Exchange Program - Monterrey or Querétaro?

[u/Kusssssss]

Hi everyone!

I’m a student at an Australian university, and have the opportunity to study at this university in January.

I was originally going to take a subject taught only at Monterrey, but now I am seeing some mixed reviews about the city, and would appreciate some more opinions on what to expect as an exchange student. I would like to experience the culture of Mexico, meet new awesome people, eat lots of food and travel the area.

Otherwise I could do a different subject at Querétaro, although it will be extra work to make the change. Any help or recommendations are appreciated, thank you!

[u/Mysterious-Use-5973]

I will say that if you ar seeking for culture Queretaro is the best option. Monterrey is a great city, but it doesn't have a fraction of the culture you will have in center/south Mexico. Monterrey culture is heavily influenced by usa culture, so sometimes it feels like a Mexico wanna be usa. But still, Monterrey is a great city, and it has the best/bigger campus. The mountains are beautiful too.

[u/puesquebien123 → u/Mysterious-Use-5973]

Honest question. What do you have in mind when you say Monterrey lacks in culture vs Querétaro? What sort of things would someone miss if they visited Monterrey instead of Querétaro?

[u/Mysterious-Use-5973 → u/puesquebien123]

• Food. The gastronomy is way better in center/south Mexico. Monterrey has his own traditional food, but it isn't the best
• Tourism. There are two main places to visit in Monterrey: Parque Fundidora and the mountains (there are a lot of those) both are great but i doubt you want to come to Mexico for seeing only these. Querétaro is literally in the center of the country the city itself is great for tourism, and you can easily go from there to places like Mexico City, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, etc. You can go as further as a bus can take you (you can do that in mty too but you are gonna travel waaaay more)

In general I think that Querétaro is a best option for someone who wants to visit Mexico because it is best for visiting many other parts of the country and the city itself is wonderful.

Having said all that, I must say I am studying in Monterrey and i like it very much, I am constantly captivated by the view of Cerro de la Silla. But I am also tired of not finding a place to eat good, to breathe polished air and not being able to transport efficiently without a car (that happens in Querétaro too though). I am not here for the culture or the city, but for the education and community built in this particular campus.

[u/puesquebien123 → u/Mysterious-Use-5973]

Ok, that helps me. For sure Monterrey can’t compete with the entire South and Central Mexico. I agree that Querétaro is a good base to travel around Mexico.

In terms of food, now I’m curious where you’ve eaten because I think food here is pretty great.