Job Discussion Forums

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

Anyone have any info on this school? I've just had an offer from them. Their website is here: www.binabangsaschool.com. Their offer is $30,000 USD per year. Housing (shared) is paid for, along with flights, visas, transportation, and it's tax-free. I would probably just take the housing stipend and find someplace on my own. Teaching subject-matter English to high school (Indonesian) students; mostly writing and reading comp. with IGCSE the second year.

They have two locations in Jakarta - one is in the northern part of the city; not sure where the other is. 20 minutes from the center. One of my main hesitations is my Thai girlfriend who I will probably marry, especially if I take this job. We just got back from a trip to Bali and she really did not like it at all (dirty smokers, people trying to sell us stuff all the time), so I would need to convince her that Jakarta is a much better scene. Any advice? Thanks!

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

She wouldn't be hassled by street peddlers, as in Bali. If by "dirty smokers" you mean people that smoke in public and abstain from personal hygience, I guess there are a few. But you can mostly avoid them by not using public transport. Indonesians though, perhaps given many pray daily, generally take great pride in their personal hygiene, regardless of social class. But they are one of the biggest smokers, per head of population in the world.

It would be helpful if you could find out at which campus you would be teaching.

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

They haven't told me which campus, but it's one of the secondary schools, either in Pantai Indah Kapuk or Kebun Jeruk.

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

I was curious about this school so I did a search of the job forums (something most posters here would suggest you do).

All I found was this info from a previous post: "You may be interested to know that the investors for SIS-Semarang have ended their arrangement with SIS because of numerous problems. They set up their own school, Bina Bangsa." Maybe someone else on the board knows something specific (and recent).

I am planning on applying to these types of schools later this year and would like to know if you would share your qualifications with us. Teaching experience, degrees, etc.

Also, having lived in Thailand for several years, I am wondering why you would bring her to Indonesia. How will she fit into the culture here? Both the language and religion are foreign to her. What about her friends and family? I've found that taking these girls away from their home environment is much more difficult for them than for someone from the west.

Sorry I can't offer more info on the school, but it seems like a nice salary and you'd have a decent lifestyle.

Good luck.

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

My qualifications:

B.A. English
M.A. English Literature
California State Teaching Credential (English, 7-12 grade)
TEFL Certificate
IB certificate, current A1 English Course

7 years of teaching at various overseas schools.

My g/f has told me in the past that she would go anywhere with me. However, I know that she would prefer a country that is not poor like Indonesia or India. She is definitely open to leaving Thailand, especially if we get married and start a family. Both of us have talked about this at length. But yes, away from her family and friends in a mad city like Jakarta....it would be difficult.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

jaybet3 what are your qualifications?

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

With those qualifications, I would suggest holding out for a better position. I also agree that Jakarta wouldn't be the best option for your gf.

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

eddie honda · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 59

if u got a much better offer why not just buy your way out of your contract for prob 8-10 mill covering the remaining 6 or so months?

you will make it back in a month at a better job... doesn't make sense to stay put...

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

Yikes! I had no idea the market was so competitive. In that case, 30K in Indonesia sounds like a good idea.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

triple your salary? so if u were at ef makeing 7-9 million, u were offered a job making 21-30 million????? i know people teaching for 10 years that cant get an offer like that. with todays exchange rate that is $2400 to $3500/month. who the hell needs a CELTA if u have a job paying u that kind of money? expecially with only 2 years teaching experiene.

for the OP: 30,000 is a very good starting salary in indonesia. that is $2500 month. considering that the japanese and korean schools start at 2000 and AIS is about 28-30,000, i would say that he is in the top 10-15% of the starting salaries for schools in indoneisia. plus housing and your other benefits.

there is a thai community here. get her hooked in with the thai embasssy and attend some of the events they hold here. maybe she could make enough friends here to keep her happy for a year or 2. i used to teach a couple children whose father worked at the embassy. the wife was a really nice lady and very involved with the thai community. maybe she can look at their indonesian embassy or write them and see what kind of community events the have and what other services they offer.

best wishes

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

Unfortunately, I'm not even making 7 million per month. The school where I work is extremely cheap and this was my first contract so I did it to get the experience. Now I'm hoping for 14+ per month with my next contract. I won't be able to get that in the area where I work now, so I'll likely move to either Surabaya, Jakarta or Bali. Depends what I can find.