Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Has anyone worked or knows about schools which recruit EFL specialists in Makassar, Sulawesi?

Is the culture there very different from Java and Sumatra?

I like places which are not too touristy. Is that the case with this part of Indonesia?

Finally, if you learn the National Bahasa Indonesia - can it be used throughout the different parts of Indonesia, like Sulawesi, Lombok, etc...?

Thank you

Ghost in Korea

[guruengerish]

I've sent a PM, but please..... why don't people planning to travel, do some reading first???

When I first went to Sulawesi, there were NO books on the area apart from an English excerpt from a 1930s book in Dutch. Later, Prof. A. Reid published a book on the area in a Periplus publication, and Lonely Planet also have some good reading.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[specialsauce]

hi - i worked all over south sule, into some very remote parts. i think youll need your own transport and you can easily use bahasa indo but reelaize that when you get into the real small villages, indeed the local lingo is first spoken and the education levels are minimal at best. there are no mod cons so dont be whiny, if it doesnt suit you, go back. life in these parts is not easy.

its hot, dry and conservative but very welcoming.

[malu]

Makassar people are among the rudest (in general) in the whole of Indonesia. Fortunately they seem to spend so much time fighting with each other that they leave foreigners alone, mostly.

An outstanding example of Makassarese is the VP Mr Yusuf Kalla.

[sherlock]

Funny, I have traveled to many places in Indonesia and found them to be some of the nicest. Maybe just my experience whilst I was there.

I thought that title went to the Madurese, although I have never been there myself.

[ghost]

How long would it take to take a boat from either Bali or Surabaya area to Makassar? Are there 'cheap flights' available?

There is an 'International school' there too.

Are most inhabitants muslim in that area (Makassar)?

Ghost in Korea

[guruengerish]

hey Ghost.

I don't mean to be rude, but how about doing a bit of research? there are plenty of books on this subject, and Lonely Planet has a lot, as do the Periplus books and others.

You're moving to a new country, new language, new culture, and you expect all the information to be gleaned from a few questions. It's much more complex than that.

But yes, the inhabitants of Makassar (Bugis and Makassarese) are ALL Muslim. The Chinese of the town are Catholic.

Yes, they are abrupt, all carry knives in their sarongs, but can also be very considerate and helpful.

They are incredible sailors and trade between the islands and right up to Jakarta. In past years, they would travel south to Australia to catch trepang.

Ships run between most of the islands, on a weekly or two-weekly basis. Planes run all through the day, and are the only means of fast and reliable travel around the country.

Have a look at the maps in the guide books you need to buy, and figure out which direction you want to go. Travel by ship might be interesting if you have a lot of time to spare or little cash. These mainly leave from Surabaya.

So please go and do some homework, and understand where it is you're headed. There are other cultures in the region, and in the hills are the Torajans. You have a lot to learn, a lot to see.

[a and s]

guruenglish

Have seldom read a more patronising reply. Perhaps the chap had done some research, but was merely looking for confirmation from some local "experts".

I apply the term loosely, as most replies were from Java based teachers with little or no experieriece of South Sulawesi. I have lived here 7 years and have yet to see a knife in the back of someones sarong (have you any idea how uncomfotable that would be ??? Nor have i ever been roughly spoken to or anything worse.

The op is welcome to PM me. If anything has been a lesson to him n this site, it is the fact that everyone considers himself an expert - and to beware of this fact

Tally ho

[guruengerish]

well, call it patronising if you wish, but I said

"Yes, they are abrupt, all carry knives in their sarongs, but can also be very considerate and helpful."

Which bit about 'considerate and helpful' can you not understand?

That they are abrupt is well known - should the occassion arise. I too lived there for some years, but don't call myself an expert.

I do know however, that if one does a modicum of reading, you do not need to ask about air travel or shipping schedules, as it's all clearly spelled out in all of the travel books.

[Chester]

Geez. Ghost man. I dont post or read this forum much, but for goodness sake, you have been planning this expedition to Indonesia for decades. Perhaps you can just chronical your posts to this and other forums, edit them and create a Made - for TV - Movie, "The ESL Adventure, That Never Was, or Was It?" starring Recardo Maltalban, and ET as his sidekick.
then again, maybe you should ask people for advice about that too, before even thinking about proceeding. Regards Chester.

[ghost]

[sherlock]

Ghost, have just sent you a PM about a job opportunity.