0 reservations about DF at all. I love that city. What would give me pause is your son's age. I wouldn't let my son move to NYC or LA at that age alone, for example. Perhaps if it was a full program with student/intern housing or if it was a big city with family in the area.

Are you Mexican? Does he already know the culture beyond occasional vacations? I think I would be okay with the set up in general at 19 or 20 but not 17.

Anonymous wrote:It seems a little young to me - and yes, I know he will be off to college in another year. Is this a group internship program? Or will there be chaperones/points of contact? I am not a super nervous Nelly, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with this...

+1

I am less worried about it being Mexico City and more concerned that someone that age might not have great judgment yet for living alone in that kind of urban environment, even in the US like NY or Chicago. I think might be a bit much for someone that age unless they have this kind of life experience and are already very mature.

I agree if there is a chaperone or it is supervised somehow then maybe but I don't think I would let my high schooler fend for themselves for a summer in Mexico City.

Signed,
Someone who studied abroad in college

It seems a little young to me - and yes, I know he will be off to college in another year. Is this a group internship program? Or will there be chaperones/points of contact? I am not a super nervous Nelly, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with this...

I have several friends who have lived and worked in Mexico, including one who worked in Mexico City. My impression is generally, yes there are issues with crime, but there are issues with crime in a lot of places in the US as well. Would you forbid him from taking a job in New Orleans or Baltimore? When you are in multicultural urban settings where crime is a problem, you have to be smart and lock your doors. Being reasonably proficient in Spanish is a good idea. But otherwise, keep your wits about you and you're fine. There are many, many people living normal lives in Mexico City, as in any large, vibrant urban center.

How much ransom money do you have saved up?

DS has an internship in Mexico City the summer before senior year/high school. I cannot begin to fathom the logistics of it. The workplace would be near or on Ave. de la Reforma, and I suppose that he will have to find a short-term rental near Chapultepec Park so that he can walk to work. Any thoughts on the safety of permitting DS to pursue this opportunity? Any advice on what to do? Suggestions on where to live?

We have been to Mexico, DF, several times, including this year, so I am less worried perhaps about some of the more sensational stories and reputation of the place, and more concerned with advice about the realities of day-to-day life there.