Indonesia is known as one of the emerging markets on the worldwide scale and it is becoming an increasingly attractive option for foreigners to seek work in cities like Jakarta, which enjoys a growing economy and allows for many financial opportunities. However, the process of coming to work in Indonesia is riddled with issues of [...]

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The health of the Earth’s environment and the sustainable management of its organic (carbon-based) and non-organic (non-carbon-based) resources, is at or very near the top of most governments’ political agenda. This has to be good for mankind and for the planet but is it delivering the kinds of changes that need to be made if [...]

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The topic of mixed marriages in Indonesia is riddled with a considerable number of legal liabilities, regulations, and concerns. As a result, you need to be aware of your rights and obligations in order to marry an Indonesian citizen. This knowledge will only come from extensive research on your part, which should involve discussions with [...]

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Bring out the bikinis and heat up the barbeque grills- it’s that time of the year. Throughout summer, our buddies in the U.S. throw BBQ parties, while our pals in Europe may have made plans to work on their tan at the beach. Unfortunately our teman-teman in Indonesia deal with a different kind of summer [...]

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Joseph Conrad (1857 – 1924) was the most successful ESL/EFL/ESOL student of all time. A Pole by birth, he did not speak English until he was in his twenties, but in spite of this went on to become one of the very greatest of English novelists (so let that be an inspiration to all you [...]

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When individuals move to Indonesia for the purpose of expatriation, the process usually involves a large number of personal and legal considerations. While it is vital to explore notions of belonging, finding proper communication outlets, and understanding how local culture works, it is nonetheless important to note topics of legal nature. The purpose of this [...]

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At a run-down bus terminal in a small village, Yanti couldn’t hold back her tears as she hugs her three year old son while waiting to board a bus to the airport. She is to leave her family behind in search of better job opportunities overseas. Yanti is not alone; she is joined by thousands [...]

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Teaching in international schools has been a great privilege. Here I would like to share some personal impressions based on 25 years teaching in three international schools in Indonesia. The overwhelming majority of parents would agree that giving their kids a good education is a priority in life. First as a passport to a good [...]

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“… the sight of stars always sets me dreaming…” – Vincent Van Gogh – The front terrace of Jakartass Towers faces east and that is where we sit on the cloudless nights of a full moon. On May 6th and 7th, it appeared to be exceptionally large. Of course, it hadn’t actually grown in bulk, [...]

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By late afternoon on July 11, the day Jakartans will be casting their votes, most of them will already have an idea who their next governor will be for the next five years. In the arena are incumbent Governor Fauzi Bowo, who is paired with Nachrowi Ramli, the chairman of the Jakarta branch of the [...]

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Jalan Jaksa and Jalan Palatehan have been serving the needs of tourists and expatriates in different ways for decades. Jaksa, a narrow street in Menteng, is Jakarta’s sole backpacker strip and is also popular among expats requiring cheap beer. Palatehan, in Blok M, is the main haunt for Western men seeking female company. Both streets [...]

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In July 1960, Allan Williams, a Liverpool club owner on a trip to Hamburg, wandered into a club off the Reeperbahn, and saw, “an Indonesian group performing Elvis Presley songs in German.” Williams was involved with rock’n’roll bands in Liverpool who had taken the music a stage further than Elvis, with the booming amplified bass [...]

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In Eastern Promise (EP) we now have a playroom for kids. During recent trips to New Zealand and Australia I noticed a lot of pubs and restaurant that have this facility, to the great relief of parents of young children. Except for the fast food chains like Mc Donalds, in Jakarta you just cannot go [...]

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How many people know there’s an Indonesian god at Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple? And who knew the city’s oldest church was originally built for slaves, who were freed in exchange for changing their religion? Most Jakarta residents probably neither know nor care much about the old houses of worship of minority religions. Yet these places [...]

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