Job Discussion Forums

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

No worries, Sunrader. Glad you found it informative. I have a different name over there. Just another of my alter egos! Cool

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

Okay,
I was terribly busy on Friday, so I just made that mini post with the links.

I've been working at the Universidad Tecnologica de la Mixteca, in Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca for over 9 years now. I've been contemplating quiting to persue other projects, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I love being a part of UTM. BUT--as our collegue from Tuxtepec said, it's not for everyone. I actually work on the hiring committee for UTM and we really try to make sure that the people we hire will fit in here, becuase if they don't it's hell for all of us. I also posted over on teflwatch under this same user name. Huajuapan's population depends on whether you look at the numbers for Huajuapan-the judicial district (like a county), Huajuapan and surrounding villages, or just the people who live in the city limits. We generally cite it as 80,000. Last year our first Wal-mart type store opened up, along with a chain cafe, and when I think back to Huajuapan of 1998 and compare it to Huajuapan of 2007--it's like a totally different place. I used to go to Oaxaca City once a month and come back with all kinds of groceries like olive oil and salad dressing. Now the only things I have to buy in Oaxaca are Pickled Ginger and Nori for sushi. Wink

Outside of work, my husband's extended family-most of whom live here in town- keep me pretty busy. I know that younger single teachers have a hard time enjoying a soical life in Mexico, that is if they don't hook up with a local. Also, the Mixteca has a love-hate relationship with the United States and locals have a lot of preconceptions about Americans, that sometimes gets in the way of forming friendships, but it really depends on your personality and how you deal with it.
The weather? I love the weather in Huajuapan. My parents lived in Dallas for six years, and it NEVER gets that hot or humid here. We are far from the beach, but in turn have nicer weather.
I have visited Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel, Huatulco, Tehuantepec, Loma Bonito, Miahuatlan and Ixtlan over the years. The only other place that would be really attractive to me is Ixtlan. Ixtlan is in the pine forrest in the mountains and has cool weather. After living here so long, I really don't want to go back to a muggy place if I can help it. Miahuatlan and Ixtlan are attractive in there proximity to Oaxaca City, although I do keep dreaming of the day that Huajuapan is connected to the super highway! I spoke to a friend who is teaching Math at the newest campus--in Teotitlan de Flores Magon, yesterday and he said he really enjoyed the way everyone is working together there. He used to work at UTM, which is the largest (and oldest) university in the system. He said that there they don't have to put up with all the politics we have here at UTM. On one hand, working at one of the new universities, is an exciting opportunity to be in on the ground floor of a big project. But on the other hand, you will work with very limited resources and administrators who are learning their job as they go along--so there is definately a sense of disorganization and some confusion. I think at any of the campuses there is as big an opportunity to get envolved with an organization as you will find anywhere in Mexico. But you could also just sit back and teach your classes and stay out of the rest of the stuff if you perfer.
I think I'll stop for now. Razz

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

Oh and here's another link about the system as a whole:

http://www.utm.mx/Imagenes/UTM/suneo_eng.pdf

Over all the system has more than 60 native English speaking English teachers, so there will be quite a few positions open in the fall. At UTM our average stay is 2 years, but that still means we replace 3 to 5 teachers each fall.
BUT Zenotion, you shouldn't count on flying down and looking for a position, we are one of the few places in Mexico that hirers people in advance and usually from overseas. For the country in general, its a good idea to come on down and look for a job--but not for this university system. We just don't get people wondering in off the street looking for jobs. (That did happen once, but we didn't have any positions open at the time) We are hiring now and hope to be done with the hiring by July.

sunrader · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 101

veroax and melee -
Thank you both very much for great descriptions of the area and environments.

Would anyone like to talk about classes you've taught? I'm wondering what the teaching load is actually like. Do you choose your own curriculum, etc.?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

MELEE · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:25 pm Post subject:

Tarheel 13 · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 44 Location: Outer Banks, NC

I've never been to Oaxaca, but I currently instruct many adults from that province. They are simply some of the most wonderful people and parents that I have ever come across. I believe that they could teach many of us a thing or two on morals and family values.

sunrader · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 101

I've been busy this week with starting a new job at a new school. I'm sure you all know how that is. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences. I think I have a much better idea what working in Oaxaca will be like now and I'm looking forward to it. Now I just have to get out all those applications while planning lessons for next week. Smile

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

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

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

sunrader · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 101

Since I started this thread, I've graduated with an MA-TESL and been teaching full-time at the college level in the US. I stayed in the States because my daughter unexpectedly had a chance to come stay with me for a while, and the job had benefits and lots of autonomy so it has been a great place to get experience. Now, I'm really about ready to move on, and that means Mexico for me.

I have a TESL certificate from Mexico as well as the MA. Could I get by in the Uni system with an apostille on the MA but not the BA? It would be tricky to get to the state where the BA was earned.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

Of course, sunrader, you only need your highest degree apostilled.

Wildchild,
You can smoke outside on campus.
Make coffee, bring it, or use the on campus cafeteria (if you're a coffee lover, better make it yourself. Wink

)
Errands depend on the type--for example our bank is only open from 9 to 4, you can get permission to run down to the bank, pay a bill at a place that is not open late, or any sort of appointment you might have. But keep in mind all of the campuses are outside of their respective towns, and sometimes transportation times might not make running a quick errand practical, you can't slip out for ten minutes when town is at least 10 minutes away. Hike? you are expected to at work 8 hours a day, available for students outside of class times, meetings and what not. But at UTM just going to class is sort of like a hike in some cases. Laughing

veroax · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

I assist with hiring on our campus, and I've been told by HR folk that applicants need all degrees with apostilles. I'm not sure if that's supposedly a requirement for INAMI or just for our HR department. But from my experience, INAMI can change their requirements on a whim. If possible, I think I would bring apostilles for all degrees just in case. If really tricky, I'd just double check with the uni you're applying to as you make preparations.