Feature photo by Andris Bjornson Photo above by fearweb

1. Footing the Bill

The word invite takes on a whole new meaning in Israel. To invite someone means you are volunteering to pay for them. When you say “I am inviting” to an Israeli, they hear “I am paying.” Even if you are prepared to treat your friends often, be careful that you don’t use this phrase too much.

The exchange of money and gifts in Israel is governed by a very delicate protocol. Paying for someone else is a matter of pride, so if you know that your friends cannot afford to treat you in return, limit the number of times you treat them. However, it is acceptable for a friend with a lower income to invite in return as a token. For example, if you are financially successful and you take a student friend out to dinner, he may return the favor by taking you to coffee.

2. Being Invited

Almost nothing is expected of guests, especially so if you are a tourist. When invited to someone’s home they will serve coffee, tea, and snacks with the utmost hospitality. If you offer to help make the coffee or clean up afterwards, you will be waved away without a response to dignify the offer.

Israeli hosts are very attentive and will pick up on every action as if it were a silent request. If you yawn you may be offered a quiet room to take a nap. If you’ve come in from a hot day you may be offered a shower. You are not required to accept but either way, saying toda raba (תודה רבה), or thank you very much, will go a long way toward making your hosts feel appreciated.

Photo by kikasso

3. Water Conservation

The first thing you will notice about bathrooms in Israel is that toilets have two handles: a small one for a small flush and a large one for a large flush. You can decide for yourself which one to use.

Israelis conserve water whenever possible. If you leave the faucet on while washing dishes or brushing your teeth, you may notice disapproving glances. Likewise if you take excessively long showers.

4. Security

Security procedures are much more strenuous in Israel than in other countries. When you enter bus stations, train stations, malls, or other crowded places, your bag will be searched and you may sometimes be asked to empty your pockets. This is simply a matter of course for Israelis- when they encounter a gate with a security guard, they surrender their bag or purse. It’s also a good idea to keep identification with you at all times, even if it’s only your driver’s license.

5. Military Presence

Military service is mandatory for most Israelis beginning when they graduate from high school. Although there are exceptions, young adulthood and military service generally go hand in hand, which means that nearly all 18-21 year olds are carrying guns.

Soldiers with guns are a common sight, especially in the train stations on weekends. Soldiers often carry their guns even when they’re not on duty, but they don’t always wear uniforms, so don’t be alarmed if you see someone on the beach with shorts, sandals, and a submachine gun.

6. Shabbat and Jewish Holidays

As Saturday is the Jewish day of rest, most business shut down on this day. Trains and buses do not run and most stores will be closed, with some exceptions. Buses still run in Haifa due to an edict by the first mayor of the city.

Tel Aviv is a big city with lots of secular residents, so some services will be available here. The monit sherut (service taxis) run, many business will be open, and a greater number of people will be out and about on the streets.

Outside Tel Aviv you will have difficulty getting around or buying anything on Saturday. In Jerusalem, which is home to a much greater number of religious people, this custom is strictly observed. The same goes for Jewish holidays, except for Yom Kippur, when every single business in Israel shuts down.

Photo by nicasaurusrex

7. Entering Religious Neighborhoods

Tel Aviv is described by its residents as a modern, western city. You can dress and act there as you would in San Francisco or New York.

But when visiting religious communities, or Jerusalem as a whole, you will need to dress and act conservatively. Women should cover their arms and legs and wear some sort of hair covering, like a scarf. Shorts are not acceptable on women or men.

Public displays of affection are not permissible and women and men should not walk together unless necessary. In these communities, you will be immediately recognized as an outsider no matter what you do, but observing as many of their customs as you can will gain you a better understanding of their lives.

If you’re a photographer, please note that taking pictures of people in these areas requires the utmost consideration.

8. Sex and Gender Relations

The party scene in Israel further exemplifies how different Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are. Tel Aviv is full of clubs and house parties that go on until morning are common. Gender relations are much more relaxed than in Jerusalem, partly because of the mandatory and mixed-gender military service (except for religious groups, which are usually exempt from military service).

Women serve in all the same units and positions as men and are therefore not generally seen as the weaker sex. Because of this relaxed attitude, Israelis are very open about sexuality.

9. Talking to Strangers

Israelis love to talk to strangers, be they foreign or domestic. When strangers talk to you, they may be asking you directions, where you got your shoes, or if you like the weather.

If you don’t speak Hebrew, you can simply say so in English. Nearly all Israelis speak at least some English and most members of the younger generations are fluent.

When you respond to their inquisitions with “Sorry, I don’t speak Hebrew,” they will respond almost invariably with an immediate translation to English. Because English is such a highly prized language, most people will be thrilled to practice their English with you.

