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"HELLO MEEEEEEESTER!" |
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If you come to work in Indonesia, you will have to get used to the greeting call given by everyone you meet on the street, regardless of your age or even gender! |
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Indonesian people are VERY friendly and love to talk to bules (boo-lay = westerner) whenever they get the chance...
... which is why we need YOU at EF! |
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This website is unofficial and not produced by EF. |
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The information on this page is an honest and general view of living in Bandung and working for EF. Please read on... |
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USEFUL LINKS:
EF BANDUNG THREAD, DAVE'S ESL CAFE
ESSENTIAL CLASSROOM INDONESIAN
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BANDUNG |
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Bandung is situated in West Java, quite high up and a few hours from the beach. It is about 4 hours drive from the International airport in Jakarta, and a relatively easy plane-hop from Bali. It's not as hot here as most of the archipelago, and is close to popular mountain areas and a couple of nice beaches. Once upon a time, it was known as the "Paris of Java." Now it is a bit more crowded and polluted, but is still very green (especially in the north). It doesn"t have a tower. |
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Bandung is a major university city- there are at least 30 of them, all specialising in different disciplines. As a result, many of our students are university students, and are quite lively and keen to talk. It is also a city famous for beautiful girls, but that's a different story...
It's also Java's main textile and outlet centre, which means you cn get top brand clothes (genuine Abercrombie, RipCurl, Next, Marks & Spencer) at a fraction of the cost of home. Pack light! |
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LIFE IN INDONESIA? |
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Many of the teachers live in the Dago area, in the north of the city. It is clean, quiet and a little more affluent than other areas of the city. Housing is generally of good quality and easily affordable, as well as being within easy reach of the two branches of EF and the shopping centres. |
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It's a good life here. As bules, we are held in quite high regard, often more than we really deserve. It is very easy to set up a comfortable living environment, and there are quite a few things round and about to see. Bandung is not really a city driven by its nightlife- although it is big, it is not as westernised or 'dirty' as Jakarta. On the other hand, it is a much more comfortable and friendly environment in which to live, and there are still a few small options for a post-work bevvie. The students are very social, but beware: If you make your phone number public knowledge, you may never get a full night's sleep again! |
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ANY NEGATIVES? |
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Generally life is happy, although common sense is not in the Indonesian vocabulary. Some of the stupid things you will witness may beggar belief, and may become frustrating. Also, as a country with so many people it can be quite crowded and congested, and many people are unequivocally lazy. Getting things done does take time.
Giving out your number to everyone could result in quasi-stalking situations, and sometimes admirers can be a bit full-on.
Don't let it get to your head (it's cos you're bule), but if you do get up to anything, make sure you bag it! |
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IT IS NOT HOME!
If you can't live without the luxuries of home, think twice about signing the contract (see VISAS below). Even though most Indonesian people are very friendly, there is, as in most countries, a small pocket of people who may not think the sun shines out of your ****. Sometimes their verbal attitude may be a little rough, but you are safe almost everywhere. Open drunkenness, titty tops and drugs aren't really acceptable. If you show respect, you'll receive it.
Sometimes people get a killer dose of the sh**s and you need to be careful about some street food.
Also, being a predominantly Muslim country, you may be woken at 4.30 am for the call to prayers. Don't worry, you'll soon start to sleep through it! |
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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OF OUR TEACHERS, PLEASE EMAIL ASHLEY, THE DOS:
[email protected]
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HOW ABOUT EF? |
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Contrary to most people's attitudes towards EF, the Bandung schools are a great place to work. The contracts are reasonable, the students are great (noisy) and the facilities are improving. The teachers, both local and native speaker, are friendly and creative. Sometimes the management's lack of will to spend money can test teachers' patience, but usually it is overcome painlessly. Holidays and sick days are sufficient and wages are negotiable, depending on experience (but easily enough to live quite well on). |
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WHAT ABOUT THE JOB? |
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You are expected to teach seventeen 90-minute lessons per week, and fill in forms and things. Usually classes begin at 2.30 and end at 9pm. Occasionally, earlier starts are required, but you get to go home early. Sometimes, 4-class days can be a bit tiring, but mostly it's OK. |
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EF provides a full range of courses, all of which you'll be expected to teach at some point. These include kids, teens, general english, ToEFL, IELTS, private, business and conversation. |
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE? |
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Usually, new teachers are met at the airport by Teddy, our driver, and he will take you to Bandung. You will be taken to a place to stay, and the next day your induction with Ashley will begin. Typically, this lasts a few days and involves general information about Indonesia, school information and a few scheduled classes observing other teachers. In the first week, you will be given a few classes to teach, but not too many. |
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Soon after you arrive, you'll need to find a place to live. EF will pay for you to stay in the guest-house for a week before the bill is on you. There are lots of nice, empty houses around, and someone will probably help you find one. Expect to pay the rent up-front for a year (Rp 6-12million). EF can help you with a housing allowance, which you can pay off by monthly deductions in your pay. Easy. Then you can learn Indonesian, which is also pretty simple... |
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VISAS |
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Your tourist visa will last a month, after which you will be bundled off to Singapore to do a KITAS run. This is your work visa, and is under EF's name. As a result, you are not allowed another job, although work on the quiet is a possibility. If you break contract for whatever reason, you will be expected to pay off the cost of your visa AND the trip to Singapore, so do some research before you commit yourself to a year. Most teachers are quite happy here, but some have broken contract. They expected life to be the exactly the same as back home, and couldn't really handle the difference. Try to contact a teacher before you make the decision to move. |
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Most teachers have had a fantastic time at EF Bandung.
You won't get rich, but you will have a great experience and meet some fascinating people. |
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USEFUL LINKS:
EF BANDUNG THREAD, DAVE'S ESL CAFE
ESSENTIAL CLASSROOM INDONESIAN
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AND ONE LAST THING!
When you do come out, please e-mail and ask if anyone needs anything to be brought out!
Popular requests include books and magazines.
Blu-tack is also very useful. |
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If you are interested in teaching here email Ashley: [email protected] |
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HAVE A GOOD TRIP!
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