Texas Lutheran University - Participant Information

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Advanced Placement Summer Institute™ in Taxco, Mexico

Participant Information

Pre-Departure

Complete the TLU-APSI-Taxco Participant Information Form and return it to TLU as directed on the form.
Sign and mail the Participant Agreement and Release of Liability form.
Please be sure that you have a valid passport before your departure for Mexico and that it is valid through your return to the United States.
Pack lightly (one suitcase) for what you will need for the week. Casual attire is fine for the workshop sessions. Taxco enjoys year-round warm weather. Its altitude makes it feel spring-like year-round. In June the average high is 81° and the average low is 62°. It can be cool, so bring a sweater or light jacket. Bring an umbrella and/or raincoat in case there is rain. Taxco and Xochicalco are hilly, so bring comfortable walking shoes.
Leave room in your luggage or carry-on to take home your workshop materials.
If you take medications, bring them in their labeled containers. Bring your prescriptions in case you need to get a refill.
As with any travel, do not bring irreplaceable or valuable items. Take care of items such as your passport and camera.
Confirm that your current health insurance will provide adequate coverage for any injuries or illnesses that you may sustain or experience while participating in the APSI in Taxco including medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
If you need insurance, possible carriers are HTH Worldwide (http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/index.cfm) and STA Travel Insurance (http://www.statravel.com/Statravel/travelinsurance/ti_landing.aspx?menuid=5000).
Notify your credit card company and your bank that you are going abroad and confirm that you can use your credit card and debit card abroad.
Review the items that are not allowed in carry-on baggage, in your purse, etc.
For additional tips, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html, the US State Department website for international travel and http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html regarding travel to Mexico.

Arrival at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City

1. Please arrange your air travel so that you arrive at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City on Sunday before 3:00 p.m. (June 15^th for Spanish Language participants and June 22^th for Spanish Literature participants).

2. Upon arrival at the airport, you will need to collect your luggage and go through immigration and customs. June is a busy time for travel, so this can take several hours.

3. Representatives from Centro de Enseñanza Para Extranjeros - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (CEPE - UNAM) will meet TLU-APSI participants starting at 3:00 p.m. by the main exit of the international terminal adjacent to the Freedom Restaurant. Look for a representative with a sign reading, “TLU – APSI – Taxco.”

4. You will have some out-of-pocket expenses that will require Mexican currency. You may exchange US dollars for Mexican pesos at a currency exchange or use your ATM card at one of the many ATM machines at the airport. The current exchange rate is 1 USD = about 10.50 MXN or 1 MXN = about .10 USD (10¢).

5. If you have time to each lunch upon your arrival, do so. You will not get to Taxco and dinner until about 8:00 p.m.

6. For more information about the airport, go to http://www.aicm.com.mx/home_en.php.

7. Departure from the airport en-route to Taxco will be at 4:30 p.m.

8. The CEPE representatives will know about delayed flights, and if you are delayed, there will be provisions for your transfer to Taxco.

9. If you need to contact CEPE or the TLU liaison after your arrival, you may call (045) 762 107 82 51, dialing from Mexico City. Or call Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez, the TLU liaison, at (762) 627 1190.

Travel from Mexico City to Taxco

You will be transported with other TLU-APSI participants in a small bus or a van to Taxco. The trip will take approximately three hours.

Arrival in Taxco

1. When you arrive in Taxco, you will meet with the TLU liaison (Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez) and the APSI consultant (Ann Mar or Elba Montonati) for dinner at a local restaurant, Tia Calla" # 2. This is a no-host dinner that is not included in your workshop fees.

2. A member of your host family will meet you at the restaurant and escort you to their home.

Lodging during the Week

1. Please complete the participant information form so that CEPE can match you with an appropriate family in Taxco. You will receive information about the family as soon as you are assigned.

2. Your APSI fees include payment for your lodging for six nights (Sunday through Friday) as well as dinner (Monday through Friday) and breakfast (Monday through Saturday with your host family.