10. Getting Directions

Because Israelis love to talk to strangers, they will be only too happy to answer questions you may have, such as how to get somewhere. However, sometimes their desire to talk to you (and practice their English) exceeds their knowledge about the subject in question.

Often their level of uncertainty about how to get somewhere gets lost in translation. In Hebrew, they might have been able to say “I’m not sure but I think it’s to the left” whereas in English they might only be able to say “to the left.” For this reason it’s always a good idea to take a sampling of directions from 3 or 4 people to be sure the information is correct.

Community Connection

For profiles of travelers and locals in Israel right now, and blogs and articles on everything from oversexed felines in Tel Aviv to the kick ass band Balkan Beat Box, check out the Israel Page here at Matador.

Feature photo by mars-hill Photo above by mars-hill

ACLE has begun recruiting for English teaching positions in holiday camps around Italy. The season runs for twelve weeks starting in June.

ACLE have been running for over twenty-five years and were the first organisation in Italy running Theatre in Education programmes to be endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Education.

You do not need a teaching or TEFL qualification to work for ACLE, although they are an advantage. The company stresses an informal teaching approach with drama, games and interactivity foremost. Training is given in a four to five day preparatory camp near San Remo where you can share ideas with past tutors, understand the organisation’s vision and teaching methodology.

Photo by mars-hill

No arrival or departure costs are covered by ACLE. You must hold travel insurance and, in addition, pay for an in-house training/orientation camp before starting work with them.

Near the end of the season they often drop the orientation camp fee if they are in need of extra teachers. After starting teaching, transport within Italy is paid for and accommodation is arranged. This is either in a hotel or with host families: a real chance to immerse yourself in Italian life.

Salaries for new tutors are 220 euros a week for non-residential “City Camps” and 240 a week for residential “Summer Camps”. Returning tutors earn 20 euros more for each programme. Salaries are paid at the end of your contract, although you can request payments in advance.

Candidates must:

• Be a Native English speaker (distinct foreign accents are not acceptable). GENUINELY enjoy working with children.
• Be energetic, positive, flexible and know how to smile.
• Be aged between 20 and 30 by June 1st of the year in which you are applying (Please note you may still apply if your age is outside this range) or have completed a minimum of a year at university, college or experienced a gap year!
• Be in possession of a valid passport. If you are in the process of applying for your passport, please send in your
  application followed by a copy of your passport once you have obtained it.

To find out more or apply for a position with ACLE, visit their website.

Feature photo by lachiquita Photo above by leomei

Study abroad offers insight not only into a foreign culture, but into our own. This is especially true for US students studying in Mexico. The two countries are connected not only by geography, but history – most of the southwestern US belonged to Mexico until 1846 – and immigration, which has given new vitality to Mexican culture within the US.

As you consider the many different study abroad locations, programs, and living arrangements in Mexico, keep this question in mind: How far are you willing to step outside your comfort zone in order to immerse yourself in another culture?

The key to a rewarding study abroad experience is finding the level of immersion that is right for you.

Choosing a location

Some locations in Mexico offer a greater degree of culture shock than others. In northern Mexico and many urban areas the pervasiveness of US consumer culture makes for an easier adjustment to life abroad.

This ease of adjustment, however, makes it more difficult to experience what is unique about Mexico. The same applies to coastal resort areas, like Cancun and Acapulco, where you often see as many foreigners as Mexicans.

Southern Mexico, on the other hand, is less economically developed, but rich in culture. Centuries-old indigenous traditions endure in the food, music, dance, and dress.

Do not be frightened away by reports of political unrest. The only Zapatistas you’re likely to encounter in Chiapas are the Comandante Marcos dolls for sale in the markets. While deep socioeconomic disparities make political unrest inevitable, it poses little danger to you as a traveler.

Like southern Mexico, Mexico City is a study in contrasts. It bombards your senses with dizzying extremes of high culture and abject poverty.

Unfortunately, Mexico City is as famous for its violent crime as its pyramids, murals and museums. For many students, the risks are far outweighed by chance to live at the center of art and culture, not only of Mexico, but all of Latin America.

But to put the crime rate in perspective, consider that many Mexicans have a similarly grim picture of violence in the US from watching news footage of school shootings like the one at Virginia Tech.

If Mexico City is too intimidating, consider Guadalajara, home of the Mariachi, or the equally lovely and more manageable sized colonial cities of Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Morelia and Mérida.

Photo by leomei

Choosing a program

Almost all study abroad programs bill themselves as “immersion” programs; what this actually means can vary considerably. The level of immersion is determined by two factors: the type of school you will attend and your living situation.

Private language academies, such as Instituto Jovel in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas and the Ollin Tlahtoalli Spanish Center in Oaxaca provide a supportive environment, especially for beginning students. The classes are small and often held outdoors in scenic gardens or terraces.

