¡Hola! We are glad to welcome to our country. Mexico is our home and we want also to be yours. We are pretty sure that during your stay you will have a great time and hopefully have a positive impact in your life.! ! We want you to discover, explore and live the experience of being in Mexico. This is why we want to share with you who we are as mexicans as well as AIESECers. We also want to know about your country, we are sure you will have a lot to share. An AIESEC internship is a life-changing experience which we are sure you will be pleased to have had in Mexico. Best Regards
AIESEC Querétaro
ABOUT
MEXICO
Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south. Mexicoʼs land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is divided into six tourist regions.! ! Northern Mexico. Known for its extreme weather conditions and characterized by its deserts, nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges. Some cities in the region are key industrial and business centers.! ! Central Mexico. “The Mexican heartland”. Here youʼll find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites.! ! Southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. Lined with the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, this region offers an abundance of marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures.! ! !
The Yucatan Peninsula. The gateway to the Mayan world. Here you can enjoy the white- sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the worldʼs second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.! ! The Pacific Coast. In this region, youʼll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.! ! The Baja California Peninsula. Territory that has been inhabited from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on worldclass courses, discover the underwater treasures of the Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray Whale.! ! Mexicoʼs 32 states are truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities.!
Northern Mexico Nuevo León has many biomes, which is why it has different climates. Some areas in the mountains are very cold in winter and temperate in summer. In the northern part of the state the climate is arid as a result of the proximity to the Chihuahua desert. Extreme high temperatures of 47 °C or more occur on the desert areas while winters are short and mild. In Monterrey the climate is semi-arid with extreme hot summers and mild winters. There is very little rainfall throughout the year, usually about 500 mm or less. Monterrey is the main city with great industry and culture.! Chihuahua itʼs a historical state, where many important Mexican decisions took place. Chihuahua has a diversified state economy. The three most important economic centers in the state are: Ciudad Juárez, an international manufacturing center; Chihuahua, the state capital; and Delicias, the stateʼs main agriculture hub. Today Chihuahua serves as an important commercial route prospering from billions of dollars from international trade as a result of NAFTA.!
Northern Mexico Durango is known nationally and even internationally for two reasons: one being that it is “the land of the scorpions” in the state, especially in the colonial areas, and second as “the land of cinema.” Durango has among its credits over 120 film productions, both domestic and foreign, and as a result, during the decades of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, had earned that title. Durango has established itself as one of the favorite places of film producers and directors due to its picturesque views and scenic beauty.! Zacatecas best known for its rich deposits of silver and other minerals, its colonial architecture and its importance during the Mexican revolution. Its main economic activities are mining, agriculture and tourism.!
Northern Mexico Coahuila The capital of Coahuila is Saltillo, and its largest city is Torre贸n. Coahuila also includes the cities of Monclova (aformer state capital), Piedras Negras, and Ciudad Acu帽a. Commerce and industry are the main activities such as agriculture and tourism.! Tamaulipas is primarily characterized by agriculture and strong growth in all industrial sectors. This region is home to many of the maquiladoras, factories owned by foreign companies but worked by mexicans, primarily by women.! ! Southern Tamaulipas economy is based primarily on the petrochemical industries. There are petrochemical production plants around Altamira as well as a principal Gulf! coast container port, refinery facilities in Ciudad Madero and many oil-industry support service companies in Tampico.!
Northern Mexico Sonora The most prolific art of the state is literature, which includes poetry, novels, plays and essays. Since colonial times, much of the economy of the state has traditionally been linked to livestock, especially cattle, with vaqueros, or cowboys an important part of the state始s identity. Today, most are employed in industry and tourism, but the dress and folklore of the vaquero is still important. Jeans and cowboy hats are still extremely popular, especially with men. The cowboy lifestyle is associated with the pickup truck. This influence extends into popular music.!
Central Mexico Aguascalientes, the city hosts many conventions every year. The city is also famed for its environment of relaxation, and for its safety and cleanliness, as it is often described by people when traveling to this part of the country for conventions or tourism.! 
