Job Discussion Forums

[treacle]

I'm looking at coming to teach in Indonesia after a year in China with EF (ups and downs) and would appreciate some feedback on teaching in Java, Sumatra and Bali - is each location much of a muchness? Do salaries (based on working at an EF type place) differ a lot between each place?

[laughing_magpie06]

I can say it would be much of a muchness teaching wherever except for the fact that there are far more schools and options in Java. that said it would be the least interesting place to live(most congestion, pollution and general cultural c**p)
Naturally Bali is the most appealing but it has few schools and the EF school there pays around half what the Jakarta schools do.
I wouldn't recommend EF if you already have some experience. PS me if you like for some better options

[treacle]

Thanks magpie, and to the people that pm'd their ideas. I actually like the sound of Sumatra a bit, wild, untamed and not so commercial as Bali or crowded as Java.

[treacle]

Quite a response, so many of you have been so helpful here, thanks - the majority of the schools seem to be more to the north, anything further south - away from medan or pekanbaru?

[sherlock]

The south isn't as developed so there arn't a lot of opportunities. Padang comes up every now and then and it is an ok plavce. It is actually quite nice walking down the beach at sunset.

I like Medan but mainly because of the people there. I lived there for a little while and liked that you can get out on the weekends to Toba or Bukit Lawang.

I haven't spent a whole heap of time In Java (just travelling a bit) so can't really comment on living there.

Hope this helps

[cariduit]

Hi,
I worked in Medan and really loved it. The city itself is no great shakes, but like Sherlock I loved it as a base because there are some great getaways not far away. And gotta say that the city itself really grows on you! It's a much better place to LIVE in than it is a place to pass through.
I saw on the list that Australia Centre Medan is advertising. It's a good place to work.
Otherwise I agree Padang would be alright, but you gotta keep your eyes open for jobs there. As for anything further south IF something did turn up, the wages would be pretty low because there just isn't as much money or infrustructure around.
PM me if you like.

[phis]

Another word about Medan. It is a much better city now than it was say five years ago. The present mayor has done a lot to try to clean up the city and improve the infrastructure. There are lots of shopping possibilities, cinemas, and even an ice skating ring in one of the shopping malls. There are also an increasing number of places to go in the evening, including a street that is completely blocked off to traffic at night and opened up to outdoor eateries, karaoke bars etc.

Mind you, don't get carried away! It is still an Indonesia city, albeit a smaller one, with the usual problems of all Indonesian cities. The traffic will drive you crazy - although it definitely isn't as bad as Jakarta. But then what is!!??

I'm heading back to Medan in September after a year in China. Can't wait!

[guruengerish]

I once went over to South Sumatra for a job interview at EF Bandar Lampung. It was amazing what a short trip on the ferry from West Java can do - the number of people, the traffic, the air, the surroundings - all looked heaps better than the rush in Java I'd just left.

Certainly, Sumatra doesn't have anywhere near the crowding problem that Java has, and getting around might be much easier.

No, I didn't get the job. the teacher decided to stay

[cariduit]

EF Palembang are advertising - see the job board.

[treacle]

Hey, thanks to all - I'm not too sure about another round of EF to be honest. I'd rather try one of the national schools and learn a bit more about the kids and the place rather than just the EF approach.

I've been invited to an interview in Bali for a new school opening near Jimbaran but I hear awful things about the Taman Mahatma Gandhi school and really I prefer the idea of Sumatra for a year.

Does anyone know about this school in Bali?

[beefer]

[treacle]

actually nobody seems to know anything about this school at all and I can't really find anything on the internet that is informative. I'm still thinking south sumatera might be the best place so thanks to all of you who helped me get in contact with the schools there.

i get the feeling that the schools in Bali underpay their staff, when I did a telephone interview they asked me how much I wanted, i couldn't trust the employer after that - clearly some staff are on more than others, depending on the amount you could negotiate. That doesn't make for a nice place to work I'm sure.