Job Discussion Forums

nat_capelli_rossi · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Toronto

Hello,

I'm a 23-yr old Canadian female, recent Uni grad...wondering a/b Doga College in Istanbul. Is anyone familiar w/ it? Also, what is housing in Turkey like? Anything else I should consider before going??? Thanks!

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

It used to have a reasonable reputation but it has recently been sold to some religous family who seem to be dismantling it piece by piece. Teachers are owed money and have been treated very badly.

Sorry

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

On the contrary, Doga Koleji has been totally revamped. I saw it just before it was taken over and it was being run into the ground. Now it has a beautiful campus, with a huge garden, a horse center, farm animals, sports fields, etc. The owner owns English Time and all the associated schools. He is personally religious, but he does not impose it on people who work there. I have seen an incredible change in it in the past couple of years, all to the better. Re the pay etc I don't have any information on that, though I have heard it is on the low side.

nat_capelli_rossi · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Toronto

I've read other things a/b the school on other sites, and on most accounts, ppl have not recommended the school. I'm glad I did some research before signing a contract...

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

A friend started there a couple of weeks ago. He seems happy so far. He is working at the Beykoz campus, which is beautiful. The other campus is near Bostanci.

whynotme · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 728 Location: istanbul

i know someone who started there this year and she says its fine.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

^ if a parent is happy, that is a good sign.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

The parents are always the last to know.

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

Someone asked the same question some time ago.

As I said then, the school looks like a good set up and they look as if they take care of their staff. However when I was offered a job,( june 2004 ) the pay was very low. If you agree to teach kids then you should not accept anything less than 1500 $ a month plus housing.

ugurgazanker · Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 13

the parent does not know what to look for. doga is a school with no curriculum and inexperienced teachers. worse, the school invests very little money in resources even though the profits are very high. doga is a cash cow with very poor educational standards. public school education is far better than doga.

mbd26 · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Istanbul

If you head over to www.internationalschoolsreview.com you won't find a single Turkish school with positive comments from teachers. I've bee here three years and seen SEVERAL north american (yes, usually Canadian) 23-24 year-olds break down and pull a runner (break contract) in their first year. Just FYI, a tough place to begin a career.