Mobility specification

Country:Uruguay

Institution:University of the Republic (Uruguay)

City:Montevideo

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?none

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?1 credit per UDELAR = 0,6 ECTS

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?1. Compared to MUNI, much more emphasis was placed on practice in teaching, each subject had a practical part (projects, simulations) where knowledge from lectures could be applied.
2. Family atmosphere in classes - no need to be afraid of it.
3. Friendliness of most professors - I recommend to come to introduce yourself right at the beginning of the semester, many times they are not informed that they have a foreign student in the class.
4. Friendliness of classmates - I recommend joining Whatsapp groups as early as possible
5. Exemption from the exam - if you have an average of all activities equal to 9 or higher (max is 12), you are exempt from the exam or you are asked to write a monograph (usually 10-15 pages), it all depends on the professor.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?At the beginning of the semester, the university organizes a meeting of all international students. For student events, I recommend the MIS (Montevideo International Students) organization - they organize different student events weekly (every Wednesday is Noche de MIS), workshops and even trips, such as to Iguazú Falls (definitely recommended) or to Colonia del Sacramento.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:18800 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?I recommend writing your own ads in the Facebook groups, here are a few:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/343034689159015
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1545402302344193
https://www.facebook.com/groups/roomiesuy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/839332450355820
https://www.facebook.com/groups/533084406827862

You need to be vigilant, but on the other hand, don't be put off by the friendliness of the locals.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?High cost of food and long distance transport, there are no discounts for students (except public transport).

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Shop for groceries at Ta-Ta and Disco stores, follow their promotional flyers. Kick fruits and vegetables in the cabbage patch. It's worth visiting the Sunday market on Tristan Narvaja Street - you can find/get better prices there than in regular shops.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?neutral

How does public transport work in the city?terrible

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I recommend searching for connections via https://www.urubus.com.uy/es/. There you will find offers from all carriers.
We personally have always preferred to travel with Cot (https://cot.com.uy). The buses are very comfortable and always arrived on time.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?The city has a beautifully constructed promenade around the sea (La Rambla, I recommend walking the whole thing), Pócitos and Buceo beaches, various museums, a view of Montevideo from the Intendencia de Montevideo building, Ciudad Vieja (only visible), go to SODRE performances, the Sunday market Feria de Tristán Narvaja, Parque Rodó.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Excursions within Uruguay - in the warm months - Piriápolis, Punta del Este, Cabo Polonio, Punta del Diablo, Punta Ballena, Colonia del Sacramento. Trips outside Uruguay - Buenos Aires (ferry from Colonia del Sacramento, tickets at https://www.coloniaexpress.com/uy), Rio de Janeiro, Iguazú (I recommend going through the MIS organization).

Share your best experience:A trip to Cabo Polonio National Park - a beautiful place with a mysterious energy, surrounded by sand dunes. Electricity there works only thanks to solar panels. There are beautiful beaches, divine silence and, if you're lucky, you'll even meet seals.
You can get there either on foot or by 4x4 (we recommend you try both options).
If you get the chance, stay there for either 1 or 2 nights - I promise it will be an unforgettable experience!

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Keep in mind that street safety is not the same as ours. It's not a big deal, but you have to be more careful.

Can you pay by card?neutral

What not to forget when packing?Important! Bring dollars, which you will then convert into Uruguayan pesos. The ATM withdrawal fee here is around US$10 in total, and together with your home bank's fee it can be as high as US$15. Not everything can be paid by card, so I always recommend carrying cash with you wherever you go
Have printed documents with you (insurance policy, Acceptance letter from the foreign university, Learning Agreement, travel documents)

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Best experience so far in my life!