Job Discussion Forums

gilbertld · Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,
I'm looking into teaching in Solo starting in January. I'd like to get some insider info on what to expect living there as well as any info on good/bad schools. From what I can tell IELC seems like a good school, but I haven't been able to find many reviews on it. Does anyone know anything about them or other schools in the area? It seems that pay starts around 8,000,000 IDR with housing provided. I know Solo is incredibly cheap, but I want to make sure this is actually a livable salary. I'd appreciate ANY info!

As a side note, I have a BA and will have a CELTA or equivalent certification before going there.

princesss · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 152 Location: japan/indo/aust

For many years, the only option for expats in the Yogya-Solo area was EF and they paid low wages. It is encouraging that more jobs seem to opening up in Solo especially. Now 8 million is a pretty low wage by international standards but it is as much as you would get at EF Jakarta and costs in Solo are lower than Jakarta (though less for an expat who shops in the supermarket than a low-income Indonesian who shops in the traditional market).

Can you live on this wage? It depends. Many 20 something party-goers burn through their EF wage in 2 or 3 weeks in Jakarta. If you want to party hard, then it isn't enough. If you are content with a few beers on the weekend, you can get by. It is enough to eat well and have a social life (movies and a few drinks and restauarnts etc), it is not enough to party like it's 1999. Don't think you can go flying to Bali every weekend for example.

On the plus side Central Java is culturally rich whereas Jakarta is just a bunch of malls full of mall-rats on Blackberrys. You can do an infinite variety of day trips to temples, waterfalls and hill stations around Jakarta, though you will have to share them with crowds of Indonesian holiday makers at times. If you want to see Java and meet some nice people, you could enjoy it. If you are looking for a good-paying job or to save money, this is not the position for you.

gilbertld · Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 2

Thanks! I'm a pretty frugal person in general and am really not looking to party. I want to visit Jakarta, just so I can see it, but I have no desire to live there. I think Solo is just the pace I'm looking for. I'd rather hang out casually with people, try the local restaurants and such. I would like to be able to take trips here and there though. Occasional day or weekend trips to see the rest of Indonesia mostly. I'd like to be able to set aside a little money so that I can possibly leave the country when I have longer holiday time.

Thanks again for all the info! Getting a better idea of what it's like over there is very helpful.

princesss · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 152 Location: japan/indo/aust

There are some great places to visit in Central Java. It has Prambanan and Borobudur, the best temples that side of Angkor Wat. From Solo you can go up to Candi Sukuh, a small Maya-like pyramid. Also in this area is Tawangmangu, which has many small guesthouses. You can go hiking there and see the tallest waterfall in Java. Solo is only about 3 hours by minibus from Seamarang, a large modern city on the coast. Yogya is the main tourist town on Java and it is only an hour away by the morning express train. It is only about 6 hours by train from Surabaya, Indonesia's second city. In other words, it is a central city. Solo is quiet and has less traffic than other Javanese cities, and there are plenty of good local restaurants- Solo roat chicken is a favorite of mine. From what you have said, I think you will probably enjoy a year in Solo.