Job Discussion Forums

[clarke501]

I'm thinking about teaching in Turkey. I would like to know what it is about Turkey that compels you to live and work here. What's the lifestyle like?

[coffeespoonman]

Ok, let's get this post started!

Well... every morning I wake up at sunrise to the beautiful call to prayer... Much nicer and more exotic than church bells. You know, it's so middle-eastern, and it reminds me every morning that I live in a real Muslim country. I tried to join them for prayer once, but everyone started yelling at me in Arabic or Turkish or something, so I walked away.

Classes run from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. I get one 20 minute lunch break and a 30 minute dinner break, except during the holy month of Ramadan, when the dinner break is 45 minutes. That's really helpful because I like to fast with the locals. I'm not Muslim or anything, but I want to get the "experience", you know?

Anways, I really don't mind the hours, because I get Fridays off to walk up and down Istiklal Street and observe the locals, or watch CNBC-E in English! And, because I'm a foreigner, every Friday evening I drink a bottle of beer with my kebab. It's kinda like my little reward for getting through the week. *sigh*

I get paid 5 USD a teaching hour. But a teaching hour is only 45 minutes, so actually, it's quite good. And since my school provides me with a shared room in a shared flat that's less than an hour bus ride from my school, I live like a king! I have a 19" flat screen television and a netbook that I bought myself! I was going to get an Ipad too, but I had to renew my residence permit this month...

And the students are great! They don't come to class very often, which makes my job easier. When they do, they don't listen to anything I say or expect to learn anything, so there's really no pressure, except from the administration to make sure that most of them pass. So, I pretty much just make up grades anyways.

Of course, you've heard about the Bosphorous. Ah, yes, Istanbul is the most beautiful city in the world! It has water running through the middle of it! And two bridges! Sometimes on Friday evenings, I go out and sit by the water, and drink tea. You know, if you sit really close to the water, you don't even notice the noise from the traffic on the highways that run all up and down the coastlines. It's kinda my special place.

So, what compels me to live and work here? Well, I'd have to say that it's the lifestyle. I've always loved backgammon, and now I can play it any time I want! And I think it's great how everyone gets so crazy about football here. It's nice to see such dedication, although I think all the violence is a bit much sometimes. Still, it's not my culture, so who am I to judge?!? I don't like coffee, so I don't have to pay 5 Lira for a cup of Nescafe like everyone else - I just drink the tea, which is either free or like 5 Lira, depending on whether the server is just nice or SUPERnice (really, the only two options here).

I also sort of have a Turkish girlfriend! We go out every other week, usually shopping for clothes or going to fancy restaurants. I'm quite happy to pay for everything - I know that I earn way more than her. She's just an accountant, but I'm a foreign English teacher. We've been dating for a little over a month now, and she looked like she was about to kiss me on our last date. She'S already talking about marriage, too. I think she's the ONE!

So, yeah, you should totally come here. You'll have a GREAT time. I can't imagine why anyone would ever want to go back to their home country. For me, Turkey is the best!

[coffeespoonman]

Ok, I've just realized that Clarke501 is new to the profession and may miss out on the sarcasm...

Could you be more specific, Clarke? What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? What kind of person are you? How do you see yourself feeling comfortable living? Is Istanbul your focus or are you thinking about other parts of Turkey?

In many ways, Turkey is a very laid-back country with occasional exceptions, but Istanbul is not a laid-back city by any means (unless you're independently wealthy and live near the Bosphorous). Commuting is often a nightmare and public transportation is woefully inefficient. Road rage is the norm, and I often suffer from sidewalk rage as well.

Teaching salaries can range from "I can go to a restaurant once a week" to "my investment accounts are doing well, so let's go to the Riviera this summer, honey". Nightlife is more than available and not too dear, but expensive for the region. Western goods are available more and more these days, but prices are still higher than you're probably used to (I don't know where you're from).

I've been here for 5 1/2 years. If I hated it, I'd have left.

What really compels me to stay in Turkey? I like teaching Turks. I like working with Turks. I sometimes have my issues with the behavior of many Istanbullus on the streets... or when they're supposed to be working in service industries... but, for the most part, it's a pleasure to work in this country.

I just wish there were more metro stops.

[clarke501]

Well, I'll give you some background information.

I'm a 25 year old Scot. I spent 15 months teaching in Korea and recently came 'home' and completed the CELTA course. I don't know where I want to teach next. I'm looking for a warmer climate in comparison to the UK and somewhere where I can continue to play basketball recreationally (and perhaps a little coaching). Affordable golf courses would be nice too.

I've had a few offers of late including one from Turkey (in Izmit). The salary/benefits look ok ($1500 + housing), although a lot of contact hours are required. It got me thinking about Turkey on a more general level.

[coffeespoonman]

Well, basketball is getting more popular here. I'd say it's second only to football. I'm not sure you could coach, but you could probably give informal lessons, maybe even for a little bit of money.

The weather is warmer than Scotland, that's for sure, but it's not a tropical paradise here. Winters are cold, and there's usually at least one snow a year. Don't think that you can get off work and head to the beach - that's just not feasable in Istanbul, or Izmit for that matter (it's basically the same city).

Izmit is not generally considered a nice place - it's basically Istanbul's manufacturing district. I wouldn't actually consider living there if I were in your situation. Having said that, there are a lot of other schools in Istanbul proper that would take you on with your CELTA + experience, and you'd probably make comparable wages (though Istanbul would be more expensive, so you'd spend more as well).

I don't know about the golf situation here, but I doubt it's affordable. Most "luxury" things here (meaning things from the West), are shockingly overpriced, for no particular reason.

For me, Istanbul has been a great place to establish my career - but then, I'm very career minded. I arrived when I was your age with no real plan, but quickly saw how easy it was for a motivated person to get some real quality experience and CV building here.

It's also a great place to live downtown, meet lots of people, and party.

Could I live here forever? Not likely. The city's too big and noisy for me, and the state of the public transport doesn't make living in the suburbs feasible.

But I don't think either one of us are really worried about forever just yet.

Hope I've helped.

[clarke501]

Helpful information, thanks.

[siano]

Coffeespponman who are you?? I've followed your threads probably since I got here 4 years ago! You seem like you too have had enough of 'The European capital of culture' .....sigh. I'm guessing you're from across the lake... by your standards of sarcasm! and Clark Hadi come here... you'll love it...for a bit anyway.

[coffeespoonman]

Wow, 4 years eh? You must love it here as much as I do.

But seriously, if I didn't like it, I wouldn't have stayed for so long. Most people say that they LOVED this city when they first arrived, and then grew to despise it. I, on the other hand, HATED it when I first got here and then learned to love it. Kind of like an arranged marriage.

Seriously, this place drives me crazy on occasion, but no more or less than any other ridiculously huge city in any other country in the world. Sure, there are cultural quirks that intensify the problems sometimes, but I'm able to laugh at those most days.

Besides, I'm sure my reverse culture shock would be even worse if I ever went back across the lake... *shudder*

[bulgogiboy]

[Kirkpatrick]

Turkey Sucks!!! Crap pay, long hours... Visa bull, I can make better anywhere else ın the world... Out of here finally on the 23rd of May... Take care all...Enjoy not saving a dime and teaching 30 + hours a week...

[coffeespoonman]

Hmmm... I can see why you'd say that Kirkpatrick. If you're underqualified or underprepared, Turkey can be much more difficult to walk into than someplace like Korea. But to say that Turkey sucks is, I think, pretty unfair. You just have to have qualifications or a lot of luck.

I and my friends teach way less than you and save thousands a month. It doesn't suck for us.