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Expat Living in Bogor, West Java

Bogor is the 14th largest city in Indonesia, with a population of approximately 950,334 (2010 census).

The Center for International Forestry Research (www.cifor.org) has foreign researchers coming for short term study and research projects and meetings in Bogor.

Living in Bogor vs Jakarta

The temperatures are definitely cooler in Bogor than Jakarta, especially at elevated locations where you get a breeze. While living in Ciawi (South Bogor), we originally purchased two air conditioners, but never installed them. With clean air even the warmest afternoon is tolerable.

There is heavy traffic on the main roads in Bogor, where there seems to be an angkot (public transport) for every family. There is serious congestion at the Ciawi toll road exit on those weekends when half of Jakarta tries to go to Puncak. From near the end of the toll road in Bogor the commute to Jakarta in approximately 90 minutes (leaving before 6 am or after 9 am). The return trip takes 60 minutes (leaving before 4 pm). There are several road projects in the works that are aimed at alleviating congestion by road widening and converting to one-way streets.

There is a smaller expatriate community in Bogor (than Jakarta) which is centered around the International School (their support group publishes a directory) and CIFOR.

Another difference between Bogor and Jakarta is that the restaurants in Bogor are less varied and not as nice as those in Bandung and Jakarta.

Housing

There are nice housing areas in both Ciawi and Bogor that have easy access to the toll road. Housing areas preferred by expats include Lakeside, Taman Kencana, Villa Duta, Bogor Baru, Sempur, Sentul and Pakuan Hill Bogor (near Ekolokasari Mall). Read more on the CIFOR website (www.cifor.org).

Do a search on the Expat Forum for housing listings in Bogor, or post what type of housing you are searching for in the Home Search channel.

Schooling in Bogor

Intercultural School of Bogor
Jl. Papandayan No. 7
Bogor 16151 Jawa Barat
Tel +62 (251) 832-4360
Mobile & WhatsApp +62 816 781 927
Email isb@isbogor.org
Website www.isbogor.org

Welcome to The Intercultural School of Bogor (ISB) located in the beautiful, green Taman Kencana neighborhood of central Bogor, Indonesia. We are authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Association t o implement the Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum and for Grades 6-8, we offer the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), both are recognized throughout the world.

As an IB World School our students are given a broad exposure to an inquiry-based learning experience from early childhood through to middle school. Our bright, modern classrooms and library are staffed by experienced Expatriate and Indonesian teachers, all of whom take great pride in teaching these programs. A core aim is to deliver a meaningful and engaging curriculum that promotes academic excellence, intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship and a strong sense of community service.

Our vibrant parent community is a supportive blend of expatriate and Indonesian families who cultivate a social network. We offer a rich after school program along with family events in the late afternoons, evenings and weekends such as horseback riding, arts and crafts, sporting activities and cultural celebrations that reflect the diversity of our families.

ISB is best experienced in person! We warmly welcome you to make an appointment to visit us and see how our school can be a perfect fit for your family.

Sekolah Bogor Raya
Perumahan Danau Bogor Raya (Bogor Lakeside)
Bogor 16143
West Java, Indonesia
Tel. +62251 832-5523 (Admissions)
Email admissions@sekolahbogorraya.com
Website: www.sekolahbogorraya.com

Academic Advisor: Benedict E Rinne
Enrollment: 800+

Sekolah Bogor Raya (SBR) was founded in 1995. We provide both locally and internationally accredited curricula in a green and pleasant environment in the picturesque area of the Danau Bogor Raya residential complex, near the main Bogor Toll exit. SBR is a multi-faith school with students from many different nationalities and backgrounds. Our school runs from Playgroup up to Secondary Level and our students come mostly from the Bogor, Sentul, Cibinong and East Jakarta areas. A bus service is available to and from most locations.

SBR’s vision is to be a leading international standard school providing high-quality education to equip our students to excel in a rapidly changing world. Our school mission is to provide:

High quality education through the use of proven international programs.
A commitment to supporting language fluency in English, Bahasa Indonesia and in our students’ mother tongues, technological expertise, and inquiry-based teaching and learning, we deliver an international program that integrates global concepts with respect for national culture and identity.
Our programs prioritize the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of our students and encourage them to build self-esteem and always strive to be the very best.

SBR’s national and international accreditations include:

Indonesian Government (SPK) Accredited at every level - A Rating
ANPS (Association of National and Private Schools) Accredited - A Rating
IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) PYP (Primary Years Program) Authorized
Cambridge International Examinations Centre Accredited
IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) DP (Diploma Program) Authorized

Sekolah Pelita Harapan
Jl. Babakan Madang
Sentul City, Bogor 16810
Tel. (62-21) 8796 0234
WhatsApp (62) 877 7857-7711
Email sph-sc@sph.ac.id
Website www.sph.edu

For over 20 years Pelita Harapan schools have offered high quality Christian education in Indonesia. At all times the schools practices are aligned with their Vision: True Knowledge, Faith in Christ and Godly Character; and their Mission: Proclaiming the Preeminence of Christ and Engaging in the Redemptive Restoration of All Things in Him through Holistic Education.

The Lippo Village campus was founded in 1993 by the Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan (YPPH), followed by Sentul City in 1994, Lippo Cikarang in 1995, Kemang Village in 2010 and Pluit Village in 2014. With total enrolments numbering 2200 students from Kindergarten (age 3 years) to Grade 12 (age 17 years) across the 5 schools around Jakarta, SPH exists to prepare students to becometomorrow’s Indonesian leaders and world citizens.

