2009 DATES:
First Art Session:            Sunday, June 28    through   Saturday, July 25
Dance Session:            Sunday, June 28    through   Saturday, July 25
Second Art Session:     Sunday, July 26     through   Saturday, August 22

MAIL:
Mail between the U.S. and México may take 7-10 days. This is the slowest and least reliable method for communication between MexArt participants and their families and friends. However, mail may be sent to: 

MexArt  (must be clearly marked)
Student Name
9902 Crystal Ct. #107, BC-2323
Laredo, TX  78045

E-MAIL:
E-Mail is the fastest, most reliable way to communicate between home and students in San Miguel. We highly recommend using e-mail as your primary mode of communication. Participants should open a web-based e-mail account before leaving home. Examples of web-based e-mail accounts are hotmail.com, yahoo.com, aol.com.  Accounts are often free and accessible from anywhere in the world.  These can be temporary or long-term accounts.  Students have internet access at local internet cafés where they can receive and send their e-mails.

PACKAGES:
Please do NOT send packages. The duties on packages sent between the U.S. to México are quite expensive. Packages are normally held at the border until the cost of the taxes has been sent by the recipient to the boarder. Then the recipient must arrange for delivery from the border.  It is complicated, expensive, time consuming and highly discouraged. 

PHONE:
Phone calls between students and parents are highly discouraged as they disrupt the program. However, phones are available in San Miguel. Pre-paid Mexican calling cards must be purchased to use these phones. Parents should not expect to phone their kids while in México. In an emergency, parents may call Carly at 011-52-415-152-8900 or (202)391-0004 and a message can be relayed to the staff or students.  MexArt does not have a central office with normal office personnel. Please leave a message, and a director will get back to you quickly. E-mail is also recommended for communicating with the directors and staff of MexArt.

MexArt FEES:
Tuition for the summer of 2009 is $3800. A non-refundable deposit of $750 was due with the registration form. The balance in full for both sessions is due by April 15^{t h}. Students who enroll after that date are expected to pay the full fee upon registration. Most normal program trips, art supplies, meals, airport pickup/drop-off and Spanish texts are included in the fee. Non payment of any fees could result in cancellation of enrollment. The cost of air transportation to Leon is not included in the tuition.

CASH ACCOUNT FEE and SPENDING MONEY:
As noted on the registration form and brochure, a $200 cash account is established in the name of each student. The $200 covers participant expenses that vary from one to the next:  internet access, certain extra art supplies, laundry, doctor visits, vitamins/medications, extracurricular trips/events, yoga or aerobics classes, or special outings. Participants may also use this account for peso-advances to spend on souvenirs or snacks. Participants may want additional spending money to buy souvenirs, local crafts, etc…. Please keep in mind that everything is very inexpensive in México and participants should not need much cash. $100 should be more than enough above the cash account.

HEALTH SAFETY & MEDICAL FORMS:
A participant health form on file is mandatory. Parents should return the green MexArt health form at least two weeks before MexArt begins. It must be properly completed by and signed by a parent/guardian. This health history and included waiver statement is needed for hospitalization and/or emergency treatment.

Families should consult their medical insurance to ensure that students are covered while traveling in México.  Parents should also inform MexArt before student arrival of any recent (6 months) injury, illness, emotional, or potential behavior problems.

Please do not send students to México if they are sick on opening day. In cases such as low grade fever, a recent injury or any contagious disease, etc., please contact Carly to discuss a delayed, healthy arrival date. If sickness occurs during the program, participants are monitored until healthy enough to re-enter the MexArt activities. Staff will contact a parent or guardian if illness is serious enough to warrant a doctor’s visit. Parents are also contacted in emergencies once the initial emergency has been alleviated or dealt with.  Local doctors are available and capable of handling normal medical care (injuries, stomach ailments, etc…) Please ensure that students have all of the proper inoculations and boosters (measles, tetanus, etc.). Contact your family physician if you have any questions. No additional inoculations are needed for travel in this part of México

Turista:  Participants (like all visitors) run the risk of being sick and suffering from ‘turista’ (stomach ailments) at some point during the month. Students are instructed on opening day (and reminded throughout the month) to avoid drinking tap water or eating foods that could be contaminated i.e. vegetables right from the market, street food, food from unreliable restaurants, strawberries, etc…. However, despite the greatest care, some visitors still contract a stomach bug. As participants are exposed to the different ‘bugs’ in México, they will develop resistance and tolerance. Pepto and Tylenol are our best sources for relief. The normal bout with ‘turista’ lasts 1-3 days. Students with cases that vary from the normal symptoms and duration are taken for medical assessment.

MEDICATION & GLASSES:
The consumption of daily medications is the responsibility of each participant.  Participants should bring a month’s supply for any medications or supplements they are taking. Parents that prefer that their child’s medication be administered and documented by an adult, please request this.

