Job Discussion Forums

uh huh · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 110 Location: United States

Hi,

I posted the following message on the General Discussion Board and had a suggestion to check out Mexico.

I'm dealing with some burnout and personal issues that are leaving me pretty depleted and tired. I'd like to find a laid-back place to work for a while, and I welcome all ideas.

I have a master's in TESOL and a few years experience in the US and other countries, mostly at the university level.

I'm an advanced Spanish speaker and a high beginner in French.

I'm in my 60s.

I don't need many amenties such as big box stores or night life. Great local food would be a huge plus.

A moderate climate would be nice but not essential. Lakes or rivers or some kind of water would be wonderful.

Friendly colleagues and students would be super.

A job that provided housing or at least help finding it would be helpful (although this is not so important in Mexico).

I'd prefer a smaller city to a larger one and would really like to be able to get around walking or via public transportation.

So, what kind of part time work might I be able to find where this time of year and how much would I be able to bring in?

Thanks.

MotherF · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:41 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you'd really like my city. Lovely climate, great food, friendly locals, there is a lake and a river but neither are awe inspiring, the town is compact so you can walk most everywhere.
The drawback is the only place really to work is the university and they can't take new hires over 60. (Unless maybe if you previously worked in Mexico and already have a Mexican social security number). The other route would be all private classes. There is one American woman living here now doing that and there is more than enough work to keep her busy.

uh huh · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 110 Location: United States

You know, I never feel old except when I hear about all the places I can't go any more! What town are you in? Do you know if the no hires over 60 is uni policy or law? And what kinds of people take private English classes, and do you happen to know the going rate there?
Feel free to PM me if you like.
And thanks again!

MotherF · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Good Places to Chill Out

What town are you in?
A small city in the northwest corner of the State of Oaxaca.

Do you know if the no hires over 60 is uni policy or law?
It's kind of between law and policy--there are many ways for you to work legally, but the way the uni employee people they can not, by IMSS (Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social) process a new IMSS number for a person who is already eligible for retirement under Mexican Law. They can and do employee pleanty of people over 60, who either hired before turning 60 or who worked elsewhere in Mexico, hence not new to the IMSS system. You can work for honarios (kind of freelance contracts) and independantly no matter what your age.

And what kinds of people take private English classes, and do you happen to know the going rate there?

All kinds of people. Some kids and teen, university students, professionals of any age, even grandmothers who have a child who immigrated and settled in the US and now have grandchildren with little or no Spanish skills. I get asked to give private classes all the time, but with three young children I just don't have the time to do so. Rates vary, in my town it's lower, but so are a lot of costs. I'd say 200 Mexican pesos an hour is average. For someone who likes working with teens, one untapped market in our town is special college prep classes for high schoolers hoping to study at the local university. Our program is no secret, so if they were taught content similar to our lower levels, they'd place in higher and get a good leg up!

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:29 pm Post subject:

Having been to MotherF�s town, I can echo what she said, It is lovely, clean, easy to get around. Cost of everything is very low, at least to me, living in Mexico City. People are friendly. There isn�t much traffic. The food is out of this world. I think I gained a couple of kilos when I was there. And it�s close to two fairly large cities - Oaxaca de Juarez and Puebla, the 4th or 5th largest city in Mexico. I have plans to go back for a long weekend, just to relax, eat, walk around and enjoy being in a place where there is little to worry about.

uh huh · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 110 Location: United States

Sounds like a good place to check out. Thanks for the recomendations!

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:51 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject:

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:21 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject:

Bus or rather van, as vans are the main form of transport around here, except for buses to Mexico, D.F. (6 hours)

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject:

To and From Mexico City there are first and second class buses and some to and from Puebla. These windy roads are not really well suited for fancy buses. And now that there are fancy vans, made by Mercedes and Toyota that take 15 passengers. They can take the curves a lot faster than a bus and the smaller size allows for more frequent departures, every 30 minutes to Oaxaca, every hour to Tehuacan and Puebla.

uh huh · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 110 Location: United States

Always good to be able to take those curves faster Shocked

Isla Guapa · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject:

I love winding mountain roads, but if I ever decide to visit MotherF's place of residence, I'd better take some dramamine before getting on the bus!

jaimem-g · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 85 Location: The Desert, CA

I've been to Huajuapan on the second class bus from the north and the south, and on the vans both ways from Oaxaca city and the buses are a little more comfortable if you want to sleep. Because of those faster curves!
But it is possible to get stuck standing in the aisle on one of those buses, so taking a first class out of Mexico City or Puebla would be the most comfortable, I think.

As for Huajuapan, it is a tranquil place and I think would be great for what you want to do uh huh. I was there for a month this past summer working with some teachers in the telesecundaria program and they were wonderful.

What Mother F advises about the university is quite accurate. I'm in my sixties and tried to apply there. However, there are a lot of other opportunities, especially if you are willing to work for room and board. I was with a volunteer organization and will be going back again next summer for sure. I hope to go back for the New Year if possible. There may be other possibilities for work in preparatoria, or escuela normal, if what the teachers and administrators I worked with were correct in what they told me.