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More than 40 GT study abroad programs cost less than a semester in Atlanta!


CIDE Exchange Program

CIDE- CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIóN Y DOCENCIA ECONóMICAS
Program Level: Undergraduate
Number of Weeks/Term: 18


BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.

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LOCATION INFORMATION
Mexico
With 32 states and one federal district (Mexico City) that cover an area of almost 3 million kilometers and with borders shared with 3 countries and 3 bodies of water, Mexico is a country of great variety and diversity. Mexico was named after the Mexicas, ancient inhabitants of the territory and founders of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City.

Mexico City
Sprawling across a valley encircled by ice-capped volcanoes and mountains, atop an ancient Aztec civilisation, Mexico City is North America's highest city, and one of the worlds most densely populated. With a long and fascinating history that runs from ancient native civilisations through to the invasion of the Conquistadors and subsequent colonial rule, Mexico City has a vast number of fascinating sights and attractions.

In the city centre, constructed out of the stones of the ancient palaces and temples, is the vast open space of the Zócalo - Mexico's city square - said to be the second largest in the world after Moscow's Red Square. At La Merced you'll discover the city's largest and most vibrant market, with a vast array of bizarre and exciting stalls, while the huge expanse of the Bosque de Chapultepec park houses the National Museum of Anthropology, with a fascinating collection of pre-Hispanic artefacts. At Teotihuacán visitors will discover one of the most impressive and mysterious archaeological sites in Mexico, constructed by an ancient, and long forgotten culture.

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PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: mid August - mid December
Spring Term: mid January - late May
Academic Year: mid August - late May

NOTE: NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall, spring, or for a full academic year.

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2006

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HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
CIDE is a center of investigation and superior education specializing in social sciences. CIDE focuses on developing future leaders capable of using creativity and responsibility to succeed in today's competive global market.

CIDE is a very small in size, but large in its dedication to quality. CIDE boasts a faculty of 67 professors with Ph.D.s from the best universities in the world. The student body, of approximately 400 students, is exceptional in its combination of academic merit, and social and geographic diversity.

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ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

  • Economics
  • International Affairs
  • Modern Languages
  • Public Policy
  • Spanish

Language Information
Courses at CIDE are taught in Spanish. Students are required to have an advanced proficiency based on the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages. GT recommends that students complete at least 2 years of college level Spanish or have the equivalent advanced/3000 level of skills before participating in this program.

If you would like to work on your Spanish language before going to CIDE, you can apply for the GT Spanish Language for Business and Technology Program, which takes place each summer. This program, which you might be able to participate in the year before going to CIDE or perhaps in the summer immediately before starting at CIDE, is an intensive language program directed by Vicki Galloway, vicki.galloway@modlangs.gatech.edu and Angela Labarca, angela.labarca@modlangs.gatech.edu. You can contact either of them for more information.

Course Information
For detailed course information: click here
Economics click here
Political Science and International Relations click here
Law click here

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CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.

For detailed credit transfer instructions click here

For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here

CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.

CIDE uses a standard credit transfer system:
1 CIDE course = 4 GT credits

GRADING SYSTEM
CIDE uses the grading system listed below:
CIDE Grade = US Grade
90-100/Muy Bien = A
80-89/Bien = B
60-79/Suficiente = C
No Equivalent = D
59 or below/No Suficiente = F

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

  • Georgia Tech degree-seeking undergraduate student
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • completed at least two semesters of college-level study prior to participation
  • at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
  • enroll in 12 or more credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course
  • international students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
  • all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take
  • provide evidence of adequate level of Spanish (recommend 3000 level Spanish)

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    PROGRAM COSTS
    The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally apply at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site. Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa.

    The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.

    DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here

    Following are cost estimates for one semester at CIDE that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.

    In State Tuition $3,035
    Out of State Tuition $3,285
    GT Mandatory Fees $818
    Books and Supplies $250
    Administrative and/or Application fees $0
    Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $960
    Roundtrip Airfare $900
    Room and Board $2,800
    Additional Language Instruction $0
    Mandatory Insurance $150
    Total $8,913 (in state)
    $9,163 (out of state)

    *Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.

    *Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.

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    HOUSING AND MEALS
    Housing

  • off-campus apartment/room for rent
  • host family

    The CIDE office provides support to exchange students through the Accommodation Network during their stay in Mexico City, providing them with a list of accommodation options.

    Meals
  • on-campus dining

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    INSURANCE
    Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, go to click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

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    EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
    CIDE offers many extracurricular activities to students. There is a program called “Adopt a foreign student” which encourages CIDE students to get together with exchange students to orient and support them during the first week of their stay in Mexico.

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    CLIMATE
    Mexico City
    The coast and lowlands are hot and humid all year. The interior highlands are milder and drier, but can become freezing between December and February. Rainfall is scarce throughout most of the country. Average temperatures from May to July range from 53°F to 80°F.

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    VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
    Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here

    If you are not Mexican then you will need to obtain a visa or FM3 Estudiante at the offices of the Mexican Diplomatic Mission in your country. You can find additional information on the web page of the National Institute of Immigration at http://www.inami.gob.mx.

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    YOUR NEXT STEPS
    To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:

  • Attend an exchange program information session. For dates visit: click here. If you are unable to attend, please make an appointment with the OIE staff member listed below.
  • Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
  • Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet.
  • Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
  • Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
  • If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here.
  • For financial aid information click here
  • For scholarship information click here

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    EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
    click here

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    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ms. Melissa Lee DeLara, Exchange Study Abroad Advisor
    GT Office of International Education
    631 Cherry Street
    Savant Building, Suite 211
    Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
    Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
    E-mail: melissa.delara@oie.gatech.edu
    OIE web site: click here



    Host/Program Web Site: click here

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    Hidden Fields:
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    Latin America
    Semester
    18
    12
    Spanish
    For more info, contact OIE.
    Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
    GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In an exchange program, you actually take classes with the host university's students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Exchange program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.

    In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.

    In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
    GT's International Plan: More than just study abroad
    Your major is participating in this new initiative!
    The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, "BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan." For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here