Most schools supplement their language programs with workshops in traditional art, dance and cooking. Many also offer you the opportunity to volunteer with community organizations like Oaxaca Street Children.

The drawback is that you will be taking all your classes with other foreigners, which limits your opportunities to interact with Mexicans. As a way to compensate, most schools offer intercambios, or exchange programs, that match you with a Mexican conversation partner.

For students with higher proficiency in Spanish, I recommend programs like those offered by the Butler University Institute for Study Abroad which allow you to take regular university classes alongside Mexican students. Being plunged into an unfamiliar education system is bewildering at first, but your Mexican classmates will be only too happy to help you navigate the cultural differences.

This is also a good option for students of disciplines other than Spanish, as universities have more diverse course offerings. The National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City is the largest and most prestigious university in Latin America.

Also excellent are the Monterrey Institute of Technology and University of the Americas in Puebla.

Photo by lachiquita

Living Arrangements

The most common living arrangement for student abroad participants is a homestay. Some programs place you in dorms or other group housing. A few offer private apartments.

Programs build high expectations for homestays; students expect to be effusively welcomed into the bosom of their new Mexican family. Sometimes this happens. More often than not, host families treat participants with hospitable reserve. For most of these families, this is a business first.

You’d also be surprised how many participants find themselves speaking more English than Spanish at their homestay. This is because families usually host more than one foreign student at a time.

Even if you specifically request your “own” host family, your program may not be able to accommodate you; it just doesn’t make financial sense for the families they work with.

Dorm situations and other group housing offer a more independent lifestyle. You have greater freedom to come and go whenever (and with whomever!) you choose. However, you inevitably end up spending more time socializing with your foreign roommates (in English!) than with Mexicans.

Overall, if you focus on finding the right level and kind of immersion for you as an individual, these seemingly overwhelming questions about locations, programs, and housing will fall into place.

Community Connection

Connect with other travelers in Mexico as well as local experts, check out local orgs , read blogs about Mexico, and more, all at the matador community.

Feature photo by akahodag. Mexico City, above. Photo by pulpolux

I was inspired to teach English after studying abroad in Mexico as an undergraduate. Learning a foreign language opened up my mind on so many levels that I wanted share the experience with others. Mexico, with its culture of hospitality, is one of the world’s most rewarding places to teach.

However, like most places in the developing world, it’s a challenge to earn a living.

Practical Info

Certification

Don’t be intimidated by all the acronyms for English teaching (TESOL/TEFL/TESL etc.) The skill-sets are mostly interchangeable. While some teachers do snag a job without certification, I strongly recommend having one.

Most reputable schools prefer to hire certified teachers. But perhaps most important: when you find yourself in front of the classroom, having training and a certification helps you feel less like a deer in the headlights!

Still, no four-week certification program is a substitute for classroom experience, but a reputable program (such as those offered by School for International Training, Trinity College, or International Teacher Training Organization will give you the basic tools to help you develop as a teacher.

Some of their courses are even offered in Mexico, with guaranteed job placement upon completion.

Photo by omar_eduardo

Pay

Average pay for English teachers in Mexico is less than you’d make flipping burgers home, about 50 pesos/hour (you may do a little better in urban areas like Mexico City and Guadalajara). In Mexico 50 pesos/hour is nothing to sneer at.

The problem is that few schools can offer you full-time hours. Most teachers cobble together a living by juggling classes at more than one school and giving private lessons on the side.

Migration

Foreign teachers in Mexico are required to have an FM3 work visa, which costs over 2,000 pesos (or 2/3 the average English teacher’s monthly wages). The visa can take months to process, and you can’t file for it without first obtaining a written job offer.

This is why most schools allow you to begin teaching as long as you’ve at started the FM3 paperwork (yes, there is such thing being as an illegal US worker in Mexico!). Sometimes it’s possible to expedite the process by getting an apostille stamp on your university diploma or TESOL certificate before departing for Mexico.

Photo by esparta

Types of Teaching Jobs

Never accept a job without first checking out a school’s reputation. If you can’t speak to current or former teachers in person, the best place to find the inside scoop on schools are Internet forums like the ones at Dave’s ESL Cafe or TESOL Worldwide. Another option is going through a job placement program like LanguageCorps, which I worked for in Oaxaca.

Private Language Academies

These small schools usually offer a relaxed (sometimes to the point of unprofessional) work environment, both in and out of the classroom. Pay is average.

Franchise schools

These include chains like Berlitz, Cambridge Academy, and Harmon hall. These tend to have a more regimented work environment (you might have to wear an unfashionable uniform) and teachers have less control over curriculum and methodology.

While they pay only a little better (or the same) as private schools, some offer contracts guaranteeing a certain number of hours in exchange for commitments of six months or a year.

