Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo

UACH was founded as the National School of Agriculture on February 22, 1854, in Mexico City. Following the Mexican Revolution, it was moved to its present location, a hacienda expropriated by the Revolution in the municipality of Texcoco, about an hour northeast of the City. In 1978, its name was changed to the UACH, and the university added the development of rural areas of Mexico to its functions of teaching, research and extension services.

Recently rated Mexico’s best school in natural and agronomic sciences, UACH has a preparatory school, which offers high school, as well as, technical agronomy courses to around 3,000 students. At the bachelor’s level, UACH offers 22 programs in agronomy, forestry, environment, engineering, food processing, social sciences and statistics to an additional 3,000 students. Advanced studies in many of these fields are provided through 13 Master of Science programs and 6 doctoral programs.

The UACH campus holds several jewels of the country. The university’s main building houses the President’s Office and was named the World Cultural Heritage and National Museum of Agriculture. Exhibited in the Director’s Room are portraits of former directors of the National School of Agriculture alongside portraits of former Presidents of the university. Many of the portraits were painted by some of Mexico’s foremost artists, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Clemente Orozco. The Rivera Chapel boasts the best and most famous murals by Diego Rivera, one of Mexico’s most prominent post-revolutionary muralists.

For more information on studying at UACH, visit their Study Abroad Office

Housing

UACH has housing exclusively for visiting students and faculty just outside the school gates in what is called the “Colonia de Profesores”. Housing applications are processed through the Student Exchange and International Affairs Office. For more information, write to: intercambio_acad@correo.chapingo.mx

Apartment-style housing is available for up to three exchange students per unit. Students usually have his/her own room in these fully-furnished apartments. Cooking utensils are provided though many prefer to purchase meals at the student dining hall. Room and board rates depend on the arrangement between schools for exchanging students.1

Click here for more housing information at UACH: http://www.chapingo.mx/intercambio/ and then click in: “Guía para estudiantes extranjeros”

Chapingo

Population: 109,000 (Texcoco) 2

Located within Texcoco, Chapingo is the home of the UACH campus. This small town is located about 15 miles west of the Mexico City International Airport.3

The climate is relatively mild year round; therefore, most housing units in the region lack central heating. Nights can get very cold for a few weeks in December and January, but the daytime temperature is rarely cool enough to wear a jacket. Summer temperatures tend to peak Holy Week, but remain mild the rest of the year. The rainy season is from May to September, generally with sunny mornings, rain in the afternoon and clear skies at night. Warning, the Valley of Mexico is 2200 meters (7000 feet) above sea level. Thus, sunlight can be very intense and the thinner air may cause headaches and tiredness.4

How to get there

Plan to fly from the United States into the Mexico City International Airport. Airport pick-ups are offered to exchange students or visiting professors in university vehicles. If such arrangements are not made, few alternatives exist.

By taxi:
For your safety, only choose taxis from airport taxi station. The taxi will charge $40 to $50 to Chapingo or Texcoco.
By bus:
Taxi fares to the bus station (TAPO) will cost between $5 and $10. At the TAPO, look for the Mexico-Texcoco bus lines. The bus ticket costs about 15 pesos, $1.50, US dollars are not accepted. The fastest route is to Texcoco. From there, take either a “combi” for 4.50 pesos or a taxi for 20 pesos to Chapingo.

Currency Exchange

It is a good idea to change some money at the airport banks or at currency exchange windows. Visa and MasterCard can be used in most ATMs and supermarkets.

What to do

Forests, springs, archaeological sites, historical sites are some of the tourist attractions that can be found in Texcoco. Mexico City attractions are a short 15 miles away.

References