Job Discussion Forums

[purple_lilac]

I have accepted a teaching position in Turkey for the fall semester. This will be my first time in Turkey. Can anyone tell me what I need to know, bring with me, etc? What kinds of household items should I leave and what should I bring with me?

[keitepai]

Hi there,

There is so much to learn about Turkey! Depends on what you know already. Have a look at previous threads, or my merhaba is a good site for general info. http://www.mymerhaba.com/ It has a forum on a wide range of topics.

My main problem here was not remembering to ask the price first and getting ripped off (I have learnt!) and also the constant 'tipping' which is not done in my country. I still don't like it but have to put up with it.

For household items, Ikea has 2 stores here and it usually has everything you need for a good price and more subtle European styles. Turkish household items tend to be very decorative and gaudy - not everyone's style! But who knows you may like it. http://www.ikea.com.tr

For appliances there are many electronic shops but the prices are more expensive so you should decide if it is worth the cost of shipping your goods over. http://www.teknosa.com is a common chain here.

If you like to use stock cubes without MSG, Marmite/vegemite, custard powder, mixed herbs, cream of tartar, condensed milk or golden syrup bring some in your suitcase - I have never seen them here.

We didn't bring anything for our house when we came as it was furnished. Just a laptop and clothes. Now we have added to that with our own stuff bought in Turkey.

Good luck for your move

[coffeespoonman]

Good advice - wouldn't recommend Teknosa though. They're horrendously overpriced. Much better to go for the more recently opened European chains like Darty or Mediamarket for any tech or household goods.

Good luck with your move.

[purple_lilac]

I'll be moving to Gaziantep in the fall. Can anyone tell me the actual cost of utilities, food, transportation, etc?

[keitepai]

Do you mean Gaziantep southern Turkey?! I assumed you would be in Istanbul so sorry most of my advice is probably irrelevant. No Ikea in that Gaziantep!!
You should probably ask for more info from people in that area.

[bulgogiboy]

[holoholo girl]

When I was living in Tunisia and would visit friends in Istanbul & stock up on food I thought I could get in Ist, I soon realized I couldn't find stuff there as well, or if I did it was super expensive so I couldn't afford it.

As I'm also moving to Gaziantep I plan on bringing (natural) peanut butter, oatmeal (super expensive in Ist- if you can even find it, which is strange as I always thought oatmeal was 'survivial' food!), nori wraps, those Emergency packets to put in water, & any type of health food (spirulina, etc). Also I know my friends in Ist always wanted me to bring cous cous (the fine-grain) from Tunis, but this I think one can find this in the south. So there are a few staples I want to bring, but I suppose I will adapt to eating a bit different there.

One really important thing I brought to Tunis & so thankful that I did was sheets! High thread-count cotton sheets (no poly blends) were really expensive in Tunis, and even in Ist when I would check there. As well my old stand-by silk sheets. Many colleagues were jealous of this fact when I told them, as well as thinking I was a bit crazy for even thinking to bring them, but I sure was happy that I did!

I'm hoping Gaziantep has a medina so I can stock up on the hammam towels as they make great bath towels.

[coffeespoonman]

Just down the street from my flat in Istanbul, I get GREAT homemade, natural crunchy peanut butter that's cheap as chips. Can't imagine why it'd be any different in Gaziantep. Just have to look for a place called a "peynircilik" - they sell cheeses and other dairy products, olives and other pickled products, and often some different spreads, jams, and honeys.

[holoholo girl]

perfect coffeespoonman!

That will certainly help out with the overweight luggage efforts I'm sure to encounter!!!

[keitepai]

I can find oatmeal in most Turkish supermarkets here in Istanbul hope you can find it down south....it is called 'Yulaf Ezmesi' and the Eti brand is around 3TL for 500g. Pretty reasonable I think.

[Dedicated]

Gaziantep is great for food, especially pistachios, baklava and lahmacun which is a bit like a thin pizza. There are olive groves and vineyards all around.

It is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, so if you like history and archaeology, you will like the museums too. As for shopping, there are plenty of bazaars where you can find everything cheaply for the house, or you could go to Sanko Park (opened in 2009) which has a Carrefour (French supermarket) and a Marks and Spencers. There is also an ice-rink on the first floor.

Make sure your accommodation has air-conditioning - in summer the temperature regularly reaches 40C + and on average, from June to August, it is 35C+ everyday. In winter, it can be as cold as -10C.

[Cairo1]

Purple_lilac and Holoholo girl,

So you have both decided to accept the position even after my warnings? Why bother asking!?!?

Some more things you should know...

You will be given a "furnished apartment." Here, furnished means bed, couch, chair, table, wardrobe, tv stand and a tv that doesn't work.
In every other position that I have accepted, this means that things like pots, pans, utensils, carpet, etc. would be included. Here, they're not. You will need to buy all of this.
(Also, as I have mentioned before its not really an "apartment" in the western sense of the word. College dorm room with medium fridge is a better description. In fact, even though there is a separate "bedroom," the entire apartment is smaller than my college dorm room was. My bedroom is the size of a small walk-in closet.)

You have a hot plate to cook on. It takes forever to heat anything and you can only have one thing heating at a time.

You can buy an oven at the supermarket if you'd like. Some of the teachers keep them in their bedrooms because theres no space anywhere else.
(I can touch the walls on each side of my bedroom without extending my arms, so theres not much room in there either...)

[WaystoGo]

Thanks for the graphic visual...I think I get it!...I am considering an assignment for the fall in Malatya...and I really needed to know what "warts" to expect...I would rather know ahead of time...anybody been there

[gloomyGumi]

do you need an ESL cert to work in Gaziantep?

[Moonshadow_51]

If you have preferences for personal hygiene products, you may wish to pack and bring them along, hair coloring, etc.

Consider buying a Kindle, so you can download books online. Books weigh down a suitcase fast, and you will have more variety reading from the Kindle.

If you are average in weight, you can buy clothes, but Turkish women are narrow across the shoulders, and clothing in smaller cities are made to fit them.

An MP3 for listening to your favorite music may be good, too, although I am able to access American radio stations and MSNBC from Istanbul.

Check with an office supply store at home for adapters for your electronics (hair dryer and computer, and cell phone recharger). Bring along a few so you can plug in a couple of things at once.

I always travel with my favorite cologne; it makes me feel at home with myself in a new place.

If you have special dietary needs - your favorite coffee grounds, for instance, a bag of Starbucks can make you feel good, and so will a webcam for those nights away from loved ones.

Turkish food is fabulous, and so is the chocolate, so there's no need to brig along Snickers bars!

Keep your shoes comfortable. There's no need for heels because Turkey has lots of hills.

I'm sure that the people who have experienced trouble at this university have genuine concerns to an extent, but the main thing to pack is an open and fresh mind. I would have joined you in Gaziantep but was given a raise and some excellent perks to remain in Istanbul. After a year in Gaziantep, you will have a year of Turkey under your belt, which should help you find a job in a sophisticated city, such as Istanbul.

Good luck, and happiness!