Note: This program is temporarily suspended because Mexico is under a U.S. State Department travel warning. Please check with the International Programs Office for more information.
Fall or Winter/Spring Engineering Exchange Program
The Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Bajio campuses have engineering programs that are quite similar to Union's in content, facilities, and teaching philosophy.
Course of Study
Their spring semester runs from late January to mid-June, requiring Union students to spend both their winter and spring terms in Mexico.
Mexico City campus
Founded in 1964, the engineering school presently has approximately 1,200 engineering students, with half being in the Cybernetics and Computer Systems Engineering department. There are available programs in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and mechatronics.
While there are no Union faculty members in residence in Mexico, many of the faculty and most students speak English. Most text books are in English. La Salle does offer three-week intensive language courses that cost $200/student when combined with other programs. They also provide intercultural relations orientation for all programs.
La Salle's central location in Mexico City provides easy access to all areas within this capital city. Two "metro" subway lines are within a five minute walk and inexpensive bus and taxi services are available.
Cuernavaca campus
The smallest of the three campuses, the Cuernavaca student body is approximately 1,400, including 150 engineers. Degree programs are offered in computer science, cybernetics and computer systems engineering, mechanical and energy systems engineering, mechatronics and process system control engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, and electrical energy and electronics systems engineering.
Of the three campuses, English is the least prevalent here. All faculty positions, except the Director, are part time.
Cuernavaca, capital of the Mexican state of Morelos, is located about an hour south of Mexico City. Today, this mild subtropical city also thrives with modern industries and institutions, including several scientific research organizations and 17 universities and extensions of the National University in Mexico City.
Bajio campus
This campus has approximately 650 engineering students, with industrial engineering being the largest department. Degrees are also offered in electronic and telecommunications engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, civil engineering, and computer and systems engineering.
The faculty and student language proficiency at La Salle Bajio is not as high as in Mexico City.
The Bajio campus is located in the city of León, about an hour flight from Mexico City and the seventh most populous city in Mexico. The La Salle campus is in one of the best sections of the city, on a hill with excellent views of the city and surrounding valleys.
Pre-requisites
- Declared engineering major.
- Students need to have mastery of Spanish, as classes are taught in Spanish. Four years of high school Spanish and two Union courses should be sufficient.
Accommodations
Mexican universities normally do not have dorms. Home stay parents are screened carefully and are in good neighborhoods within walking distance to the campus. La Salle coordinates the home stay, using a family characteristics preference form to create the match, monitoring and paying the families through their Finance office. A nurse and doctor are on call at all times. LaSalle charges a placement fee and a student services fee. All housing and fees have to be paid in cash, in either U.S. or Mexican currency.
Calendar
The application date is the third Friday of spring term for Winter/Spring. For specific dates, contact the International Programs Office, Old Chapel, Third Floor.
