Job Discussion Forums

[Bette]

Hello
Need advice on this school. I was offer a 1 year contract, free housing, and 9500,000 a month.
Is this a good deal and is life in Medan nice? Are the Indo teachers nice and easy to get on with or are you left to your own devices?
Is it easy to meet people and have a life in Medan?
Thanks

[malu]

The Yayasa name is the name of the educational foundation that runs the school. If you know the name of the school itself, which might be quite different, people may have heard of it.

One to avoid in Medan is Sekolah Unggulan Bangsa.

[berba]

Medan's a fantastic place to live once you get used to the noise. Rp9.5 million a month is more than enough to live well. When I worked in Medan a number of years ago I was living comfortably off Rp3 million a month.

[Llamalicious]

3 mil? Just how many years ago?

Would it be overly cynical to ask if you work for Yayasan Perguruan Hang Kesturi?

3 mil...

[wailing_imam]

Medan is a charmless city. It smells quite bad too. If you enjoy going to bookshops, you'll be in a bind. There are decent cinemas.

There are some fine spots nearby for weekend breaks. If you enjoy smoking ganja, Danat Toba will be the place for you.

[rayman]

[berba]

3 million a month. 6 years ago. This excludes the cost of accommodation which was covered by my school. It all depends on the way you live. I was single, did not own a car and didn't have a family to support. Some months I spent Rp4-5 million, but at the end of my contract I'd saved enough money not to have to work for six months. I remember two of my female colleagues who used public transport, didn't drink excessively, ate at the school for free and got by on around Rp1 million / month.

No llamaalicious, I wasn't at that school. I've visited Medan several times since and while the cost of living has gone up 9.5 million is more than enough to live off in Medan.

[Llamalicious]

Sorry. Over-developed cynicism reflex.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Medan makes a refreshing change from Jakarta. I like the place, and it is very easy to get out of and enjoy the surrounding sights. Medan would be a pefect spot if you had a car and a mountain bike.

9.5 in Medan is ok I guess, but there really is not much difference in mainstream store prices anywhere in Indonesia.

[sherlock]

Medan is fine but seems to be on a lot of people places to place to knock list. The beauty of the place is that it is big enough to get all your modern comforts but small enough that you don�t have to drive hours across town in dodgy traffic. It is a very good place to be in if you like to get away for the weekend, lots of options.

9.5 is enough but obviously you won�t save much money. PM for more details from someone who is actually living in Medan now.

[malu]

[reog]

I live in Medan and I love it!
I find the people of Medan much friendlier than those in typical Jakarta neighbourhoods tend to be nowadays--and 10 years ago I loved spending my time in Jakarta kampungs.

The cost of living is cheaper than Jakarta--at least I've been able to save a lot more on 2/3 the salary. While prices at Carrefoure and Hypermarket are basically the same (I thought a little more expensive here than in Jakarta), the price of becaks (motorcycle rickshaws) in Medan is MUCH cheaper than the price of ojeks (motorcycle chauffeurs) in Jakarta--and in Jakarta I ojeked with friends.

Despite complaints about pollution, while in Medan you will get to see real sidewalks, tree-lined streets, buildings of historical significance, as well as have the opportunity to actually SMELL freshly cut grass.

Most importantly, history and culture is better celebrated in Medan and North Sumatera than Jakarta and area--including "religious culture".

You'll love it here unless you're looking for a nightlife.