Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, ITAM – Mexico City, Mexico
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México or ITAM dates back to 1946. The industrialist, Raúl Bailleres founded ITAM as a non-profit private university. Its commitment to academic excellence has contributed to the high rankings ITAM continues to receive within both North America and internationally.
With the undergraduate enrollment at approximately 4300 students, the highly-charged atmosphere at ITAM is electric with its sense of purpose. The school has played an important role in training many of Mexico´s current leaders. Today, the need for more highly-trained professionals has intensified, and ITAM, aware of this, instills students with the knowledge necessary to carry out structural changes and economic modernization crucial to the country´s future. As a result, ITAM demands academic excellence and, in return, it offers students the most advanced training available in their fields of specialization.
Location
From the Spanish invasion in 1519, which forever altered nearly 3,000 years of civilization, including that of the remarkable Aztec culture, with their capital of Tenochtitlán, México has been a country of change and contrasts. Sharing its northern border with the United States, México has volcanoes and mile-long beaches, crowded cities and ancient ruins, opulent resorts and shantytowns.
If México is a country of contrasts, México City, with one of the largest urban populations in the world, is a city of extremes. With skyscrapers, colonial palaces and Diego Rivera’s huge murals, México City promises to stimulate every interest.
Located in the southwest of México City, ITAM is divided into two campuses: Undergraduates at ITAM study at the Campus Río Hondo while Graduate Studies is located at Campus Santa Teresa.
Term Dates
Fall (Term 2): August to December
Winter (Term 1): January to May
Academic Information
Throughout its history, ITAM has always emphasized the role of its faculty in achieving academic excellence. Classes, therefore, are generally small, only exceptionally bringing together more than thirty students. Class attendance is always expected and usually required. Each professor, or subject coordinating committee in the cases of subjects with many sections, determines the the criteria for evaluation. Each student is given a temario, or subject outline, which must state the criteria to be used for evaluation, as well as the objectives, content and bibliography to be used in each class.
Credit Equivalency
5 ITAM courses = 5 SSB courses (15 SSB credits)
Language
Most classes are taught in Spanish with a large number of English texts used. While there is a direct relationship between the level of language ability and the advantages available to the student in Mexico, students with varying degrees of skill in Spanish have managed to have very successful experiences at ITAM and in Mexico. Some courses in English are offered every term (mostly in the MBA program), but also in the undergraduate programs of Business Administration, International Relations and Economics.
Computing & Facilities
Universities in México are very advanced in the use of technology, both inside and out of the classroom. ITAM is no exception. The Computer Centre develops its own software and gives students access to more than 500 databases. At both campuses there are several PC labs.
The online library service allows students to browse the extensive library collection with ease. Copy services and bookstores are located on both campuses. The Río Hondo campus has a modern sporting facility.
Type/Availability of Accommodation
The Academic Exchange Office at ITAM assists in the search for off-campus housing (ITAM does not have residences). Ultimately, however, negotiation of accommodation arrangements is between the exchange student and landlord. Exchange students can usually share an apartment with other exchange students, either close to campus or to the nearest metro station.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance is mandatory for all exchange students. Students should ensure that they purchase health coverage that will cover their stay in Mexico.
Visa
For visa information, please contact:
Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto
Commerce Court West
199 Bay Street, suite 4440
Toronto, Ontario, M5L 1E9
Tel: (416) 368-2875
Fax: (416) 368-8342
Web site: http://www.consulmex.com/eng/visasandconsularservices.asp
Cost of Living
(Exchange Rate Link http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/english/exchform.htm)
Further Research
The official Web site for ITAM is:
http://www.itam.mx
*For more information about ITAM, please visit the Resource Library in Room W263.