Job Discussion Forums

[rycal1]

Yeah, what IS so great about Turkey? And I mean that honestly, not rhetorically. As I balance between moving to Korea (er, South, of course)or Turkey, I find myself wondering: What is it about Turkey that attracts me? It seems to be an interesting place, but my perceptions are admittedly somewhat superficial, having never been there.

So the question arises: What do YOU like about Turkey? What has kept you there, other than the need to fulfill a contract? I'm really curious...

Thanks,

rycal1 (Seeker of Knowledge, and a Job)

[dmb]

I first came just for a year to a small village. I was the only foreigner living there so immersed myself in turkish culture(and food) After 18 months i went back to the uk but realised i missed the way of life and that i had never been to Istanbul.
So i came back to Istanbul which is now home. The longer i stayed it became a way of life, contacts were formed, got better jobs,got better training, got involved with local women, etc. The longer you are here I think it is more difficult to leave.

[calsimsek]

Start off by reading some of the past threads to understand what keeps us here. Don't forget alot of the members of this forum are married to a local or are in long term relationships.

It not so much about the place as it is about the people your with.

[31]

You can live four seasons in Turkey.

[31]

immersed myself in turkish culture(and food)

And drink

[saloma]

Can you imagine immersing yourself into a vat of baked beans?

[ghost]

People are attracted to Turkey because the country still offers a reasonable deal for native English speakers - most of whom are not true English teachers and professionals.

1. Native speakers (with little or no skills) obtain jobs paying around $1000 a month with free or subsidized accommodation.

2. Native speakers are called 'teachers' which is a misnomer, as most are not real teachers but simply 'native speakers' who were hired as teachers.

3. Cheap cost of living (among the cheapest in Europe) where a good meal can be had for under $5 (if you go where the locals go).

4. Status of being a foreign teacher in Turkey (sometimes undeserved and not commensurate with the real value or lack thereof of the individual in question).

5. Lack of stress and carefree life, in which the days resemble each other with a few hours of teaching, and a lot of r & r.

6. Opportunity to live a life devoid of the pressures that one would face in the home country.

7. Escapism, from the harsh realities of home, where you have to struggle to make a living and make ends meet.

For those reasons, and others, foreigners will continue to come to Turkey to seek 'work' as teachers.

[31]

Don`t agree with no. 5 but the others are spot on. Perhaps no. 5 is partially true for the first year but it catches up with you.

[dmb]

welcome back ghost, its been a while.

[Golightly]

ghost sounds almost as peeved as 31!

[FGT]

Welcome back Ghost, who, in my opinion is like a breath of fresh air compared to 31!

[31]

If you are not happy why are you here?

[ghost]

[31]

I agree with Ghost.

[calsimsek]

Indeed welcome back ghost. It's been a while. Good luck.