Language assistants in Mexico

• Administrative documents: medical certificate (sometimes with a fee), criminal record check ($60–$70), passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of your stay ($120–$160);
• Visa application for Mexico: free (or minor administrative fees)
  A mandatory trip to Montréal in august;
• Plane tickets;
• Settling in your host country and first month’s rent;
• Insurance (health, travel, and liability).

Éducation internationale provides a $1,500 allowance to each language assistant. This amount is paid at the end of the contract, provided the assignment has been completed. It is intended to cover transportation and moving costs, as well as participation in the information session in Québec in June.

The net amount of monthly allowances varies depending on the host country and is calculated based on the average cost of living. This is a salary paid by the host institution or the partner organization.

The approximate net monthly salary is as follows:

• Mexico: approx. 12,000 MXN

While it is not mandatory, your host institution and the person responsible for welcoming you are generally expected to arrange housing for your first few days abroad and then assist you in finding accommodation that suits your preferences and budget. Always make sure to check the total cost and what services are included, such as meals, heating, phone, etc. You should also ask about visitor rights.

You may be asked to provide an advance or deposit for your rent.

Remember that you will need to cover all your expenses, including housing costs, with the allowance you receive.

Check the costs for extra baggage before booking your flight tickets. Some airlines charge higher fees than others, and it can sometimes be more cost-effective to choose an airline with a higher ticket price that includes free baggage.

For international flights, extra baggage fees are often very high, sometimes exceeding $100 per bag.

Stick to the essentials and consider purchasing bulky or heavy items (shampoo, soap, hair dryer, etc.) once you arrive in your host country.

Make sure to bring along materials that could be useful for your activities:

• Posters of Québec
• Tourist brochures and leaflets
• Postcards
• Youth magazines
• Menus
• Photos
• Canadian paper currency
• Other items that might interest students

As a Québec resident and a Canadian citizen, you must fulfill certain tax obligations. Given that their stays are temporary, assistants are considered to be Québec and Canadian residents for income tax purposes. You are required to report any income earned outside Canada to federal and provincial authorities.

Before completing your mandate in the host country, be sure that you have an official document or statements as proofs of the amount received.

For more information, please contact the Tax Services Office.

Declaring income earned outside Canada can be complex, so we recommend consulting an accountant specialized in international taxation to ensure your file is complete and compliant with regulations.

The Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (Student Financial Assistance) gives special status to all participants in the program, allowing them to defer the payment of their student loan for a six-month renewable period.

For more information, visit the Student Financial Assistance website.

To remain covered by health insurance, you must be present in Québec for at least 183 days per calendar year (from January 1 to December 31). For most language assistants, the total number of days spent outside Québec annually is less than 183, since the contract spans two calendar years.

Once every seven years, you may be absent for more than 183 days in a single calendar year without losing your eligibility for Québec health insurance. This absence is called the “septennial year” and must be reported to the RAMQ.

For more details, visit the RAMQ website.

If you hold a valid health insurance card, the Régie de l’assurance maladie reimburses professional services (services provided by a doctor, dentist, or optometrist) up to the rates in effect in Québec, even if you paid more abroad.

Important: Medications purchased outside Québec (even if prescribed by a doctor) are not covered. Before leaving, anyone who takes medication regularly should check with their pharmacist to see if it’s possible to obtain the necessary supply for the duration of their absence.

Language assistants assigned to the United Kingdom and Germany benefit from some coverage provided by the foreign partner as part of the program. However, outside your contract dates or when you are on vacation outside the country where you are working as a language assistant, you are no longer covered. Éducation internationale strongly recommends purchasing additional travel insurance.

Language assistants assigned to Mexico must purchase health and travel insurance to be covered for the entire duration of their stay.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance provides coverage in case of an accident or illness during a trip outside your home province. It can include:

• Hospital, medical, and paramedical care costs
• Loss or damage to luggage
• Trip cancellation
• Accidental mutilation or death

Québec health insurance and travel insurance are complementary. Travel insurance is valid only if you maintain your eligibility for RAMQ during your stay outside the province. Many companies, travel agencies, and financial institutions offer insurance plans. Speak with an agent about the conditions offered (coverage, cancellation, lost luggage, etc.) to get an idea of the different options available.

Liability Insurance

If you rent an apartment, alone or with others, or stay in someone’s home, you must ensure you have coverage in case of accidents in your home, fire, theft, equipment damage, vandalism, etc. If you benefit from your parents’ home insurance, check the conditions offered.

When immersing yourself in an international environment, it’s common to experience culture shock when faced with unfamiliar norms and references.

Discovering new cultures—and gaining a deeper understanding of your own—is an integral part of the language assistant experience. During your stay, you will encounter different beliefs, customs, laws, languages, arts, religions, values, family structures, and social and political systems. In general, discovering a new culture is highly enriching and positive, even if it can feel overwhelming at times.

During your pre-departure training, you will receive advice on how to navigate culture shock and practical steps to make this adjustment period as smooth and rewarding as possible.

Since the programs are divided between two international partners, the administrative structure works as follows: Éducation internationale supports you until your departure from Québec for your host country. The foreign partner then takes over and assists you from your arrival until your return. This approach makes sense, as we are farther from your situation and therefore less able to guide you in certain specific circumstances.

However, this does not mean our door will be closed during this period—we encourage you to stay in touch with us and keep us informed about your experience.