FAQ Mexico

They say that Mexico is a country no one ever leaves. Every year, millions of tourists pass through, and Mexicans jovially warn that a part of them will remain behind forever. Most visitors are vacationing North Americans who wind up on the brilliant beaches of Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The beaches, of course, are among the world’s best – but those who venture inland are rewarded with the true soul of Mexico, which has always resided firmly in the interior.

And it has a big soul. The population is about 106 million, and the generosity of the Mexican people is unsurpassed. Knowing a few simple sentences in Spanish will win hearts and you will make faithful friends who will last a life-time.

Mexico has been graced with an unusually temperate climate year-round. The most important thing to remember is that the Mexican summer is also the rainy season, although the rain rarely lasts more than a few hours, and typically arrives in the late afternoon. All of Help!s schools are found in the central region of the country far off the typical beach-going tourist paths. Below you will find more information about living in Mexico and becoming part of Help!s teaching team:

CULTURE

1. Do I have to speak Spanish? No, but this is a great opportunity to learn as you associate with Mexican families and participate in language classes. As a teacher, HELP! classrooms are all-English environments and the students expect you to only speak English to them. HELP! has an internship program set up with local universities and these students provide our teachers with a few hours of free Spanish classes a week and cultural orientation. Through these services you can learn quite a lot of Spanish while you are here.

2. Where will I live? HELP! provides housing in a comfortable and modern apartment near the language center. HELP! pays rent and utilities (gas, water, electricity).  If requested, a host family may be found for the duration of the program in some of the locations.

3. Will I have my own room? Sometimes you will have you own room, or you may share with a volunteer of the same sex.

4. If I live with a host family will they speak English? Probably not. There are some cases in which your little “brother” or “sister” will be very adept at English and they can be your translator, but often the children will be the only ones in the home that speak English to some degree.

5. What kinds of clothes should I bring? HELP! will send you a list of recommended clothing appropriate to the season in which you come. The standard for teachers is semi-formal. Mexicans respect teachers greatly and that respect is also shown as you dress in a semi-formal to formal manner. Business suits are not necessary, but slacks or nice pants and a button down shirt are the norm.

6. What is the weather like? In the spring (April and May) it is very hot and because air-conditioning is not common you will want to bring light clothing. The winters are cool enough for sweaters, turtlenecks and jackets. The rainy season (the summer) is hot in the day and cool at night.

7. Are there Americans in the city where I will be teaching? In Puebla, there are many universities that have exchange programs with American universities. In Tehuacan, there are very few and you, the other HELP! participants, and some missionaries from various denominations are the only foreigners you will probably see during your stay.  There are occasional Rotary Exchange students at some of the local high schools and tourists in the summer.  HELP! has thoughtfully established programs in locations where teachers will be immersed in mexican culture and not in “tourist traps”.

8. How will I get around? In many cities, the school and apartment are within walking distance. There are very good local bus systems and mini-vans called “combis” that charge 5 pesos a ride. There are also taxis that charge $30 – $50 pesos to take you anywhere in the city.

9. Will I have free time? Teachers are in-class ( in front of students) for 5 hours a day, Monday-Friday. You will probably spend about 2 hours a day planning lessons so you will have free time to attend culture classes, exercise, study, read, give service at local hospitals or orphanages, take dance classes, see sights and do whatever else you would like.  Those participating the in TESOL Certification program will study approximately 3 hours in the morning and teach in the afternoon.

10. What are the living conditions like? Don’t worry, there is electricity, running water, and telephones in almost every home in the cities where Heslington is located. Paved streets may not be available in the neighborhood where you live, but the homes are modest and comfortable. Conditions in Puebla and Tehuacan are comparable to small cities in the U.S. or Canada.

11. Can I exercise? Yes. There are many parks, sports centers, and gyms near all of our locations. A gym membership costs around $300 pesos a month and they are comparable to small local YMCAs. There are also local swimming pools.

12. What is the food like? Forget Taco Bell and Chilis!! Mexican food is exquisite and these restaurants don’t even come close to the flavors you will enjoy while here. There are a lot of beans, rice, tacos, salsas, fruits and vegetables. If you don’t like spicy food, you can tell servers or food providers to tone-down the spice.

13. What if I am a vegetarian? Meat is an important part of the Mexican diet. Many mexicans are not familiar with a veggie lifestyle (vegans, lacto-vegetarians, etc… are truly foreign entities).  Beans, legumes, rice and corn tortillas are eaten with evey meal, so you can easily stick to your vegetarian habits.

14. Is the water potable? Tap water is not…but no one drinks out of the tap. Families here buy 20 liter jugs of water or boil water to drink. You may initially want to brush your teeth with a glass of bottled water, but after a few weeks your body will get used to it.

15. Can I buy the necessities? Yes. Deodorant, toothpaste, tampons, shampoo, contact cleaners and other personal items are available.  There are Sam’s, Costco, Walmart and other large supermarkets that carry most of the products you can find back home.  If you prefer certain brands you may want to bring your own supply.

