The UDLAP Handbook They Don’t Give You

by Scarlett Gilligan, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Mexico

I have the world’s best privilege of spending semester two in Cholula; however, for most of my friends, they have moved on to other places, jobs, continents — you name it. This got me thinking that despite being here for a semester, I am still learning about my university. Don’t get me wrong, I do love this place, but UDLAP can be very confusing — it is wonderfully random. So, here I will provide future generations with little tips and tricks I have learned whilst being a student at UDLAP, which will hopefully give you the prime experience!

The Gym

First one is for my gym rats out there. As you will likely know, the UDLAP gym is included in your tuition — aka, it’s free. For most of us, this is an absolute godsend. My poor friend, however, fell for their first obstacle — well, it’s hardly an obstacle— but you NEED to come with a towel and present it at the entrance desk. It doesn’t have to be a full-on beach towel; I tend to take my hair towel or a generously sized flannel, and that does the trick. Also, make sure you are fully equipped to use the pool, swim caps and all!

Furthermore (this is my favourite, you are going to love this), this gym is EMPTY on weekends. Most students here travel or have family homes nearby, so most of the time, the weekend campus is more chill, the gym included. I always go to the gym on a Friday (if Jala permits it — you will learn soon). As a non-avid gym goer, it really helps to build confidence. For the rest of the week, you can expect standard gym business, I’m afraid.

Navigating Campus

UDLAP is a maze, and I am constantly finding new places and new ways to get to class. If you are like me and are cursed with a class at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of HU, we can share a few prayers. However, only recently did I discover a lazy way to avoid four flights of stairs. There is always another staircase hidden somewhere that can provide a cheeky little shortcut, my personal favourite is the one that takes you to the rooftops.

Another thing to consider is the number of exits. As it is a gated university, there are many ways to get in and out. I tend to use those on the side of Calle 14. Don’t worry if you forget your ID card — just give them your ID number and make sure you are always carrying another id (I am a sucker for a driving license in the phone case) and you still pass!

Opposite the medical centre and behind the food courts is a pretty little fountain that can give you a bit more peace and quiet when the whole “I am in a different continent and I haven’t seen my family in 6 months and what on earth is Spanish” crisis hits. They even have little tortugas! Also, rumour has it that the football practice takes place right nearby and they finish at 3. I wouldn’t know personally, of course, but if you have a great interest in sport, I am sure you can pick up a thing or two.

Food

You guys must think I have the appetite of an elephant. You think right. One thing I love about UDLAP is the food selection. I have refined my perfect orders to a T and couldn’t be happier for it. First tip is the Fast Fruit Factory — but don’t be fooled — trying to find fruit and veg on campus is a pain so if you are looking for a vitamin, you are in the wrong place. There are two Factories on campus, and the one in the canteen collects a queue that would make even a Brit weep. They don’t take too long, but if you are in a rush, it isn’t the most convenient. Lucky for us, there is another one closer to the HU building. I have found that the queue is never as long, and it is always followed by the debate of who gives us the better Chapata Campesina (my friends are diehard HU Factory supporters).

If you are looking for a quick coffee or have missed your breakfast, I couldn’t recommend the café outside HU more. Their coffees are super yum and also the cheapest on campus. You can get quick croissants that they warm up, and if there is a queue, it goes down rapidly. This little hut has revived me more times than I care to admit — and only for 60 pesos. If you prefer your coffee cheaper and sweeter, head to the Circle K — here a large is only 20 pesos! The student budget never ever stops. And, I could never forget the fast fruit factory iced coffees, their drink of the month never disappoints.

The best vending machine on campus can be found just opposite in a hidden little room. There are printers, a vending machine with tech for your phone, and the cheapest vending machine I have ever seen. They have biscuits for 6 MXN, coffees for 10 MXN — you name it. I would, however, always pay with cash at vending machines. One of the saddest days of my life had to have been the day I went to buy a Pengüino and my Revolut card was not accepted by the machine but was accepted by my bank account. No Pengüinos. Tragic.

Services

The medical centre has rescued a lot of us. On the first day, you will have to sign yourself in with them with all your personal details, just like a normal GP. And also, a top tip for your foreign friends: please educate them on tonsillitis and how it can be contracted. I have had too many friends after a night out say it’s weird how their throat is swollen. I had the doctor send my friend back with a thank you message for me because the poor boy was not going to go.

I would recommend using the post office service. As my house did not have a post-box, it was almost impossible to receive my parcels. It is a lot simpler if you share my problem and can confirm it safely with the Uni! Make sure you put in the right address, sometimes I just guess and it gets sent to the DHL, not ideal.

To print things, you have to put cash in the machines at the library. Follow the Servicos de impresion online and you can send to print directly from your computer to any printer on campus!!

As I return to my final semester here, I feel more settled than ever. I am always still discovering new little niche things that make this University so unique and I hope I was able to provide you with the necessary cheat codes to make the most of your time as a student here! UDLAP may feel chaotic at first, but somewhere between hidden staircases, cheap coffee, and unexpected tortugas, you’ll find your rhythm.