General Information
Business Hours
Banks are usually open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Offices and small businesses are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm (some closed for two hours for lunch, from 2 pm to 4 pm). Stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 8 or 9 pm. Some stores and the Malls are open 7 days a week. Some restaurants are open 24 hours. Money Exchange houses are open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, but ATM machines have access 24 hours a day.
Class Schedule
Morning classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (max. 6 students/instructor): You will cover many different components of the language. You will cover Spanish Grammar, Spanish Vocabulary, Spanish Reading, Pronunciation, Culture, Writing and Practice.
Afternoon classes are from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (one student/instructor). You will have one on one hands on practice of the grammar and vocabulary you learned in the morning classes as you practice your Spanish Conversation with a Native Speaker. The Native Speaker will escort you to places of interest and communicate with you in Spanish. You will be given a list of over 50 places of interest in Puebla so you will be able to decide which places you would like to visit. You may also opt to watch a Spanish movie, play a Spanish board game, talk about the news (using the newspaper), go to a cafe and talk, or work on specific vocabulary that might interest you (i.e. medical, business, law, etc.)
If you are in the Individual Program your schedule may vary.
Climate
Because of its altitude, Puebla has pleasant, spring like conditions most of the year. Rain is frequent from June through September. The annual average temperature of Puebla is 65° F (18° C) with a maximum of 88° F (31° C) and a minimum of 32° F (0° C). Evenings can be quite cool in winter.
Clothing
As a general guide, casual sports wear, slacks, long shorts and jeans are acceptable clothing. We also suggest you bring an all weather jacket and good walking shoes. Either fall-weight or summer clothing with sweaters is most practical. Layered clothing is always a good choice. You may want to travel to the coast which will be warmer and suitable for shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits. In Puebla, you will be able to purchase most cosmetics and toilet items that are common to your country.
Computer Lab
Although equipped with the latest in computer technology, our computer lab does not require you to know much about computers to use it. This lab provides valuable, complementary learning activities. In addition, you can use the lab for e mail, word processing and updating your social networks.
E-mail
Each student can write and send e mail from the lab's computers. We also have free WiFi if you bring your laptop or cell phone..
Electricity
The electrical current used in Mexico is 110 volts, AC. The sockets are American style, but usually don't have a place for a grounding prong. American and Canadian appliances whose plugs don't have grounding prongs should work, but it's always a good idea to check with your host family in Puebla about the voltage before you plug anything in. Any adapters can easily be bought in Puebla.
Health Information
Do not forget to bring any medication and prescriptions from your doctor with you. You cannot get all medication over the counter and it is not always cheaper in Mexico, either. Do not leave your medications at home thinking that you can get them in Puebla. Addresses and phone numbers of several doctors, dentists and of the major hospitals are available through our office staff.
Host Families
One of the best ways to learn Spanish is by staying in a Mexican home. Our host family program is a very important part of your overall language learning experience. We have selected our families with careful consideration of their friendliness and helpful attitudes towards students. We have also selected homes that offer a level of comfort not too far from what you are used to finding in your home country. Our selection process assures that all our students will have a comfortable and pleasant stay in Puebla. It focuses on host families who provide the service not merely for the compensation received, but because they truly enjoy having a foreign student as a guest.
Every host family is different, so each student will undergo a different experience. If you show cultural awareness and respect the rules of the house, your family probably will include you in their social activities, outings, etc., and your home stay will grow into a rewarding and lasting friendship.
You may be considering bringing something for your future hosts as a gesture of gratitude for their hospitality. We suggest that you bring a small gift from your home country such as a book, sweets, a souvenir, chocolates, traditional food, etc. The important thing to remember is that the symbolic value of the gift is much more important than the monetary value. This is an optional gesture that you should not feel obliged to fulfill.
Length of stay
As a student you will stay with your host family for the length of the program. We frequently book our students with their families well ahead of arrival. If you would like to stay with your family beyond your planned departure, please make the necessary arrangements with the institute as soon as possible. Families cannot accept payment from or make direct arrangements with students. Please do not ask them to do so.
Language Learning
Now that you are about to begin your study at the Spanish Institute of Puebla, we would like to tell you a little bit about the language learning process. Learning a foreign language is a gradual process that takes time, persistence, and motivation. The Spanish Institute of Puebla's role in this process is to create the ideal environment in which to learn. Apart from everything that we provide for our students, the key factor to successful learning will be the effort that you put into the process. Successful language learning depends not only on aptitude, i.e. intellectual capacity, but also on a student's desire and persistence. You may have the potential to be a brilliant language learner, but if you fail to put effort into the process, chances are you will not learn very much. Besides your persistence, another important trait that influences the learning process is an emotional one: your attitude. Research has shown that a positive attitude towards a country, its people, and its culture, helps language learners maintain their interest long enough to achieve language mastery.
Motivation plays a strong role in the success rate of students. For example, many people tend to do very well because they need Spanish for career purposes. Whatever your motivational purpose may be, understand that it will play a role in the success you have at learning another language. Another important concept to keep in mind is to let errors work for you, not against you. Errors are an inevitable part of the learning process. Try to look at them as a potential source of information and as a way of improving your skills. It is very important to not let your fear of making mistakes interfere with your participation both in and outside of the classroom. Remember that language learning is a gradual process, which requires a lot of practice. This includes making errors and being corrected. Don't hold back and wait for that magic moment when you think you will be able to speak error free. Without practice, that moment will never come.
