Explore Mexico
There’s virtually no chance of finding temporary work in Mexico unless you have some very specialized skill and have arranged the position beforehand. Work permits are almost impossible to obtain. The few foreigners who manage to find work do so mostly in language schools. It may be possible, though not legal, to earn money as a private English tutor by advertising in a local newspaper or at a university.
The best way to extend your time in Mexico is on a study programme or volunteer project. A US organization called AmeriSpan selects language schools throughout Latin America, including Mexico, to match the needs and requirements of students, and provides advice and support. For further information, call (from the US or Canada) t1-800/879-6640 or t215/751-1100, or see wwww.amerispan.com.
Volunteers need to apply for a voluntary work visa (FM3), for which you will need to present a letter of invitation from the organization for whom you are volunteering.
AFS Intercultural Programs US t1-800/AFS-INFO, Canada t1-800/361-7248, UK t0113/242 6136, Australia t1300/131 736, New Zealand t0800/600 300, South Africa t011/447 2673, international enquiries t+1-212/352-9810; wwww.afs.org. Intercultural exchange organization with programmes in over fifty countries, including Mexico.
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) US t1-800/40-STUDY or t1-207/553-4000, UK t020/8939 9057, Ireland t0818/200 020, Australia t02/9997 0700, South Africa t021/424 3866; wwww.ciee.org. Leading NGO offering study programmes around the world including Mexico.
Earthwatch Institute US t1-800/776-0188, UK t01865/318 838, Australia t03/9682 6828; wwww.earthwatch.org. Matches volunteers with scientists working on particular projects; recent programmes in Mexico have included tracking turtles in Baja California and searching for fossils in Guanajuato. It’s not cheap: volunteers must raise a minimum contribution of US$1500–4000 (average about US$2500) for each one- to two-week stint as a contribution to the cost of research.
Studyabroad.com US t01-484/766-2920, wwww.studyabroad.com. Language programmes, semester-long and year-long courses and internships in Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Puebla and Mexico City.
World Learning US t1-888/272-7881 or t802/258-3212, wwww.worldlearning.org. Its School for International Training (wwww.sit.edu) runs accredited college semesters in Oaxaca, comprising language and cultural studies, homestay and other academic work.
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