Job Discussion Forums

[King of Swords]

Hello,

My wife and I are going to be moving to Turkey (Izmir) in July, doing the CELTA, and then looking for TESOL jobs. We don't currently have any TESOL experience. How likely are Turkish employers to offer health insurance as part of job offers?

If we don't get insurance through an employer, does anyone have recommendations as to the best way to insure ourselves? We're from the US, if that affects the answer.

Thanks!

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

At entry level, I doubt any employers would give you health insurance .. someone will correct me if I'm wrong ..

I know AXA operate in Turkey, you might want to check out their website ..

www.axaoyak.com.tr

[Otterman Ollie]

Allow me to point you in the right direction. Regardless of your nationality, you are in fact entitled to the state health insurance (ssk) and your future employer is legally obliged to pay premiums towards your health and pension system.
Some employers do also offer private health insurance, my employer for example. Basically you pay a token amount for yourself and spouse or dependants.
I think your TESOL job is going to be more of a TEFL job, don't worry too much about the lack of experience, most people don't have it here either, its more like learn as you go, sometimes you may find yourself only a page or two in front of the students. Fun or what?

[Otterman Ollie]

Allow me to point you in the right direction. Regardless of your nationality, you are in fact entitled to the state health insurance (ssk) and your future employer is legally obliged to pay premiums towards your health and pension scheme.
Some employers do also offer private health insurance, my employer for example. Basically you pay a token amount for yourself and spouse or dependants.
I think your TESOL job is going to be more of a TEFL job, don't worry too much about the lack of experience, most people don't have it here either, its more like learn as you go, sometimes you may find yourself only a page or two in front of the students. Fun or what?

[Misstanbul]

Many schools will try to get out of paying insurance, but if you have a work visa, you can kindly remind them the need to get it for you. Getting insurance is not based on teaching experience, but is based on how legal your school makes you.
As long as you need nothing serious (surgery, hospital stay, etc...) you can go to the Kizilay for a 30 TL copay and get someone who speaks some English. Many medications (non-addictive) you would need a prescription for in the US are over the counter here as well (and much cheaper, in my experience).

[SAM31]

Most private schools and a few language schools will provide private health insurance even if they are not paying your ssk contributions (or as well as).

The Kızılay is not bad, as someone said, but for anything serious you would probably be a lot more comfortable with private hospitals.

I would advise you to come with extensive travel insurance that will last at least a month or two after you arrive, and then check out the options.

Lots of insurance companies will cover foreigners, but you may need a residence permit, I'm not sure. Even if the school you work for doesn't provide it, if they are at all helpful (as you would hope), they'll put you on the right track to find an insurance company you can work with. If you pay for it yourself, it will cost you around 100TL a month for something standard if you don't have any major pre-existing stuff / are not over 60 yrs old etc etc.

[King of Swords]

Thank you everyone for your answers. Very helpful!