Higher Path

In just single words if i have to describe my experience, i would say - excellent - superb - awesome!

I has been a rewarding and heart touching experience travelling with a purpose so different and for the first time in my life. I cannot decide whether imparting education, a gift of language, was more fulfilling or the opportunity to travel to a part of the world that is so different in every way - the food, culture, music, weather, topography, social systems, customs and traditions etc was.

Undoubtedly every aspect of my trip and Mexico was excellent. However, i would like to say that the best aspect of my trip are the people of Mexico! They are simply amazing! They are warm and friendly. I met Mexicans in form of different groups - people from my school, my students and their family members, my host family, families of my Mexican friends who presently live in Canada etc. Everyone was welcoming and always worked towards my safety and pleasant experience! I felt so much at home in Mexico! Even unknown people like policemen, staff at the ticket windows of Metro (train) stations, local street vendors, public transport operators etc all were very helping and never ever misguided me.

I would like to share a story - my personal experience - just to reiterate how friendly the people of Mexico are. One day, i was in urgent need of Mexican PESO (MXN) and all i had was Canadian Dollars (CDN). I went to a local bank for the exchange. I was advised that i could not be helped as i did not have a Mexican ID (as i am not Mexican Citizen) & unfortunately, i did not carry my passport along that day. I was about to leave the cashier and one lady - a local Mexican - who was listening to my conversation came forward for help! She offered her Mexican ID and authorized the exchange. She was really a savior! Honestly, i can never imagine a stranger coming forward for this big a favor :) And for no expectations in return!

Truly, irrespective of all not very pleasant stories for Mexico floating around, i would still recommend Mexico for memorable and life change experiences! Especially my school - HigherPath. If not for them, i would never have had this experience that is so close of my heart :)

It is difficult to choose just one highlight of the experience, however I enjoyed traveling to places the most. My favorites included the pyramids, Valle de Bravo, and El Rollo!

I would tell a prospective applicant to travel as much as possible! The museums in D.F. are amazing, and the areas outside the city all have something different to offer. Explore!

Higher Path helped me with literally everything I needed or wanted throughout the program. They answered any and all questions and made sure I enjoyed my experience. My placement was extremely flexible and understanding when I was traveling and with schedule changes, so that was great as well. I would recommend my placement for future applicants because they were extremely flexible. I also greatly enjoyed all of my time “working”. The students of the placement are all very welcoming and it was enjoyable to have conversations with people from all different backgrounds.
I enjoyed the little things with my family - going out for tacos, playing video games, going out to the movies, etc. Spending time with the family was very enjoyable because they are a lot of fun and very welcoming.

I found my work to be very interesting and rewarding. I greatly enjoyed learning more about my own language, Spanish, my students, and life in Mexico. I would not necessarily say that it was challenging, but I learned a great deal from it. Teaching at Higher Path was more challenging than my placement (where I had conversation classes only). I think it was good that it was not overly challenging because I believe that would have been a bit overwhelming. I received a great deal of orientation about my placement before my start date. It answered questions I did not even know that I had.

I wanted some real life experience teaching and I heard about this program while in student halls. I don't speak Spanish and I don't have much teaching experience but the staff were friendly and the school was in a very nice part of the city. I didn't do any optional trips because my family took me everywhere but I wish I could have seen more outside of the city. I only had a month but I think it should be 2 to really see everything in the city! I miss my Mexican family a lot and I know I'll be over some time again soon but I need to complete my studies first!

I recommend the museum of anthropology, we also went into this small market a lot for our meals and I remember eating for so cheap! Ask beforehand though if your family has Internet because mine didn't and I had to go to like an Internet cafe to talk to my family.