16. What is a typical day like? Your schedule will vary depending upon what classes you are assigned to teach or take. HELP! has its own building downtown where most of the classes are held. Students come after school (between 4 and 9 pm) or before school in the morning (between 9 and 11). Between 11 and 4 you will be free to eat, plan your classes and relax (everything closes for the siesta between 2 and 4). You will teach morning and afternoon classes but your free time is open for you to create your own Mexico experience.

17. Are there washing machines to wash my clothes? If you live with a host family you will most likely have a washing machine available. You may need to handwash however depending upon your living assignment. Laundromats are also available that will wash, dry and iron your clothes for around $10 pesos per kilo of clothing.

18. How will I communicate with my family? You can call home (but it is very expensive approximately $2 USD a minute) or have them call you at arranged times. Internet is the best method – each of our centers has WiFi for the teachers to use during their free time. There are internet cafes on almost every corner in Mexico and you can rent a computer for $5 – $8 pesos per hour.

19. Should I bring my cell-phone? Yes, if you would like. This is an excellent way for your family and friends back home to call you hassle-free. It is also nice to have a phone to send Text Messages locally. There are very cheap phones that can be purchased onsite – $30 USD will buy you a phone with 100 minutes of talk time. It is very easy to buy phone cards for $100 or $200 pesos that will probably give you enough credit for a month or so.

20. What is the mail service like? The Mexican mail service is notorious for being unreliable. Most packages are opened and things are often stolen. If you need something urgently, FedEx, DHL and Airborne Express are the only expensive but reliable ways to mail things – important documents or valuables. Sending letters or post cards from Mexico to the US takes about 2 weeks and is fairly reliable.

21. Should I bring my own bedding? Bedding is provided, but you may want to bring your own towels and sheets if you are “particular” about where you sleep.

22. How do the people treat foreigners? Mexicans are very friendly and accepting of outsiders. They like foreigners because so much of their music, television and clothing come from the United States and Europe. They will be very interested in you and may even give you too much attention.

23. Can I find clothes in my size? Well, that depends on your size. The largest shoe for women is 8 (US) and for men is 10 (US). Clothing may be little more cozy than you would like if you are over 5’9”. There are large American-style malls that carry shoes up to size 10 and clothing that is a little larger, though it can be pricey.

24. Will I ever have a vacation? Mexicans find any excuse to have a vacation – especially in the spring. You will have a week for Easter vacation. We follow the vacation calendar of the Public Education System and during those vacations you are encouraged to travel with other volunteers or with friends.

25. Will I learn Spanish if I participate in the teaching program? Yes, but the amount of language you learn depends on you and your efforts. If you want to learn Spanish you will have ample time to practice with friends you meet. Interns from a local university provide Spanish practice for teachers who are interested in picking up español.

26. Will there be a guide to help me around? Each school has a local administrator who will help orient you during the first few days so you can find your way around. Usually you will make friends that will be more than willing to take you around their city.

27. Are there religious services? Yes. The Catholic Church has numerous chapels and cathedrals. Other denominations include the Mormons, Pentecostals and Evangelicals. There are no services in English, but it is a good opportunity to practice Spanish in a unique and personal way.

HEALTH

28. Do I need immunizations? If you are current with your immunizations there is no need to receive additional ones. You may want to check out the Center for Disease Control web page to see if they recommend any at the time you come to Mexico. Their website is www.cdc.gov. We recommend you have Hepetitis A and B shots. If you are unsure about getting an immunization the best policy is to do it – better safe than sick.

29. What if I get sick? There are many capable doctors in all of our locations.  Any type of antibiotics or medicine you may need – antibiotics, penicillin or standards like Pepto-Bismol and Alka-Seltzer are readily available. If there is an emergency there are very good and modern hospitals near all of our locations. Help! also has a list of reliable doctors that we will help you contact and go to. Medicine is cheap and of very good quality.

30. Will I be safe? Yes, but it is always a good idea to be street smart – act as you would in any big city like Los Angeles or Cleveland. You should not walk alone after dark just to be cautious. You should always be accompanied by someone you trust. In the downtown area and during the daylight hours you are very safe and people watch out for one another. Petty theft and pick-pocketing are very common so you need to be aware and not carry large quantities of cash or electronic equipment. More serious crime is fairly unheard of. The media portrays Mexico as a country where kidnapping and other crimes are very common – they are on the US-Mexico border or Mexico City and it is very disconcerting, but Tehuacan and Puebla are very safe.

MONEY

31. Can I carry cash? It is a good idea to carry only what you need – perhaps $200 pesos at a time. There are ATMs that will allow you to take out up to $300 USD a day with the added bank fees. ScotiaBank and HSBC are the only foreign banks that have branches in our locations.  Citibank has branches in Mexico City. All banks will accept transfers and wires. You will probably want to bring your own spending money in the form of travelers cheques that can be exchanged in local banks at the exchange rate of the day. The dollar is equivalent to approximately $13.00 Mexican pesos (September 2011).

32. Can I use my credit card? Yes, as long as it is a VISA. VISA is accepted at the large grocery and department stores. To make purchases at small local shops you must have cash. American Express is not typically recognized or accepted. Debit Cards are becoming more widely accepted.