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dixie
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 644
Location: D.F
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 Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject: Remember Mexico |
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As Mexico closes in on 200 years of independence, I just want to remind those who are thinking of moving here that there are good things about this country and culture.
This is my opinion.
So if you want to come, remember this:
If you cannot work successfully in your home country, don't assume you can here.
If you are not qualified to teach back home, don't assume you can here.
If you are not open-minded or looking for adventure, don't assume you can adapt to a new country and culture (trust me, all of Mexico will not change just because you find it rude to disrespect formed lines).
The pay is not great but I can support my family of three (and four pets), pay my mortgage on time and never want for anything (hmmm...not true, I miss pickles and snow).
Health care varies but between the social system and reasonably priced private care there are many options.
Public transportation (in D.F.) is cheap and extensive and usually safe.
Good jobs do pay pensions and provide a matched savings plan and pay holiday bonuses. These can augment one's salary nicely.
Good schools have good students. Perfect? Never, but I certainly don't have the problems I know others constantly complain about.
And now for the BIG topic: safety.
I (knock on wood) have never had problems. This is partly luck, partly intelligence and partly a good personality.
I do know people who have been taxi-napped, mugged and dumped; people who have been pick-pocketed; and people who have been robbed (in taxi) at gun point. Most are idiots. Some acted like an idiot. And some just had bad luck. The more people you know, the more likely you are to know someone who has had such an experience.
I do not know anyone who has experienced safety issues due to narcos or drug wars because I do not (to the best of my knowledge) know of anyone who associates with such people or activities.
Those I know who have had bad experiences have suffered because there are large social gaps here and desperate times can lead to desperate behaviours. Sadly, this is human (animal) nature.
In the end, only you know what is best for you. And only you know if you are truly competent to relish such an experience as moving to Mexico and successfully teaching.
Suerte and Viva Mexico!
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Professor
Joined: 22 May 2009
Posts: 449
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Remember Mexico |
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| dixie wrote: |
If you cannot work successfully in your home country, don't assume you can here.
If you are not qualified to teach back home, don't assume you can here.
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I'm sure this is directed towards posters who try to help newbies by telling them that Mexico has two sides. Anyway, I had no problems working in my own country.
Also, I was qualified to teach back in the States and I have three years of very positive evaluations to prove it. |
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Professor
Joined: 22 May 2009
Posts: 449
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Remember Mexico |
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| dixie wrote: |
If you are not open-minded or looking for adventure, don't assume you can adapt to a new country and culture (trust me, all of Mexico will not change just because you find it rude to disrespect formed lines).
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I personally have no problem adapting to a new country. I personally have no problem being open minded either. But it's hard to adapt to a country when it's VERY DIFFICULT to make money.
And no, it's not because I'm a bad teacher. |
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Professor
Joined: 22 May 2009
Posts: 449
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Remember Mexico |
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| dixie wrote: |
The pay is not great but I can support my family of three (and four pets), pay my mortgage on time and never want for anything
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I too am able to pay my bills on time. I'm just saying that one needs to have an exit plan before coming to Mexico because EFL isn't a steady source of income.
Bring money when you come to Mexico and make sure you have enough to get back to the States in case it doesn't work out here teaching EFL. |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 1520
Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Remember Mexico |
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| Professor wrote: |
| dixie wrote: |
The pay is not great but I can support my family of three (and four pets), pay my mortgage on time and never want for anything
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I too am able to pay my bills on time. I'm just saying that one needs to have an exit plan before coming to Mexico because EFL isn't a steady source of income.
Bring money when you come to Mexico and make sure you have enough to get back to the States in case it doesn't work out here teaching EFL. |
Good advice about bringing some money with you when you come to tide you over till you find a job, and to get you back home if things don't work out.
BUT to say "EFL isn't a steady source of income" in Mexico as a blanket statement is misleading. Some people get good jobs at schools that treat them well and receive a steady source of income, others do not. That's the way things go anywhere in the world. |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:04 am Post subject: |
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Isla wrote:
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| BUT to say "EFL isn't a steady source of income" in Mexico as a blanket statement is misleading. Some people get good jobs at schools that treat them well and receive a steady source of income, others do not. That's the way things go anywhere in the world. |
In my experience, we are pretty much reliant on contract renewals for ongoing job security here. Nothing's ever a 'given' no matter how good the job or how good you are at it. The steady source of income from a good job can be short-lived if the school decides not to renew the contract for any reason. Some school's contracts are designed for one semester at a time, which isn't very long. I believe there is much better job protection in the USA and Canada, than here in Mexico, so that's something to keep in mind when considering the big move. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Samantha wrote: |
Isla wrote:
| Quote: |
| BUT to say "EFL isn't a steady source of income" in Mexico as a blanket statement is misleading. Some people get good jobs at schools that treat them well and receive a steady source of income, others do not. That's the way things go anywhere in the world. |
In my experience, we are pretty much reliant on contract renewals for ongoing job security here. Nothing's ever a 'given' no matter how good the job or how good you are at it. The steady source of income from a good job can be short-lived if the school decides not to renew the contract for any reason. Some school's contracts are designed for one semester at a time, which isn't very long. I believe there is much better job protection in the USA and Canada, than here in Mexico, so that's something to keep in mind when considering the big move. |
Excellent points!
I have never felt there was any job security in being a teacher in Mexico at any level.
I saw a | |
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