View Full Version : Potential English Teacher in Jakarta
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice about a potential job teaching English in Jakarta with Wall Street Institute. Does anybody have any experience with this school? Do you think that the salary they offer (12-13 million per month) is sufficient?
I am an American and currently teach English in Morocco. I am very torn about whether or not to do another year abroad in Indonesia. I hear mixed reviews about Jakarta as well.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Wall Street is one of the better paying English Schools. I've heard mostly good things and only mild (normal) complaints. Do you know which WSI you would be working at?
Jakarta is not a nice city but it is an interesting city and full of life. Some people love it, others hate it. I am still on the fence myself :-P
If you gave more specific questions...
12 to 13 million is sufficient especialy if you are single. You can live comfortably on that. If you watch your expenditures a little you can probably put some away.
You really can't know what you will think of the place unless you just come and find out for yourself. My recomendation is you come. Even if you aren't in love with Jakarta, I don't think you will ever regret the experience. When you get a chance venture out into other parts of Indonesia. I am sure you will get more out of it than you will ever imagine. It has its downside as every place does but it is incredibly unique. Take advantage of being involved in an occupation that is in demand, come and experience it yourself.
Beware you may never want to leave.
Thanks for the response. It's good to hear that WSI has a good reputation. Alright, I'll ask some more specific questions:
1. Do you feel safe (as an expat and in general) living in Jakarta? (I've been hearing horror stories about terrorism, earthquakes, etc.)
2. Approximately how much money does one spend a month on rent, utilities, meals, etc? I know this can vary greatly, so let's say approximately on the high end, ie: expensive part of town?
3. Do many people speak English or would it be necessary to learn Indonesian right away in order to get by?
Thanks again for the response. Generally, any thoughts about living in Jakarta are also appreciated!
That last part is so true.....
Thanks for the response. It's good to hear that WSI has a good reputation. Alright, I'll ask some more specific questions:
1. Do you feel safe (as an expat and in general) living in Jakarta? (I've been hearing horror stories about terrorism, earthquakes, etc.)
2. Approximately how much money does one spend a month on rent, utilities, meals, etc? I know this can vary greatly, so let's say approximately on the high end, ie: expensive part of town?
3. Do many people speak English or would it be necessary to learn Indonesian right away in order to get by?
Thanks again for the response. Generally, any thoughts about living in Jakarta are also appreciated!
1. I find it very safe. Statistically speaking, you are more likely to die on the flight over here than you are from a terrorist attack in Indonesia. The Earthquakes aren't really that bad and are quite uncommon in Jakarta.
2. High end in Jakarta is expensive. I have a friend living at the Pokobuono (sp?) residence and it costs him about 3 grand a month. I have another friend that lives in a kost for $150 a month. I have a house in Bekasi you can rent out for $1000 a year, but the commute will suck :-P Most English teachers at that pay level, that I know, usually rent a small appartment or a kost, usually in the $200-$400 range, or get a room mate and share a nicer appartment. As for utilities, gas, water and electricity are all subsidized. Raw food, in general, costs more than in the states but processed food is much much cheaper here. They also have cheaper food options that are simply not available in the states. Overall though, the food is cheap and delicious, one of the best things about living in Jakarta.
3. You don't need to learn Bahasa Indonesia to live here but I strongly advise doing so. I have lived here for about 4 years and I barely speak any. Now that I've decided to put down roots and stay, I regret not having learned. The vast majority of Indonesians do not speak English.
Thanks again so much! It's great to get such quick replies!
So, the quakes must be worse in other parts of Indonesia than they are in Jakarta?
If I take the job, I will be moving there with my boyfriend. We'd share an apartment or a room, I'm guessing. I suppose that would make things cheaper? Being a Muslim country, do you think it would be difficult to live together, seeing as we aren't married? Here in Morocco it's illegal!
Thanks again so much! It's great to get such quick replies!
So, the quakes must be worse in other parts of Indonesia than they are in Jakarta?
If I take the job, I will be moving there with my boyfriend. We'd share an apartment or a room, I'm guessing. I suppose that would make things cheaper? Being a Muslim country, do you think it would be difficult to live together, seeing as we aren't married? Here in Morocco it's illegal!
Natural disasters occur all over the world. Indonesia is a very large country when you consider all of the ocean it owns as well. Of course natural disasters would occur here. However, Jakarta is fairly well positioned to avoid the worst of those. We had a couple mild earthquakes here last year but I found them fun more than scary. The worst "disaster" that occurs in Jakarta is the flooding I think.
