Job Discussion Forums

[RyaninMD]

Hey all, I need some advice and you all seem to be the ones who can help. I�m looking to teach in SE Asia, in Indonesia specifically. Though, other countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam also intrigue me. Basically, I�m looking for a little nudge to help me decide�so if people can share with me

1) Things that are great about Indonesia
2) Things that aren�t so great
3) Schools you trust in Java and/or, especially, Bali or
4) If you�ve taught elsewhere in SE Asia, how does Indonesia compare

Thank you so much�

[Henry_Cowell]

What is it about Indonesia (and specifically Java and Bali) that makes you want to teach/live there?

[RyaninMD]

Thanks for responding�

Indonesia is interesting for many reasons. I�m fascinated with both Muslim and Hindu cultures. I�ve never lived in a country that was predominately either, though, it interests me that the dominant religion can vary from island to island (Keeping in mind that 90% of those islands are strictly Muslim).

Also, it looks beautiful. I�ve seen some great pictures of Bali and areas in Java�and some questionable pictures of Jakarta (is it really as crowded and smoggy as it seems to be?). Also, I�m currently working internationally in a very cold former Soviet Republic�I need a beach (How are the beaches there)

I�m also looking for a unique cultural experience. Indonesia seems a little off the beaten path, and maybe there would be fewer tourist. Also, I have some friends who have lived, backpacked, and/or taught in areas like Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand. On the other hand, I�ve met very few who have even been to Indonesia and nobody who has worked there.

As for the Java or Bali question�.I�ve found lots of information about Indonesia, but most of it only focuses on those areas so I feel like I have very little idea about the rest of the islands...and there are a lot. Don�t know where to start, and which ones have schools? Can anyone recommend areas outside of Bali and Java?

[Henry_Cowell]

Of the areas outside Java and Bali, it is Sumatra that has the most English teaching jobs. Major cities in Sumatra such as Padang and Medan (and others) have language schools that frequently hire. Those are very pleasant places to live, and you might find that the Islamic culture there is more 'traditional' than in Jakarta or Bali. (Yes, Bali has a fast-growing population of Muslims due to increased immigration from Java and elsewhere.)

[Gav22]

I lived there for a year. If you want beauty, I seriously advise you avoid Jakarta, however, that's where most of the action is. Bali is absolutely awesome but the pay is quite low due to a high demand on the behalf of teachers to actually go and work there.

PM me with specifics.

[laughing_magpie06]

Henry, does Medan also have a more traditional form of Islam than Jakarta? I never went there but always imagined it to be majority Christian (Batak) and Chinese (Hokkien).

[Henry_Cowell]

Yes, the Islam that you'll find in Medan will be more traditional than you'll likely find in Jakarta. Don't forget that the province to the north is Aceh, where Islam is quite intense and Islamic law is gaining adherents.

There is also a small Hindu population (Tamils) in Medan as well. The Protestants and Catholics don't entirely own the city.

[Synergy101]

Here are my thoughts

1. Things that are great about Indonesia? Indonesia is so big that there is just so much to see, do, and experience. The Language is easy to learn so you can pretty much explore on your own in a couple of months. Religious and cultural tolerance in general.

2. Things that aren't so great? Pollution in the big cities, people's lack of certain fundmental concepts of civilisation such as; personal space, privacy, cleanliness, queuing, table manners, traffic laws,....general third world issues

3. Schools you trust in Java and/or especially Bali. Tough one My experience is in English Language Schools only so I'll comment on those. The British Institute (TBI) has schools in most of the large cities except Denpasar Bali. IALF has branches only in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Denpasar. EF in East Java is better run than EF in West Java. There are some local one or two city only schools but I don't know much about them. I suggest you apply to the large national chains such as TBI or IALF and work your way down from there. I know that TBI is hiring now for Jan 2009.

[guruengerish]

You may find that Sumatera is far less crowded than Java. Sure, the cities are much the same all over, but they don't seem to stretch into the countryside as they do in Java.

I liked my couple of visits there, and south Sumatera in particular was rather pleasant.

[Mr_Magoo]

[Vertumnus]

[Kebo]

Don't forget that every expat that you meet here is sure to be a know-it-all.


Far more lethal than the Dengue.

[Vertumnus]