Job Discussion Forums

nasigoreng · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:43 pm Post subject: Safety in Indonesia

I would love to teach in Indonesia but I'm curious about any safety concerns caused by recent events. For those in Indonesia NOW, are you at all worried? Is there a surge of anti-western, anti-American sentiment now?

I've been to Indonesia often and found the people to be courteous and welcoming in general. But....time's change and people change.

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

It is safer than many other places in the world. Here in Medan, North Sumatera the reaction to the war has been vitually 'non-existent'.

Of course, if you are going to live in Jakarta, then you may run across demonstrations. This happens in all capital cities that have foreign embassies. With sensible precautions you probably won't get caught up in anything.

Indonesia, on the whole is a moderate country, despite what you may hear in the highly inaccurate international press.

I lived in Spain for 17 years and felt much more threatened there, with bombs exploding on a regular basis. Nobody advises people not to visit Spain!