I am pleased to present a comprehensive report on my enriching semester abroad at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City. My stay was marked by numerous positive experiences as well as some challenges that I wish I had known beforehand.

Application Process

The application process involves several steps and it takes some time to receive confirmation. However, as long as you consistently check deadlines (especially for things like obtaining the language certificate, etc.), you should be on the safe side.

Travel Arrangements

Booking round-trip flights together is generally cheaper. Make sure the return flight can be rescheduled if necessary, which allows for flexibility. The rebooking fee is often less expensive than purchasing a new flight.

Visa Considerations

A visa is granted for a maximum of six months upon entry. Therefore, if you plan to stay longer, you must leave the country briefly and re-enter. Guatemala is a convenient option for this.

If you have overstayed your visa and want to fly back to Germany (as was the case for me), then you have to be at the airport early enough on the day of departure and go to the immigration office there. Here you have to fill out a few documents and state why you overstayed. It is a bit stressful and it will cost you about 35 euros, but it is possible. This means you don't have to leave and re-enter the country to extend your visa. However, you can only fill in these documents at the airport on the day of departure and not before, which can be rather a hassle.

Budgeting

Ensure you budget adequately! Mexico City is not as inexpensive as one might think. Supermarket prices and dining out (except at street stalls) in popular and gentrified neighborhoods are comparable to Berlin prices. Rent for rooms can also be quite high. For instance, I paid 7,500 pesos (about 400 euros) for a room in Roma Sur.

Safety

Safety is a complex topic. Yes, Mexico can be dangerous, with daily reports of kidnappings and murders. However, many neighborhoods in Mexico City are very safe (even at night), and I often felt safer there than in Berlin. Safe neighborhoods include Condesa, Roma Norte, Roma Sur, Nápoles, Narvarte, Polanco, Coyoacán, San Rafael, Santa María la Ribera, Centro Histórico, and Santa Fe. Neighborhoods where caution is advised include Los Doctores, Lagunilla, and Tepito. Nevertheless, these areas have notable flea markets worth visiting, especially on weekends. The Lagunilla flea market is particularly popular on Sundays and has become a bit of a hipster hotspot. When visiting, it’s best not to wear jewelry or bring valuables, but otherwise, it’s a fun and worthwhile experience. A good starting point for the market is La Tappería, located at C. Comonfort, Lagunilla, Morelos.

Public Transport

I frequently used EcoBicis, city-provided bicycles, especially in Condesa, Roma, Polanco, and Centro Histórico. An annual membership costs around 25 euros. Although the app sometimes malfunctions, it’s worth it to avoid bike theft. I also used Uber extensively, which is much cheaper and very safe compared to Germany. Alternatives like Cabify and Didi are slightly cheaper, though the cars may not be as well-maintained. Additionally, the Metrobus and Metro are available, with designated compartments for women and children, providing added security. Both can be crowded during rush hour. I often took the Metrobus to the university, getting off at the "CCU" station and walking to my classes at the Posgrado campus. The journey from Roma Sur took about 50 minutes as the university is quite far. While I liked my apartment and the area, I would consider living in Nápoles or Narvarte next time as they are more affordable and slightly closer to the university. Many other exchange students lived in Coyoacán, which is charming but a bit quiet for my taste. It’s nice to visit for a day, but not ideal for living.

To use the Metrobus and Metro, you need to get a card and load it with money (note that the machine doesn’t give change). A ride costs around 30 cents.

Police

The police in Mexico City can be a bit different from what you might be used to. Drinking alcohol on the street is not allowed, and some exchange students reported being stopped by the police, sometimes unjustly, and only being let go after paying a bribe. It's helpful to be aware of this possibility when you arrive.

Housing

I found my room through Roomgo.com.mx, which was relatively easy. However, the housing search and living arrangements in Mexico are often different from those in Germany, usually operating on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The casting process is quick, and you must decide on the spot. Many shared apartments are more functional rather than social, sometimes with older residents. I was fortunate to find a friendly non-functional shared apartment. Other good platforms for finding rooms include Facebook (Roomies V.I.P. CDMX Renta...) and Inmuebles24.

University Experience

As mentioned, the university is far from the city center, which has its charm. I liked the post-apocalyptic building of the Posgrado, and it was easy to navigate. It’s crucial to attend the welcome days to select your courses, as missing these days can lead to complications. Initially, I enrolled in five courses to get a feel for them, as there was time to drop them later. The courses are intensive, requiring a lot of reading and homework. Unfortunately, I couldn’t drop the courses on time due to system issues and delayed responses from the university, which was a bit inflexible and unhelpful in this regard. The quality of courses varied, with some professors being highly competent and others less so. The courses are very small (about 5-8 students), which has its pros and cons, but I personally enjoyed it.

Some places and activities to experience:

• Anthropology Museum (free with a student ID)
• Lucha libre
• Chapultepec Castle
• Discourse Party Intercambio (Instagram @discourse_mx)
• Outdoor Cinema Cineteca
• Teotihuacan Pyramids (bring sunscreen, a hat, and snacks)
• Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Vasconcelos Library
• Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (boat tour, best with friends)
• Sculpture Garden UNAM and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
• Museo Jumex
• Hiking at Los Dinamos
• Hiking at Desierto de los Leones
• Art classes with wine or tequila
• Museo Soumaya
• Day trips to Taxco, Puebla, Cholula, Tepotzotlán, Tepoztlán, San Miguel de Allende, Peña de Bernal, Querétaro, Valle de Bravo, and Popocatépetl (for hiking)
• Salsa socials (in bars or Parque México, organized by ISM on Instagram @ismmexico)
• Las Estacas (for swimming, stay a weekend maybe)
• La marquesa (horse riding and others, bring cash)

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend a semester abroad at UNAM in Mexico City. It is a fantastic, interesting, and inspiring city with a rich cultural offering and delicious food. Its very clean fort hat it has almost no trash cans and you will see a lot of dogs in all shapes and sizes. UNAM is a great university, although the quality of courses can vary based on personal experience.