Activities during the Week

1. The daily schedule will be as follows with some flexibility:

Day	Time	Activity
Monday	8:00 am	Begin workshop
	9:45 -10:00 am	15-minute break for refreshments
	10:00 am	Resume workshop
	11:30 am – 12:30 pm	Lunch
	12:30 pm	Resume workshop
	2:15 – 2:30 pm	15-minute break for refreshments
	2:30 pm	Resume workshop
	4:00 pm	Adjourn workshop for the day
Tuesday	8:00 am	Begin workshop
	9:45 -10:00 am	15-minute break for refreshments
	10:00 am	Resume workshop
	11:30 am – 12:30 pm	Lunch
	12:30 pm	Resume workshop
	2:15 – 2:30 pm	15-minute break for refreshments
	2:30 pm	Resume workshop
	4:00 pm	Adjourn workshop for the day
Wednesday	All Day		Field Trip to Xochicalco
Thursday	8:00 am		Begin workshop
	9:45 -10:00 am		15-minute break for refreshments
	10:00 am		Resume workshop
	11:30 am – 12:30 pm		Lunch
	12:30 pm		Resume workshop
	2:15 – 2:30 pm		15-minute break for refreshments
	2:30 pm		Resume workshop
	4:00 pm		Adjourn workshop for the day
Friday	8:00 am		Begin workshop
	9:45 -10:00 am		15-minute break for refreshments
	10:00 am		Resume workshop
	11:45 pm – 12:00 noon		Participant certificates will be brought to the classroom and exchanged for evaluations
	12:00 noon		Adjourn final day of workshop

2. You will have a morning break with refreshments on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and an afternoon break on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (included in the APSI fees).

3. You will have lunch Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday on the UNAM-CEPE campus (included in the APSI fees).

4. On Wednesday, you will have a field trip to Xochicalco, which UNESCO has designated as a World Heritage Site because it “is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a fortified political, religious and commercial centre from the troubled period of 650–900 that followed the break-up of the great Mesoamerican states such as Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, Palenque and Tikal.”

The cost of the transportation to and from Xochicalco, entry fees, the services of a guide, and a box lunch are included in the cost of the Institute.

5. Evaluations - Please complete the APSI evaluations for the College Board on Friday morning. They will be picked up when the certificates are brought to your room.

6. Participant Certificates - You must attend all sessions to receive an APSI Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Certificate. Certificates will be brought to your classroom shortly before noon on Friday and exchanged for the completed APSI College Board-required evaluation forms.

7. Only participants who are enrolled in the APSI may attend workshop sessions.

8. You will have access to CEPE resources: library, pool, volleyball court, and wireless internet.

9. You will have time on your own to spend with other APSI participants and/or your host family each evening and from noon on Friday until your departure on Saturday morning.

Departure from Taxco – Transfer to Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City

1. You will be picked up for the transfer to the airport on Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. at the Plazuela de la Garita in Taxco. Please be prompt!

2. The bus trip to the airport will take about three hours, and you will need to be at the airport several hours before your flight’s departure. Therefore, to take possible delays into account, your flight should leave no earlier than noon.

Other Information

1. If your family needs to get a message to you while you are in Taxco, they can call 011.52.762.622.3410 or 011.52.762.662.0124 (from the US). If calling from within Mexico, call 762.622.3410 or 762.662.0124.

2. To meet your communications needs, consider contacting your cell phone provider to determine what service is available to you in Mexico and what the cost is for that service. Also consider buying a Telmex /Ladatel prepaid calling card to use in public telephones. These cards are sold in small stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and newsstands.

3. Everything is within a walking distance in Taxco. If you choose not to walk, public transportation is available. Taxi fares from downtown to CEPE cost about $2.00 dollars; little public buses or “combis” cost about 45 cents.

4. There are two medical clinics in Taxco with English-speaking physicians should you have a medical emergency.

5. If a family member or friend is accompanying you to Taxco, s/he may stay with you with your host family and accompany you on the field trip. Payment will be made to TLU.

If you have questions or concerns before your departure, please call TLU (830.372.6833) or email apsi@tlu.edu.

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