Job Discussion Forums

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

#1. I am a 43 yr old US male and am looking to teach in Jakarta. I have a BA in english literature and am just now completing a 60-hr online tefl course with i-to-i who will then place me in a school in or around Jakarta for a salary of $860 per month with paid accomodations. IS THIS A GOOD SALARY AND SINCE MY RENT IS FREE, HOW MUCH ROUGHLY WOULD FOOD AND MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES BE PER MONTH? I have no expensive habits and actually am looking to marry a Muslim woman there, as I have heard the vast majority of the people are Muslim. Can anyone please answer me? Thank you in advance.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Yes, I am intent on doing that, and also chose Indonesia because of what you said as well, among other things. But the $ situation is what I am now trying to analyze. I have a BA in English, what if I just show up in Jakarta and apply to the highest-paying language schools? I gather Indonesia is alot less strict about visas and college degrees, so would this strategy work, do you think? And can one get a job that pays atleast 8 million per month simply strolling in and applying?

Llamalicious · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:59 am Post subject:

OK, OK, I'll bite.

The marry-a-muslim thing. Are you already a muslim? I sort of hope so, because that way your post is slightly less odd. Still seems strange to specify the religion of a putative bride-to-be and to have potential marrige as the main criterion for your job hunt, but, well, whatever.

If you're not a muslim, the post edges that bit closer to being disturbing. May I ask why? You know that, strictly speaking, people of different religions are not permitted to marry in Indonesia, so one of you would have to convert?

$860 is what, almost 8 million rupiah, so it's towards the lower end of the spectrum, but not tragic. You can eat cheaply for about $2 a day, though this will quickly become dull. (See? On topic.)

ezekiel · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Indonesia

Llamalicious glad you said it cause I was just about to!

NEWBIE Questions: please don't laugh..don't think it was the questions about teaching that people are laughing at!
Something highly questionable about motives like these for teaching in Indonesia..

Muslims in Indonesia? No way, you're kidding!
tell us eclectic; do you have any other countries in mind if you can't find a wife here? The second biggest Muslim country in the world, perhaps? What criteria will you use to decide on a wife or is 'Muslim' their only requirement? Why are you not trying Pakistan or Saudi Arabia? Is it because they are far less tolerant of inter-faith marriage than Indonesia?
Perhaps someone has told you that it's easy to find a wife here? Are you Muslim, or are you, as Llamalicious said, willing to convert to Islam? Why not try a beautiful & charming Chinese Indonesian? Or a Christian?

I would be careful not to let any future employer in Indonesia know that you are coming here to find a wife, I doubt it will go down very well..I'm surprised you are willing to tell a load of strangers on an Internet forum either; especially one about teaching English..there are probably sites for this kind of thing you know..come to think of it, for a modest fee I could probably hook you up hahaha! Laughing

ezekiel · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Indonesia

Oh, and back to teaching and the salary figure in question..Rp 8 million in Jakarta is not a great deal..I get a good deal more in a Sumateran provincial town.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

I'm sure that the wife will not be content to live on a salary of Rp 8 million for two people in Jakarta. Or will you be bringing your Muslim wife back to your country after you find her?

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

well now Henry, Lama, and Zeke, I am sure glad you have picked quickly up on that, and evem more glad there is no malicious, sarcastic, disrespect in your quite reasonable if not mildly bemused queries of me. I will indeed answer you all with full respect and honesty. About 15 years ago I converted to Islam here in NYC, and have had a tough time finding a sincere Muslim here in the US, as most (if you dont believe me, come here for a quick look) have quickly donned western, tight, promiscuous jeans and blouses, and disregard even the hijab (head covering) rather quickly as well, unless under threat of severe parental punsihment, they merely throw it over the rath