Job Discussion Forums

[suite1718]

After visiting last spring, I have absolutely fallen in love with the Mexican people and their culture. After considering some of my options as a recent college graduate, I've decided that teaching English would be my best bet to spend 6-10 months in-country (to decide if Mexico is for me).

I have only been to Southern Mexico, so my question is multi-faceted. First, what is everyone's favorite region and town/schools for living? Second, what should I do this summer to find a teaching job starting August/September? Last, what are some tips on what I need to do as far as paperwork, living arrangements, language (limited current Spanish), and money (how much should I save for my initial trip)?

I very, very greatly appreciate any help. I've been fascinated for the last few months as I've read these boards and seriosuly considered the move to Mexico. The opportunity to experience the Mexican culture is something to which I am very much looking forward.

Thank you all!

[sarliz]

Hmm. That's a whole lotta question to bite off, but I'lll stumble through best I can.

First, you don't mention what your undergrad degree was in, but unless you've either done some teaching or studied it, I would reccomend spending your summer getting some teaching experience under your belt. I opted to take a TEFL training course in Mexico, which provided me with three things: some actual English teaching experience (I had taught art in the past, but that is an entirely different and grammar-free beast), a piece of paper (the TEFL certificate) which immigration likes a lot, and a job in a region of my choosing (it's not a fabulous job, but a good first one and I've learned quite a bit doing it). I can't speak to other ways of starting off in Mexico, but I feel that the route I took served me pretty well. It might be a good choice for you too, being semi-new to the country and not having great Spanish skills, it might be nice to have someone helping you orchestrate your first job search. Money-wise, it was pricey, running around $2,000 for the month-long class and lodging. So you would need that, with some extra funds for eating during the month of the course, and some cushion for maybe a month after the course, worst-case scenario-wise.

What else? Get your degree apostilled (search for the one grillion previous threads about how to do it) and bring it with you. Oh, and I live in Oaxaca City, which is a great place. You won't make a ton of money working here, but breaking even is quite doable and the quality of life is great. Good luck!