Job Discussion Forums

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Do you think it is worth it?

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

Depends but for me no.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

My view is also 'No'. For me, it was a trap. Ironically, it was only the populace themselves who ended up 'digging me out' of my complacency and getting me to leave.

No regrets.

Best
Basil

ljb · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 41

I am here for the long haul with my child, I currently feel that I am in a better position financially and lifestyle wise than I would be in Britain.

Regardless of my world view/political view, I feel that the lifestyle I have here would be difficult to manage and maintain at home. My child is happy and so am I.

I think there are always issues to be addressed but as long as I constantly push myself forward, study and work towards my own development professionally and personally then Indonesia can be everything I want it to be.

Ozindo · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Indonesia

For me, yes.
Not perfect. Where is?
However, it suits me. I have a lifestyle I enjoy, a group of special friends and can't really think of anything I can't get here that I need.
That's not to say that I don't have days when I feel exasperated with how things are going, and how people interact with me. That's when I remind myself of similar days in my own country.
Nor does it mean that I don't understand people who don't feel it's a good option for their future; because I do realise it's not everyone's cup of tea.
It's always a very personal choice.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

lbj,
just out of curiosity, where does your child go to school? education is extremely expensive and most of my coworkers stuggle to find a school they can afford. also, how is the quailty of education? it seems to be much lower than that of our home countries. as much as i like living here in indo, i think i would have to put my childrens future first and get them the best education possible. i guess it all depends on the kind of job my education and experience could get me back home. luckily i dont have to worry about that at the moment and can just enjoy living here in jkt

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:39 am Post subject: Education for the children

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

ljb · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 41

My daughter is not yet old enough for school but I have a new job starting in January in an International School which for as long as I work there will offer an education place to my daughter. Lucky yes, but something I planned as education can be expensive here.

I have a friend who has his child in Kinderfield elementary school in Pancoran and is happy with the cost and the teachers.

I do believe it is doable as there are some very good schools at reasonable prices but you need to shop around, maybe it would be a good thread for this forum. I would be keen to see what others have to recommend.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

I'm in a similar situation to ljb. I work at an international school and my children attend for free. In fact, the high quality of the school here is one factor that prevents us from returning to my homeland.

MrWright · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 167 Location: Arizona

How competitive is it to get a job at an international school if you are already in the country teaching English? Also, what do you career Indonesia teachers plan on doing for retirement? What do you do for medical?

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

At the better international schools which offer free schooling for dependants as part of the package, you'd usually need a PGCE or equivalent. if you have one plus some relevant experience, then it's do-able. if your teaching qualification is in Mathematics or Science, then I'd go as far to say you'd be in demand. If you don't have a PGCE, there are exceptions but it's much more difficult/competitive.

Health insurance is covered by my employer for myself, wife and children.

Personally, I don't plan to be in Jakarta come retirement. Retirement payment on top of the salary is only made by a couple of schools. Most teachers I know look after this themselves. This might include contributing to retirement plans in their home country, getting a mortgage, investing in shares etc.

MrWright · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 167 Location: Arizona

I have an American secondary teaching certificate, with History and ESL as my subjects. I have 3 years experience. Is it easier to get an international school job if you are already in the country? Does anyone know of retired teachers who live off social secruity? I assume this would be easier in countries with much lower costs of living. Finally, how does the cost of living and ESL teacher pay compare to like Thailand, Korea, Japan and so on? Where does it fall in that continum? Thx.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

You could get a job here or sign up with a recruitment agency like Search Associates and apply at the Recruitment Fairs in your home country. These are usually held in January.

I know of a couple of westerners, though not teachers, retired here and living off social security benefits. The costs of living may be lower, but the substandard health system would negate this benefit in my opinion. Unless of course you're lucky enough to be fighting fit until the merry end.

I'm a bit out of touch with comparisons on other countries for ESL teaching. But I would imagine the buying power of your income here would be better than most, but your savings potential would be worse. Very generally speaking.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

rayman is right that the majority of international schools use overseas recruitment agencies and the compensation package is generally better for overseas hires than for local hires. some international schools here do hire locally and some nationalplus schools hire subject teachers in addition to esl teachers. the bigger international schools, such as BIS and JIS are usually more interested in hiring English/Literature teachers than ESL teachers.

only 3 years experience and ready to retire? if u want to live here on a retirement visa as opposed to a working visa, u can do so for a maximum of 5 years but there are a lot of financial restrictiions. u have to show x amount of money in savings/investments and x amount of money in monthly/annual income. if u are planning to teach, then your social security income will be supplemantal to your teaching wages.

the pay depends on what type of school u are working out. the cost of living depends on your lifestyle. there are some ef teachers that are able to save a couple of hunderd dollars on a 7-800 dollars salary and i know some teachers working at international schools making 2000+ that are broke the week before payday.