Job Discussion Forums

[jsteventon]

Hi again,

Just read Bobby Sue's long post and I must say I completely agree with many of the points made . Mind you, I must add that lots of 'old timers' work hard and have done so for years...
(just in case it seems like we are equating long service with poor service - definitely not the case !)

JS

[jsteventon]

Sorry, forgot to add that many 'old timers' are not at all negative and are still here after many years because they really enjoy living and working in Brunei. I am in full agreement with Bobby Sue about those few who try to cut corners and are negative about everything - however, just as likely to be 'newbies' as 'old timers!'

Anyway, let's hope all the new teachers on the way will find everything very positive!

JS

[BOBBYSUE]

haha yes - agreed! They are just as likely to be newbies!

[celtica]

re - compatibility of wii ....almost all game consoles nowadays will not accept pirated discs I believe....

And virtually the only discs available in Brunei , certainly the $5, are pirated. With the old PS2 many people had the console modified to accept the pirated discs. I think that is what happens with any of these consoles - X-box, Wii, PS3, PSP, they are all modified before they are sold here in Brunei so that the pirated discs work in them. (Often no guarantee that they will work though - can be very frustrating constantly returning cheap faulty discs. I sometimes wish there were more originals available so we got better quality and perhaps bought fewer!)

I myself spent a bit of time in an upstairs 'workshop' watching a couple of guys modifying all the new PS2 consoles before they went on sale.....that was a few years ago....

Probably best to bring what you have and if necessary have it modified...probably won't cost much.

[avnah laarph]

I have been here just over 2 years and am finding it good for me and for my family. Yes, there are frustrations and annoyances but no more so than anywhere else and there are quite a few plus points too. There's just no way I could have carried on as a teacher, had a lovely big house, educated my kids in a good school, had time with them, and saved some money, in most other places. I agree with lacsap that the new CEO should have been round to a few more schools by now. But I also agree with BobbySue that he doesn't seem to be doing anything unreasonable. There are quite a few people here, as Celtica also said, who need a kick in the right place - newbies and oldies, js! There are also some that strut around thinking the rules don't apply to them because they are in with the management etc. There are some bad managers too. He has said he wants to sort all these areas out so good luck to him. He fired a guy before Christmas that was a complete crook - that kind of thing would never have happened before, and it was probably about time.

I would recommend bringing your own size of lingerie and shoes if you are not tiny, and if either of those things are important to you!

[wpshark]

Hi All
We are "in the process" of moving to Brunei with CfBT and I am amazed at the (few) negative comments. It seems from all the posts that there is very sound advice from those who have been there for a few years.
My question to the whingers is: If it is so bad there, why don't you leave?
Just for information, if you haven't taught in the UK in the last 5 years, don't even talk about poor discipline or hassles at school. You know not what you say, believe me.
Question: What is the best way and what are the costs, to bring personal belongings with?
We were considering a 20 ft container, which would allow us to bring a car and the most important stuff.
Please reply.
Thanks.

[lacsap]

wpshark, you have made the right decision coming to Brunei. We do hear what it is like in the UK. It's hearing reports from ex-colleagues who are still there, that keeps us here! One thing though, not sure you need to bring so much stuff. A 20 foot container is pretty big. Cars are relatively cheap here, easy to pick up a reasonable one for not much. You can keep old cars on the road pretty cheaply, and even new ones are not excessive, you can always strike a good bargain. Air-con is also essential in a car. Nothing worse than being stuck in a traffic jam (an infrequent occurrence by the way) with no aircon. Also, can't imagine what bureaucratic hoops the Customs Department will make you jump through to import it. I only know of one person who has done it and they regretted it. Any thoughts from anyone else?

[celtica]

This is a tricky one, as sometimes it costs almost as much to send over a few boxes (especially if you are a family of 4 ) as it does to bring the whole caboodle.

And what happens if you decide that Brunei is not for you after all? Pay to have it all moved back/on?

Do remember that some people really don't like it and they do leave ...either "doing a runner" (2 so far this year I think) or only working the length of their initial contract.

One thing I have always found good about moving around the world with few possessions ...you find out just how much you can really do without!!!

[gajackson1]

wow, where to start???

ok, obviously if you are not an 'old hand' to DESLCafe (or just Dave's, as we call it), my 1st suggestion would be to use the search function, and locate the Brunei and/or CfBT threads, and read through those - lots and lots of good advice there.

second - re: the wii. I think the best bet is to get your wii, PS2, Xbox, and/or PSP mod chipped BEFORE you come to Brunei. Then, insofar as games go, go with one of the bigger shops (I don't know many, but the place in The Mall in Gadong, right across from the movie theater, seems well-run). Make an initial purchase of $50-$100, and let them know you need the receipt for your backup games, because you LIVE in Brunei. If you have the time, they can also test the copies there while you wait.

(the same tends to go for computer apps & computer games, as well. DVD/CVD movies, too. If your kids like animation, there is tons of it here.)

third - re: car. I would be very, very uncertain of advising a person to ship a car or massive amounts of stuff here. I think it is a better idea to put stuff in secure storage there, and decide after a year (or enough of one to know what you think/how you feel about Brunei) whether to send it all on or not.

