Why TESOL in Indonesia?

Indonesia is fast emerging as a popular tourist destination in South- East Asia. It is a country that has taken giant leap towards modernization without losing its traditional ethnicity and values.

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental main lands and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. Indonesia is rich in art and culture which are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions from the time of early migrants with Western thoughts brought by Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists.

What is in it for you?

Surabaya is known as the city of heroes due to the role of its people in the struggle for Independence. Surabaya is the second-largest city, and the capital of the province of East Java. It is located on the northern shore of eastern Java at the mouth of the Mas River and at the side of the Madura Strait.

Surabaya is a multiple ethnic city with many cultures. In Surabaya there are many kinds of ethnics, such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arabs, and Europeans including Indonesian archipelago ethnics. This gives the city its cultural pluralism. The Special Surabaya people are social and friendly. Although they seem to be temperamental but democratic, tolerant, and helpful. Going to Surabaya is like descending into a crater, that leads to a volcano, in the tropics. With 10,000 islands it has more storms and active volcanoes than anywhere else. Mt Merapi is the most active volcano in the world.

Singing at karaokes, shopping at the huge markets, watching the Ramayana festival, visiting Mt Bromo and Borobudor , soaking in the tropical sun and Asian hospitality can be a great way of spending time at Surabaya.

On the tourist map

Surabaya has a constant flow of tourists as it is the gateway to Bali. But one should not leave this city without visiting the Grand Mosque of Surabaya, the largest mosque in East Java. Cheng Ho Mosque, the first mosque in Indonesia built with a Chinese style architecture.

If you are interested in history then you must see the Jales Veva Jaya Mahe Monument, which commemorates the Indonesian Navy. Mpu Tantular Museum, has a large collection of ancient Javanese artifacts. Heroic Monument is the main symbol and one of the attractive tourist destinations in Surabaya.

Being a tropical Island country Indonesia has a large diversity of animal life especially the great apes. Bonbin Surabaya is one of the famous zoos in Southeast Asia

Evening and Nightlife

Sports-wise, there are weekly, social games of touch football, netball and squash. There is a weekly swimming club at Surabaya International School. Golf is far cheaper than Bali or Jakarta, and there are social competitions. There is a sports university beside Citra Raya, which has facilities for hockey and beach volleyball, and an Olympic-size pool. The new Ciputra Water Park is another recreational center.

he city centre hosts a famous food street market, and the main street of Citra Raya is packed with hawker-style food after dark. Alcohol is getting easier to obtain, and wines and spirits are far cheaper, in the supermarket, than in Bali. There are also at least three top-class cinemas, and a number of great nightclubs.

Weekend excursions

The Surabaya zoo (KBS) is one of the popular zoo in Indonesia, located in Setail 1 street. It houses more than 351 species of fauna and more than 2.806 animals. Including endangered species of Mammals, Apes, reptiles and fish.

The Jurang Kuping camp is a small natural lake located in the Benowo District. One can spend the day angling, sipping on palm juice drink and camping.

There are plenty of day trips and weekend trips - Bromo, Malang, Trowulan, Pacet, Tanggul Angin, Taman Safari and Tretes/Trawas. It is also very handy, by plane, to Bali, Yogyakarta, Kalimantan and Jakarta, and there are also direct flights to Singapore, KL and China

Weather

Climate is definitely tropical. There is no Autumn or Winter and distinctive "dry" and "wet" seasons are experienced through out the year. The East Monsoon, from June to September, brings dry weather while the West Monsoon, from December to March is moisture laden, bringing rain. Temperatures range from 21 degrees (70_F) to 33 degrees Celsius or 190_F except at higher altitudes which can be much cooler.