Job Discussion Forums

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

Hello everyone,

I am just finishing up with my master's in tesol and i am trying to decide where I should teach. Basically my plan is to gain a year or two years experience teaching adults abroad and then come back to OR to teach at the local community college for 9 mon of the year and still have 3 mon free to travel and teach abroad.

Money is an issue for me because I have a lot of school debt. However, it would be good if i had experience teaching in a spanish-speaking country as that would help me get a job in my area.

So I think that I have narrowed my search down to either Mexico or Japan or a year of each perhaps. Basically, i think i can make more $$ in Japan but experience in Mexico would probably help get a job in OR which would be more $$ eventually.

If you have experience in either or both of these countries please advise me.

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Keep in mind that if you have a perkins or stafford college loan that there is provision for not paying it if your income is less than a certain amount. Back in 1994 that amount was $16,000. You would best check to see what the new minimum is.
In Mexico it is unlikely that you will be earning more than the minimum, so you will be exonerated from repayment.

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

I think that most of my loans are Stafford. But I owe about 80k. Will they really not make me pay just because I am not making much money. Don't they expect you to make money eventually? Like when you advance in your career?

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:03 am Post subject:

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

in .... the .... PEACE CORPS!

You can get some debt forgiven, and it should be adios interest while you're in. Plus, it's a HUGELY positive note on a resume with a big fat network full of returned volunteers who are more than happy to hire one another, and it'll make you feel good.

If you speak Spanish, you'll likely (but not definitely) get placed in Latin America.

If that's not your thing, with an MA in TESOL... I figure you should be able to rake in at LEAST 25,000 pesos/month here in Mexico teaching at the university level. (Mind you, that's during the months you teach. I don't know if you can get salaried)

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

Can you teach ESL in the peace corps? I don't speak much Spanish, but I am working on learning some before I come and I am sure I can continue while I am there.

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

[quote="MO39 You'll have to pay them off eventually, but you can get a certain number (not sure what that number is, though) of payment deferrals for different reasons, one of them being not earning lots of money, as geaaronson has mentioned above. It would behoove you to check with the Stafford loan people to find out what the rules and regs for putting off paying back your loans are.[/quote]

That's what I thought. I figured I could get a deferral on my loans while I am gaining some teaching experience, but not making much money. After that I would apply for an ESL job in OR which pays well and work on paying off my loans. I think I should be able to do this for 9 mon a year and still teach abroad in the summers. I think I will be able to afford to volunteer during the summers.

So I think that I am really leaning toward Mexico for the experience and because (from what I have read on this forum) it sounds like a great place to live. It would also be nice to get away from all the rain in OR Smile

So I guess now I am looking for all kinds of advice. Here are my questions:

Should I drive down or fly? Cost is about the same either way. Is it beneficial to own a car there?

Are there positions available to teach adults when one has very limited experience?

When is a good time to come?

Should I try to look for work before or after I arrive?

Should I look for housing before or after I arrive?

Where in Mexico do you recommend I start looking?

I am grateful for answers to all or any of these questions or any that I did not think of.

Thanks so much

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:41 am Post subject:

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

I think I am really liking the idea of going into Peace Corps. I am sure that this experience would qualify me to get a great position even if I am not placed in a Latin American country. And it will help get rid of some of my debt. I am just about sold. But I will get some more advice before I make a final decision. Thanks for your help Smile

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Mekyn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Cuernavaca

Wow thank you for your help Smile

I was only wondering about where to look in Mexico because I wasn't sure if I might be limited to working in a city or if I might have a choice of where to go. I would love to live on the coast, but sometimes it's not possible. You gotta go where the jobs are. I have looked on craigslist a little but I had a feeling that the apartments there were more costly than what I might find being there. I have found apartments for around $300 to $500 a month. Is that expensive? I had a feeling that it was. What is the average cost for a studio or 1 bedroom?

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F