Job Discussion Forums

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Hi everybody,

Right, i am about to do my CELTA and am thinking about heading back to Mexico earlyish next year. I just spent 10 months volunteering on the coast of Oaxaca with a view to get back to a career on my return but obv. have realised that there could be more to life so i have been planning to get back to Mexico and leave London where i do feel that life has not so much to offer apart from work and indoor gyms etc. I basically much prefer the lifestyle over in Mexico (esp the great outdoors etc) and who's to say that i won't love teaching (and don't worry i'm not expecting a beach style life if i go back...) Anyway, i am in a dilemma as I am worried about money, the future etc. I went into another forum yesterday and there were some pretty bitter people who have been doing tefl for all their lives and basically saying don't do it, as there is no future in it. Now i don't know whether i should just buckle down and find a well paid run of the mill job in London and stay with my mates or head back out for the sun and a lifestyle which i prefer. I'm 24, female, have a degree, have already travelled a lot (as my parents have always worked overseas) etc Could this be a huge mistake? I need to hear some good stuff about teaching... I may be a bit of an idealist so shoot me down if i am but I think i need someone to tell me how it is...!

Cheers, Relve

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

No one will be able to answer your question effectively except you. The great mystery of Mexico is that you get exactly what you want from her. Those who are miserable doing TEFL all their lives are not miserbale with Mexico, or teaching, but rather with themselves I should think.

If you have something over here in Mex that you like, and something over there you don't like, well, do what your heart tells you. Could be that you pass a year or two in Mexico and ask yourself the same things again. Could be that you choose to stay (like me).

If you have a good head on your shoulders and some fighting spirit, then you could go anywhere I imagine. If you are looking to run away from something in the UK, it will probably find you (metaphorically speaking). If you want to come because there is something here for you, then I guess you should come.

See? No one can answer but you.

reddevil79 · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Just read your message and its uncanny what similar situations we're in! My name is chris, 25, from london, lived in guadalajara for a year, loved it, came back in july and am now doing a PGCE at kingston. I am looking to head out there again in june, initially for 1-2 years, but not sure after that. like you, i was put off slightly by the comments i read in this forum and i guess it comes down to what you want. I have no problems whatsoever to run away from here, just attracted to the quality of life i would have over there, but not sure about long term, etc. i'm pretty sure i wont be settling in london though long term.

I guess what Guy said was right, it all depends on what you want and why you are going.

Best of luck

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

Where were you volunteering on the coast of Oaxaca? Pi�a Palmera in Zipolite by any chance?
I think Guy summed it up perfectly, couldn't have said it better myself! The kind of questions you are asking have to be addressed personally, and perhaps your answers will come only by direct experience.
I came here from Vancouver looking for a bit of fun and adventure, freshly minted DELTA in hand, perhaps looking at staying six months to a year. That was almost five years ago. What can I say, Mexico really fit me well. Things have gone very well for me. I have a well paying job at a University and live in an idyllic coastal village. That's not to say there isn't a host of 'difficulties ' involved in living here. I don't think living and working anywhere in Mexico is an easy gig. Are you easily bothered by little things? How about everyday things that would seem insane and illogical in your own country? If so, then Mexico could drive you around the bend...
The key though, I think is to be honest with yourself- are you running from something and seeking a cure in this romanticized place, Mexico de mi coraz�n?
When I came here, and until recently, I thought I wasn't running from anything, but towards something-a wonderful adventure. Which it has been, and continues to be so, on a daily basis. Not always as I would have it be, but an adventure nevertheless!
Now however, as my commitment to living here deepens...I realize that in running towards adventure and excitement-new experiences, people, places, food, the all round sensual feast that Mexico is, I indeed was running from something. My partner and I are about to take the plunge and buy a piece of land and build a (cob) house, which means...arrrgh!...putting down roots and commitment. Low and behold they caught up to me. And funny how lately I've been checking out the Indonesia, China and other forums...even Korea! Yeah yeah make a few bucks and come back.
So anyway, I'm going to stick this one out, in the spirit of adventure (of a different, scary-to -me kind), see where it goes...
In the end one can only run from one thing, and that is one's self, and you can run far, far away but you can't hide, because:
Wherever you go, there you are...as the zen masters say.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

At 24 how can one possibly worry about ANYTHING--especially money or the future? I am turning 60 next month and I never worry about anything--and if I dedcided to take up recreational worrying money would be my last choice to focus on.

The first law of money says that money comes to you when you are doing the right thing. So do it.

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

My wife (from Mexico) says similar things about life. Do the right thing and nothing but good comes to you. That Mexican belief lies in stark contrast to our 'nice guys finish last' adage.

