Job Discussion Forums

[keepyourgoodbye]

Hi,

I'm looking into teaching in Istanbul and found these forums very helpful. I do have some questions I haven't seen covered here.

Do schools prefer UK teachers over USA teachers?

Also, do the teachers living in Istanbul feel safe? I read about restaurant bombings and terrorists targeting Westerners. Is this a reality presently?

And finally, I'm heavily tattooed and curious if that might be a problem in Turkey.

Thanks everyone,
Mike

[Bogazicibaby]

I don't know about preferences for UK vs American or New Zealand or Australian native speakers. My students have mostly tended to learn British English in school.

This is my 3rd year to be in Istanbul (having taken one year out to go South East) and I have felt perfectly safe in Istanbul. The crime here tends to be low. The crimes I personally know about tend to be purse or bag snachings and home break ins. Its a big city and you should be careful. I feel much safer here than I do in Kansas City.

There is occasional news about other types of crimes. There was news a day or so ago about one man killing another man with a gun (in Erzurum- North East) but this is not very normal. It was related to an argument they were having. I have seen a few knife fights in Istanbul and Bursa. Steer clear of any riotous groups you come across.

The really big bombs occured last year at HSBC bank in Maslak, at a Jewish synogog in the Sisli area, and one in front of the British Consulate in Taksim. I have heard about bombs in restaurants but I don't think any have gone off for several years. Several bombs were found by police prior to the NATO convention. I think the anti-terrorist police tend to be on the ball.

My biggest safety concern about living in Istanbul is when I am in a car. Turkey is among the top traffic accidents in the world- if it isn't number one. I read somewhere that it was number one. If you drive, you have to watch out for every other driver. Left hand turns from the far right result in great horror for anyone sitting on the passenger side.

Tattoos are not considered to be good by religious Turks but are becoming a bit more popular among the youngsters from larger cities. I see the occasional tattoo and a bit of piercing among my university students. Some of the Turkish Pop singers have embraced tattoos. I haven't had any colleagues with tats in the past so can't give you much more on this.

You didn't mention your teaching experience or education. This can play a big part in the kinds of jobs that would be available to you.

Good luck if you decide to come work here. There are plenty of advantages to living and working here.

[keepyourgoodbye]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Very informative.

I have a journalism degree and taught ESL for a year in Korea. From what I've read on the board it sounds like I shouldn't have too much trouble finding work. Finding a good job will be the tricky part.

I've heard a lot about the way people drive in Turkey. I'm from Florida, where most of the drivers are pushing 80 years old, and after a year of near heart attacks with Korean cab drivers I think I'm warmed up for Turkish traffic.

Thanks again

[dmb]

[yaramaz]

...and I'm sure they're warmed up for you!

(vroom vroom, honnnk honnnk!)

[corall]

lol so true...honey i have delt with the korean taxi drivers - at least they stay within their own lanes!!

[naf]

It's not just that the taxi drivers in Turkey are bad drivers. They are completely insane individuals for the most part. I have seen them on many occassions get out of their cabs brandishing clubs, crowbars, or knives to fight over traffic disputes. Aside from having no consideration for human life -including their own- they are extremely short tempered and totally devoid of patience. Death is often preferable to loosing an inch of distance between the next car's bumper or not rushing to take full advantage of any open space. All trafic is negotiated with the usual Turkish custom of never looking where you're going.

PS. There are no lines on the roads.