If you and your bf are both working and earning 12-13 a month, you guys should be quite comfortable. Get a place near your office though as the traffic here can be frustrating.
As for living together, I've been told that it is frowned upon in many parts of the country but I don't think it's actually illegal. Atlantis would be a better person to ask about this. In any event, in Jakarta, it is not a problem.
If I take the job, I will be moving there with my boyfriend. We'd share an apartment or a room, I'm guessing. I suppose that would make things cheaper? Being a Muslim country, do you think it would be difficult to live together, seeing as we aren't married? Here in Morocco it's illegal!
Indonesia is not actually a Muslim country, although about 88% of it's 250 million odd population are Muslim, on the most part moderate. The government offically recognises six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. As far as I know unmarried couples living together is technically illegal, although in a big city like Jakarta it should not be a problem, especially two foreigners. More interest would be taken in a relationship between an Indonesian and a foreigner. Saying that I lived with my Indonesian wife (in Surabaya) before we were married, never had a problem. Just don't mention it to anyone.
Indonesia is not actually a Muslim country, although about 88% of it's 250 million odd population are Muslim, on the most part moderate. The government offically recognises six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. As far as I know unmarried couples living together is technically illegal, although in a big city like Jakarta it should not be a problem, especially two foreigners. More interest would be taken in a relationship between an Indonesian and a foreigner. Saying that I lived with my Indonesian wife (in Surabaya) before we were married, never had a problem. Just don't mention it to anyone.
Really? It is illegal? I thought it was more of a common law type thing not an actual law...
In any case unmarried couples should not try to live together outside the most cosmopolitan areas like Jakarta and Surabaya. Here's an example of what could happen if you choose to ignore it:
http://news.id.msn.com/okezone/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4007345
Care to give a brief run down in English?
English run down, briefly: A junior high school couple got caught being intimate with each other. They both got dragged out of the house, naked, and paraded out on the street and the boy was beaten by the angry mob, he wasn't severely beaten since the police showed up and secured the couple.
Thanks to everyone for all your replies. It's definitely helping with my nerves to hear from people who are on the ground over there. I have so many questions!
What about life in Jakarta? It sounds like it's not the nicest place on earth but can grow on you over time. What kinds of things do expats do in Jakarta? What's it like to go grab a beer? Here in Morocco, the only places to drink beer are clubs or dingy bars where the only women are prostitutes. Is it similar in Jakarta? What about sports clubs, concerts, etc?
elkythedogsperson
03-04-10, 17:14
English run down, briefly: A junior high school couple got caught being intimate with each other. They both got dragged out of the house, naked, and paraded out on the street and the boy was beaten by the angry mob, he wasn't severely beaten since the police showed up and secured the couple.
Just to put this in perspective, this story is about Indonesian teenagers, probably Muslim and/or from a Muslim community. As a Westerner, I think it nothing like that would happen to a western couple co-habitating. I know of one British teacher who is living with an Indonesian woman and child from previous marriage and having no problems here in Bandung.
However, I did find on my first visit to Bali over ten years ago it was useful to wear a wedding band and say i was married (although I was single) if only to keep away the pimps and touts.
Perhaps as said above just present yourself as a married couple to make it easier for all involved. Aside from employer and landlord (who may or maynot want passport copies) no one would probably ask.
Sorry I can't answer specific questions about Jakarta, but you will find Indonesia a wonderful country. Good luck!
Care to give a brief run down in English?
The post after yours gave a minimal but fair idea. This sounds like a small village and a young couple of locals.
Just as an aside. If you use google chrome browser, it auto translates if you want it to.
WOW! I know nothing about teaching but hearing about the cost of living in Jakarta is scary. Glad I live in Probolinggo. Here you can rent a house for $300 a year and food is much cheaper than the US or UK. We could live OK on 4 million a month if we had to. Before I married my wife we were living in a small village here and caused a mini revolution by kissing in the street. People banging on the doors and insisting that we leave the front door open. Funny, my wife told me that a couple of the complaining married men had tried to hit on her. :-)
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice about a potential job teaching English in Jakarta with Wall Street Institute. Does anybody have any experience with this school? Do you think that the salary they offer (12-13 million per month) is sufficient?
I am an American and currently teach English in Morocco. I am very torn about whether or not to do another year abroad in Indonesia. I hear mixed reviews about Jakarta as well.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
12 - 13 Juta??
In this time?
What is the different range in 2000 with 7 - 8 Juta?
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.12 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.