 Most tourists go to the capital. A few tourists explore the former mining towns in the north of the state (in the municipalities of Asientos and Tepezalå), which are now almost ghost cities. The haciendas, hot springs, and baths scattered around the state are also of historical and recreational relevance.! Guanajuato, many of the cityʟs thoroughfares are partially or fully underground. The historic center of the city is filled with colonial area mansions, churches and civil constructions built with pink or green sandstone and small plazas. It is also home to the Festival Internacional Cervantino, which invites artists and performers from all over the world as well as Mexico.!
Central Mexico Michoacan the Morelia region stresses its cultural and artistic heritage, especially its colonial architecture. One of the principal attractions in Michoacan is the rise of butterflies that every year migrate from Canada and place on the same spot near the waterfalls.!
San Luis Potosi traditionally, the Real de Minas potosino has driven the industrial engines in the state of San Luis PotosĂ, and as such, nowadays basic metallurgy still has the largest contribution within the Gross Domestic Product of the entity. The main products extracted across local mines are zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver, mercury, manganese, and arsenic. Other industries ollowing the mining lead are in the sectors of chemicals, foods, beverages, tobacco, and textiles.!
Central Mexico Hidalgo otomi culture is one of the most representative, you can find there many prehispanic archeological places that have influenced their culture and food. Barbacoa and pulque are the most popular food in the state.! QuerĂŠtaro, walk around the Historic Downtown of Santiago de QuerĂŠtaro, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy the nightlife, the legends, the museums and temples that make this zone a privileged one. Only 4 miles from the Historic Downtown, in the municipality of Corregidora, the main ceremonial indigenous center of the region is located: El Cerrito. Also, all over the city, new neighborhoods are developing and there are many recent areas to visit and enjoy.!
Southern Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula Chiapas in general has a wet, tropical climate. In the north, in the area bordering Tabasco, near Teapa, rainfall can average more than 3,000 mm (120 in) per year. In the past, natural vegetation at this region was lowland, tall perennial rainforest, but this vegetation has been destroyed almost completely to give way to agriculture and ranching. Rainfall decreases moving towards the Pacific Ocean, but it is still abundant enough to allow the farming of bananas and many other tropical crops near Tapachula.! Oaxaca the pleasant sub-tropical climate and the serenity of distant places attract most travellers to the Oaxaca Valley. Zapotecs, Mixtecs, and the fourteen other ethnic groups still present in its culture and customs. Oaxaca is the most diverse state in Mexico.!
Southern Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula Yucatรกn a unique culture from the rest of Mexico. Today is a major tourism destination, as well as home to one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico.!
Veracruz, status as a port has made the city a blend of cultures, mostly indigenous, Spanish and Afro-Cuban. The influence of these three is best seen in the food and music of the area, which has strong Spanish, Caribbean and African influences.!
Pacific Coast and Baja California Peninsula Sinaloa culturally, it is known for a style of music known as banda and corrido is also popular. It is the only place in the continent where the ancient ball game of Mesoamerica is still played, in a handful of small, rural communities not far from Mazatlรกn.! ! The ritual ball game was central in the society, religion and cosmology of all the great Mesoamerican cultures including the Mixtecs, Aztecs, and Maya.!
Baja California Sur, is the twelfth largest state by area in Mexico. Its geography ranges from beaches to forests and deserts. The backbone of the state is the Sierra de Baja California, where the Picacho del Diablo, the high- est point of the peninsula, is located. This mountain range effectively divides the weather patterns in the state. In the northwest, the weather is semi-dry and mediterranean.!
Pacific Coast and Baja California Peninsula Nayarit in recent years, Nayarit has worked to build its tourism sector, marketing the “Riviera Nayarita” as a safe, beautiful destination served by Puerto Vallarta International Airport. As a result, it ranked second in tourism investment in Mexico in 2008, was featured in North American tourism websites in winter 2008-09, and was the setting for the U.S. MTV reality competition “The Gauntlet.!
Jalisco is the center of the Mexican tequila industry, and the town of Tequila, Jalisco, which gave its name to the famous liquor, is located there. The volcanic soil covering much of the state of Jalisco is particularly well suited for the cultivation of the blue agave plant, which is used as the base fortequila. There are many hypotheses regarding the origins of this traditional Mexican musical form, but Cocula, Jalisco is most commonly named as its birth place.!
QUERÉTARO
“
The most beautiful word in spanish”!
Gael García Bernal!
