Job Discussion Forums

jamburg · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Hello everyone, I'm considering teaching in Indonesia (it's between there and Vietnam) and I've already done quite a bit of research on both countries. I do like the look of Indonesia, but the location has to be right. This would be my first teaching job (I have a degree and just finished CELTA) and I want it to be a positive experience.

I really don't think I'd like living in Jakarta or any of the other big cities. My problem is I think I'm asking for too much here. This is basically what I'm after: I'd like to teach somewhere that is pleasant enough to live in during the week (some things to do on evenings/meet people, bit of greenery would be nice, or close to a clean beach even), but also well connected by air to get to other parts of the country for weekend trips and holidays.

Is there any chance of finding this in Indonesia? (bearing in mind I don't have any experience except CELTA so Bali and similar are out of the question). From the research I've done, I'm considering Bandung, Malang, Bogor, Yogyakarta, Manado, Solo, Padang, Bandar Lampung or Medan. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to which of these may provide the closest to what I'm looking for? Or feel free to suggest other places.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Hi,

Of those options, I'd personally reccommend Bandung. The EF and TBI both have a good reputation. You could live up in the hills north of Dago where it's still green, fresh and cool. There's some good bars, clubs and cafes that are filled mostly with university students. There's also a good music culture there. The Bandung airport also flies to most major destinations in Indonesia, as well as Singapore etc.

Someone else may have another suggestion?...

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Bandung is a good choice all round. It gets crowded at weekends when Jakartans flock there by car but during the week is quite civilised. Never gets cold as such but at night temperatures drop away to the pleasantly cool. All the TEFL employers that I am aware of in Bandung have a pretty good rep too.

I live in Bogor which is also a bit cooler than the big city down the road but from Bogor you have to factor in a 1.5-2hr drive to the airport. Forget Padang as a large part of it fell down during the earthquake last month. Manado is a very liveable place but it is quite remote from the rest of the country. Solo is nice and friendly but maybe a wee bit small.

jamburg · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Hey, cheers for the replies. Bandung sounds pretty good, I'll keep that in mind. At the moment I'm kind of in the middle of the recruitment process with EF - I've had an initial interview, which was fine, but I didn't want to work in Cirebon which was where they said they had an opening. I've told them the places that I'd be interested in and they said they'd get in touch if and when something comes up.

Bogor looks quite good but I think it's quite popular so it could be a while before something comes up. What would you say about Medan or Bandar Lampung? Sumatra does excite me, it sounds like a pretty wild place, good adventure opportunities, but I don't want to be too cut off. I don't know about Medan as a city, but it sounds like it's fairly well connected to other places by air, and it's in a good location to get to some nearby islands on the weekends, or explore Sumatra. Would you say that's true?

Thanks again.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Forget Bandar Lampung - what a hole...

Medan is a good option these days with one caveat - the electricity supply is notoriously unreliable. EF Medan don't have a particularly good rep either.

Medan probably has better flight connections than any city outside Jakarta and is particularly well placed for trips to Penang and KL. It feels like a small town but has all the western home comforts at the very good Sun Plaza mall complex. Plenty of places to eat and drink, too.

You are right to avoid Cirebon. It really might as well be in the middle of nowhere.

Synergy101 · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Jatim

Surabaya is another option if connectivity is a high priority. International Airport, Bali a short cheap 40 min flight. On the down side it can get pretty hot and not much greenery.

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:44 am Post subject:

Synergy101 · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Jatim

I know TBI is hiring for January. Maybe EF is hiring as well

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

There are several operators running Penang and KL flights out of Medan. I flew the Malaysian airline Firefly from Medan to Penang and was very impressed with the service.

The ferry to Penang still exists, though why anyone would bother when flights are cheap i don't know.

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:11 am Post subject:

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:50 am Post subject:

Synergy101 · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Jatim

Make sure your school give you a tax card, that way you can leave the country without having to pay Fiscal

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Fiscal

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

I believe it's Rp2.5 million at the moment. So it definately plays to have a NPWP