Boy this thread is touchy-feely...

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I am not sure that "touchy-feely" is a very apt description in a virtual forum.

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

Depends on how close you and your computer are!

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

What a small world, yes Pina Palmera in Zipolite. Scary.

Anyway, calm down everybody i am not running from anything, apart from the weather and the rat-race. But the rat-race is exactly what i am scared of leaving. I have no ties anyway (my parents work on contracts abroad too so i am really quite a nomad) apart from my mates and they are all kind of settled in to jobs/relationships etc. So am thinking, my next decision is make or break as coming back to London this time was depressing enough, next time it could be worse esp. if i have to start at bottom on low salary at another time. I know i know, i'm young but it's harder to join that rat race later isn't it? Basically my choice in the end between money or adventure. And yes, this is obv. a personal choice which only i can decide but thanks for input all as these type of questions are just oh so tedious sometimes!
But in the end are there opportunities that lead on from tefl?!

Also, to those in the know, i have been in touch with a school in Poza Rica called ABC English as a potential job for next year - does anyone know anything about them, the place etc?

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Ahh, you guys are all so nice and inspiring. Between writing that last message and eating a satsuma, (i really don't have enough work to do in this job!) i have decided goddammit, i am going to take the plunge and conquer the world with my teaching efforts.

I hope i havn't changed my mind again by my next satsuma. There has been a lot of mind changing over the past few months. It's exhausting being this fickle.

Next question... what about Hong Kong or Asia in general v Mexico/S.America? obv. Mex. is my first choice at the mo and especially hearing everyone talking about it...

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

"join the rat race later..."
Now why would anyone want to join the rat race EVER? All of my friends who are clawing their way through the rat race spend a lot of their free time fantasinzing about how to get out. I know it's hard to de- program oneself and not feel like one is 'measuring up' to the prevailing standards.
Quite topical the following quote:

Daily Words of the Buddha
October 14, 2004

One is the quest for worldly gain,
and quite another is the path to Nibbana.
Clearly understanding this,
let not the monk, the disciple of the Buddha,
be carried away by worldly acclaim,
but develop detachment instead.

Dhammapada 75

Please do not be offended, I'm not trying to push any form of religion, I do not call myself buddhist or anything else for that matter, but in this insane world we live in I do seek guidance and words of wisdom from many sources, including the above.

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

"join the rat race later..."
Now why would anyone want to join the rat race EVER? All of my friends who are clawing their way through the rat race spend a lot of their free time fantasizing about how to get out. I know it's hard to de- program oneself and not feel like one is 'measuring up' to the prevailing standards.
Quite topical the following quote:

Daily Words of the Buddha
October 14, 2004

One is the quest for worldly gain,
and quite another is the path to Nibbana.
Clearly understanding this,
let not the monk, the disciple of the Buddha,
be carried away by worldly acclaim,
but develop detachment instead.

Dhammapada 75

Please do not be offended, I'm not trying to push any form of religion, I do not call myself buddhist or anything else for that matter, but in this insane world we live in I do seek guidance and words of wisdom from many sources, including the above.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Stay away from ABC English in Poza Rica. I have heard 100% horror stories from folks who worked there. Poza Rica, as the name implies, is an oil town, and an all around pretty terrible place to live.

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

Relve - if you would like some insight from someone who I think is like you, I can put you in touch with a woman from London who recently took part in our TEFL program and is now in Mexico City working. She came alone and is making friends and considering her future plans to stay in Mexico. PM me and I can send you her email address.

relve · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Delacosta - that is sooo Zipolite to come out with a quote like that! (please don't be offended by that as I am not meaning to mock or anything as it does make sense in a place like Zipo) but my problem is i can't decide which life to detach from! And you need to be fairly stable to search for your nibbana and i don't even know which country i want to be in, so that has got to wait too.

Thanks for info about Poza Rica Moonraven. Back to the drawing board on that one then. Anyone suggest any good schools/places to keep an eye out for? I assume i can't be that picky as i don't have any experience...

Anyway thank you everybody. I have thought about this so much now i'm actually sick of it, and actually i probably will take the plunge as someone has rather irratatingly pointed out that they (my dad actually) don't quite see me as the business woman type nor the entrepreneur (have been thinking of trying the mother of all evils - a sales job! which i think is just a backlash/rebound thing from the voluntary stuff and having no money).

So, what kind of salary should i be aiming for/realistically expect in Mexico? And can i live happily on it? After being a student/saving/volunteer for a few years i can't really be bothered to have to tightly budget anymore. And is it not so good to look for jobs from here? cheers everybody