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I’ve taught English Language Learners (ELL) in the USA, South Africa, China, and now in Mexico. I have learned a few things in my short career as an ESL teacher and I thought I would write this article to inform you on the inevitable circumstances you will find yourself in if you decide to pursue a career in teaching ESL students. READ: Advocating for the Neglected in the United States School System by Always A Gringa 1. Terrible pay You are…
This article is the first of a new series on Always a Gringa that features other gringas living as expats throughout Latin America. They will be sharing their experiences, encounters, and thoughts on living in a Latin American country. I'll be kicking off this series with Lauren Cocking from Northern Lauren. Lauren is a Mexico City expat and blogs about Mexico travel, culture, food, and feminism. Her blog encompasses dreamy Mexican music playlists, reflections on living abroad, and guides to finding the…
When considering a trip to Mexico you might picture sandy beaches, beach cabanas, and margaritas. I like relaxing on the beach just as much as the next person, but resorts and tourist towns are such a small piece of what Mexico has to offer. In an effort to crush that status quo belief that Mexico is just overcrowded beaches and taco stands, I collaborated with some top travel bloggers to create a list of the best spots in Mexico. Prepare yourself for some…
How an African Philosophy found it's way to an American Expat living in Mexico My husband and I were driving around our new city in an effort to gain a better understanding of our location. Driving near a plaza we passed a small shop, one of them made my heart skip a beat; Ubuntu. A few months ago I encountered this term three times in one day, once at the end of yoga class, a second on Facebook and a third in conversation with my hair dresser. Today…
San Miguel de Allende has been on everyone's radar - making it to the top of Travel and Leisure's list of cities to visit. What's not to like from this colonial UNESCO World Heritage site - small cobblestone streets covered in brightly colored bugambilias, art museums, and cafes around every corner, street art from international artists, parades led by 10-foot paper mache bride and grooms and donkeys with glasses. Getting There and Around San Miguel de Allende By Plane There…
Jardín Botánico El Charco del Ingenio The botanical gardens are about 1.5 km Northeast of the main part of town in San Miguel de Allende. This 88-hectare (over 170 acres) space is not only a garden, but also a recreational and ceremonial space and a wildlife sanctuary. El Charco hosts an extensive botanical collection made up of cacti and other succulent plants, many of which are rare, threatened or in danger of extinction. In 2004 El Charco del Ingenio was proclaimed a Peace…
Packing our things At the end of June we waved goodbye to all our belongings as they were neatly packed into cardboard boxes and driven away. The only belongings we had to our name were in a trusty suitcase and a pack on my back. Days later we left Michigan with the expectation that our things would be meeting us in Mexico in 6-8 weeks. I would be in Asia for the next 7 weeks and B would be in Mexico. READ: 6 Tips on How to Land an Expat Assignment…
San Luis Potosí, Mexico is the capital and the largest city of the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. The city sits at an elevation of 6,700 feels. The city is named after Louis IX of France who is the city's patron saint. Potosí was added in reference to the rich mines of Potosí, Bolivia. The exploitation of silver and gold mines in Cerro de San Pedro near San Luis, was the main reason for the founding of the city…
This post was written by my husband who worked really hard to land us an expat assignment in Mexico. Some of you may have the desire to travel but want to keep your current job or stay in your career field. Not all companies offer international opportunities, but if yours does and you are interested in living abroad, check out this article! 1.) Review your company's "International Mobility" Policy An International Mobility (IM) assignment is ALOT of work so make sure…
This summer I traveled to Foshan, a city in the Guangdong Province of China to teach at a language center. While in China we had the opportunity to travel around some areas in the Guangdong province with our host. Some areas we visited include the Dialou Castles, the Ancestral Temple in Foshan, Guangzhou, and Xiamen city. I am fortunate to be able to visit areas of China that most travelers don't have the opportunity to see. Lingnan Tiandi in Foshan Lingnan Tiandi is a city…