Job Discussion Forums

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Hi Chantelle,

I think the advice everyone here has given is great, but let me just add one little thing. When I came to get my documents apostilled/legalised, it turned out I couldn't because the office that did that was in a different state to where the documents were issued, and I didn't want to travel 1000km to get it done in the capital of the other state, so they advised me to do this:

1. Take the originals and copies to a notary and get them notarised.
2. Get the apostille on the notarised copies.

The whole thing took me a morning (I had to make appointments, I recall) and the notary's office was in the same building as the agency that did the apostille, but it all worked out fine.

Good luck!
Lozwich.

gdlmx1229 · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 17

Hi Chantelle,

I'm 26 years old and I'm from the U.S. I will be moving to Mexico to hopefully teach English, too. I'm enrolled in a TEFL course in Guadalajara in April. I completely understand your concerns. I'm very nervous too because I don't know anyone in Mexico and I will be moving by myself. Like you, I hope to eventually have a teaching position in Guadalajara or Mexico City.

Do you have housing in Mexico? I will be staying in accomodations that are affliated with the TEFL course for a month but I will have to find permanent housing after that. How have you searched for teaching positions so far?

Good luck!

Chantella · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

Thanks so much!

So I got my TEFL cert notarized.. but I have a question.
He made copies of my certificate and diploma, but he notarized the copies and not the original. Are they supposed to put their seal on the actual copy? He didn't, and I called back and asked.. but they said that it was good enough on just the topic and that I just should be careful not to lose them. Sigh.. so is that correct? The stamp or whatever doesn't go on the actual certificate?

Hi gdlmx1229, good luck on your TEFL course! I don't have an actual place to stay at yet. I am staying at a hostel in Puerto Vallarta for 3 days and I don't know if I'll stay longer or move to GDL. I plan to find a job before I find a permanent residence.

gdlmx1229 · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 17

Hi Chantella!

Thank you! Good luck to you, too! I hope you have a great time in Puerto Vallarta!

I will be staying in a hostel during the TEFL course and I plan to find permanent housing after I have a job.

What kind of teaching job are you looking for? Does Oxford help you find a job? Have you found many openings in Guadalajara?

Dragonlady · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject:

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john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...scan all your documents in and send them to yourself (email).

or, (i'm not computer savvy) but one of my friends scanned everything in to one of those pen drives or whatever.

tagastelum · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:00 am Post subject: Good luck!

Hi Chantella,

Just 5 short years ago, I was in the same position as you. I feel compelled to tell you that when you come to Mexico, it will be the most difficult experience in your life and ultimately...the most rewarding. Look at it as an adventure, do your research (which, as is obvious, you are doing) and hang in there. You will be rewarded 100 times above what you invest. Although I don't know you, based on your posts, my gut feeling is that you will do quite well in Mexico and will remain here for many more years than you had anticipated. Best of luck!

Todd

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Todd, that was a great reply to Chantella. I have the same gut feeling. Best of luck Chantella and don't let the initial hurdles get you down...there will be initial hurdles.

Dragonlady · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:52 am Post subject:

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john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...probably right -- i was robbed the night before my flight once in Ecuador. everything -- passport, flight tickets, ID's, money, and clothes.

got a new passport and flight tickets in 6 hours at the US Embassy with email prints.

migration office might be different, however.

Chantella · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

Wow, thanks so much everyone! I shouldn't say I'm surprised that everyone has been so helpful, but I guess I'm not used to people being so supportive online. Generally, I feel dumb even asking questions on forums., but isn't asking questions what forums are for?

Gdlmx - Oxford does have a teacher placement service, but mostly the jobs are in China. I know it would be so much easier to teach in China since you are guaranteed a job before you go and they pay for flight and accommodations, but I knew I wanted to live in Mexico before I wanted to teach English. My friend's older sister teaches English in Mexico and that is where I got this crazy idea to take a course and then move there. Smile

I kind of wish I did what you did and took the TESL in Mexico instead. I applied at a couple schools in GDL and as a Language Coach at Teletech, but so far no response.

Dragonlady - Thanks for your help and support. I only have one copy besides the original. I think I'll call the office tomorrow and get a second one made just in case something like what you were saying were to happen.

Todd - thank you very much! I think those are the very reasons why I chose to do this. Not only do I think this move will shake my life up a little bit (have found that lately it's been a bit of a bore) I think teaching will help me meet people. I'm glad you recovered right away from that. I suppose you're sort of forced to. Last year when I visited Mexico on vacation, I had my purse stolen in the lobby shortly before my flight home (with tickets, ID, phone, wallet inside), but I still made it back to Canada and everything was fine in the end. I just try to remember that.

gdlmx1229 · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 17

Hi Chantella!

I'm sure you will find a job soon! I have heard that it is much easier to get a teaching job when you apply in person, so I think that your job search will be much more successful when you arrive in Mexico.

Like you, I also decided that I wanted to move to Mexico before I decided to teach English. I decided to pursue teaching English because it seems like the best option to somewhat guarantee paid employment. I hope to eventually have a job in Mexico that only involves speaking Spanish, which is one of the main reasons I want to live in Mexico.

When I start the TEFL course in April, I will definitely let you know about any job resources I learn about from the course.

Good luck!

plebbles · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

Hi, I understand the position you're in - moving alone as a young female to a new country where you know no-one, I've now done it 3 or 4 times myself and it's nerve-wracking everytime. I hope everything is working out ok for you so far......

Anyway - the last time I moved, I decided to join hospitality.club.org (there's also couchsurfing). I met some really nice people through it that made my life so much easier and happier and less stressful......

Good luck