Job Discussion Forums

sbtesol · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Mexico, D.F.

Greetings! I have just been offered an ESL teacher position at Westhill Institute in Mexico City. It is an American style International School in Santa Fe. I was just writing to inquire if any of you have ever heard of /worked for/ or know someone who has worked at the school? From what I have read on various sites, it seems to be a well-established reputable school. I have an MA in TESOL and the school offers a fairly attractive salary/benefits package. I would love to hear any opinions, comments, and insights before I head for the border! Thanks! Laughing

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It's a school for rich kids. They pay well, but unless they are also paying for your housing, you may find yourself spending most of your salary on an apartment in Santa Fe--a super-expensive area, even by First World standards. Although there is a new bridge, it is still a very long, CROWDED haul to get to Westhill by public transportation from anywhere but right in Santa Fe itself.

sbtesol · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Mexico, D.F.

Aren't most International schools schools for rich kids? Just wondering! I wanted to work with Adults before I took the job, but I think I can learn a lot in Mexico, so I am very excited.They do give an additional housing allowance, but hopefully I will be able to share an apartment with another teacher so I won't have to spend all of it! Thanks for your help, let me know if you can think of anything else!!

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Well, yeah. I can tell you something else: Good luck!

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

Last summer I was in Mexico City and had an interview with a university located in Santa Fe. I wondered why the friend I was staying with, a long-term resident of the capital, warned me that the trip out there was extremely long and annoying and that I should think twice (even three times) about accepting a job there. On the map, it didn't seem that far away, but in terms of travel time on public transportation, it was. From what I saw from my brief visit there, Santa Fe appears to be a fairly new "neighborhood" characterized by huge American style shopping malls and fancy condominiums. It's very isolated from the rest of the city and its many attractions.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Yep, that's the place. I also turned down a job there after it took me FOREVER to get there from the Centro Hist�rico--metro to end of the line, then a dingey, smelly microbus which let me off in what seemed like the middle of a construction site. I cut the interview short so I could get out of there. If you don't have a car, the area is absolutely unlivable.

sbtesol · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Mexico, D.F.

Ok, well I am glad you spoke up to let me know about this location issue. First, is it really that bad living on the outskirts of the city? In terms of noise, crime, and pollution is living out there a plus or a minus? Also, I have been trying to decide if I want to bring my car down. It is a 1993 Honda Accord, runs great and is paid for. I will be coming from CA. I have been PMing a gal that lives on the coast and she shared with me the pros and cons of having a car, but she also lives in a rural area. What's your opinion? Confused

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

1. There is zero culture in that particular outskirts. What there is is a shopping mall, a few other high-priced schools, extremely expensive condos and buildings that are the main offices of multinational companies. What I spend time in Mexico City for is to go to museums, bookstores, the national cinema and cinema at UNAM (all the way south in Coyoacan and further south to UNAM campus--Santa Fe is extreme west), etc. Plus to walk around in the spiffied up Centro Hist�rico. My choices, of course, reflect my interests.

2. Pollution is fierce in Santa Fe. As for crime, all I can tell you is that the highest crime rates in the DF occur in the upper middle class areas (Santa Fe and Polanco--where it's assumed that folks have money) as well as the lower class areas (Iztapalapa, Cd. Neza)--wehere criminals prey on each other.

3. You would need a car in Santa Fe--BUT no more cars are needed in the DF. That's the catch-22. Driving in Mexico City can be pretty frustrating. I have done it, and now choose not to do it.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:33 pm Post subject:

Moonraven,

I didn't cut my interview short but I did get a very bad feeling from the area once I alighted from the taxi I took from the end of the bus line to the school's entrance. I discovered years ago that I should always listen to my Cancerian intuition in situations like this one, something I learned from an American astrologer while I was living in London.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

You made a good decision.

By the way, Cancerians aren't the only folks with intuition.

MO39 · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject:

Of course, we aren't! From what little I understand of astrology, the powers of intuition are especially strong for all of us born under a water sign, Cancer being just one of them. I must keep this in mind when I return to Mexico next month and re-start my job search.

sbtesol · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Mexico, D.F.

OK, well I know I wanted you all to be honest, but now I am really bummed! Do you guys have anything positive to say? I understand that Santa Fe may be a sh_t hole, but I don't have to live there! I can live in another area and commute like I would have to if I stayed in California!!!! What area do you suggest that is nice enough to live, but is close enough to Santa Fe?

aroha · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 66 Location: Mexico

Hiya, agreed that there is no culture in Santa Fe, you will need a car, and the pollution is bad. Apparently Santa Fe is built on an old garbage dump. I was there in the weekend, and it smelt really bad. Maybe its because it has been so hot here in Mexico City lately.

However, as a suggestion, there are also buses to Santa Fe from Bosques in Cuajimalpa, so you could travel across the hills from the Bosques or general Cuajimalpa area instead of climbing up from Mexico City. If you live in Bosques there is not much entertainment either, but if you have a car then you could travel down to Mexico City. Also the pollution cloud doesnt always reach right up to Cuajimalpa. There are lots of apartments in the area.

You can do whatever cultural activities you want in Mexico City, as long as you are prepared to spend alot of time getting there!

sbtesol · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Mexico, D.F.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just found out that most of the teachers in the school live in the Condesa, Roma, and Lomas areas. Nobody wants to live in SF! I have found several one bedrooms for about 6000 pesos in those areas. The commute should be about 30-45 min...I get out of school at 3:30pm...that doesn't sound that bad, does it?

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

They must be commuting by helicopter.