WATER:
There is a water shortage in San Miguel. Participants will be asked to help conserve by taking short showers. The tap water is not suitable for drinking, but purified water is always available for brushing teeth and drinking.  The dry climate in San Miguel with the addition of the elevation of over 6000 feet dehydrates many visitors. Participants are constantly reminded to drink plenty of water or Gatorade.

FOOD & DIET:
Our cook maintains well-balanced, interesting, and varied meals. Alternating lunches and dinners are taken at various restaurants that have diverse menus and take adequate safety precautions in preparing foods to deter sickness. Many meals take place in our dining room. There are wonderful vegetarian and healthy options offered at each meal time.  Food is a priority in San Miguel and creative menus should ensure that students are happy.  Special diets will be accommodated.  However, please discuss any food allergies and special diets in advance.

PARTICIPANT BEHAVIOR:
As stated in the Student Agreement, MexArt strives to maintain a wholesome, lighthearted, and positively creative summer community. MexArt participants, in the past, have been positive and cooperative with their roommates, other students and staff. In addition to the laws and respected customs of San Miguel, the MexArt rules and limits are intended to protect everyone (the program, the participants, and our surrounding community of San Miguel). In addition to the rough outline of expectations here, these rules are explained and discussed with all students on our first orientation day. The rules and limits do evolve as the program progresses, and participants are trusted to adhere to the progressive changes.

Please note:  MexArt reserves the right to dismiss participants from the program at their discretion and without reimbursement of any MexArt fees if a student violates the Student Agreement, or endangers his safety, the safety of another participant or the safety of the program at large. (please note that the Student Agreement includes issues such as drugs, alcohol, attendance, disregard or disrespect of authorities or customs.

Students who display disruptive behavior (including verbal abuse) that affects other participants may have to be sent home. We expect participants not to disrupt hotel decorum and program morale by inappropriate and insensitive behavior.  It is well understood that students will test limits – we allow for this. We do not, however, accept any fighting, dangerous roughhousing, abusive practical jokes, vulgar language, or racist/sexist remarks. Sneaking out of the hotel at night or smoking or drinking alcohol are considered dangerous to the participant and will lead to immediate expulsion.

Students must attend all classes, meals, and MexArt functions (all teachers note attendance). When ill or overly exhausted, resident directors help to create options where the student is accounted for, safe, and supervised. We expect the highest level of program participation and cooperation from our students. For participants, being caring, responsible and aware is the MexArt way.

DRUG, CIGARETTE & ALCOHOL POLICIES: 
Any kind of illegal drug at MexArt is prohibited, and the student or staff member will be sent home immediately if he or she is found to possess, use, or be involved with drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. While it is inconceivable that any of MexArt’s talented and conscientious youths would seek out or use these substances at all, this policy is a reminder of MexArt’s intolerance in these instances. This behavior is not tolerated on the part of our participants or our staff.

Parents: If participants jeopardize the welfare of the program by violating either the smoking or drug policy, he or she will be sent home immediately (whether it is the student’s first day, last day, or any day in between), and there is no refund of the program fee. Parents should be aware of this policy before agreeing to send their child to this program.

Students:  MexArt is an exclusive community to which you have been accepted.  To decide to attend MexArt, is a decision to not smoke, use drugs, or drink alcohol.

PROBLEMS IN SAN MIGUEL: 
MexArt is geared toward the individual and is designed to help students reach their own goals. However, if you feel that there is a problem (any program or resident issue that negatively affects your student’s experience,) please call it to our attention immediately:  011-52-415-152-8900 or carly@gomexart.com.  We hope to work with parents to ensure that each student has a fantastic MexArt experience.

Safety:  San Miguel is an extremely safe community. Although there are occasional crimes, they tend to be ones of petty theft. Students do not have to worry about being assaulted or feeling physically unsafe. Participants do have to learn to navigate around San Miguel as once they have been oriented to the program and town, it will be their own responsibility to get to/from their hotel to various points (i.e. art studios, el jardin, restaurants, and Spanish school).  If a student is uncomfortable doing this, a staff member will accompany the student.

FOCUS ARTS: 
Students select activities for two weeks at a time. Art areas are stipulated in the brochure and on-line. New and different arts may be added or dropped depending on interest and availability throughout the session.  MexArt is geared toward the individual. Any student not happy with his/her art focus area or teacher should consult with a staff member.

HOMESICKNESS & CULTURE SHOCK:
Homesickness at MexArt most often takes the form of culture shock. Participants enter the MexArt culture, a situation where they don’t know the routine; they don’t know other students’ names, staff names, the geography of the town, hierarchy, etc. Once participants have a couple of days to adjust to the new setting and learn the basic routine, they usually shed their homesickness. Homesickness that lasts beyond the first few days is rare.

