Job Discussion Forums

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 5:50 am Post subject:

Thanks y'all! I'm quite excited about the move-- though with mixed emotions. The folks in my department were quite sad when I mentioned it this morning. We're a tight knit group and I really really appreciate their support. However, as our ghost would say, one cannot stay in Kayseri forever, dwelling in kebabs and yaramazlar.

I will be starting late, in October, giving me a lovely 3-month time span to go back to see my family in Canada and then spend a month or so travelling around this vast and surreal country--- something I have never had the time to do properly (not just a weekend here, a bayram there). I'd love to actually get together with many of you-- maybe we should have a fish 'n raki night in Izmir in September...

Anyone else for Istanbul this weekend? So far I think we have 3 takers... PM me if you want to tag along! I'll be there friday afternoon until sunday.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:04 am Post subject:

Re: IH... from what I gather, the pay is 1.6 billion for about 24 hrs/week. It's about 200 mill more than I get here. They offer new teachers anine month contract, with all bayrams, 2 days at Christmas, and a week of paid holiday. Nowhere near as good as the deal here (I think I am always on holiday) but hopefully living in a vibrant, diverse, beautiful place will make so many holidays unnecessary. Here, you NEED them to survive.
You need to get out of the city to breathe a bit. Kayseri can be very heavy, very oppressive. Exhausting mentally and emotionally.

Also, IH can provide a shared flat and you pay about 250 million for that-- but you live in nice areas near the sea. After 2 years in the desert I would happily pay half my salary to live near the sea... Hell, I've saved so much money living rent-free in this dusty two-horse city that I could waste my entire IH salary on housing and drinking espresso in cafes and eating in ethnic restaurants and still be elated. There is more to life than saving...

I don't know which school I'll be at. I'd kind of prefer Etiler/Levent as I have friends around there, but I have to see where the openings will be in October.

Basically, I'll be giving up cushy hours, low-responsibility, many holidays, free housing, free internet, cheap cost of living. In return I hope to get my sanity back. Very Happy

Laura777 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Istanbul Turkey

Yaramaz - you will love Istanbul. It's probably my favorite city in the world... Smile

as dmb noted the energy is so wonderful. I can't wait until I am there too.

Sounds like you have a great deal at IH House. I hope I will have such luck!! Such a change for me going from a 50 hour work week in TV/Film, with the madness of that industry, to a teaching week... Smile

Bayram's included. I love that!!! No recognition of bayram's here!! I do celebrate them also...

Enjoy your holiday in Istanbul and say hello to my favorite place for me... Have an Efes for me too... and a couple kebaps

Peace.