Job Discussion Forums

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Hello all, new poster here, calling from Tekirdag. Life in Tekirdag is verrrry different from life in Istanbul and I figure I am the only native English speaker for miiiiiles! I tell you, you haven�t taught in Turkey until you�ve taught in a disorganized primary school between two farms in Trakya. Shocked

Anyway, as it is all �word of mouth� in Turkey, if anyone hears of in-company work in Tekirdag/Corlu/Cerkezkoy, I�d appreciate the pm. The word of mouth isn�t reaching me and another year in the disorganized primary school isn�t appealing to me, surprising as that may sound Exclamation

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Having done the only foreign teacher thing for miles around in a small village, I know where you are coming from(I know you miss the bright lights of the city too) I ended up doing alot of privates-teaching the kids'parents, maybe an idea to let them know you are looking for privates.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Hey,
my spouse and I had a chance to move to that area (still do, actually) and we turned it down: figuring that not only would I go crazy' but that there would be absolutely no decent work for a native speaker. So were we right on both counts?

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

hmmmm...it depends on the lifestyle that you are looking for. I live in Tekirdag, obviously, which is next to the sea and for someone who isn't looking for a happening night out, it is not tooooo bad. There is NO foreign community here. That is the hardest part. I miss Taksim and hitting the bars where the yabancis hang. That sort of thing can keep a gal from going crazy. It is just a few hours traveling into Istanbul, though, for those who wanted a good night out. Bus tickets are pretty cheap, too.

Knowing some Turkish is very important here.

I am married (to a Turk) with a child and we are here because Granny is here. We are not comfortable leaving the baby with a stranger. If I were baby-siz I am sure I could have a half-decent time as there are a lot of uni students in this city and so there are a few watering holes to go to.

Now, to the work thing�you are right, I think, that good work for native speakers is not so plentiful here as in Istanbul. I think privates could be better in Corlu than here in Tekirdag. Corlu has hundreds of factories. I wouldn�t want to live there, though!

One problem I find here is that Turks don�t seem to trust one another. They hire people they know, or friends of friends. If you don�t know many people, you are out of luck. A very social person could do well here financially. I know a man from Albania who speaks Turkish fairly well. He is working flat out and is raking in the private lesson bucks. I am quite jealous!

Another problem here is that �managers� aren�t used to having native speaker teachers and so don�t realize we operate differently from local staff. I nearly pulled my hair out at my last job in Corlu.

That said, I have worked some pretty crap jobs in Istanbul, too.

Ok. I�ll shut up, now. If you want to ask something more, I�m all fingers! Razz

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Sounds like my own experiences outside of Istanbul, not really looking forward to trying that again..... So how do you keep your sanity? How long have you been living there?

Any tips for surviving with in-laws? That's what I really need....

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My experience of Turkish Thrace is limited to having done that train trip from Bulgaria to Istanbul dozens of times. My question - what happened to all the trees in eastern Thrace ? On the Bulgarian side of the border there are loads of trees but on the Turkish side they have all gone !

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

perhaps they were all cut down to make shish sticks and toothpicks... Laughing

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Listener wrote: Sounds like my own experiences outside of Istanbul, not really looking forward to trying that again..... So how do you keep your sanity? How long have you been living there?

Any tips for surviving with in-laws? That's what I really need...
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SORRY! I just saw your post. I've been here a year and a half. We arrrived from Korea when I was 7 months pregnant and our time here has been...a challenge! I got myself some Digiturk, magazines and dip into the ole beer pile on a regular basis.

I was pretty busy with a full time job and a baby. Going insane usually gets put on the back burner.

We actually LIVE with my in-laws. They are both well educated and modern, not very traditional at all so it hasn't been too bad. But there have been some culture clashes, especially regarding our baby. If ONE MORE relative tells me the baby is going to be cold on a hot JULY day, I will just screaaaammmm.

When I find it tough, I take a time out and get away from everyone. It usually works.

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Listener:..... So how do you keep your sanity?
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A better answer from me would be... I DON'T! Mmmmmmhhhhhaaaaaahahaahahhaaha!! Laughing

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

you lost your sanity a long time ago Wink

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

yeah, u know me.
Has anyone seen where my straight jacket is?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Last time I saw it Tufan bey had it. fit him well.

tekirdag · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 505

Oh, yeah I forgot

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

taxi for tekirdag

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

When my inlaws stay with us (less and less often because of my brilliant failure at turkish hospitality, I suppose) I spend as much time as possible at work.....