Advice for living in Indonesia.

I'm interviewing for a year long job which would have me living in indonesia. Anyone have any advice about living + working there? What is the cost of living like? What would be a reasonable salary to expect (science postdoc)? Thank you for anyone who might have any advice to offer.
--Grad

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

Click to expand...

I'm interviewing for a year long job which would have me living in indonesia. Anyone have any advice about living + working there? What is the cost of living like? What would be a reasonable salary to expect (science postdoc)? Thank you for anyone who might have any advice to offer.
--Grad

Where in Indo? Java? Cost of living is generally low, as are wages.

Just remember that the mandi is your toilet AND your shower (often communal), so don't jump in like it's a bath-tub. Padang food is great, but eat at your own risk. Get receipts for any bills you pay .... or you will be asked to pay again. Even if it's a bribe, ask for a receipt. Learn when to haggle and when not to. Don't talk politic or religion or sensitive history with people who are not close friends.

Originally Posted by JustinW

Click to expand...

Where in Indo? Java? Cost of living is generally low, as are wages.

I actually have no idea, this kind of fell in my lap, so I'll find out more specifics on my monday interview. Do some people speak english or would I have to learn the local language/work with a translator?

I can give you advice about living in Indiana. Pretty similar, really.

Originally Posted by JustinW

Click to expand...

Where in Indo? Java? Cost of living is generally low, as are wages.

Just remember that the mandi is your toilet AND your shower (often communal), so don't jump in like it's a bath-tub. Padang food is great, but eat at your own risk. Get receipts for any bills you pay .... or you will be asked to pay again. Even if it's a bribe, ask for a receipt. Learn when to haggle and when not to. Don't talk politic or religion or sensitive history with people who are not close friends.

I know nothing about living in Indonesia, but if you were asking about the Philippines I would have given you similar advice. Be aware that you are a foreigner in a foreign land, and less than scrupulous characters may be looking for ways to take advantage of you. You are in another country so have great respect for the cultures and the people, and always be gracious to people who take you in. You probably know this already but it bears repeating.

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

Click to expand...

I actually have no idea, this kind of fell in my lap, so I'll find out more specifics on my monday interview. Do some people speak english or would I have to learn the local language/work with a translator?

depends on which part of indonesia you're assigned to. in big cities like jakarta, people speak english. in remote villages, not only do they not speak english, you may also end up as dinner.

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

Click to expand...

I actually have no idea, this kind of fell in my lap, so I'll find out more specifics on my monday interview. Do some people speak english or would I have to learn the local language/work with a translator?
It is a very BIG and diverse archipelago - though anywhere you are likely to be working (assuming you are not doing a of field work), you could probably get by with english and a few words of Bahasa. Let me know when you here where you will be and I'll tell you if I can offer much practical advise - I know Nusa Tengara well, and have a little experience of Bali, Jakarta and Southern Sumatra. West Papua less still. Just send me a few Bintangs in thanks

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

Click to expand...

I actually have no idea, this kind of fell in my lap, so I'll find out more specifics on my monday interview. Do some people speak english or would I have to learn the local language/work with a translator?

even if you have translator working a foreign country it is god to pick up at least of of the dominat languages used.

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

Click to expand...

I'm interviewing for a year long job which would have me living in indonesia. Anyone have any advice about living + working there? What is the cost of living like? What would be a reasonable salary to expect (science postdoc)? Thank you for anyone who might have any advice to offer.
--Grad
.

Contact Professor William Liddle at The Ohio State University. He is an Indonesian specialist and has lived there for several years at a time.

If you're in a big city, naturally some people will speak English, particularly uni students and professionals.

However, Bahasa Indonesia is an easy language to pick up, particularly with regard to basic conversation.

As to how expensive the country is, it all depends on how you wish to live.
If you want to have a Western lifestyle, then it will be expensive as Jakarta and other big cities are costly at the top end. Eating Western food in good restaurants, going to hotel bars to drink with expats and other such activities can be very costly.

However, if you're happy to "go native", then it can be very, very cheap to live, literally a few dollars a day. Drink Bintang beer, eat at warungs (streetside stalls) and markets, shop at local shops and live in humble housing and your expenses would be vanishingly minimal by Western standards.

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Click to expand...

However, if you're happy to "go native", then it can be very, very cheap to live, literally a few dollars a day. Drink Bintang beer, eat at warungs (streetside stalls) and markets, shop at local shops and live in humble housing and your expenses would be vanishingly minimal by Western standards.

It will seem fearsome at first, but this is really the only way to go.

Originally Posted by robertorex

Click to expand...

It will seem fearsome at first, but this is really the only way to go.

It's not really that fearsome, I've lived in south america for over a year before on the native end of things.

I spent three months in Indo and two months in Malaysia back in the 1990s.
I did a quick evening course in Bahasa Indonesia before I left and then just plunged into it.
Started off in West Timor, went to East Timor, and then island hopped across the Nusa Tenggara island group westward towards Lombok, Bali and Java.

I literally never set foot inside a "Western" establishment in the entire time I was there - no hotels, no McDonalds, no western food at all. I had one occurrence of rather nasty stomach cramps that lasted for a few days, but no diarrhoea or vomiting at all. The local food was uniformly excellent wherever we went and people were generally very welcoming.

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Click to expand...

went to East Timor

Where in ET? I spent quite a lot of time there in the mid 1990s. Mostly in the Lautem/ Los Palos/ Tutuala area, though I did get around a fair bit.

beware the brown nipples and purple outer lips.