Another very important facet of language learning is practice. One of the best avenues, of course, is to practice with your host family. Another is to take homework seriously and review the information that you have learned every night. Another, and perhaps the most enjoyable, is to go out as much as possible to practice what you have learned with native speakers of the language in a more spontaneous situation.
Meals
You will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant in Mexico. Ask your host family to serve you plenty of both. Normally you will eat the same food as the family. Unless you have indicated special diet restrictions on your registration form, you should not expect your family to make you special meals. (If you did not indicate this ahead of time, let us know so that we can talk with your family about your needs.) If you can't live without your favorite type of food, we recommend you buy it in a local supermarket.
Sharing meals with your family is one of the best opportunities you will have to practice your Spanish and learn more about Mexican culture and values. We, therefore, encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. If for some reason you are having dinner elsewhere, please be courteous and notify your family of your plans.
Money
The currency in Mexico is "el peso". Outside Customs at the airport terminal, you can always find a money exchange place. Ask the representative who came to pick you up if he/she can help you exchange money. The exchange rate at the airport is usually not that favorable in comparison to the rest of the country with some exceptions, so try to exchange a minimum amount.
There are also many, very competitive money exchange places in Puebla in which you will be able to exchange dollars for pesos. ATM, credit and debit card users can receive cash at several of the banks or ATM machines that exist all over Puebla. Also, bring only US, Euros or Canadian dollars because it can be difficult or impossible to change other currencies.
To pay for the program, the Spanish Institute of Puebla accepts: US dollars, personal checks drawn against a US bank, and Visa or Master Card credit cards. You will pay for the program on the first day of class or upon your arrival in Puebla.
Entertainment
If you want to go to the theater, a movie, a professional soccer game, the bull fights or a musical performance, purchase a copy of the local newspaper, "El Sol de Puebla", for times and locations. You can also check the Spanish Institute of Puebla's weekly bulletin board for activities in Puebla. If you are still not sure what activities you should attend, check with your teacher or conversation instructor. The "weekend" starts on Wednesday night, so if you like going out and dancing, Puebla has some of the best places in Mexico.
Personal Safety
Like most large cities, Puebla has its share of petty theft. In most cases it is non confrontational; sometimes you don't even realize what happened until after the fact. If you use common sense and take the normal precautions required in any major city, there is no reason to worry. A few tips: Don't wear a lot of jewelry or carry around valuables, leave them in your host family's home. Carry your wallet in your front pocket because this tends to be a safer place to keep things from pickpockets. Try not to carry a purse. Be aware; try to look in control.
Try always to use authorized taxis for getting around on your own. We suggest you use Taxi Puebla (phone: 235 3555) or Mi Taxi (phone: 232-2525)… they are reliable and safe service. Regardless of what Taxi company you use, always get the price of the ride before you get into the taxi. By North American or European standards, the cost associated with using a taxi is very inexpensive. The tip is included in the rate. You may also consider using Car apps like Uber or Didi.
Telephone
The telephone number at the Spanish Institute of Puebla is 011-52-222-242-2062 if calling from the United States and Canada. If calling from any other country, the 011 will have to be replaced with the numbers needed to dial outside of that country. If calling inside of Puebla the number is 222-242-2062. You may also call the Institute in Puebla toll-free from the U.S. or Canada by dialing 1-800-554-2951.
Things to Bring
Regardless of how you travel, travel light (you will be able to do laundry daily if you wish)! On your return trip, you will need room for your purchases in Mexico. As a suggestion, you will want to bring: your digital camera, fanny pack, alarm clock, watch, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, washcloth, shampoo, toiletries, umbrella (during rainy season), comfortable clothes, a pen, valid passport, sweater, your prescription medications and the prescriptions, and credit cards and/or ATM card (if you use them).
Preparing for an Immersion Program
Studying at a language school abroad is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. To get the best results, you should prepare yourself before you leave. For example, exercises that improve your vocabulary are well worth the time and effort. If you are a beginner, this will help you feel more comfortable once your total immersion program begins.
If you are an absolute beginner, we recommend that you have a native speaker record the list of phrases at the end of this pamphlet and try to learn them by listening to the recording and repeating them. Master a short list of phrases like this, and you will be surprised how many simple situations you can deal with. Expressions of this sort will not solve all your communication problems, but they will facilitate basic conversation.
If you are a more advanced learner, you need more complex advice because you are not learning the language from scratch it's more often a case of building on a weak foundation that you have already attained. Our advice in this case is to learn as many common words as you can before you leave for your study trip. When you learn a foreign language in your own country you lack a great deal of "everyday" vocabulary. This can cause a real shock when you go abroad and attempt to talk to native speakers.
You cannot really be functional in a foreign language until you know 2,000 to 3,000 words well. That's roughly the same number of words that a four or five year old child knows enough to cope with most everyday situations. Like anything else, a good start is half the job. Please help yourself by being well prepared before you start an immersion program.
Religious Services
Although the most practiced religion in Mexico is Catholicism, there are many other denominations including Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, Methodist, Lutherans, and Greek Orthodox. For information and directions to any of these churches you may check online.
Holidays
Mexico has many holidays. Because of the length of our program the Spanish Institute of Puebla only closes for the following holidays: Good Friday (varies every year), Battle of Independence of Puebla (May 5th), Independence Day (September 16th), and All Souls' Day (November 2nd). Although we do not have classes on these days our students are encouraged to participate in the Mexican customs and celebrations.
Time
Puebla is on Central Standard Time, which is six hours behind Greenwich mean time. Mexico now does not have daylight saving time.
Other
We encourage you to bring a refrigerator magnet of your city, we will place it in the front office.