ABOUT Querétaro boasts an excellent location, modern infrastructure and connectivity. It is safe and clean, with a high quality of life and a wide range of tourist attractions.! ! Just two hours north of Mexico City, Querétaro is the first stop for many travelers on the countryʼs circuit of colonial-era cities. Santiago de Querétaro, as the city is officially called, was the third most important city during Mexicoʼs colonial era, when Spain governed the land. Today it is a favorite spot for rest and relaxation.! ! Its historic downtown was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its rich history and unmatchable collection of baroque-style mansions, houses and churches. Mexicoʼs independence from Spain began right in the heart of downtown, where conspirators held clandestine meetings to plan their rebellion.! ! Thereʼs plenty to visit outside the city, as well. The town of Bernal appears on the national Secretary of Tourismʼs list of Magic Villages, or particularly charming small towns, and also is home to an enormous natural rock monolith. Another must-see is the quaint town of Tequisquiapan, along with its nearby vineyards and historic haciendas.!
QUERÉTARO’S LAND AREA EXTENDS 11, 699 SQ KM, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR REGIONS. QUERÉTARO CITY SOUTHERN QUERÉTARO QUERÉTARO SEMI-DESERT REGION SIERRA GORDA
Southern Querétaro taste delicious typical dishes, enjoy nature and relax completely in a quiet atmosphere are three of the main activities at the South of Querétaroʼs state. Petite municipal headquarters with traditional main squares, unique handcrafts, ecotourism and colonial ranches and haciendas, as well as endless beautiful countryside landscapes, describe this versatile destination.!
! The semi-desert area Is found less than an hour away from the capital city. At this zone, one can visit the vineyards and get acquainted with the process of making wine; discover how the different kinds of cheese are made; admire two important cactus greenhouses; walk down the town squares of Querétaroʼs province, and buy arts & crafts. Besides, the semi-desert keeps alive the memory and traditions of the otomí-chichimeca cultures, reason why UNESCO named this zone an Intangible Heritage.!
Walk around the Historic Downtown of Santiago de Querétaro, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy the nightlife, the legends, the museums and temples that make this zone a privileged one. Only 4 miles from the Historic Downtown, in the municipality of Corregidora, the main ceremonial indigenous center of the region is located: El Cerrito. Also, all over the city, new neighborhoods are developing and there are many recent areas to visit and enjoy.! Live your own adventure by crossing the different ecosystems of the Sierra Gorda region; get to know the most splendid and exotic spots of Querétaroʼs mountainous zone and all the attractions that hide at this Biosphere Reserve. In this area you can travel across the path of the Five Franciscan Missions – perfect samples of Mexican Baroque and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO– or go to the eco-camps, located among the amazing vegetation.!
GASTRONOMY
GREAT PLACES TO EAT
El Mesรณn de Chucho el Roto, you must try the gorditas de migaja and the sopes with grasshoppers!! 1810, great menu, you will love the enchiladas queretanas.! La Mariposa, is a must visit and eat here, try the enchiladas, molletes, delicious milkshakes and typical candies.โ จ Hot Dogs La Congregraciรณn! Mercado de la Cruz!
NIGHTLIFE
Besides history, architecture and culture, Querétaroʼs capital city is distinguished for offering a good life; elegant restaurants with original culinary proposals and, at the same time, bars for celebrating and having fun. ! At the Historic Downtown. When the night falls, there are several options for going out in Querétaro. The cityʼs heart is full of places that satisfy all ages, preferences and atmospheres. Given that everything is close enough, we recommend you go bar hoping, simply to change the music style or the crowd. People from Querétaro like to party all night long and are very friendly with foreigners. ! Bars You can go to any bar; if you donʼt like one, you can go to the one next door. The street 5 de Mayo is mainly full of bars, although there are others in the rest of the Historic Downtown, like at Plaza Constitución; just ask people in the street. There are some for those who like indie music, 80ʼs rock, electronic, pop or ballads. Here, enjoyment lasts vehemently until dawn. ! Canteens. Ancient, traditional and folkloric; the Historic Downtown canteens are legendary for their generous good-priced drinks, its spicy snacks and the particularity of erasing almost all sufferings. Choose a song on the jukebox and enjoy a delicious shrimp soup or a tostada with meat. The decoration and atmosphere will certainly make you sigh. Here, it is allowed to cry.!
