Job Discussion Forums

Kaliax · Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 1:57 pm Post subject: Feasibility?

Everyone here seems extremely helpful... so I was hoping someone could give me a word or two of advice!

I'll be graduating in about a week with a BA in Economics from a prestigious university here in the States. After working to help beat Bush and his evil empire in November, I'll be flying to Germany to get my TEFL certification in Berlin. It's a four week course from (what sounds like) a reputable organization, Via Lingua.

Ultimately, though, I'd like to go teach English in Turkey - preferably Istanbul, but maybe in Ankara or Izmir. My questions are these:
- will I have sufficient time to secure a job/work permit/visa while I'm completing my cert in Germany?
- as a completely green teacher, can I realistically expect to make enough to live on/perhaps even have fun with?

Originally, my plan was to go to Argentina, but I hear wages are below sustenance level there. Hopefully Turkey will be different. Thanks very much for any help y'all can give me!

Blair

MarcusK · Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 3:54 pm Post subject:

Have you considered getting your TEFL certificate in Istanbul rather than Berlin? That might give you a head start on securing a mid-term position.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

pm me if you would like any info on the CELTA course in Istanbul

Kaliax · Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 9:33 pm Post subject:

Well, Berlin is attractive for a number of reasons... not the least of which being that I can start to refine my German, which I hear would be a serious asset in Turkey. I'll definitely start learning some beginner's Turkish ASAP, but how much help will my German be in Istanbul (or outside of it)?

Thanks!
Blair

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

In answer to your two questions:
1 No
2 Yes

There's also a CELTA course in Izmir in the summer but that's probably too early for you.

Good luck with both your aims (defeating Bush and enjoying a TEFL life in Turkey).

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

FGT - Hear Hear!!! Smile

- On defeating Bush. -

I am going to Istanbul to get my TEFL. I'll be there mid July. Can't wait!!

But time just moves to fast, when you have lots of prep to do!

Good luck to you!

irieteacher · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 30

You have to apply for a Turkish work visa OUTSIDE of Turkey.

Anyone who tells u differently is wrong or lieing to you. And some schools will lie to u to get u to come. When u are there, they will tell u it's a long process and have u leaving the border every three months.

Even if u apply outside of Turkey it could take about three months or so.

Many just work here illegally and hop over the border every three months. You don't get too much hassle if you have a passport from a recognised country eg. Canda, America.

However, after the first few border runs by bus or car, you might want to start using a plane. Too many border runs by car raises suspicion, however, strangely at the airport they say nothing... they simply stamp your passport and that's it.

Good luck,
Irieteacher

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Leaving Turkey on a visa run ? You could do worse than visit BULGARIA. Overnight train leaves Sirkeci at 23.00 hours daily with carriages going to Sofia, Belgrade and Bucharest. Take a sleeper but be prepared to be roused at the border at Kapikule where you have to leave the train for passport check.

I would recommend Plovdiv as a nice spot for a few days. Another possibility is Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria's former capital. For trhat get on the carriages that are headed to Russe and Bucharest.

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

Interesting... If I understand correctly then it is acceptable to go to a country like Bulgaria to get my work visa? I thought that the time required would take too long. Is that correct? Smile

-- Or maybe we are just discussing tourist visa renewals Wink

I went through all this in japan... jumping to Singapore, Malaysia..etc to renew my visa... Once I was stopped in Narita after a Singapore run, and questioned... high point of my ESL career. AT that point! Very Happy

Finally got the work visa after already working for 1 year plus without one.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

No I was talking about leaving Turkey so you could come back in again on a visitor's visa which has stamped on it "EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED."

I do not want to conspire with you to break the laws of the Turkish Republic.

Inciting an alien to commit a criminal offence is a serious crime.

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

I'd like to try and clarify one issue that's on my mind about work visas. Is it necessary to get it from the Turkish Consulate in your home country or is it possible to get it from any country outside Turkey. I could really do with getting it where I am now then taking a cheap flight to Ist. rather than going back to the UK, hanging around for the documents and then flying out again to Ist.

Also, I say 'hanging around' as I expect this paperwork to take some time, can anyone say how long the wait is (some countries do same day turnaround for work visas, others you wait for).

Cheers

gelin · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

As I understand it, you must get the work visa from your home country.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

It must be your own country. I checked last week. On average the process takes about a month. This info comes from somone who works at the British Consolate in Istanbul.

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

So just to get this straight as it could have some bearing on my decision;
I have to go to London, hand in the documents, wait a whole month then go to London again and collect the finished documents before coming to Ist?

Jeez that sucks.

solcu · Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 1

DMB: PM for you.

I assume having a job is a requirement for getting a work visa? Thus, if I am already going to Turkey to get my certificate, I will not be able to just stay there and find work after I've completed the class; I will need to back home to pick up a work visa. Correct?