Job Discussion Forums

[Kamala]

Good points phis. I agree that I have to examine whether or not I am confident enough to be on my own in a foreign country. However, I realize I am not in the same situation as those who are tricked or sold into slavery.

It's being abducted that I am worried about. You see from the links, and just in general, that the international slave trade is big business. My worry was that I might be abducted and locked away somewhere, never to be seen again. I realize that could potentially also happen in the US, where I live, so I know that nowhere is 100% safe.

I originally posted this post kind of as a poll to see if anyone had heard of this type of thing happening to Westerners, or foreigners in general. Here in the US, it is often foreigners who don't speak much English, who are quickly taken advantage of in many ways.

I am just making sure I do my homework, before I take the plunge

[natsume]

I highly recommend that you take a look at a travelers forum, I think Thorn Tree is particularly good, and ask around and do a search about safety for women traveling alone in the various countries you are interested in. I have a (strong) feeling that it may allay many of your fears.

TT is generally very polite, but I do think you have to brace yourself for at least a few snarky replies. I think your concerns might strike many who have lived and worked abroad, or who have extensive travel experience, as being a bit outsized to the reality they have experienced.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa

[father Mackenzie]

In my experience of travelling alone throughout Asia and other parts of the world the single man seems to end up in more danger than the single woman. I think women travelling alone are far more cautious and wary of their surroundings and people in that.
Kamala, If you are not too confident to travel alone then it might be a start to visit Asia as a holiday (if you can afford too) and see how you like it.
There is a huge change in lifestyle compared to the west and it would be in my opinion a disaster for you if you took a job out here and then immediately disliked it.
As Zorobabel mentioned worse things happen at home and I think people who choose to live away from their home country are aware of the dangers and the risks and so they are more prepared and alert to it all.
Finally why not think about the good points of Asia and Indonesia as there are lot of those too.

[Kamala]

Thanks Natsume for the link to thorn tree. I didn't know they had a forum on that site, it looks like it could be helpful!

I admit I don't know much about Indonesia. I have seen a few travel channel things about it, and have met maybe 2 Indonesian people (who were very, very nice and friendly, upbeat people) one reason I am interested in going there is that it looks like such a beautiful country, and has been influenced by so many different cultures.
I want to visit those spice markets where all they sell are spices! i love spicy food

[Kamala]

Father McKenzie, you can probably guess I would be delighted to hear about the positive side of Indonesia! What brought you there, or why you like to live there!

I've never been to Asia, the only place I've visited so far is Europe.

I was hoping if I did a year in Indonesia, I might be able to save enough money to travel around India, volunteering or staying in ashrams. Or maybe seeing NZ or Aus.

Indonesia looks amazingly beautiful and diverse. I would like to travel around there, but like I said I am slightly worried b/c it's a majority Muslim country, and Americans don't seem to be liked very much by Muslims these days.
I'm guessing from you are saying that it's more or less safe for young women to travel. I know even travelling in Europe (and not alone either) there were some times where it got kind of hairy. But it did help that we could pretend to be from that country, or else sometimes we spoke some of the language there.

[travelNteach]

Kamala,
you havent told us your experience, education, or qualifications, but it sounds like you are relatively new to the esl field. based on the assumption, u are probably going to end up working for ef or another organization that is flexible in their requirements for "teachers". The salaries at these schools is generally pretty low and i think it would be difficult for u to save enough money for a tour of NZ or OZ or do a year of volunteering in India.

Being that you have concerns living overseas and you want to do volunteer work, why not join an organization such as the peace corps? you will be able to travel abroad while being part of an organization that looks after it staff really well. you would have your flights and housing taken care of. a monthly stipend, and an end of service bonus to help with the transfer back into regular life. last i knew PC was giving 6000 dollars. Many other countries, such as England, have similiar organizations and you might be able to choose the country you want to go to. some of them even offer some training. just a thought as it might help with some of your biggest concerns for living overseas.