MEET OUR LC!
SURVIVAL GUIDE
BASIC WORDS AND SENTENCES IN SPANISH Hi: Hola! Good morning: ¡Buenos días!! I want: Yo quiero! Good evening: ¡Buenas tardes!! Coffee: Café! Good night: ¡Buenas noches!! Water: Agua! I am (name): Yo soy…! Money: Dinero! How are you: ¿Cómo estás?! Bread: Pan! Whatʼs up?: ¿Qué onda?! Soda: Refresco! I am fine: Estoy bien! Look: Ver! Thank you: Gracias! Very good: Muy bien! Please: Por favor! Excellent!: ¡Excelente!! Welcome: Bienvenido! Would you like some help?: ¿Necesitas ayuda?! Bye: Adiós/Bye! You are so kind: Eres muy amable! See you: ¡Nos vemos!! How old are you?: ¿Cuántos años tienes?! I am hungry: Tengo hambre! How long have you been here?: ¿Cuánto tiempo! I am not hungry: No tengo hambre! llevas aquí?! Congratulations: ¡Felicidades!! What is his/ her problem?: ¿Cuál es el problema?! Letʼs eat something: Vamos a comer algo! How can I go to...?: ¿Cómo puedo llegar a...?! Letʼs drink something: Vamos a tomar algo! I love you: Te amo / Te quiero! How much is it?: ¿Cuánto cuesta?! I donʼt want: Yo no quiero!
NUMBERS 1: uno! 2: dos! 3: tres! 4: cuatro! 5: cinco! 6: seis! 7: siete! 8: ocho! 9: nueve! 10: diez! 11: once! 12: doce! 13: trece! 14: catorce!
15: quince! 16: dieciseis! 17: diecisiete! 18: dieciocho! 19: diecinueve! 20: veinte! 30: treinta! 40: cuarenta! 50: cincuenta! 60: sesenta! 70: setenta! 80: ochenta! 90: noventa! 100: cien!
200: doscientos! 1,000: mil! 10,000: diez mil! 100,000: cien mil! 1,000,000: un mill贸n!
WHAT TIME DOES IT OPEN / CLOSE ?
BANKS SHOPPING
MON-FRI SAT MON-SUN
9:00-16:00 9:00-16:00
JUST SOME OF THEM, LOCATED IN THE PRINCIPAL MALLS.
11:00-21:00
FINANCIAL INFORMATION The currency is Mexican Peso (MXN). The salary you will earn will be enough for you to cover basic expenses here if you are a GIP trainee. However you must know you will be paid only after the first month of work. We suggest that you bring 600 DLLS for your first monthʼs expenses. You can bring U.S. dollars or travelerʼs checks and exchange them in the airport. ! Credit cards are accepted in many places, but you should also carry some money with you. ! VISA and Mastercard are the most popular credit cards in Mexico.! ! Once you are in Mexico, you will open an account in the bank your LC will indicate you to receive your traineeship payments.!
ELECTRICITY Electrical current supply is of 240volts, wall sockets have got two flat parallel slots and a ground hole. It is convenient to travel with an adaptor to avoid problems related to the usage of electrical equipment.!
MEDICAL SERVICES Remember you must come with Medical Insurance, valid in Mexico, for the total period of your internship.! ! If you need a doctor, just call an AIESEC member. If you need to get to a hospital in a hurry and there is no one from the LC, then you can call your insurance number and ask for help (ambulance). They will probably ask you for your insurance number, name and address, so you have to keep that in mind in case of emergency!!
