Job Discussion Forums

[Koos]

FYI, some information on the package offered to English language instructors by the Universidad de la Sierra Sur:


�All teachers at the University are hired full-time as �teachers/researchers� and are provided with a workspace and a computer. Most teachers have their own offices, though sometimes new teachers will share an office with one other teacher. Teachers give approx. 16 hours of classes per week, with the remainder of the 40 hour week being used for class preparation, projects, professional development activities, etc. Teachers are also involved in the general running of the Language Center.

The full-time position involves approximately 16 hours teaching per week (Mon-Fri). Teachers work from 9 to 2 in the morning, and from 4 to 7 in the afternoon. (Due to scheduling, some teachers instead work from 8-1 and then have a longer lunch break from 1 to 4pm).

Contract: The initial contract is for 6 months. A second 6 month contract is issued upon the agreement of the teacher and the head of the language center. After the first year of employment, the new teacher is invited to apply for tenure upon the discretion of the university. Additionally, the university offers a paid sabbatical year after 6 years of employment.

Salary: The take-home salary is approximately 10,000 pesos (approximately $1,000 US dollars) per month after tax deductions. This amount is sufficient to live comfortably here in Oaxaca). With the university savings plan you receive a payout of approximately 2 months salary in July after a full year�s employment. It is pro-rated, so after a 6 month contract you would receive an extra month�s salary in July or whenever you leave the university. The University pays into the national health, retirement and housing funds and teachers receive a Christmas bonus.

Vacations: Official National Holidays, plus 5 weeks paid vacation per year � 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week at Easter and 2 weeks in July. (Unpaid leave can normally be granted for an additional week in August/September.)

Work Permits: Foreign teachers need to obtain a work permit (an FM3) prior to starting work (the process takes approx. 3 weeks) The application process is done in Oaxaca, Mexico and assistance with the process is given by the University although no financial assistance is given. The current fee is approx. 2000 pesos for the first year. Yearly renewals are slightly less. To obtain the work visa, Undergraduate Degree certificates must have an apostille (or an equivalent seal of authenticity) in the country of origin. The work permit must be applied for prior to starting work at the Language Center. You are not left alone to do this, but have the help of the other teachers in filling out the forms, getting the required papers together and usually a teacher will go with you to the immigration office in Oaxaca.�

�Immigration: The University does not pay for this process but supplies the necessary paperwork. The FM3 costs approx. $200 and is good for a year. The dept. head or another teacher here will help with the paperwork and go with you to immigration the first time and help out in any way possible. The process can take anywhere from one week to a month.
It is NECESSARY to have your BA apostilled BEFORE taking your paperwork to Immigration. This can be done from Mexico, but might require help from folks back home. It is easier and faster if you have it done at home before you come. Do not wait until the last minute to apply for your apostilled documents.�

�Housing / Cost of Living: The university does not organize housing but the Centro de Idiomas will organize a hotel room for teachers while they look for suitable lodging. Whenever possible Centro de Idiomas staff will investigate available housing before teachers arrive and help them find a home. Teachers can look for furnished apartments (a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive) or unfurnished. They should keep in mind that for an unfurnished apartment they will need to purchase a mattress ($80-$100 U.S. dollars), some furniture, and kitchen appliances (a refrigerator costs approx. $200 dollars, a 2-burner stovetop about $25 dollars). Rent is fairly economical. Rooms and apartments in town cost between 500 and 2000 pesos a month. The cost of living is reasonable and it is fairly easy to save a third of your monthly pay.�

�There are rooms that can be rented for about $50. a month and generally the bathroom is shared. The majority of the teachers rent unfurnished, one-bedroom apartments for about $130. a month. The electric bills vary but are usually $2-10 a month, depending on the apartment and your personal usage. Some landlords include electricity in rent. Gas is about $10 a month. Houses can be rented too, it�s a matter of checking around to find a place you like. There are hotels for a variety of incomes-$12 a night and up.�

[bronte]

I've just started working at UNSIS and can confirm that everything posted above is true. UNSIS, just like most of the other Oaxacan regional universities, is a weird little compound in the middle of nowhere, but it's still a pretty good gig for Mexico. The administration can be a huge pain, but you have very little contact with them most of the time, and are left to your own devices.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions!