Job Discussion Forums

cshanghai · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12

Has anyone lived and teached in Semarang? It seems like a nice place, and I am curious if there is a market there? I have a BA and CELTA. Thanks in advance for any help.

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

I've been there for a short while. Is there someone you know might be interested? I mean an English teacher wouldn't use 'teached' would they??

Apart from that, Semarang is a very hot place, much hotter than most parts of Java. I was glad to get out after just a week.

cshanghai · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 12

Thanks for the English lesson. So much for my credentials. Hopefully I'll do better in class.

OK well too hot isn't so great. I don't mind if it's relatively hot, but that does sound like it might be too much.

I'm just searching around to decide where to move to in the spring of 2006, when I finish my BA in English. I was also curious about Penang, and am going to post a message about that.

Thanks for the tip.

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

uilleannpiper · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 107

Semarang is one of the more backward towns in Java - being relatively few westerners, a port town, a long history of colonialism, the reception in the street is somewhat more 'hostile' (a bit harsh but if you've lived in say, Salatiga, as I have, then you'll know what I mean) than other towns in Central Java. Having said that, I taught in a highschool there in 2002 (SMU2) and the students were very nice and excited to have me there.

There's a central shopping area around the main roundabout 'Simpang Lima' and a market area around Gang Baru/Pasar Johar area near Jl Pemuda in the old part of town. Lots of historic Dutch buildings and houses, but in severe state of disrepair. The new part of Semarang, up the hill, where most expats live - Candi - etc, is more modern and cooler being higher up.

On the positive side, it's a hellava lot more comfortable than Jakarta - less crowded, slightly slower pace, nice tourist areas nearby. Easy access to places such as Solo, Yogya, Jepara. Has an airport and train station and bus terminal.

Let's see, What else?....give it a go. One piece of advice - don't learn Javanese while there if you don't want to know what people are really saying about you....how I long for the days when I could claim blissful ignorance.

Hope this helps,

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