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Projects Abroad in Mexico
Depending on your point of origin, you will most likely have to make one transfer within the United States before arriving at the modest airport at Guadalajara. After checking through customs you will come through a narrow walkway to the small arrivals lounge. Here, one of our Mexico team will greet you with a Projects Abroad sign. If your flight arrives late in the evening our staff will take you to stay overnight at the office, which is in a large traditional Mexican house in the city center.
After a good night's sleep and some breakfast, a member of Projects Abroad staff will take you on a tour of the city. During your walk you will see the museum, bank, post office and numerous internet cafes. You!ll learn how to use the buses and the subway system as well as find out where other volunteers spend their free time. Guadalajara is a modern city, so you will be able to get hold of most things you may need.
Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman
If you are taking part in a placement in Guadalajara, you will be taken to your host family during your first full day in Mexico so you can settle in. The next day you will be introduced to your placement. If your volunteer placement is based in Ciudad Guzman, you will usually travel there the day after your arrival into Guadalajara.
Host families are an essential part of the experience in Mexico. They are well established and understand how Projects Abroad works. Mexicans are very family oriented, so you are bound to be part of some large family gatherings as well as have all the social life you'd want with volunteers and locals alike. Houses are middle class with reasonable facilities - some are grander than others, but all offer a comfortable room and bed and a friendly face when you get home.
"My family was absolutely wonderful and I had a fantastic time with them. They were very kind and took me to loads of places and made me feel really welcome."
Elizabeth Allison, Teaching in Mexico
We encourage all volunteers living in Guadalajara or Ciudad Guzman to try and learn a little Spanish before departing. The host families speak limited English and really appreciate it if volunteers make an effort to interact in Spanish. If you want to become even more proficient, we can help arrange Spanish lessons.
"The opportunity to work with Mexicans in an entirely Spanish-speaking environment gave me so much more of an insight into their culture than if I!d just been traveling."
Julia Banwell, Journalism in Mexico
Volunteers working in Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman will need to cover the cost of the journey to and from work. Most volunteers travel to work by local bus, which costs on average less than $1.50 per day.
Conservation
If you are taking part in our Conservation project, you will stay in Guadalajara at the office for a night or two. You will have the chance to explore life in Guadalajara before heading off to the camp. You will then catch a bus to Tecoman where you will be met by one of the Conservation staff. It is just a short drive to your new home - the beach!
Accommodation at the turtle camp is basic and adventurous - but you will have everything you need during your conservation experience! There's a kitchen, flushing toilets and showers, and lots of modern tents - one of which will be your home during your placement.
All volunteers on Teaching, Care, Arts & Crafts, Medicine, Journalism, Animal Care or Spanish placements in Mexico now have the opportunity to add a 7-Day Conservation Project to the end of their main placement.