Mexican Gulf Coast Cultures

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:
Participants may carry one internal or external frame backpack small enough to be considered "carry-on" by airlines and bus lines. Once in Mexico, backpacks will save space for all 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 needs such as water, snacks, notebook and camera. This facilitates travel and keeps personal effects to a minimum. Accepted students will receive more information on backpack specifications.

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.

Public Transportation:
Most travel will be in a van. However, we also move quickly using public transportation, which enables program participants to mix as much as possible with local inhabitants throughout the program. We might travel by metro and bus. In Tabasco we take local small fishing boats on a tour of a coastal area.

Round-Trip Air:
Once accepted into the program, students will receive information on arranging their air transportation.

Where we stay:
The program fee covers the costs of hotel lodging in all cities and towns visited. Each student should be prepared to share hotel rooms and possibly king-sized beds. 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. We stay one night at a house in a fishing village and will have close interaction with the house owners. While at the house, 3-5 students will share a room with beds and hammocks. Participants will be expected to abide by the rules and regulations established by the tour director at the hotels and house, and the rules of the hotels and house owner. A disregard of these rules may lead to dismissal of the student from the tour.

Travel requirements:

• Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
  
  
  
• If you have not yet applied for a passport, please do so immediately. Applications can be obtained 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/passport_1738.html
• Applications can also be obtained at any county court house, passport agency or designated post office.
  
  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 Mexico Gulf Coast Cultures Program cannot be responsible for delays, detainments or losses incurred by non-U.S. citizens due to visa problems arising from their citizenships.
  

For more information:

Dr. Bradley E. Ensor

bensor@emich.edu

Tel. 734.487.4246

or

Academic Programs Abroad
Eastern Michigan University
103 Boone Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Voice: 734.487.2424 or toll free 800.777.3541
FAX: 734.487.4377
E-mail : Programs Abroad