Culture shock, to the true extent of its definition, can take longer to adapt to. For students studying and traveling in foreign cultures, culture shock often occurs twice: once when integrating into the new environment (in this case, acclimating to San Miguel) and again in returning to their home cultures. Parents should be aware of this second occurrence of culture shock and be ready for a period of re-adjustment when students return home. For example, participants may be acutely aware of the inequity of monetary wealth, education, water and health standards, etc… The abundance of all of these forms of wealth and conveniences present in the U.S. can be startling to a returning traveler. Or students may be surprised to see the lack of community and support in the U.S. in contrast to that found in San Miguel. The affect of this return-culture shock is the most memorable and long lasting part of an international experience. This can take up to 3 months to fully set in and is when many students are able to draw conclusions, learn from their experiences, and make future decisions based on these lessons and feelings.

CULTURAL NORMS:
What is a ‘gringo’ and do you want to be one?  In Mexico, a gringo refers to a foreigner, usually from North America.  Sometimes it is a derogatory comment, but it is widely used and can replace the word ‘American’ in many cases, without its derogatory implications.  However, it’s still a goal of many travelers, and certainly a goal of the MexArt program, to blend into the surroundings. This means dressing, acting, and adapting to the environment. Here are some ways for participants to blend in: 

Clothing / Style:   The style in San Miguel is very casual and comfortable.  Shorts, capris pants, pants, or skirts are fine.  Pants are preferable at night due to the coolness.  T-Shirts, tank tops, or other tops are all accepted in this community, but remember that the weather is not HOT here, and locals tend not to wear shorts or tank tops.  Although it is acceptable to wear shorts and/or tank tops, students may attract whistles from locals when wearing these items.  Sandals or sneakers are appropriate for both sexes. Very trendy clothing is a shock to the senses in San Miguel. Do not worry excessively about attire.

Body Language / Tone of Voice:  These can be a dead give away.  Americans tend to use louder voices, especially in restaurants, public places, and in the streets.  Mexicans tend to use a quieter volume and tone. And you may notice that it is extremely rare to hear a baby or child cry, although there are children everywhere. Girls are assumed ‘forward’ if they initiate or engage in eye contact.  This is often misleading as girls may be looking at someone in an observant fashion or with curiosity, but the ‘boldness’ of this action may be interpreted as potentially sexually aggressive and open.  While walking on the sidewalks, the general rule is that women, elderly or children get the ‘inside track’, the side closest to the wall.  Staying to the right does not always work here.  There are many other forms of body language and expression that students will find different here.  MexArt students tend to be quite aware of their surroundings and actively seek ways to adapt to the area.

Joseph Keenan, in his book Breaking Out of Beginner’s Spanish, discusses 10 ways to avoid being taken for a gringo.  This is a fun list of language hints.  The excerpt is attached at the rear of this handbook.

BOOKS and WEB SITES:
These are educational books and sites that may help in preparation for MexArt and experiences in San Miguel.  There is no need to bring these books as it will just add to the quantity of luggage which should be minimized.

Books: 

1.   Breaking Out of Beginner’s Spanish, by Joseph Keena

3.      Nothing to Declare, Memoirs of a Woman Traveling Alone, by Mary Morris 

4.      On Mexican Time, by Tony Cohan

Web Sites:

1. Interactive Map of San Miguel:  http://www.smamap.com
2. Internet San Miguel:  http://www.internetsanmiguel.com A site geared toward the traveler in San Miguel. Lists lodging, schools, travel agencies, etc…  All listings are paid advertisements, but represent quite a spread of options in San Miguel.  A good starting point.
3. Info San Miguel:  http://www.infosma.com          A guide to art, travel, studies, tourist        attractions and much more. Showcases the artistic works of  several artists. Has a photo tour of San Miguel.
4. Portal San Miguel: http://www.portalsanmiguel.com   This site is hard to find by searching                                  the web. It's geared to information for tourists: history, geography, hotels, attractions, restaurants. Has maps of San Miguel and vicinity.
5. Mexico On-Line: http://www.mexonline.com/sma.htm     Site is geared toward the traveler and is part of a Mexico-wide tourist  promotion site. San Miguel is just one of the pages housed here. Has links to many other towns and cities in Mexico.
6. Inside San Miguel: http://www.insidedentro.com/sanmiguel  A web-newsletter featuring upcoming events in San Miguel. Produced by Unisono, an internet/web hosting company in San Miguel.

DOCUMENTATION:
1.      ALL participants MUST have a valid passport or a copy of one’s birth certificate.

2.      Visitor’s Visa:  When students go through immigration in México, they should be aware of the 30 to 180 day visa stamp that is placed on their visitor visa. Students who are traveling in Mexico with family before or after MexArt, should make sure they are stamped for the appropriate number of days to accommodate their travels. The temporary visa is a loose piece of paper that should be kept with your passport. It cannot be lost during your time in México as it is required and collected at the airport upon departure from México.

