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Chantella
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:49 am Post subject: oh so nervous. |
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Hello everyone.
I just thought I'd post and introduce myself. My name is Chantalle and I'm from Canada. I finally bought a ticket to Mexico and will be in Puerto Vallarta April 2nd. I'm pretty sure I'll end up teaching in Guadalajara or Mexico City. I only have a TESL certificate.
For the most part, I'm really excited.. but then all of a sudden today it hit me. I'm going to a new country alone and I don't know anybody. I guess I'm nervous and it doesn't help when people constantly remind me that a "young girl" shouldn't travel alone. Just wanted some insight to your feelings before leaving your home. Were any of you terrified before you went? Did you go with friends? Did you make friends online before you went? Any advise on easing into a new country would help, too. Anyways, thank you to anyone who responds.  I'm generally a very friendly person and even though I can be quiet or shy at times I get along with almost everyone. I like meeting new people. |
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Jetgirly
Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Posts: 741
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| Do you have a Bachelors degree? Are you planning on getting a work permit so you can work legally? |
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Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:04 am Post subject: |
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deleted
out of date
Last edited by Dragonlady on Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Sorry about the first response...not sure what that was all about. You can definitely work legally in Mexico with only a TESL certificate. Dragonlady nailed it...bring your common sense, use your instincts and don't trust the types of people you wouldn't trust at home. If you always remember that, you will be fine.
Get your TESL certificate apostilled in Canada, if you haven't already done so. You will have a bit of a vacation when you first arrive, since school will be out for 2 weeks for Semana Santa (2 week school holiday surrounding Easter). Bring enough money to tide you through this time period. Puerto Vallarta, being a beach resort, has costs which are "touristy", and maybe out of budget for new teachers unless you get the inside track early on.
Check the schools there before you move on, as you never know if they will be down a teacher after the holiday. You will have no problem meeting others, so don't worry. Good luck and stay in touch! |
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Jetgirly
Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Posts: 741
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| Dragonlady wrote: |
Which part of "I only have a TESL certificate" are you not clear on JG?
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It could be written to contrast "I have a teaching certificate" or "I have an M.Ed in TESOL". The OP might have had an additional qualification that was unrelated to EFL and not mentioned it because she thought it wouldn't make a difference.
How many people on this board actually obtained and kept a decent job without a Bachelors degree? I'm guessing that people without degrees make up the vast minority of posters here, either because they weren't able to get/keep a job, or because their job is so horrific that they're working all day and don't have the time/money to access the internet regularly. |
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Mrs L
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Posts: 72
Location: Rainy England
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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I lived and worked in Mexico quite happily for 2 years w'out a batchelors degree but with a few HE credits, a TEFL certificate, and some experience in Asia to help me find work. It was fine, so don't judge.
Incidently I've now got that batchelors but am working on my MA Applied Linguistics (which is taking over my life at the moment, aargh) and that piece of paper I got last year hasn't opened up any new jobs to me that weren't available before I had a degree.
Anyway, back on topic, I arrived in Mexico, alone with no Spanish, and everyone kept telling me I was crazy before I left. I was also absolutely terrified before I flew, and probably for the first few days/ weeks as well but I can't remember it in that much detail now. I never got rid of that nervous excitement before a new trip no matter how much I travelled, in fact I think it got worse as I got older because I fully understood what I was letting myself in for. Your feelings are normal, Chantella, don't worry.
Follow the advice of dragonlady and samantha, post again if you need more specific advice on jobs or anything once you arrive, and have fun. |
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Chantella
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:36 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for responding everyone!
DragonLady: I don't have any jobs lined up, but I just chose those two cities since they are large and I'm more likely to find a job considering I have no teaching experience. I've applied online at a couple in Guadalajara, but so far no response. I may just show up in person as well as apply to the ones that are on my list of schools. I have a few thousand saved up so I think I should be fine. I'd say I'm pretty good humoured and I know how to laugh at myself. 
Samantha: You know, I read on these forums about getting your TESL cert apostilled in Canada and I brought this up with my TESL teacher and he said that he's never been asked that question before. I took my course with Oxford Seminars and he said that Oxford is well known and that I wouldn't need to so I'm not sure. I had no idea about Semana Santa.. haha so that is an interesting surprise.
Jetgirly: well that's discouraging.
Mrs L: Thank you. I often get jitters for no reason at all. I try not to sweat the small stuff. |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:34 am Post subject: |
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Chantella wrote:
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| I took my course with Oxford Seminars and he said that Oxford is well known and that I wouldn't need to so I'm not sure. |
I must say, that was a rather arrogant comment your instructor made in an attempt to brush you off on a very important matter. Shame on him. He obviously doesn't know how important this is and showed his own lack of experience with that response. I would be inclined to let him in on a little secret.
When it comes to working legally in Mexico, the Immigration office issuing work permits require proof your degree or certificate is legitimate. It doesn't matter if you have graduated from the most famous University with a teaching degree. They want to make sure that a certificate hasn't been printed in someone's basement and sold over the internet.  . The Canadian Gov't has outlined specific steps needed to accomplish this. There is a sticky at the top of the forum, which I think shows the link to the steps required for Canadians. If not I will send you the links. |
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Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:22 am Post subject: |
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deleted
out of date
Last edited by Dragonlady on Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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