Being a teacher in Indonesia
Teaching in Indonesia can take many forms. Whether you are teaching in Jakarta which is a bustling and thriving city with all the western amenities at your beck and call, or if you are teaching in Bali or any of the islands that make up the country which are vacation hotspots and lushly green, you will find a country that is welcoming of expatriate teachers and the knowledge you bring.
It is important to note that the cost of living, especially outside of Jakarta, is very low and teachers can expect to save a good percentage of their salary even on what seems like a very low wage. Education is valued in Indonesia, and good, dedicated teachers can expect to be valued as well.
About Indonesia
Capital: Jakarta
Language: Bahasa Indonesia
Population: 237.5 million
Indonesia lies right across the equator in between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia, incredibly has over 18,000 islands, of which 6000 are currently inhabited with its large population. There are still plenty of these islands still lying unexplored.
Indonesia is both urban and rural, laying claim to one of the largest surviving rainforests in the world, which is home to the likes of orangutans, rhinos, tigers and many different birdlife.
Bali is Indonesia's most well-known tourist destination - known for its beaches, surfing, rainforests and exotic animals. The rest of Indonesia can be described with the same words, but enjoyed at a much less hectic pace of life.
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital city, is a metropolis of mixed contrasts. You will find a diverse mix of cultures and ethnic groups throughout Jakarta making it a very exciting and multicultural city to live in. In this bustling city you will find fantastic shopping opportunities, a range of restaurants both high end as well as street stalls as well as a very interesting history. Jakarta is a major travel hub so travel opportunities for weekends away and holidays are very easy to arrange.
Whilst the majority of inhabitants are Muslim making Indonesia the most populous Muslim country in the world. The Indonesian constitution guarantees the right of freedom of religion, with 6 main religions being practised - Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Climate
The weather does vary due to Indonesia's size. The weather is tropical with the wet season being in the months of December through to March, and the dry season from June through to September.
Activities
Natural attractions such as the rainforests, beaches, volcanoes and exotic animals are Indonesia's biggest drawcard. Surfers flock to Indonesia for the many different beaches offering great waves. Indonesia also has some of the best diving sites in the world. However, you will also find many cultural attractions as you travel through the country, with one being the world's oldest Buddhist temple dating back to the 8th Century.
Eating and Drinking
The combination of a population covering 6000 islands and different cultures equals great Indonesian food. Depending on where you are, a local dish could include peanuts, chillies and sugar, one area is known for its spicy dishes, while another area is well known for its pork dishes. The question is where to go first. It is important to note that strict vegetarians could find it more difficult in Indonesia as it is still not fully understood. Due to the large Muslim population, many of the restaurants are Halal including McDonalds and Pizza Hut. However, for vegetarians, even if you have a meat free dish, many of the condiments have some form of fish or shrimp in it.
Although Islam is the main religion, alcohol is widely available in most areas that you visit in Indonesia. However, like in many countries in the Middle East, public drunken behaviour is no tolerated.
Travel
Due to its many islands, ferry travel is the most popular and chosen form of transport. On land, in many regions buses are reliable with most being air-conditioned. Trains are also an option between larger cities. Taxis can also be a cheap alternative.
Local airlines do not have the best track record for reliability, but it is definitely the fastest form of transport within Indonesia.
Indonesia borders Malaysia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and is very close to Australia, Phillippines,Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and India, giving you almost limitless options of travel on weekends and breaks.
Currency
The currency in Indonesia in the Rupiah (RP).