Used & new cars are no problem here; you receive a good loan, and the major banks are well organized and supportive of the standard foreign teachers. Maybe if I had something like a 1976 Caddy Eldorado convertible, I'd consider it. But otherwise, I'd advise you to buy 1-2 used cars here.

last - re: what to bring. I have to agree on sheets. I prefer 'normal' western-style sheets. Go through someplace like Overstock.com, or a store back home, and ship them to yourself in advance (I'm sure you could post stuff to CfBT???). the 'no top sheets' is annoying - esp. after my 1st month at the Jubilee, where the bedding was excellent.

I find vitamins/minerals/workout supplements prohibitively expensive to purchase here. I would also recc having your prescripts up to date, and however long a supply you can manage from your doctor. KEEP ALL THE DOCUMENTATION/PAPERWORK WITH YOU!!!

Shoes, undergarments, and swimsuits. For the latter 2, ummmm, remember you will be in the tropics. Also, it is conservative here. Not a lot of options for sexy bikini shopping or wearing on Brunei beaches (I realize you said married with children, but still doesn't mean you all aren't a couple, too). Not a lot of lingerie purchasing places (lots of undergarments, but not much lingerie outside of Lilli's place, or making a run to a nearby Malaysian or Singapore mall!!!).

Just in the time I have been here, more and more stores are carrying bigger/broader selections of western foods, goods, spices, etc. If you'd like to grow your own spices, that is very, very doable here!!!

oh - and as a couple of other people have mentioned: be sure you & your wife get your duty-free alcohol when you are coming in, so you won't have to do a border or Labuan run immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As an aside: people doing runners makes me sad. I can understand it, but considering my somewhat unique situation, it is just annoying. I feel like the ultimate benchwarmer kid.

[jsteventon]

Hi

Was just remembering that when I initially was offered the contract in the UK, CfBT provided a really detailed and useful handbok on what to bring and lots of other helpful advice.. Don't they still provide this for new employees Brunei-bound? Are you coming from the UK?

I would agree with previous posters - definitely don't bring your car - and keep baggage to as little as possible. Check out www.bobwhatson.com for buying and selling used stuff in Brunei - gives an idea of prices.

happy packing!
JS

[celtica]

Are you still benchwarming Glen? I thought you would be put to good use by now ! How frustrating for you...any update from Y?

[gajackson1]

Yes, I am - but maybe for not much longer.

As of today, I have still been offered & accepted the position - 4 months now since I accepted - but still not working. No word on my status, and I have been told to NOT contact them; they will inform me of my starting date.

But it has been almost a year since I have come to Brunei; this is my 4th 3-month visa, and my funds simply won't permit me to stay another 3 months waiting - it has been 10 months of my savings whittled away, even though I've been living pretty frugally.

I am going to start processing the necessary paperwork for a C-4/summer uni camp visa in Korea, in case I need to leave in the next 2 months.

My landlord has said he can help me locate a live-in housekeeper, so I can keep the bulk of my things here & the cats while I go to earn some money back in Korea.

I will at least be able to get the July issue of BiG done, even if I wouldn't be here to see it distributed. After the Korean summer camp, I would return on another 3-month visa, but with replenished funds, and decide what to do next - ask for a job at BiG, or at my landlord's computer school, or just pack up the cats & all & head for the Middle East/Med/North Africa.

So keep you fingers crossed - I really, really do like it here, and want it to work out.

Regards,

Glen

[allycupe]

Good luck Glen.
I'm wondering if there are a lot of people waiting in your situation...not living in Brunei but waiting for approval to work there or is it usually a quicker process? Four months is a long time...how long have others waited? We're getting a little anxious...

just curious.

ally

[Javaggall]

Hello again and thanks for all your excellent advice. We have just received notification that I have passed everything and are on our way to Brunei - September start but possibly arriving in August. A couple of questions now that we are definites!!! Mobile phones - are the networks ok? Should we buy here in the UK or wait until we get to Brunei? Also, children/husband interested in learning a musical instrument - should we bring them with us or can we buy when we get there? Probably guitars. Are there private lessons/lessons through the school? Lastly, we would want broadband - is it easy enough to have it installed?
I have just handed in my notice of resignation in my UK school and it now feels incredibly real and exciting - the posts here have helped hugely and CfBT couldn't have been more supportive as I send email after email with questions. The packing is going well - house is now rented out and car booting has become a highlight of our week!!!!
We intend bringing the bare minimum with us - by airfreight. Will CfBT store it for us while we live in temporary hotel accomodation? THANKS again for all your comments - it is so reasuring to know that people are already helping us and we haven't even arrived. See you soon!

[gajackson1]

oh!

For latecomers to the thread - I was at one point a CfBT hiring candidate, but missed the 'Americans ok' hiring window.

My application/paperwork approval is with His Majesty the Sultan's Yayasan Foundation School, *not* with CfBT, ISB, JIS, etc.

So do not use my waiting/paperwork woes as any kind of measure for anyone else. I am in something of a particularly unique situation!

Java - congrats on you all; I'll leave those questions to the peers here who can better answer those specifics.

Ally, I wish you all the best, and hope word on your approval comes in soon.

G.