Job Discussion Forums

[Couper]

Just got an email from TBI Bogor regarding an interview.

Some quick questions to anyone who knows anything about TBI/Bogor:

1. What kind of pay & conditions can I expect? (I have the usual quals, nothing outstanding- BA, CELTA, 3 years experience in London, Bahasa Indonesia pretty good)

2. Anything really bad/good I should know about TBI?

3. ...anything else, really.

I've read everything on TBI and Bogor that's already posted, but some more up-to-date info would be great before I talk to these people.

I will be forever grateful!

[Chester]

The DOS is a "dill"
the pay i beleive is around 7 juta, but better to ask. thats good for bogor.
most classes are ankle bighters. "enthusiastic, imaginative Teachers required" (yawn) so bring your silly hat and red nose, aye.
bogor is good, easy to get to peaceful places.

[Couper]

Oh, great. Thanks for the info, Chester. It's really put me off, actually. I can't stand that "performing seal" business.

As for the students being ankle-biters - , I was expecting adults!! (Obviously doing my research at 3 a.m took its toll).

Also, is it physically possible to save anything on 7 juta? I wouldn't have thought so. I've lived in Indonesia before, doing volunteer work, so I am willing & able to live on the cheap, but y'know...within reason (e.g. a cold Bintang after a day's work would be preferable to a steaming one off a warung table).

So yeah...thanks again. BTW, have you worked at this place, Chester?

[Cardinal Synn]

Bogor's not got a great deal in the way of nightlife, so depending on what kind of thing you like doing on Friday nights etc, you might find yourself going into Jakarta quite a lot, which could be rather heavy on the wallet. On the other hand, if you prefer to spend your weekends exploring and doing chilled out stuff, Bogor could be the place for you. 7 mil is OK in Bogor, but you probably would struggle to save any of it. If you want cold beer, stock your fridge with 'tang, rather than drinking it straight from the shop. Avoid imported food too, if you can handle that. Buying your fav brands of your fav food that's been shipped in from 10,000 miles away can suck up your cash in double quick time.
Personally, I reckon that someone with your quals and experience should be able to get a better paid job. However, it'd probably be in Jakarta. One of the great things is that taxis are so affordable that a trip out of Jakarta for the weekend with friends - perhaps to a beach or the like - won't set you back much, especially if there are a few of you to share the fare.
Even flights to other parts of Indonesia aren't very expensive. In many ways it's worth sticking it out in Jakarta if your salary is good.

[phis]

Listen! You are not really going to save here in Indonesia, whichever island you decide to go to. I know teachers who, because of 'frills' such as free housing, free utility bills, paid airfares etc, and in addition overtime pay, hardly touch their monthly salaries. However, when that 'saved' money is converted into hard currency it is going to amount to hardly anything, albeit it may be more than you could save in another economy with higher wages but also a higher cost of living.

Come to Indonesia if you want to experience a different culture, etc., and you think you can contribute something. Don't come, if you think it is just a way of 'milking' a country for what you can get out of it, and that you don't have any intention of contributing anything.

This is particularly true of the island of Sumatera at the present time. We are rebuilding here following the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster, and education is a very, very important part of this process. We want teachers who are dedicated to helping out.

[Couper]

"Don't come, if you think it's just a way of milking a country for what you can get out of it, and that you don't have any intention of contributing anything." [quote]

Some background information, phis - I spent half of 2004 in Bali, living and teaching in a small village where the kids had never met a native speaker. I taught Mon - Fri in the surrounding primary and high schools and ran evening classes in the village at night for the adults. All unpaid (to the disbelief of the villagers who, quite rightly, thought it was an incredible luxury to be able to work for nothing!) The family I lived with were financially very well compensated, I made an effort to only shop locally, and I'm pretty sure the local transport drivers were sorry to see me go.

I worked hard to get fluent in Bahasa Indonesia in a short time and have kept studying in Australia so that I can do a better job when I return. I'm also trying to start up a book donation scheme in Australia so that we can get some decent English-language text books over to the primary schools.

Please don't misunderstand me - without a doubt, the people I met in Indonesia enriched my life more than I ever did theirs and I am very grateful for any chance to live and work in their beautiful country. However, I totally reject the implication that I have ever "milked" them for anything, or would attempt to in the future.

