Job Discussion Forums

rachelhessel · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 11

I have one day to make a decision whether or not to accept a contract at this school. Any information that you have regarding the school or Medan would be really helpful. I am not sure what to do as I have no experience in Indonesia.

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

the saga for this school continues....you are probably taking this persons job, http://black-indonesia.blogspot.com/. She apparently had a job hooked up with Sekolah Djuwita Medan.

She turned up here with a bang and I was wondering where she had gone to. There have been other posts written about living in medan - use the search option.

rachelhessel · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 11

turned up where with a bang? i saw her millions of posts, and was wondering what happened about that? any logical advice besides the other posts read?

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

yeah turned up with a bang!! started all these new threads about teaching and living in Indonesia, really got the forum going for a while, then disappeared without a trace. Even started a blog about living in Medan (before she even arrived) and now has started one about teaching in Japan.

Any logical advice -hmm, well it is a nat plus school and they have campuses around Indonesia. I think it is very pre-school/primary oriented. If you don't have full teaching quals, it seems like a good enough gig. Decent pay, conditions. If you do have quals you should go for a bigger nat plus school or an international school. There are still jobs around for places like these.

About Medan - well i think you need to ask yourself some questions first

Are you interested in Indonesian culture/people? Can you put up with common power outages (very hot to sleep at night without fan or a/c)? Do you like Indonesian food? Can you go basic with a lot of things and go without creature comforts? Can you put up with being hassled by becak drivers and hawkers, more so being a female? Can you put up with the 'hey mister' syndrome (even if you are a woman, you will still get it)? Do you have respiratory problems - medan has a lot of smog and pollution??

There are many more questions I could ask, but I don't have the time. I know a lot of expats living here who do not ask these questions of themselves and come here with their eyes closed. They are generally the ones who whine and bitch and can't wait to get out. There are ways to get around some of these problems but on your wage it will be difficult.

The truth is it is not an easy city to live in, but it can be rewarding. It is very hard for a single woman in many aspects. I have not met one single bule living here who doesn't find it difficult. Life is made for the fellas here. In any case, the ones who have stuck it out end up loving the city with all its little quirks. It is easy to get out of town to for the weekends - Toba, Bukit Lawang, Berestagi, Tangkahan are only a few hours away.

Good luck with your decision. If you have any other specific questions just ask.

Sherlock

rachelhessel · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 11

Thank you so much for your detailed response. It sounds like a wonderful place to live even with its "quirks." I am up for anything. Anything else you want to share i am all ears. Thanks again

reddrake · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 47 Location: Riyadh

Just to add the response.....

if you are planning to drive yourself, be ready to meet the "all i need is some money" polices.

ooo and must stop thinking about priices in USD or GBP or euro.....

But sound like you are a brave woman, who willing to try new things......gud luck and all the best.........