I want to study abroad in Guadalajara for this summer (8 weeks), positive or negative experiences? Housing?

I don't want to do a host family stay and am looking into guest houses or apartments. I am interested in finding out information on safety, past experiences (from foreigners visiting or studying in Guadalajara, as well as any other information. I am from a big city, and would prefer to study and live in a big city.

Guadalajara is simply an awesome place to travel and study. I attended IMAC (Instituto Mexico-Americano de Cultura) and have to say that Guadalajara is probably my favorite city that I have been to in Mexico. It is a big and modern city that has the best of both worlds: you can do everything in terms of fun and entertainment that you could do in the United States or Canada AND enjoy all of the unique culture that Mexico has to offer. There is great colonial architecture in the downtown historical district and plenty of area markets to explore. The people are generally friendly, especially when you make a sincere effort to show interest in their language and culture, and the young women of Guadalajara--Tapatias--are known to be some of the most beautiful in Mexico. The city is NOT overrun by tourists and thus you get the feeling that you are genuinely experiencing real Mexican life and not simply some artificial resort scene created just for foreigners. If you are determined to stay in an apartment and really do not want to live with a host family, make your own choice. However, living with a host family gives you irreplaceable insight into the local culture and gives you someone who can give you first-hand advice about safety and getting around the city. Speaking of safety, let me just say this. Yes, you need to take safety seriously and not be careless--perhaps even more so as a foreigner. Still, having said that, let me echo what the other poster said and tell you that you really do not need to be paranoid about it either. You are from a big city anyway, right? Would you take silly risks back home? You know not to walk around alone at night and to watch your belongings. Just use the same street smarts you would use in your own city and maybe step it up just a notch because you know you are a foreigner in a new environment and you should be fine. I just went to Guadalajara after Christmas to visit a friend and cannot wait to get a chance to go back. Bottom line? GO! If you change your mind, let me go in your place! LOL. :)

Living alone in a foreign country is the worst you can do. Some news reports indicate that Mexico is losing tourists because criminal are targeting foreigners as their favorite target. If you are a female then rape is a possibility.

Last year a couple were held hostage in their trailer by some burglars, the girl was raped while the boyfriend had a gun aimed at his head. Another problem are road attacks: armed criminals posing as cops (or real cops: WHO KNOWS!) stop you and take everything and you are lucky if they just want your money and not to kill or rape you.

Even rich and powerful Mexican families can't prevent to have their loved ones kidnapped for ransom so the only advise I can give you is to pray and hope for the best.

There are many honest Mexicans but the Goverment is doing nothing to fight crime and getting rid of corrupt cops. If I were you I'd go to Canada.

DONT BE SO PARANOID, GUADALAJARA IS A VERY NICE CITY, NOT TO BIG AND NOT TOO SMALL. AS ANY CITY IN THE US, YOU CAN FIND TROUBLE, GO INTO THE WRONG PLACE, OR STREET YOU MAY HAVE PROBLEMS. THERE IS A NICE COMUNITY OF AMERICANS. THE NATIONALS AE NICE IF YOU ARE NICE TO THEM, BUT IF YOU MAKE THEM FEEL THEY ARE LESS, DONT EXPECT KINDNESS, DONT THINK WE ARE SUPERIOR , THERE ARE MANY RICH PEOPLE AND VERY EDUCATED, AS ANY OTHER CITY, MIDDLE CLASS ARE NICE, , TRY TO SPEAK SPANISH, THEY WILL BE MORE HELPFULL. AT LEAST IN THE UNIVERSITY THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SHOOTINGS, YOU CAN FIND NICE APARTAMENTS, LOOKFOR THE COMUNITY OF AMERICANS, THEY WILL FIND SOMETING FOR YOU, O AND GUADALAJARA IS A SOCCER FAN CITY, JOIN THE GAMES, YOU WILL EET NICE STUDENTS, YOU WIL SEE THE CLASS, I MEAN IF THEY ARE LOW OR MIDDLE, BY THE AY DRESS AND HOW THEY SPEAK, GIRLS AE FOND OF AMERICANS, EVEN IF ITS A BIG CITY, EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY, SO GO AND STUDY, DONT BE AFRAID, JUST BE CAREFULL WITH WHOM YOU MAKE FRIENDS.