3.      Notarized Letter:  Each student should travel with a notarized letter signed by BOTH parents stating that the minor has permission to travel outside of the U.S. without one or either parent. This is not always required, however the airlines sometimes do require it and will not allow travel without it if requested.

4.      It is a good idea to keep a photo copy of the participant’s passport on file at home.  MexArt will make more copies upon arrival to have on file in our office.  Passports and visas are stored by the directors and participants will travel within Mexico with a photocopy.

TRAVEL CONCERNS:
Students should carry emergency contact numbers with them (parent contacts and MexArt phone numbers).  In case of an emergency, students should carry this information while traveling to Mexico and within Mexico.  Participants or staff will call or email home to confirm that students have arrived safely on our opening day.

Before traveling within Mexico, participants will be briefed on appropriate and inappropriate behaviors and protective measures to take.

Parents traveling during our session dates are requested to send their detailed itinerary with emergency contact information for that period of time.

These are a sampling of flights servicing Leon directly from the U.S. Other flights have a transfer in Mexico City, which is highly discouraged.  It’s highly recommended to arrange a flight that arrives into Leon during daylight hours.  Flight tickets should cost between $450 and $650. Please contact Carly when your flights have been booked or to help coordinate flights of students originating at the same airport.  ** flights and times may change. Please check with the airlines or travel agent when booking tickets.

INFORMANTION FOR PARENTS VISITING SAN MIGUEL:
A number of parents have expressed interest in visiting San Miguel during the MexArt session. We encourage parents to experience this paradise too. During either session, we encourage parents to come towards the end of the program.  Visits during the beginning or during the program may distract students.  Parents may be interested in a week of Spanish or art classes (separate from their child) and enjoy the beauty of San Miguel. Parents, friends and relatives who happen to be in San Miguel are invited to the grand farewell events that take place the final week of each session:  dance program on Thursday and art show on the last Friday evening. 

San Miguel is a beautiful, friendly and fascinating place to visit.  No one can blame parents for wanting to visit!  There are plenty of sights to see or art or Spanish classes geared for adults (even for one week visitors). There are nearby hot springs, many churches and historical sites, and plenty of artisan markets and shops to peruse.

Below are accommodations that we particularly like. Our choices are all centrally located and places which we would choose. Feel free to ask us for more details about these places to ensure that you decide on a place that best fits what you are looking for. There are plenty of choices also available depending on your price range. Most inns, bed and breakfasts, and hotels are listed and have links from these two sites:  www.infosma.com or www.internetsanmiguel.com.  Or if you would prefer a vacation rental, a private house or apartment that the owners rent out to visitors, try the listings on www.vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner).  There are many great options in San Miguel.

Bed and Breakfasts-

·         Villa Scorpio: Beautiful B&B with sensational roof-top patio. Great location. Owned by an adorable young American couple.  Approx. $100 + per night.

·         Casa Luna:  Restored 300 year old home creatively designed, charming, and funky. Run by a Californian ex-pat. Approx. $130-$200   http://www.casaluna.com

·         Casa Granada:  Lovely, elegant old home with lots of antiques; great breakfast! Owned by an American artist. 3 rooms approx. $135    http://www.casagranada.com.mx/bedandbreakfast/index.html

·         Villa Mirasol: (there are two locations...we prefer the one on Pila Seca).  Charming Mexican-owned. Each room has a sunny patio. Approx $100  http://www.infosma.com/villamirasol

·         La Mansion Del Bosque: Rooms are basic, but the outdoor area is plant-filled and inviting. 23 rooms.  Includes breakfast and dinner. $68-110   http://www.infosma.com/mansion

·         Casa De Liza En El Parque:  The B&B to the stars. Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas stayed here last summer. Very high end, but elegant and luxurious.  $180 – 385. http://www.casaliza.com

Hotels and Other Options-

·         Posada Carmina: Rooms are a little bit better than “basic”. Friendly environment. Includes lunch. tel 011-52-415-20458 or fax 011 52 415 20135   http://www.posadacarmina.com

·         Hotel Parador de San Sebastian: Old Mexican hotel. Not many amenities, but 12 large, clean rooms and 14 suites with kitchens. Interesting architecture.  Aprox. $30-$40. tel: 011-52-415-152-0784.

·         Mansion Virreyes:   virreyes@unisono.net.mx tel 011-52-415-152-0851

·         La Ruina:  Two charming apartments. Designed and decorated by Cape Cod Artist. http://www.laruina.com

·         Casa McAlley:  Rooms to rent in private colonial home. Charming American hostess. Email:  kmcaley@prodigy.net.mx  $60 – 75.