever copy shop the professor selected.

On-site administration of your program

The Resident Director, a professor from one of the American Consortium colleges, was very supportive, welcoming us to her house, hosting game nights and cooking classes, and being available. The office staff were also very helpful, giving all kinds of advice, and doing things like helping make phone calls in spanish, etc.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Rincon del Bosque, a gated neighborhood a 20 minute walk from el Centro. <br /><br /> First of all, I included LOTS of information about me on the housing questionaire, even info I thought might be extraneous, to try and make it easier for the Resident Director to match me up with a homestay family. My host mom included me in the big family meals, and made me a cake and my host family sang to me on my birthday. The room I had to myself, with my own attached bathroom, was spacious, and cleaner than I keep my dorm room. My host mom was available to help answer my questions about buses, stores, or how to say something in spanish

My host mom's cooking was great, and I liked the sandwiches she made me for days when I didn't go home to eat lunch. I follow some of the guidelines of keeping kosher, and she was very understanding, and on the rare occasions that the host family ate pork or shellfish, she made alternatives for me. I also enjoyed food I bought myself, like tamales and molotes from street vendors, and bread from bakeries.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Orientation in Mexico City helped the exchange students get to know each other and start getting to be friends, and trips we went on during the semester were fun. Being able to invite Mexican friends to the Welcome party was very nice.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues, but from what I heard there was good support. With regards to safety, I felt very safe in Puebla. No drug cartel violence, no fear of being robbed. It's a lovely city, peaceful and safe.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spoke Spanish with my homestay family, Mexican students in my classes and who I was friends with, with the Resident Director and other staff of the exchange program, and most of the time with the other exchange students.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Local Students