Packing

We cannot emphasize enough the matter of packing lightly! As a general rule, you should be able to transport all of your luggage on your own for at least one block without difficulty. Remember, in addition to a larger bag or two, you will need one piece of luggage that is small enough to use as a bag for day trips or any overnight or weekend trips. 

With regard to clothing, shorts that are above the knee and flip-flops are not appropriate for many of our excursions or sessions with guest speakers. The CGEE faculty and staff will advise you regarding the appropriate clothing to wear for any particular speaker or field trip, though in general we ask both women and men not to wear short except during their free time because they are generally seen as extremely informal in Mexico and generally not as appropriate for school or an internship, fieldwork, or observership. Please avoid bringing military style or olive-colored clothing.

Students who register for the internship, fieldwork, or medical observership should expect to be seen as professionals in their placements and dress accordingly. Professional dress in Mexico does NOT include: low-rider pants, ripped jeans, crop tops, tank tops with spaghetti straps (unless worn under a jacket or blouse), or any clothing that might expose the lower back and midriff areas. Flip-flops are not appropriate; however, students may wear sandals. Nice jeans or other pants, capris, and casual skirts are fine. Be sure to bring at least a few shirts that are not T-shirts or tank tops.

We also encourage you to dress appropriately when we visit Mexican government offices, factories/maquiladoras, schools, and social service agencies. It is important to note that factories and maquiladoras do not usually allow people to wear any kind of open-toe shoes, tennis shoes, or high-heeled shoes.

You may wish to dress up when you go out dancing or attend parties with your Mexican friends.

If you are conducting an internship, you may need to purchase a uniform. Similarly, if you are conducting a medical observership, you will probably be required to purchase scrubs and possibly a lab coat. However, you probably won't know which color scrubs to buy (or if you even need them) until after you are in Mexico. Plan to spend as much as US $ 80, just in case. If you want to inquire in advance, please contact Fatima Mendoza at mendoza@augsburg.edu about your medical observership placement. 

Local faculty & staff recommend planning layers of clothing that you can add and take off during the day because the temperatures can vary tremendously within 24 hours. However, what you pack for cooler/cold weather really depends upon YOU, as some people think it gets cold at times and others don’t.  It is cooler in Mexico City, chillier at nights almost everywhere, and you will also find cold temperatures if you travel into the mountains. (See comments about the weather in the Local Information section.)

School supplies and standard U.S.-brand toiletries are easy to find in Cuernavaca at reasonable prices, so don’t pack big bottles of shampoo, deodorant, etc. Some items, such as film, batteries, contact lens solution, suntan lotion, condoms, and tampons, are available but at prices somewhat higher than in the United States. Some students have thought that the quality of the Kodak and Duracell products sold in Mexico was not as good as sold in the U.S., so you may want to take this into consideration when you pack film and batteries. The electrical current is the same as in the U.S., so you do not need any special adapters. In the CGEE house, most of the plugs are made for two prongs, so you may wish to bring a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter. 

Most basic items, including clothing, can be purchased in Cuernavaca fairly inexpensively, so don’t worry about bringing everything. However if you wear +Sizes, you may not find clothing that fits you.  If in doubt about something to pack, think about carrying it (along with all your heavy books and everything else you’re packing) and then decide.

Remember:  You have to be able to carry everything you pack, so pack as lightly as you can with all your heavy books.

Make sure to bring these items on board the plane in your carry-on luggage:

• Your cell phone with WhatsApp numbers for CCGE-Mexico already programmed in case you need to contact us during travel (due to a delayed flight, etc.)

• Masks (KN95s, N95 or double medical grade surgical masks). Bring extras as you are sure to lose some! While you may no longer be required to wear a mask on the plane, we highly recommend that you do so.

• Hand sanitizer

• A printed copy of the final letter so that you can refer to it while traveling

• Passport

• A copy of your passport placed in a different, secure place (such as saved as a photo on your cell phone)

• A second form of ID, such as a driver’s license or student ID (also saved as a photo on your cell phone)

• Your vaccination card (be sure to have an electronic copy or photo on your cell phone, too)

• Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Mexico

• Your insurance card

• Bookmark and/or download this Student Guide website on your electronic devices for ongoing reference in Mexico.