Job Discussion Forums

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

This was raised in another thread. How much money do you think new arrivals should bring? How long should it last?

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

I brought $500 US with me and had more than enough. I only needed to wait four weeks until my first payment. I bought a few blankets, nosed around Migros, but did not do a whole lot of tourist stuff in the first month.

I would try to bring at least that. Especially if you want to jump right into visiting the museums, Topkapi, and all of that. And if you go out to a lot of bars.

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

I think that $500 is way not enough, even if you are going to stay in teacher housing. Prices have gone way up sandyhoney Rolling Eyes

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Um, considering that I'm still eating mantı and ekmek on a regular basis, I would have to agree with Molly. $500 would be enough to just live on (if you're in teacher housing), but you'll want to buy a few things like bug spray, dishes, toiletries. If I were to do it again, I'd want to have at least 1500 USD.

Oh, and by the way, depending on who you work for, it may take a while to get a good paycheck. For me, because of when I arrived and the training period, it took (is taking) me 2 1/2 months to get a solid paycheck.

Of course, if someone gives you a crash course on how to eat like a Turk, you can survive on practically nothing.

What ever happened to DMB's thread on recipes? I was hoping that'd take off...

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

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

At ET there is teachers' housing only for the first 3 months and then teachers need to get their own housing (I heard this is true of the English Centre and possibly at other schools and I heard that the berlitz housing is abysmal), so teachers need to bring money to get into their own apt-- which means rent, deposit, and probably emlak fees. These days that is about at least 2000TL. Not to mention furnishing if the place is empty and just general house things.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

How much do teachers earn at ET and are they able to put 2000 by during the 3 months of free accomodation?

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:43 pm Post subject:

Based on what I've heard from ex ET teachers, if you work your arse off you can really pull in a lot of money because it's hourly. Not sure I'd fancy teaching 30 or 40 hrs a week but I suppose it can be done. I met a guy who was getting 3000-4000ytl/month last winter at one of the Kadık�y branches. He looked pretty tired though, and his gf hadnt seen him in weeks.

Very Happy

Fun!

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

to answer ML's question, yes they can. And to get to my original point, they should have brought some money anyway.

Mark Loyd · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 517

molly you seem very defensive about the money and accomodation at your school. Am I missing some vital information here or did I misunderstand your post?

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:51 am Post subject:

It was.

Hence the tiredness and absence of girlfriend.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:51 am Post subject:

Mmmmmm tost. Is abusive tost anythink like Ayvalik tost?

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411