SPH schools are members of the Council of International Schools (CIS), Christian School International, and some are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The curriculum is internationally recognized and accredited by the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). At Kemang Village, Lippo Cikarang and Pluit Village, the curriculum includes Cambridge and International Baccalaureate Programs.

Our teachers are recruited from overseas mainly USA, Canada, Australia and Philippines as well as domestically. We challenge our students to succeed academically and to reach their full potential in cultural, artistic, and sporting areas. Academic results continue to show our IB Diploma graduates scoring above the world average. Almost all our graduates pursue higher education in well-respected universities around the world : USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, as well as Indonesia.

Besides being academic, SPH also has a proud history of excellence in the Performing Arts. Our students perform locally and internationally. We also plan purposeful, physical activities to equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to enjoy a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

SPH has excellent facilities to support creative teaching and an effective learning environment. These include swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums, athletic field, soccer fields, basketball courts, badminton courts, fitness center, computer and science laboratories, food technology & design technology workshops, music rooms, art rooms, multipurpose rooms, resource rooms, libraries, health centers, bookstores, banks, canteens and playgrounds.

Sentul City campus also provides a boarding facility with separate accommodation for girls and boys in grades 7-12. A chaplain, supervisors, a nurse and tutors are essential parts of the Pelita Harapan House community. Surrounded by a green environment, clean air, and all the school's facilities, this residence provides a comfortable and ;convenient home away from home, where people can maximize their learning and develop friends for life.

The student composition at each school varies from location to location; families are primarily Indonesian, but include other nationalities. At our city school, approximately 45% of students are from other countries. There are currently expatriate students from many parts of the world including Korea, Australia, Singapore, America and Canada.

Language of instruction is English, Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesia are taught to all students. Tuition fees (SPP) range from US$ 5,000 to US$ 20,000/year across campuses and grades. This fee excludes the annual development fee (DPP) from US$ 2,000 to 5,000(*).

Our admissions staff will be happy to respond to any questions and to provide more detailed information. We invite you to come to one of our Open Houses which are scheduled several times a year. There will be information about Vision, Mission and Curriculum. Students and alumni share their experiences. There are school tours, administration info, etc. Please contact our admissions office for more information.

Community Groups

Hash House Horrors

Church Services in Bogor

Bogor English Service

Graha Amal Kasih (across the Club House) Bogor Lakeside, Bogor Every Sunday at 5:00 pm. Speakers are: Rev. Mike Hilliard, Rev. Rishi Anandani, and others

Contact Person : Monica Cordelia Kaha
Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-4:15 pm
Saturday 8:30 am-12 Noon
3rd Floor Setyajaya Building, Jl.Pajajaran 23, Bogor 16143

Interdenominational Services in English (BICF)

Held at 12:00PM on Sunday at Gereja Baptis Pabaton, Jl Sawojajar 1 (near Bogor Permai Restaurant). Contact Gusti (0823-12990979) or Rosa (0813-80802909).

The Diocese of Bogor (Roman Catholic) has English Mass Services on Saturdays at 05:30 pm at:

Susteran Gembala Baik
Convent of The Good Shepherd Sisters
Jl. Raya Pajajaran Mo. 6
SMK Baranangsiang, Bogor
Tel. (0251) 832-1270

Newcomers are invited to come and to celebrate mass and to worship together.

Dining Out

Try out Bogor Permai Bakery, Roti Unyil Venus, and Lasagna Gulung.

Shopping in the Bogor area

Malls in Bogor include Botani Square Mall (near the toll road), Lippo Plaza Keboen Raya (facing the entrance gate of Bogor Botanical Garden), and Lippo Plaza Ekalokasari Bogor "Ekalos" (further south on Jalan Siliwangi) with a Matahari Department Store and Foodmart grocery store, food court, and six levels of shops.
PT Kebun Sayur Segar (Parung organic vegetable farm)
Jl. Raya Parung No. 546
Parung, Bogor
(0251) 619-915
www.parungfarm.com
Mega Surya Organic Farm
Andy.wahyudi@gmail.com

Recreation in the Bogor area

One of the most famous attractions in Bogor is the "Kebun Raya", the Bogor Botanical Gardens. Officially opened in 1817, the gardens offer interesting walks and viewings of tropical foliage. The Istana Bogor, or Bogor Palace, is located in the gardens, in the northwestern corner. White spotted deer can be spotted grazing around the palace.

The Gong Factory and the Wayang Golek Museum draw visitors interested in the local Sundanese cultural traditions.

For leisure fishing, there's a little-known spot in Bogor, located in a valley with a view of Mt. Salak where people can fish. Freshwater fishing that is, carp, catfish, etc. There's a Restaurant as well, serving great Indonesian cuisine, 'lesehan style' called Fishing Valley - www.fishingvalley.net

The Sentul International Circuit offers motorcycle racing.

Jakarta Perkumpulan Equestrian Center offers horseback riding in Sentul City.

Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park

Cirata Lake - Fishing

The Graham Yallop Oval at Taman Olahraga Pancawati in Pancawati, Caringin, is available for cricket, rugby, AFL and camping. For information on cricket teams in Bogor, contact Robert Baldwin Hp 0815-92317115 or baldyciawi@gmail.com

Vila Botani offers wonderful outdoors/adventure vacations and a destination for rustic corporate gatherings - explore the rain forest and village living!

The mountainous area of Puncak is nearby, but the traffic is horrendous on the weekends and holidays, due to the influx of visitors from Jakarta.

If you have additional information about expat living in Bogor to share with newcomers, please contact us.

Our thanks to Rederers, Karl Knapp and Brian O'Malie for sharing information on Bogor with the community!

Partially updated December 23, 2022.