You can read about Andrea Martins's time teaching English in Mexico as a volunteer. Here she tells us what being an Assistant Manager involves.

The next step.A job abroad: Assistant Manager, Ciudad Guzman MEXICO

The voluntary experience I had in Mexico made me reassess my priorities in life and I felt that I wanted to continue helping the people of Ciudad Guzman. I'd also seen some wonderful opportunities for new projects. Upon my return to the UK I asked the staff at Teaching Abroad whether they could use someone based out in the city of Ciudad Guzman and that I had a few ideas that could help them. After a few interviews and discussions I was offered a 6 month contract as an Assistant Manager and Coordinator of the volunteers working out in Mexico. I couldn't have been more thrilled!!

I was sent to the Guadalajara office for a month where I was placed to 'learn the ropes' and fully understand the administrative side of the job from when a booking comes in, to the process of allocating volunteers with families and placements and checking that all their requirements will be met. I made up welcome packs and took some volunteers on tours around Guadalajara. All correspondence between the UK office and Guadalajara was in English but otherwise my Spanish skills were tested to the fore. I speak Spanish fluently which helped to build up rapport with the host families, school teachers, directors etc.

After Christmas I began my 5 months in Ciudad Guzman as the official rep/coordinator for the volunteer contingent out there. My duties included dealing with host families, liaising with project directors, teachers, supervisors, managing invoices, networking to build relations (and perhaps discover possible new projects) as well as interpreting and my favourite part- as Tour Guide!!

As Assistant Manager and Coordinator, you are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and therefore, you have to be ready for every eventuality. Should any of the volunteers fall ill you have to arrange doctor or hospital visits, be there for support and reorganize the volunteer's commitments should they fall ill during their project placement time.

Back in February 03, there was an earthquake (it measured 7.3 on the Richter scale) just off the coast of Colima and it affected the city of Colima quite badly and also extended out to the city of Ciudad Guzman. It happened out of my working hours but I went round to each of the volunteers' houses with a neighbour of mine to ensure that they were all ok. This is something that you cannot foresee but is an example of something that you have to deal with should it arise. The volunteers need to know you are someone who is approachable and can be relied upon for help or advice at all times.

Working hours were from 9am - 6pm and no two days were the same! One day you could be promoting the organization to a radio station and then checking on volunteers at an orphanage, paying a host family their monthly fee and then helping a volunteer buy some cough medicine from the chemist. The next day you could be meeting a new volunteer at the bus station, introducing them to the other volunteers, their host family and then doing a tour of the city and end the day by possibly having a glass of piña colada with a volunteer who feels a bit homesick.

I was there to ensure that all the volunteers were happy with their families, their food, their projects etc. If there were any problems it was my job to sort them out effectively. I regularly checked on the volunteers either at home or at their placements. I built up rapport with all of the directors, teachers and placement supervisors, thereby allowing me to gain privileges on behalf of the volunteers! If a volunteer wanted to change their hours or needed a day off to do something then I could arrange that without causing any problems.

I also gave advice to the volunteers regarding flights, traveling tips, best places to visit or the best bars and restaurants to try in Ciudad Guzman! I began to promote the organization and met the president of the city who was most impressed by what we were doing. I found new projects such as the local orphanage and newspaper offices where we hadn't had volunteers previously. I also did some radio and newspaper interviews (with some of the volunteers included), which further promoted our projects and improved relations with the community. The volunteers who did a radio interview with me were very happy to be on Mexican radio and know that there was so much interest in what they were doing in Mexico!

I really enjoyed my time as Assistant Manager and have gained a whole new skills set that I never new I had! These are skills which are transferable to the workplace. Overall, the experience has made me a more patient and tolerant person and has improved my Spanish fluency. I'd recommend working and/or volunteering in another country to anyone as it is an advantageous and constructive way of developing your skills and helping others at the same time. It's also a comforting thought for the volunteers that there is someone out there to help them whilst they are having their trip of a lifetime.

Andrea Martins

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Andrea Martins & Daniel Leon in Mexico