Job Discussion Forums

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

It seems at least two of our long time posters are planning to leave Mexico and I, for one, sure hope they will continue to be a part of this forum to share experiences and give advice.

So, what prompts the decision for a teacher to move back to home country? Does one just know when the time arrives, or was it a plan all along to spend X number of years here? And what about reverse culture-shock after several years of working and living in Mexico? I would worry about that one. That, and getting back into the system again.

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

I'm leaving after four years overseas (three in Mexico) for a wide variety of reasons; they have little to do with the school or life in Mexico.

There are too many reasons to list them all in a post, but probably the single greatest reason is that I'd like to see my family and friends more than once every year or so. I didn't see everyone I wanted to last Christmas, so I have family/friends I haven't seen in close to 18 months.

El Gallo · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 318

I'm not leaving at least until George Bush is gone Confused

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 7:06 am Post subject:

Being able to make more on Mc Donald's (in the US) pay than as a school teacher in Mexico is a strong incentive for people to go home. Also, the lack of a clear path for career progression is another limiting factor in being a TEFL "lifer" in Mexico.

For me the "ceiling" in the TEFL/ESL world in Mexico is the main problem. Once you reach a point, you have a few years of experience and everything you realize that you are probably never going to make much more than a grand a month, or get into management. Unless you want to open your own school. How original! I can easily make 3-4,000 a month in the US working for about one month and then getting 2-4 weeks of vacation time. That's on a permanent basis. For me, seasonal work pays about $7,000(low) to $10,000(high) or more for about 3 months of work. With no living expenses. There is simply nothing in Mexico that pays close to that.

I know enough not to compare the US and Mexican economies, but I need to be able to make more than $800 a month for the rest of my life as TEFL'er.

Has anyone ever tried to get credit in Mexico? Even with a FM-3 and a good paying job its almost impossible to get. Hmmmmmm maybe the US embassy will start issuing those matricula consular ID cards the Mexican consulates give out to all the illegal....oh wait excuse me, undocumented migrants in the US.

Sorry for the sarcasm. I am just it telling how I see it. And before someone comes on here and starts blabbing about the poor Mexicans and what-not, remember that Mexico has the 13th largest economy in the world and the third (or is it second now?) richest man in the world. But paying decent pay rates to its teachers, and I mean all teachers, is just not a priority in Mexico. So don't hold your breath waiting for that to ever change. I just got a job "offer" this week near my house, in a nice part of town. This is to teach in a private primaria full time.....drum roll please........$4,500MX. I can't see a Mexican teacher taking that kind of pay, but to offer it to a experienced native speaker? What an insult.

Don't forget all the fun that we have at INM and don't forget to do your tramite on time, in Spanish (why is it that no one at INM speaks English???) and then wait to see what went wrong this time. 3 months and $1,680 up to??? pesos later you are legal for another year.

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

Sarcasm? Your post sounds a tad bitter actually. Maybe you didn't know what you were getting into when you came to Mexico.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

I knew exactly what I was getting into. In fact, I still live in Mexico. I could go into the positives of life and living in Mexico, but I am a bit too tired right now. Like I said, that's just how I see it. I never expected to get rich or even make a lot of money. That was not why I came to Mexico. Neither did I ever plan on working for pay that is too low by local standards. If I wanted to be a volunteer I would have came as one.

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject:

My husband and I have talked about leaving, but we're with gallito, not until Bush is out of office! We are looking at an alternative teacher credential program in Texas. We could both get jobs through that in Austin, Texas. He teaching high school math and me early elementary bilingual ed. We'd both start off with salaries of at least 40,000 a year, maybe more due to holding hire degrees. But our main reason for doing it would be to immerse our daughters in English and be closer to my parents for a time. We'd set a limit--like 5 years--of time we'd be willing to stay in the US. And a recent road construction project is making my life here HELL!! I've mumbled "stupid country" under my breath more times in the last three weeks than I have in the last nine years.

But even though we toy with the idea, we aren't making any moves on it right now. If find the statements of no credit and career ceilings bizaar! I have both a mortgage and a Mexican credit card. I also have a very rewarding career, at a university, where I've taken a turn as an administrator and I dable in the ELT publishing industry--but not as an author, yet that is. Wink

I could happily live out my life here.

Gary Denness · Guest

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

Pay for foreign English teachers may not always be great but I know some professors from Tec de Monterrey, Universidad Panamericana, Iteso and UNIVA who would tell you quite different stories.

Also, in the north at least, the NORMAListas, those who have attended the NORMAL and are government accredited to work in public schools, often make quite good money and enjoy early retirement.

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

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

One thing I've noticed: when my students ask me why I'm leaving, as soon as I say I miss my family and friends, there's no need to say more. They understand completely. It's only my gringo co-workers who respond, "Yes, but..." and think that that's not reason enough.

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

I'm up for a new adventure. My wife-obviously a passport hunter, but I love her anyway, wants to do a Masters at U Victoria or UBC and I figure I'll tag along.
I don't particularly miss BC but it's a great place to live so I figure why not. If I do stay in ESL there's plenty of opportunity there.

I must say that the ridiculous ,absurd, senseless, depressing and counter-productive schedule that we are forced to keep at UMAR has a bit to do with my wife and I's decicion to leave the area.

Also global warming is starting to take its toal, it's just too uncomfortably hot too much of the day and of the year.

I envision that we will come back at some point in the future. I do love Mexico and it's in my bones. Whereas as for Canada I think it's a beautiful country and feel priveliged to have been born there, I definitely don't have that 'in your blood' kinda feeling. But I'm one of those people who has travelled quite extensively from childhood on so always feel like I'm looking for a home.
Anyone know what I mean?

I'm sure my wife will miss her family terribly and want to come back to be with them. I love them dearly as well, the thing is that they are defe�os true and true and I can't see myself compromising to the point of living in DF. Oh well, we'll cross that point when we get there.

gringojoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 26

Going by what most are saying here it seems Mexico is not a place for someone considering teaching English as a serious career move, unless you are able to secure a post at a university.
I guess it was a lifestyle choice that attracted most of you to Mexico then?

MELEE · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

Actually the language attracted me to Mexico. I didn't intended on staying in English Language Teaching, I saw it as a way to experience life in other countries, I was going to do 5 countries (Mexico was the third), then start a career in another field. I fell into a very lucky position, met a lot of great professionals, and realized that this could be a productive career and I enjoyed it. At the end of my first year here, I decided to stay until I felt like I couldn't learn anymore in this job. That was in 1999, and I'm still learning every moment I'm on the job.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

I left Mexico last week after two years of teaching at the Tec.
I made the decision last February. Some of it had to do with my parents visit in December, and realizing how much I missed them and some of my friends. However, I had made tons of friends in Mexico, including a "family".
The other reason has already been discussed at length here. I was able to live comfortably, but had difficulty saving (I've always been a saver). The people, the food, the art, culture, and weather were all fabulous for me, I just got scared. What if I had a medical emergengy? Wanted a house or car? I would be waiting a long time there, or calling my mom and dad for help, which I would be embarrased to do. This is on that famous Tec salary, which is not so great in the DF for somebody who wants a reasonable degree of independence and privacy!
So here I am, back in the North, surrounded by cows and farms instead of the DF. I've got water from the tap and can flush the toilet paper... I miss the loud music and tamale man already. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made.