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Dipl.-Ing. Verena Giel, CTU Prague,

ročník 3

Faculty

Faculty of Nanotechnology

Field of study

Nanotechnology

Field of internship

Physical Sciences, Other

Specialization of Internship

Nanotechnology

Internship period (from - to)

1.11.2015 - 18.12.2015

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

Return ticket Prague - Poza Rica 27000CZK

Insurance/Insurance company

Provided by IAESTE Mexico/AMIPP - ca. 2000 MXN

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

Not necessary for EU

Price of Visa

- - -

City of Internship

Mexico, Poza Rica

Internship reference number

MX-2015-052

About the country

Location of the place

The internship took place in Veracruz, Mexico.

City

The city of the internship was in Poza Rica, which is an industrial town.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Around Poza Rica, there are only few interesting cities to visit, e.g. Papantla, Tuxpan, Tajin. Other cities are a bit far away, but they are accessible by bus, e.g. Tecolutla, Mexico City, Puebla, Xalapa, and Veracruz.

Employer

I was working at the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Poza Rica. The university offers a range of different research fields: Industrial Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronics Engineering, Business Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Nanotechnology and Computer Systems. It's objective in Computer Systems is to train professionals focused on developing academic and professional skills with knowledge of software engineering , computer networks and computer security.

Work description

I did my internship in the field of nanotechnology.The main aim of my work was to anchor silver nanoparticles onto zeolites. All materials were present and the collegues helped me with the preparation. The prepared particles were given for analysis, e.g. AFM, XRD, SEM.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

The salary was 6200 MXN. I received enough money for paying the rent, the public transport, food and evening activities.

Language requirements

In the O-Form was required either English or Spanish. However, most of the people speak only Spanish. Therefore, it is better to know basic sentences of Spanish.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

The flat was organized by the university. I lived in an a flat with other students. I shared my room with 4 other girls. There was one kitchen, living and bath room. The sleeping room was equipped with aircondition and the living room with a fan. The rent was 2300 MXN per month.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

I arrived by plane to Poza Rica. A mexican student picked me up by car. She could speak a bit of English. The student brought me to the flat. All necessary information about live,etc. was given by my flatmates or other trainees.

Meeting other foreign students

It exists a whatsapp group, where all international students wrote when they wanted to go somewhere.We met mostly at our flats and took a taxi to the city. On the weekend we made sometimes some trips.

Sport and culture

At the end of October there is a public holiday called Dia de Muertos. Whole Mexico is celebrating it. Besides, there is not a lot of cultural things to do in Poza Rica, because it is an industrial town.

If you like doing sport, there is a gym nearby the university.

Food, local specialties

There are a lot of cheap restaurants in Poza Rica. What you should try for sure: Sopes, Horchata, Jamaica, Tamales, etc.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

I could communicate via email or phone.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

It is beneficial to speak the local language. English is rarely spoken in Poza Rica.

What not to forget with you

Connector for plugs. They have different sockets than in Europe.

A spray against mosquitos.

Some medicine against stomach ache, diarrhoea, etc. Of course, those things are available in the pharmacy in Mexico, however, it is better to have something with you. Just in case.

Benefits of the internship

The benefit of an internship is, that you get to know other people in the field of your studies. You get work experience and also experience in speaking another language.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

After I got accepted, IAESTE Mexico/AMIPP was contacting me as well as IAESTE CZ. I received the most imporatant information. AMIPP helped us where they could.

Overall experience with IAESTE

I had a good time in Poza Rica. The internship was great. IAESTE is a very good organisation and the offers of the internship are very interesting. The procedure of getting the internship is not difficult. IAESTE helps you wherever they can.

Student's website

- - -

Employer's webiste

http://www.itspozarica.edu.mx/

Other comments

It is advisable to change some money to the local currency mexican pesos (MXN) or at least to USD.

Maybe you should visit a doctor to gather informtion about necessary vaccinations.