Job Discussion Forums

[dlarcheuk]

Hi-

I've heard back from the Center for Linguistic and Multicultural Studies of the
Universidad Internacional about a possible full-time faculty appointment next year. I'm a BA, M.Ed., MFA, PhD guy with a lot of international uni experience - but who has had very little success trying to find a FT uni job in Mexico (long a real hope for me).

Got this connection through a UNINTER student doing a residency at the University of the Virgin Islands (where I teach now- for four years), and am very hopeful.

Anyone have any info about UNINTER, this program or the area?

Thanks.

PR's welcome.

Doug

[MotherF]

Hi Doug,

First of all I want to say, that if you feel like a job, the work conditions and the location fit what you are looking for--then that's all that really matters.

Now, I'd never heard of this school so I googled it. We're talking about the one in Cuernavca right? http://www.uninter.edu.mx/

My first impression--like in less than 10 seconds of seeing the home page was--this in not a university. Not in the way that someone with an M.Ed, MFA, and PhD thinks of a university. This is more like university in the way that DeVry Technical Institute is now DeVry University. Or the University of Phoenix. It is a for profit private school. It seems to make the bulk of it's money teaching Spanish to foreigners--or at least that is the bulk of it's web presence. There is NOTHING wrong with that. But you just need to know that if you persue working there.
They have a jr. high, high school, offer a ton of BAs (I'd be really interestred in knowing how many BA students they have). Some MAs and diplomas in a wide variety of foriegn languages as well as kids English classes. They offer credit payment plans so I'm guessing it's pretty expensive for locals to study there. (High school fee looks to be 5,800 to 9,580 a month depending on which program you choose) So expect rich kids as your students. This may or may not result in disipline problems. Probably depending on your classroom presence.

You didn't say how your Spanish is--I found this part of the web site interesting.
http://www.universidad.uninter.edu.mx/conocenos/historia_uninter.php
Basically starts as a Spanish for foriegners school in 1980. In 1997 start offering their services to local youth who want to earn diplomas in foriegn languages. Since 1997 they expanded up to offereing various MAs and a doctorate in Administration, and down to Jr. High. They say they have more than 500 convenios (working agreements) with businesses and international organizations to place students. The seem to really focus on international experience in education, sending students abroad and bringing foriegners to their campus. Very impressive (and agressive) rate of growth if you ask me.
The web site if very slick and impressive. I think it's worth interviewing with this organization and it would probably be a good way to get yourself to Mexico since you say that's your hope. I would be hesistant to actually think of this organization as a university--but maybe I'm too much of an academic snob.
Cuernavaca is lovely and I would move their for the right full time job. (I think you should accept no less than 20,000 for a full time job there--and I'd try for higher with your qualifications.)

[ton a bricks]

I interviewed there six or seven years ago if it is the school in Cuernavaca. It is a nice place, the people were nice and I might have tried the job. But at the last minute, there was a hiring freeze when a new campus of Universidad del Valle de Mexico opened that fall in Cuernavaca.

I would not say I got the feeling that it was a "heavy on the academics" university, it is a private university and it is a business. That said, I did find that the people I had contact with behaved very professionally. I have never lived in Cuernavaca, although I have visited and like the feel of the place. Sounds like you have qualifications that could land you something more serious, but at the same time, it could be a good starting point.

Good Luck!

[amaranto]

I took Spanish classes at UNINTER during two summers while getting both my bachelor's and master's degrees. This was back in 2005 and 2007. The school is not academically rigorous, and many of the American students I had classes with were not serious at all, yet they passed with no problem.

That said, I know several people (Mexicans) who have graduated from UNINTER and have applied themselves and done well. I have always been told that the pay is not good there.

So, that's my experience (from the American-studying-abroad point of view) and some second-hand information. I hope it helps!