Search found 49 matches

by Alexandru
Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:04 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: IB Program at Bethel
Replies: 17
Views: 31847

@jbiersteker

We can't PM on these forums. Can you give me your email address?
by Alexandru
Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:56 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: IB Program at Bethel
Replies: 17
Views: 31847

I went to Bethel, and I can put you in touch with some people from there who know more about the IB program if you want.
by Alexandru
Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:21 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

That number sounds about right for international schools in Mexico.
by Alexandru
Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

I did a Google search and found this post. Not sure how reliable it is.

http://internationalschoolsreview.com/v ... merica+top
by Alexandru
Fri Jan 11, 2013 6:41 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

Sorry I've been MIA. I'm not sure how much they pay. I'm sure it's the best in Monterrey, though. I would actually be curious as to how much they offer you. Good luck with everything!
by Alexandru
Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:57 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

Sorry, I don't have any more information about the school. Everything that I know has already been written in my previous posts.
by Alexandru
Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:35 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

It's Americanized in the sense that it has a lot of American restaurants. There is still plenty of culture. Mexicans really appreciate their culture, and are also friendly. I often get invited to parties here. I even got invited to a family BBQ the first night I was here by someone I met that day. There is Mexican food in Monterrey, of course. Monterrey is known for "cabrito," which is roast goat kid. I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard that either you love it or hate it. I've also been invited to quinsinettas (ceremony for a 15 year old girl) and weddings, both of which were very "Mexican." A lot of young people know English, but it depends where you are and who they are. In restaurants, people probably won't know much English, so be prepared to use Spanish. They appreciate if you try.

I can't really say much about owning a car. Gas is expensive. I do know that. A lot of people in Monterrey use cars, so it must be somewhat affordable. If you worked at ASF, I'm guessing that you would live in San Pedro, which is the rich part of the city. It's very safe. Rent is more expensive there, though. I pay $400 for a one bedroom apartment in a decent area, but I'd you have a family, expect to pay double that. I'm sure ASF would give you a housing allowance of some kind, and I know that they are one of the highest paying schools in all of Latin America. You mentioned you have a spouse? Will they work? I send a lot of money home for student loans, and I'm able to go out to eat and do whatever with my salary. Don't expect to save a lot, though.

Traveling within Mexico by bus or plane is cheap. I went to Mexico City for a Christmas, and I paid $180 for a round trip plane ticket. Traveling to other countries in Latin America is expensive, though. Check prices online. I don't know about plane ticket prices for those countries.

I'm typing these replies from an iPhone, which I use in Mexico. It's unlocked, so I can use it anywhere. To buy a cell phone here, I think you need to show TelCel (the biggest phone company here) your FM3 work visa. Phone plans here are a little lower than in the United States. I don't have a plan. I just buy credit every week. I probably spend $30/month for credit. I call and use the Internet with my phone.

Sorry if my information is a little vague. I've only been here for half a year, so I don't have details on everything. Let me know of you need more information.
by Alexandru
Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:13 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

It's a good city for people that like the outdoors. The only catch is that you need to have a car or know someone who has a car to get to many of those places. Montrerrey, as a whole, is a "car city." If you don't have a car, then it would be less fun. I use public transportation, which is good, but I have friends who have brought me to the cool places in and around Monterrey.

That being said, there are mountains, waterfalls, caves, forests, and rivers outside of Monterrey, all of which are great. I'm not sure if you're referring to the natural river that flows through Monterrey (which is dried up sadly) or the man-made river called Paseo Santa Lucia. The man made river is really pretty. There are a few restaurants along it, ferries that travel through it, and a big park at the end of it. Also, there are sidewalks on each side so you can travel from one end to the other.

The ocean is about four hours away. I haven't been to that part of the ocean yet, though.

It gets really hot in the summer. During the winter, it can get cold in the morning, but hot in the afternoon. Monterrey has very bipolar weather. There is a saying here that if you don't like the weather in Monterrey, come back it five minutes. It changes a lot. It doesn't snow here, really. I've heard that it has snowed in the past, but it melts right away. When it rains here, it pours. It doesn't rain too often, though.

If you want more information about the outdoor places inside and outside Monterrey, Google these places: Macroplaza, Grutas de Garcia, Parque Chipinque, Cola de Caballo, Cerro de la Silla, and Santiago.
by Alexandru
Thu Jan 03, 2013 10:19 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: ASF Monterrey
Replies: 26
Views: 40852

I work in Monterrey right now, but not at ASF. From what I've heard through many people, ASF is THE best school in Monterrey and definitely on the top schools in Mexico. I've heard that try pay well, but that you will be asked to work pretty hard for your money. I also know that a lot of people tend to renew their contracts, so it must be a pretty good place. As for Monterrey, I like it a lot. I haven had any problems with crime or safety yet. Despite what the media has said about the safety of Monterrey over the last few years, I would say that it's safe. It's a big city, and it has a lot to offer. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.
by Alexandru
Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:08 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Apostille
Replies: 3
Views: 4697

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it depends on where you're from.
by Alexandru
Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:56 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Schools that hire new teachers....
Replies: 18
Views: 30117

I would rather not say on this forum, but you wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I think most international teachers would agree with me in saying that the first two years of international teaching are most likely spent teaching at bad schools (probably third tier). Where are you from? If you're European, then you have a better chance of working at a European school. Just apply to a lot of different schools from now until maybe February or March and see what happens.
by Alexandru
Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:37 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Schools that provide housing
Replies: 29
Views: 38204

Both of the schools that I have taught at have provided housing. In Europe, the housing was in the city center. It was a small, one bedroom apartment. I loved it. In Latin America, the housing was far away from the city center in a rural area. Basically, it was in the middle of nowhere. It was poorly built, filled with bugs, and was in a dangerous area. I had to have many arguments with the school about moving me to a different location. they finally caved, and I got to move to the center.
by Alexandru
Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:31 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Schools that hire new teachers....
Replies: 18
Views: 30117

I didn't have ANY teaching experience when I started teaching internationally, and I got hired in Europe and Latin America. I think that your best bet would be to apply to schools in the Middle East. You might have a shot in Latin America or Asia, too.
by Alexandru
Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:44 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Bucharest
Replies: 11
Views: 19138

I worked at a different school in Bucharest last year, and I have also heard good things about AISB. It is located outside of the city center, so you will need to take a bus or taxi to get into the city center. I know that their benefits package is very good. Bucharest itself is a great city. That being said, some people hate it. I left Romania last summer, and yes, the traffic can be crazy, but I enjoyed the craziness of the city. A lot of construction is still going on in the city center. They are continuing to improve the old center, which is where a lot of bars and clubs are.
by Alexandru
Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:25 pm
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: SABIS Germany
Replies: 16
Views: 32927

I second everything that PsyGuy said.