Learning to Live in Mexico, or
"Just another day in Monterrey"

Who am I, and How did I end up in Mexico?

©2003 Amy Gray Kirkcaldy

Series Index

Concepts:

Mexico, Monterrey, schools, Mexican, English, Spanish, Carlos, iron, Spain, American, life, French, cultures, friends, teacher, high school, studying, living, language, water, learning, visa, leaving, intention, dorm, Madrid, chance, interview, internet, mother, Apostillizing, teaching, destination, newspapers, Tec, consulate, students, diploma, paperwork, connections, country, planning, needed English speaker, applicants, reputation, windows, post ads, bother, streets, hit, plans.

Summary:

I do not even pretend to know, but the point is, here I am in Mexico, an American from Boston, head over heels in love with a Mexican man who I met while studying in Spain.

My love for Spanish and Spanish-speaking cultures was an accident, or better said, the result of junior high immaturity.

My great grandmother, whom I never met, never even learned to speak English, and my mother grew up surrounded by French relatives.

So silly or as immature as it sounds, so began my love affair with Spanish, and indirectly, with Carlos, from Monterrey, Mexico.

I needed to iron some shirts, and the only person with an iron that I knew was Carlos.

I researched various English schools and their locations on the internet before leaving home, and I saved up as much money as possible beforehand so I would have something to fall back on while looking.

I would recommend trying to get a job with the Tec or any of its high schools to anyone interested in teaching English in Mexico.

Not only is the teaching job well paid on a Mexican scale, with excellent benefits and a good work schedule, but also facilitates making connections that could help you in the future.

Word of mouth, or calling on a contact already at your destination could also prove invaluable.

Many English schools, for example, do not bother to post ads in newspapers.

The Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest you will most likely offer this service or direct you to someone who does.

Full Article

Coming next month…..Who Let the Dogs Out? A guide to crossing the border (both ways!) as painlessly as possible.

Amy Gray Kirkcaldy lives and works in Monterrey, Mexico. When not teaching or learning how to dance cumbias, she is planning her Mexican wedding to Carlos

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