[Kamala]

[father Mackenzie]

Kamala, TravelNteach is correct, with a base salary like that from Malang you will be hard pressed to save much money through the year if any. Whilst Malang is a lovely city up in the hills in East Java your salary will be low.
Jakarta is possibly the only city you will be able to save money if you choose EF as your starter school, but other schools in other cities may pay more.
I know EF teachers that are saving 2 -3 million a month in Jakarta and it is not causing them financial hardship but you need to be disciplined to be able to do that.
If you are looking for a 'decent' salary as a first year teacher in a private English school then consider the bigger cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya. EF in both cities pays more and then there are other options such as TBI ILP and others.
Again my advice is research where you want to work and stay. Many posters will tell you Jakarta is not a great place to work which I fully understand, although I love it.
EF also is not regarded highly by many posters but it does provide a safe and reliable place of work for new teachers and in my experience it is easy going and teachers are looked after, however there are other good private schools as well. So research.

With you mentioned CELTA the range of schools open to you increases and you can earn more than new teachers who just have a TEFL or equivalent. Try looking at these sites to help you think about your possibilities

http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/indonesia-launches-volunteer-development.html
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/Indonesia.cfm


http://www.tbi.co.id/
http://www.englishfirst.co.id/englishfirst/default.aspx
http://datalowongankerja.com/jobvacancy/sastra-budaya/english-teacher-for-international-language-programs-ilp

I would also suggest before you actually say yes, sign anything etc make contact with people already working there to get some honest feedback and information about the job and the place you are moving to.

[Kamala]

Thank you so much Father McKenzie! I have about 3 days to decide whether or not to continue applying to the Malang job. That's what the EF school said in their letter. The more I research Indonesia, the more I want to go there!
Thank you for the links, I think volunteering there, if they can pay room and board, could be a good way for me to hang around there after my teaching contract is up.
I admit I am not a fan of loud, polluted cities, but maybe I would work in Jakarta, if the Malang job goes well. This is kind of a big adventure and I'm not sure how things will end up. Thanks for the salary advice, good to know. I would have to learn to be disciplined enough to save up money, or even to work at TBI I think - (I get the feeling I am too blunt, and too enthusiastic, and not exacting enough for British people to handle, at least the ones I've met...in short I am the stereotypical American.) But maybe if I have teaching experience, that could help.
Yay! Thanks everybody who has helped me, I will keep you posted on what happens

[Elkythedogsperson]

Kamala,

If this is your first job recognize you might not save much in your first year and a few things about it may suck in your opinion, but you'll grow from it and have it for the CV. But from there you can grow. That's the nature of TEFL.

If you're offered Malang, it might be a good bet. Some EFs give good support, and Suryabaya has a good reputation.

As for worries about abduction or human trafficking, I've been in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia and have not heard of it happening to a western woman.

You're obviously a new traveler. In Indonesia you'll be fine. Stay close to safe places at night, carry your cell phone, know where you're going.

Best travels.

[Kamala]

Thanks Ely, and everyone else who answered... hopefully I will be on my way there soon

[tanyakenapa]

As an adult.....

I was an Australian single white female living in Jakarta, now back in Australia.

At no time whatsoever when I went out alone did I feel scared or worried about somebody kidnapping me!! Yes I was extra careful if walking thru crowded areas such as markets, bus stops, or train stations...but just use common sense and you'll be fine. More worried about pickpockets, that being dragged off somewhere!

Get out and meet the locals, get to know your neighbours... once you have done this... they'll keep a lookout for you all the time.

as a kid...

When I was 13 and just moved to Jakarta... I got to know the local kids and people in our local neighbourhood. I could walk back from a friends house at 10 or 11pm and have no worries whatsoever!! I never felt unsafe.

I even had the local people warn me... don't go to this area...or stay away from those people.... The local RT (neighbourhood boss) said one day don't leave you bike out on the street someone might take it!! ah the joys of growing up in Jakarta

Treat the locals with respect and they'll do the same to you. They'll treat you as one of their "family" I still have life long friends from the local villages that I keep in contact till this day..

Go and explore Indonesia you wont regret it