Job Discussion Forums

carde · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:10 am Post subject: A few questions ........?

Hi there,

I'm sorry if this is just repeating stuff that's been asked before but I'm getting quite confused with all the range of info out there. I'm wanting to go to Mexico in around august/sept. I'm going the long way round on a round the world ticket so chances are I won't have much money left by the time I get there and will need to get a job pretty much straight away. Basically, my main question is, how likely am I to get a job I can live on with my (limited) experience and qualifications? Here goes..... I'm British, with a BA in Hispanic Studies and Drama and a CELTA. I did the CELTA about six months ago but since then I've been working in an office to save money for my trip as there's not much EFL work in the UK just now, especially for newly qualified people like me. I've been doing some private tuition but that was mostly Spanish rather than English. I have been to Mexico before - I was in Jalisco for a year as part of my degree, 5 months of which I spent teaching as a volunteer in a secundaria in Guadalajara (and I've been boring anyone who'll listen ever since!). I want to be in easy commutable distance from there so I can go and visit my friends that I made but I'd quite like to live somewhere different. I'm thinking Morelia or Guanajuato at the moment. Once I'm there I want to stay there - a year, five years, forever, who knows? I've emailed a few schools but had no response - this doesn't surprise me but after being back in the UK nearly 2 years you start getting used to this 'efficiency' (!) malarkey again!
Wow, If you've read all that you need a medal! I would really appreciate any advice/ comments though.
Thanks
Carole

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

With your qualifications, you should be able to find a job that pays enough for you to live conservatively in this country. However, you mentioned not having much money left by the time you arrive in Mexico. I usually recommend that a person has about USD$2,000 in reserve to be on the safe side to cover expenses of work visa, renting a place to live, transportation, food, etc. until the pay checks start coming in.

carde · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I do have an overdraft and a credit card which add up to about �2500 - maybe about $4000 US? but I'd rather not use them as I'm not sure I'd be able to pay them off once I do start earning - maybe I'll just have to be more stingy in the first part of my travelling. What sort of schools should I be applying to? I've seen some adverts for working in state schools but would private schools be more likely to take on someone like me? I know the pay varies from school to school but does anyone know any that are more reasonable with their wages? I don't want to make a fortune, just be able to look after myself and enjoy my spare time.

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