Job Discussion Forums

[bayarea7m]

Hi there.

I'm a female American teacher. I'll be in Guanajuato for June and in Morelia for July this summer in a Spanish language immersion program through Amerispan. I was really trying to avoid high tourism and looking for lower crime areas (more important). These places didn't look bad. But I'll be there in the summer so I suppose places can change from month to month or season to season.

I know Guanajuato has more tourism, but I didn't want to be in Morelia for the whole two months and wanted something reasonably close by and interesting- and safe. It came with a high recommendation from Amerispan.

If you are teaching English in either of these cities or close by, I'd love to chat with you about your experiences there.

Also, if you've done Amerispan in either of these cities, I'd love to hear your experiences. They only post the positive experiences on their web site. They do post email addies of past participants if you want more details, but I thought I'd check here as well.

If you have any commentary about these cities, I'm all ears. Also, if you have a recommendation for places to visit nearby, I'd love to know.

And if any of you have something to say about the bug life I will encounter.... I'd lilke to know!

Thanks!

[Samantha]

I don't know anything about Amerispan, but both of these cities are great. You will find fewer foreign tourists in Morelia, than Guanajuato.

[Enchilada Potosina]

Guanajuato will be choc-full of tourists in July - pretty much all year round in fact so not the best place to get Spanish Immersion but yes, low crime.

[AdrianG4]

I lived in Guanajuato (and did my TESOL course there,) and it was a pretty amazing experience. A lot of foreigners there, but that's easily avoidable -- you can always practice your Spanish. It really is one of the most beautiful cities in the world

[gatopemex]

Hey there,

I'm currently teaching English in Morelia. Never heard of Amerispan.

As far as crime goes- well, just be careful.

I have been a victim here (car was stolen, then window smashed in new car to get to my bag) so I'm a bit more cautious now (paranoid?) than I have been in the past. I grew up my whole life in California and was the type of person who'd leave their wallet in X place and come back to find it 10/10 times, so I was pretty naiive and trusting. Not anymore! I'll keep my optimism and say Morelia/Mexico has strengthened my resolve. That being said, I've never considered myself in personal danger.

All the luxuries are here. Wal-mart, nice movie theatres, American-style malls, McDonald's, bowling, sushi, boba tea. All the (not-so) traditional stuff is here. Colonial-era architecture, cathedral, great food at great price, pirated DVDs, open-air food markets, you might like the jewelry.

There are several closeby towns that are very colonial and beautiful. Nature-type stuff is closeby. It's pretty centrally located, with Guadalajara, Mexico City, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa all being 3-4 hours away.

You have to love the rain, cause you're coming during the end of the rainy season.

Is there anything specific you'd like to know?