Photo by cfrausto

Universities

In general, university classes are larger and students less motivated. Public universities are also plagued by bureaucracy and labor disputes.

Pay ranges from 50 pesos/hour to 12,000 pesos/month with benefits (especially if you’re experienced, or willing to work in a remote rural area). Universities are more likely to offer contracts and assume the cost of your FM3. On the other hand, most will not allow you to start teaching without a visa in hand.

Corporate Classes

Some schools and private agencies provide teachers to big- shot corporate clients who don’t have the time to attend regular classes. The pay is excellent, 80-100 pesos/hour, plus transportation, but hours are limited. My best teaching experience was teaching corporate classes at the Oaxaca airport.

Interview/hiring process

The interview/ hiring process in Mexico can be very informal by US standards, especially at small, private language academies. The most important factor is the personal impression you make on the director.

You may be asked to teach a class while the Director or EFL coordinator observes you. This can be nerve racking, but remember they’re probably more interested in how you interact with students than how well you can explain the mysteries of the past conditional tense.

They want to see that you care about students and teaching and not just looking for a way to finance a Mexican vacation! If the later is the case, forget: teaching is a demanding profession and at 50 pesos/hour you will not be able to afford the lifestyle you enjoy at home, much less that of tourist sipping tequila under the palms!

Community Connection

Matador contributor and podcaster Craig Martin has been funding world travels since 2003 using ESL. He explains more in his podcast How to Get Work Teaching English as Second Language.

For a complete listing of blogs, feature articles, and guides on Mexico, as well as local experts and travelers travelers to link up with right now, please visit the Matador Community.

Feature photo by mimemonkey. Photo above by Erin

Study abroad will be one of the most incredible experiences of your life.

There’s always a lot of planning to do for any trip, but study abroad requires special planning. Don’t procrastinate! Following these tips will ensure a safer and more relaxing time abroad.

1. Do Your Research

Do some reading on the culture and politics of the country you’re traveling to. Make sure you learn the name of the country’s president and the name of its currency. Knowing the basics ahead of time will help you feel a lot more comfortable once you’re on the ground.

2. Get your Passport and Visa Early

Make sure you have a passport that will be valid for 6 months after your program ends. Once that’s settled, apply for your visa as soon as you can. Some visas will take time to process and it’s important to leave time for any complications.

Photo by Erin Granat

3. Call Your Bank

Make sure you call your financial institutions and let them know you’ll be traveling. Many banks have security protections in place that can mean your bank card will be shut off if you don’t let them know you’ll be traveling ahead of time.

Find out if your bank has partnerships with any banks abroad that allow you to withdraw money without fees.

4. Meet with your Department Chairs and Advisors about Getting Credit

There is nothing worse than finding out that your credit will not count towards your major or graduation after you come home from study abroad. Find out deadlines for seminars and thesis proposals that will come up while you’re away.

5. Work out Your Housing for the Next Year Before You Leave

Do not assume things will work out. Make sure! Plans are a lot harder to make and change from abroad. Meet with your housing office before you go and make sure you know what to do in any situation that could come up.

6. Have a Travel Doctor’s Appointment

Especially if you’ll be traveling to somewhere off the beaten path, it’s important to check with a doctor before your departure. Make sure you have all the needed vaccinations for your destination and that there is no serious allergy risk for you in the country you’ll be visiting. Get any prescriptions you’ll have to take along.

Also make sure you have letters from your doctor accompanying all prescription medications to avoid any problems at customs. Certain countries will also require a World Health Organization card with proof of certain vaccinations required for entry.

Photo by geotraveler

7. Plan Your Budget

You will have additional expenses while you’re away. Do your best to find out as much about those expenses as possible. When you have made your estimate, plan accordingly.

8. Meet with your Financial Aid Office

If you are receiving financial aid, find out just what is covered when you are studying abroad and what you’ll need to know when you get back. Don’t wait to find out about any surprises.

9. Look for Additional Funds

A lot of scholarships are offered to help students studying abroad and to encourage international travel and communication. A lot of these grants are linked to the places students will be traveling. Some require a report when you get back, but the requirements are rarely too arduous.

See which grants are available to you and apply!

Photo by Nora Dunn

10. Get Excited

Do some exploring before you leave to get psyched about where you’re going. Find some novels set in your country of destination. Find some restaurants locally that serve its cuisine. It’s never to early to find things to look forward to about studying abroad.

Community Connection!

How will you keep in touch with friends and family back home while you’re away? E-mails are great, and Facebook is addictive, but you won’t have time to e-mail everyone individually, or waste precious hours checking the status of your friends.

The best way to keep in touch is to start a travel blog that you can update at your convenience. Many blogging platforms are available, but Matador is the most vibrant travel blogging community on the web.

Start your travel blog today!