Job Discussion Forums

[moralleader1]

Hello there,

Has anyone worked for ISTEK in Istambul, Turkey? Heard anything about them?

They represent themselves as a big organisation and in possession of many schools in the city.

Desperately in need of info?

Thanks folks!

[windstar]

Stay away.

[taurus_oman]

Never try unless you are a babysitter or love to entertain spoiled children. have you tested your patience level lately? You'd better before accepting a position at istek. Be careful, they have a lot of branches on both sides of the river.

[moralleader1]

Thank you for your info. I've heard similar notes but could someone elaborate more? I need a balanced view (Negative and positive).

Is US $2600 (after tax with a furnished apartment, tickets and usual perks) a good salary for Istambul, turkey (Single)? Could someone save 60 to 80% of this salary if he/she lives OK?

How's night life in Istambul for a single?

Thank you again

[keitepai]

Hello,
My opinion is that there is NO way you could save 80% of that salary but probably 50% if you are careful.
You have to remeber heating bills can be very expensive, summer is cheap but you are still heating hot water all year round. Winter heating is about 200+ for our apartment. Then you have to pay electricity and water charges and your Aiadat (landlord fee). A cleaner if you need one is another cost. Buses are really cheap once you get your 'teacher card' taxi's are ok for quick trips.

If you get lunches at school then you will be better off. We thought initially it was cheap for food here but are struggling to make ends meet some months. Different position though with a family so maybe you will find it easier. Kebabs are generally pretty cheap in the smaller places and you can buy fresh food at the markets for cooking.

If you are trying to save a lot it would cut out any exciting nightlife as drinks and food are expensive in the popular places. There are plenty of clubs around with good music in the city though.
If you would be happy watching football in a local pub then you would probably be fine!
I have no different info on Istek - do listen to people here is the only thing I can say, schools can seem great on paper............

[mongrelcat]

do you remember the post of the poor girl who had a nervous breakdown?

different school, same rules.

[Ebenezer]

hi... listen to an "insider"... the work is hard, it takes the best of you, the kids are tough, but all in all the administration will treat you well as long as you are professional... 2600 USD is not bad, but saving 80% doesn't seem to be a possibility... it's no paradise, but if you are looking for WORK and have the nerves to be a baby-sitter of spoiled middle-class/rich kids, you'll be fine... as I said the administration will try to help you, pay your salary on time (which is a miracle in Turkey), they'll be there for you if you get sick or have any personal problem, once again if they think you're worth the hassle and not a trouble-maker, otherwise they won't hesitate to sack you... that's it... but I've been on this game for some years, so you get used to it if you have reasons to...
good luck!

[moralleader1]

Thanks all and a special thanks for the "insider Ebenezer"

How's working atmosphere? Management/ supportive? Dictators? How about school principals? Are they locals?

Anyone?????

[Ebenezer]

well... look... it changes from school to school... mine is quite good... but the thing is, apparently they're trying to "raise the standards" and they want it to be a respected organization, in other words, it's all about business and they want more money, fair enough, good for them, and my general observation is that they've realised there are schools with a better reputation, which make better offers, all in all, the kids are hell everywhere and... bottom line is that they need "YOU", "the foreign teacher", to sell it to the parents and they've probably noticed by now that if they're not really supportive, "YOU" won't stay, so they are really trying to "pamper" the foreigners to prevent the high turnover of teachers... good for them, good for us, fair enough, it's business, they need you, they want you to "like" them, so yes, I can say they will treat you good as long as you adapt to their rules, it's Turkey, they have their system, their rules and you're supposed to abide by them, they can even tolerate the fact you still don't know what they want from you, but, yes, they expect you to learn and adjust and not bring your wonderful creative ideas that, yes, can be used to a certain extent in your classroom, but don't try to disrupt their environment... it's their country and their school and that's final and even quite fair, right?
Once again, good luck!

[windstar]

i should add one important point though: if or when a spoiled child complains about you, it is the end of the story. I witnessed, not once or twice.

[Ebenezer]

you know Windstar, I won't say it cannot happen... yes, it's possible, but I believe they are a bit careful about kids' or parents' complaints because they will always complain anyway so, as I said, as far as I could observe along my not so long but long enough years here, the Foundation is really tired of spending thousands of dollars on teachers that may not last 1 term or even if they do stay 1 year, it is still not good business for them... yeah... let's say, in my humble opinion, they are "wising up" ... if you can survive the brats and the endless frustration they can cause you, it's not a bad to time to work for Istek and sometimes you'll even find students you like and actually... uh.. listen to you and learn??!!

[mongrelcat]

hang on,
they can't possibly be paying that much.

first year teacher salary when i was there was about $2000.
and now with the exchange rate, it's probably around $1500.

[nomad22]

salaries are as good as your bargaining power. more experience, more quals, more money! start at $2000, dont accept lower. previous posts talked about the cost of heating, in istek apts it's free. hot water and gas are free. you pay the phone bill, electricity and water. it's no more than 80 lira a month even if you have baths every night, but dont use the phone much. stick to the internet for overseas calls. if you were offered 2600 then it is possible to save about 1600 of that if you live reasonably and dont go out much. turkish kids are nothing short of brats. they have absolutely no respect for foreign teachers. they treat their turkish teachers VERY differently. most principals tend to cut the foreigner some slack, just how much slack depends upon your school. some principals are horrid, nevertheless compared to the hell the turks go through you still get it better. however, better by turkish standards is tough by western standards. the perks are great - afterall you are paid quite a bit all in all - and in reality you teach only 8 1/2 mths for 12 salaries. so not too bad if you focus on such pluses. the foundation/vakif are generally good if you dont bother them too much. pick and choose your battles and youll get through it fine. just remember to intimidate the kids right from the get go, especially in the higher grades and high school.

[Ebenezer]

you've said it all nomad22! That's it... perfect!
(intimidate the kids from the veeery beginning... even if they're 3 years- old and stick to levels you're comfortable with).

[happy_woman]

Hasnt Istek schools improved since last year? I have just finished my conrtact with a very bad school and have signed up with Istek I would like to gain some upto date about the school please. With regards to turkish kids they are spoilt brats and you get them in any school.