Wherever I go, my first priority is to do a professional job and improve the local people's prospects through education. If I wanted big bucks in return, I would go to Japan/Taiwan/Korea; I neither want nor expect to get rich in Indonesia. The unfortunate reality is, I can't afford to go back there unless I can save a little bit to pay off some of the debt I accumulated whilst volunteering (at least the interest! ).

I think I recall from previous posts that you have been in Indonesia (Sumatra?) for some years, so you are probably (justifiably) defensive of the local people and their interests. However, please don't assume that the rest of us don't have good intentions!

[cariduit]

couper,
i don't have much to add to this thread - other than to say i earnt 6 juta a few years back a month and was able to save some cash along the way as well as do some local travel and not live too frugally. But more than that, I wanted to applaud your very balanced and calm response to Phis's post. I agree that Phis is clearly very keen to stand up for Indonesia and Indonesians, which is great, but what I didn't really get was why her post was so defensive. I went back and reread your posts and there certainly wasn't anything there to suggest you were going to take advantage of the Indonesians at all, it sounded to me like you were going there for all the right reasons - even more son after your response.........anyway, i hope you have a great time whereever you choose to take a job!

[cariduit]

aduh! post above should of course read more so, not more son!

[phis]

Sorry. I was commenting generally, and didn't mean to imply that you personally intended to 'milk' the country and people etc...

Hope I'm forgiven!

[Couper]

Thanks, Cariduit! I am always balanced and calm, ask anybody who knows me (actually, please don't!)

Phis, no problem. I'm guessing your comments are aimed at a small minority of teachers who want to put in a bare minimum of teaching effort, get paid, party as cheaply as possible until they get bored and get out of there. I've met them and I don't like 'em either.

Oh well, hope to make it over there soon. Cheers to you both and enjoy Indo (and wherever you are, Cariduit!)

[arodeorowdy]

I'm wondering if those guys who have all the freebies like housing, food, utilities and airfare also CAN AFFORD A G/F? Or do they live like a monk for the year. A serious question. I know if one lives in Jakarta then one doesn't need to remain a monk. But if one lives in a small city then is it possible to date the local fauna? I mean serious dating, to get to know each other, not just sampling the platter?

I mean I've always heard it said, "no money, no honey". So what do these guys, who are trying to save all their paychecks, do?

I've spent 3 weeks in Batam Island, Indonesia. I met several girls there and asked them if they would change their religion if they married me. The few I asked said no, I'd need to change to theirs. I know there are some Christians in Indonesia so that would be an option.

C S, okay, so their are some girls who'll fall in love with a man and not just his wallet. But you think these girls could/would fall in love with an English teacher who makes 7/8 million IDR a month? Another serious question, so thank you for your reply.

Thank you for your serious replys.
Cheers, Rowdy

[Cardinal Synn]

"No money no honey" is hooker speak, a bit like "Ten Dollar, love you long time" and doesn't really relate to love. It is true that a lot of woman want western guys for their cash, but it is possible to have a girlfriend who likes you for who you are, not what you have in your wallet. It all depends on the person. There are plenty of non gold digging ladies in Indonesia.

[Cardinal Synn]

[phis]

Taken far too literally, Cardinal S!

If 'we' is taken as being the people of Sumatera, and closely identifying with the people of Sumatera makes me pompous, then so be it. I confess to being pompous as well as over-opinionated in things I care deeply about.

People have contributed, and will continue to contribute, in the best way they can, in order to help with the 'rebuilding' of the area. This may be by their physical presence in Aceh, or by financial support, giving work to someone who has moved from the Aceh region, fostering a child, etc, etc,
etc. A million and one ways!! The word 'rebuilding' has a metaphorical as well as a literal sense.

[Cardinal Synn]

Good answer Phis! It can be hard to be sure what someone means in 2D sometimes. You obviously feel you belong in Sumatra as a part of the community and that is good. Many bules, as you will know, don't, which was why I wanted you to clarify. As I said, I was sure you didn't intend to come across as pompous. That was my personal interpretation of the paragraph.
Thanks for answering!