Stare At The Sun

So, let me give you some background info.

I just graduated in August with my Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, and I live in Toledo, Ohio. Which is just a terrible place to live. There are very few jobs, even less well paying ones, and I'm little more than a stone throw away from Detroit. Combine that with the fact that Ohio is going down the tubes in terms of..well everything, and it's not a good situation for a recent graduate.

Thus, I've decided to do what a few of my friends are doing..go overseas and teach English! You don't get paid all that much, but its an experience and a job, if nothing else. I've been considering doing this for some time, but just recently I signed my contract, and very soon I'll be shipping out (Nov. 4th), for a year in Jakarta Indonesia.

It's a pretty daunting task, but I'm not really all that nervous. I'm starting to learn the language, and I'm mentally preparing myself for the culture shock.

I'll be living in Bintaro, which is a suburb of Jakarta, a little more green, more residential, more quiet.

There is so much stuff for me to talk about, I'm not even sure where to begin. However, I'm going to try and keep this thread updated as much as possible as my prep continues, and as my year in Jakarta takes place.

In the meantime however, anyone have any advice for me? Things to do/see, things to avoid..whatever!

I'm all ears

Cynthetiq

important words to remember....have fun and eat lots of good indonesian food. when you come home and are craving indonesian food, look for a dutch store, since it was colonized by dutch, there's always some nod to indonesian food there. have a great time.

makan - eat
Satu bir - one beer

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Stare At The Sun

I've heard really good things about Indonesian food. I can't wait to try some.

Have you ever been there Cyn?

Cynthetiq

Not to where you are going, but I have been to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, while living in Singapore.

Indonesia is a very nice country. The food and culture is amazing.

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Stare At The Sun

Awesome. Hopefully I'll get to do a bit of traveling myself while I'm there .

Charlatan

I've been to Indonesia a few times but only to Jakarta once before.

Get ready for Culture Shock. Where I am feel quite western, when I visited Jakarta, it was a whole other world. That said, the people are lovely. The food is great. The night life, once you find it is excellent.

Just be ready for Different.

If you make it to Singpore, let me know. I'd be happy to buy you a beer.

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Stare At The Sun

What do you mean when you say "different"?

Also, when you were in Jakarta, what did it smell like? I know that's a strange thing to ask, but I get really differing opinions on what the place itself smells like.

Also, I know the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) are somewhat near..are they the best beach close by?

remy1492

be sure to read State Dept's briefing on Indodesia and how to stay safe. It's great to be a tourist but if you are gonna live there I recommend knowing the threats. It is surely not Kansas, or Ohio.

I think in today's economy, you made a good choice. Good luck.

Charlatan

By different I mean that Jakarta can range from first world to third world in a couple of blocks. The traffic is so intense that most locals have personal drivers (and not just the wealthy). In fact, the traffic is bad enough that vendors prowl the expressways selling newspapers, gum, drinks (whatever) from car to car. You can have a very wealthy house with shanties built against their walls (all houses have some form of wall or fence but that pretty much the case throughout Asia). Poverty is much more in your face than in the West.

As for the smell... it didn't stink when I was there but speaking speaking as someone who has done some traveling through south east Asia, there are some smells you will just have to get used to... even here, were it is very clean and organized you will get the smell of heat (it smells like a terrarium, rotting peat, not a bad smell but it's there). You will get the wafting smell of cooking food (fried fermented shrimp paste - belachan), burning charcoal, durian, chempedak, etc. Two-stroke engine smoke is prevalent as well.

It's just different from what you are familiar with in the US.

I've seen some people come here and just can't handle it. They are gone within a month or two. Others just love it.


As for beaches, I don't know what is especially close to Jakarta but I can say that flights are cheap (cheap!) and Bali, Phuket, Boracay, etc. are all within one to three hours flight away.

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Tully Mars

Been to Surabya and Bali but it's been years. What I remember was certainly good. Never been to Jakarta but Surabaya is/was just like Charlatan describes from area bing upscale and around the corner third world and traffic is just plain insane. I got in a cab one day to return to my ship. He spent as much time on the side walk as he did in the street.

Overall I'd say enjoy, you're going to have a good time. Travel, IMO, is a much better education then you can get in a class room.

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dlish

by different charlatan means same same, but different!

wow good luck..just do what i did and go with the flow.

i had a culture shock, and i went to a place where i was familiar with the religion and culture.

most importantly, go with an open mind

good luck with your journeys, and keep us posted! you've been a long term member here, so we'd love to still hear from you when you're over there!

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