Travel
Group behavior and solidarity:
Living and traveling as a group requires of each member a strong spirit of cooperation and a willingness to place the needs of the group above personal preferences. We expect all members of the group to stay in the accommodations provided by the program, and participate in program activities together. The unique and ongoing dialogue between students and faculty is born in response to program experiences and activities. We expect participants to be receptive to the experiences offered on the program and respectful of one another. We also expect students to show respect at all times when interacting with the people and cultures visited. A disregard of these rules may lead to dismissal of the student from the tour.
Backpacks and Clothing Recommendations:
Participants may carry one internal or external frame backpack small enough to be considered “ carry on” by airlines and bus lines. If you have to check a bag, you have too many things. Once in Mexico, backpacks will save space for everyone during the many trips by van. Backpacks are also preferred over wheeled suitcases because there will be many settings lacking pavement. Students may wish to bring a separate but small bag for daily excursions to carry water, snacks, notebook and camera. This facilitates travel and keeps personal effects to a minimum. Accepted students will receive more information on backpack specifications. The most practical and versatile clothing are light pants or jeans and light long-sleeve shirts. The sun will be strong. If you wear shorts, you will get bitten by mosquitos! Bring a hat. Bring a sweater or a light jacket for Xalapa and Mexico City. Students may want to bring one nice pair of casual clothing for nights out in cities. The instructor highly recommends 1 pair of pants and shirt on you upon departure and bring in your backpack: 1 change of pants and shirt, 1 set of casual clothing, and 1 light jacket.
Program Travel:
This is a traveling program. On most days, we check out of a hotel early in the morning and spend several hours in a van between visits until we arrive at a new hotel in a different city or town. The program fee covers all travel within Mexico: from the Villahermosa airport upon arrival to the Mexico City airport upon departure.
Accomodations:
Due to the traveling nature of the program, students will be transported daily between destinations and stay in multiple hotels. The program fee covers the costs of hotel lodging in all cities and towns visited. Each student should be prepared to share hotel rooms. Each hotel is chosen based on location, relative quietness, safety, friendliness and cost. Some hotels will have restaurants and additional services while others will not. Participants will be expected to abide by the rules and regulations established by the instructor, and the rules of the hotel itself. A disregard of these rules may lead to dismissal of the student from the tour.
Public Transportation:
Most travel will be in a van. However, we also move quickly using public transportation (bus and metro), which enables program participants to mix as much as possible with local people throughout the program. One tour in Tabasco involves a boat tour of a lagoon, and students may wish to bring plastic zipping bags to keep valuables with them dry (e.g., passport, wallet, and camera).
Round-Trip Air:
Once accepted into the program, students will receive information on arranging their air transportation.
Travel requirements:
A passport is now required for re-entry into the U.S. and serves as documentation required for entry to Mexico. If you have not yet applied for a passport, please do so immediately. Applications and information can be obtained through the EMU Office Academic Programs Abroad, at any county court house, passport agency or designated post office. The expiration date of your passport must be at least six months after the tour ends. For complete passport information, including printable application forms, visit the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
Participants who are NON-U.S. citizens may be required to have an additional visa, depending on citizenship, and are responsible for securing the necessary visa. The Office of Academic Programs Abroad at Eastern Michigan University will inform non-U.S. citizens about which steps to take to receive a visa. The study abroad program cannot be responsible for delays, detainments or losses incurred by non-U.S. citizens due to visa problems arising from their citizenships.