TELEPHONY
Mexico counts with an extense net of public telephones, from different companies. Most work with prepaid phonecards that are sold in magazine booths, apartment stores and retail in prices that range from $30 to $200 pesos. You can call local, national, international and cell phones numbers with these cards. • For international calls you must press 09+ country code + city code + local number. • For national calls you must press 01 + city code+ local number. Mexico’s code is 52. If you are calling from outside the country you must dial 00 + 52 + (city code) + local number. Main city codes Mexico City, DF 55 Aguascalientes, Ags. 449 Chihuahua, Chih. 614 Cd. Juarez, Chih. 656 Cordoba, Ver. 271 Cuernavaca, Mor. 777 Culiacan, Sin. 667 Guadalajara, Jal. 33 Guanajuato, Gto. 473 León, Gto. 477 Mérida, Yuc. 999 Monterrey, N.L. 81 Puebla, Pue. 222 Querétaro, Qro. 442 Villahermosa, Tab. 993
COST GUIDE CONCEPT
MXN
USD
MOVIES TICKET THEATER TICKET LAUNDRY (ONE T-SHIRT) SUBWAY (MEXICO CITY) ONE TRIP ON METROBUS COVER AT A CLUB BEER AT A BAR SODA CAN IN A SUPERMARKET HAMBURGER, FRIES AND SODA FAMILY SIZE PIZZA TREE COURSE MEAL (ECONOMIC RESTAURANT) BIG MAC COMBO
60 400 20 3 5 200 40 8 50 130 50 65
4 18 1.50 0.2 0.25 15 3 0.60 3.75 10 3.75 4.35
HYGIENIC HABITS • Brush and floss after each meal. • Usually, shower before going to party or social activities. • Take at least one shower a day
SAFETY TIPS • Don’t leave objects at eyesight. • Don’t carry too much money or valuable items. Exchange your money in specialized currency exchange places. Here you can use a credit card almost anywhere, a safer choice for purchases. • Avoid opening your wallet on public places and buses and counting your money. • Avoid standing alone in deserted streets, especially at night. • In case of stolen or loss documents, go to the Police Department, provide the second “way” of the documents, in case you find them, warn the Police Department where you registered your loss.
SOCIAL HABITS
• Possibility of not attending social activities without informing.! • Kissing a guy or a girl you just meet in the dancing club is normal and acceptable for Mexican culture.! • Romance Relationship (you are not allowed to kiss others after entering a serious relationship).! • Most Mexicans do not take seriously punctuality for social events. One hour! late for a party is normal.!
KEYS TO A SUCCESFUL INTERNSHIP PERIOD Open mind. You will like some things about each other, and you will dislike others. Don始t judge, experience it!! ! Flexibility. You will encounter many differences when you compare your cultures and life style. Flexibility and tolerance will help you to understand and appreciate these differences and accept them as part of the exchange experience. Again, don始t judge, just experience!! ! Communication. The key to any successful relationship is communication. You must be willing to communicate in all ways as possible, using facial expressions and gestures if it may help. It始s good to have Spanish to English dictionary around. Making all efforts to communicate as better as possible will not only improve your fluency in other idiom but also make the living together period! much better for everybody.!
KEYS TO A SUCCESFUL INTERNSHIP PERIOD
Courtesy and appreciation. The most valuable compensation you are all going to have after this period together is the relationship developed. Small gestures will go a long way toward making people feel that you are grateful and appreciative of their efforts. ! ! Involvement. Expect to make a genuine effort to establish a deep relationship. You can sit down with your buddy and LC members and talk about some programs that you can make together in order to have some fun, and also talk about cultural differences, dreams, fears, expectations, etc., intense moments that will turn this period into a magical experience for everybody.! ! Culture shock. Culture shock is to be expected in some form during the program. You may experience the following: panic, disinterest, nervousness, impatience and criticism. It始s important for you to know that Mexican people are very kind, so you can expect that your host family/roomies will probably make every effort so you can feel at home. So, if you experience any of these feelings, talk things over with the host family/roomies, they will certainly help you to feel better.!
KEYS TO A SUCCESFUL INTERNSHIP PERIOD Personal expenses. Youʼre going to be responsible for covering personal expenses such as entertainment, clothing, toiletries, eating out, travel, etc., so, youʼre required to have at your disposal an amount of money to cover all that.! ! Obeying the laws. While in Mexico, youʼre required to obey all the governmental laws covering immigration status requirements, state and local laws, as well as the rules preestablished between you and the company youʼre working for and AIESEC.! ! Work. Youʼre here to have an internship experience at your interest area, and thereʼs a company counting on you, so, it is your obligation to attend work regularly and make all the necessary effort to accomplish what your job description demands. Your host family/roomies are aware of that and when necessary will talk to you about it so you can keep your obligations in mind.!
AIESEC QUERÉTARO