Job Discussion Forums

[bridge]

I have been reading the forums for Mexico for a week or two now, trying to find as much information as possible about what to expect and what to look forward to when I arrive. I would like to say thank you to all of you who, apparently, reply to messages here. Lots of good information and advice.
I will be traveling to Guadalajara in October to attend ITTO. I checked out the school in Puerto Vallarta, but like another person experienced, they wrote me once and then never bothered to email me again. I think I asked too many questions that they couldn't answer. I also looked at the school in Playa del Carmen, but I decided on ITTO due to the fact that it is well established and a little cheaper.
I will be traveling to Guadalajara on a very tight budget and don't plan to spend outside of my income once I get a job. Those of you who read these emails, do you think this is practical thinking or wishful?

Thanks again for all of your helpful comments.

[magpie]

I can't speak for the Guadalajara ares so I will let others respond on costs there. I did take the CELTA in Playa del Carmen. One woman in our class was on the tightest budget I could imagine--but she managed--and managed well. I don't know your living arrangements for ITTO, but in Playa some students had apartments and could make their own meals. For me and several students this was a BIG plus as we could go to the market and not have to eat out for every meal. We all DID take advantage of the Comida del Dia--lunch at the local restaurants which were between $35-40p per meal--VERY filling and for the price, drink, meal and dessert, you can't beat it.

As to starting out on a tight budget living in Mexico--please take enough money to sustain you--there are numerous start-up expenses and depending on where you land a job, pay may come later than expected. (Although I would read every post and avoid schools that seem to continually have that problem). But, if you have an apartment, even a furnished one, there still may be some items you didn't plan on purchasing that you may have to. My DOS told me to bring bath towels, if I wanted--luckily I did, there were only two threadbare ones here, no washcloths, of course. There were no usable dishtowels--small but unexpected purchase.

Do not let yourself be cut off financially at the start! You can manage to live frugally (I hate to use cheap here) if you determine what's important or valuable to you--each of us is different. In another post MELEE suggests finding a seamstress instead of buying poorly made clothing. I brought my sewing machine so I can make, repair and redesign my own things--this does save me a lot of money--but a seamstress can do the same for both men and women.

Bottom line--note all the posts and you will see that Mexico is not a place where you are going to make enough money to get rich, pay off student loans or save enough to buy a house next year. However, I do believe that you can do more than just make ends meet if you evaluate your options and make wise choices for youself.

[Paul in Saudi]

I will be in Guadalajara for a week in October. Since I work in a place where you can make a bit of money, I am off to the lake to look at retirement properties.

[cybercutie]

Hi Bridge,

I am the one who called the school in PV to take the ccourse. Now I am in Guadalajara, and although I have only been here a week, I can answer some of the questions you have. I too am enrolled in the ITTO course (in November, though), but right now I am working without it.

Since I had a job coming here, I didn�t bring much of a cushion, however, as long as you are not planning ot go and party every weekend or travel to the beach constantly, you will find its pretty reasonable. I live in a richer area (so I am told-haven�t had the chance to explore much), and the girls I work with and I can get a huge lunch for 40 pesos or a normal sized lunch for 20 pesos. The department stores run about the same in price, depending on the brands you like, but I can go to the supermarket and get a weeks worth of food for less than $40.

Hope this helps!

[dangermouse24]

I actually took the course with ITTO last summer so if you have any questions about the course or anything let me know. Good Luck in GDL

[schely10]

Hi,
I took the course at ITTO in June. Now, I am living and working in GDL. I have found that it is not as inexpensive as I thought it would be. I think that's because Gdl is a large city. The course was very intensive at first. The instructor is very intelligent. I stayed at the Posada San Pablo which is a block and a half from ITTO. I really enjoyed staying there.

I would say that you should probably have at least $4000US saved depending on where you will be living after the course ends. If you want to get your own apartment, most places here dont come with appliances such as refrigeraters, stoves, gas tanks. It is hard to get phone service as well. If I were you, I would try to find a roommate in a furnished apartment.