Job Discussion Forums

matthew_k · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Berlin

Anything about working for Bilkent University in Ankara?

vinpinman · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Turkey

Stay in Berlin if I were you!

matthew_k · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Berlin

can you be more detailed?

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

bilkent is a great university but ankara is a sht hole.

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

Many years ago, I turned down a job to teach at Bilkent as I was perfectly happy where I was. I had read all of the negative threads about Ankara, and decided that Istanbul was the place to be.
Last year, I volunteered to work for the company in Ankara for 9 months. Overall, I enjoyed my stay there. I think there are many benefits to living there as compared to Istanbul (of course, I am a bit older and care nothing for nightlife).
I lived in Gaziosmanpasa which may be the nicest part of Ankara. I paid $700/ month for a beautiful, three-bedroom furnished flat. The same flat would cost triple in Istanbul. Everything else (food, entertainment etc.) is cheaper.
There are several beautiful parks in Ankara. If there are any nice parks in Istanbul, I have failed to locate them in my ten years here.
It is much more quiet in Ankara. There are very few annoying dolmuses.
I saw lots of modern bars near Kizilay in Ankara. I have no idea what the nightlife is like there.
Of course, if you want to travel outside of the country, most of the time you must journey to Istanbul first. This is a major inconvenience, but it is only a 40 minute flight to Ankara.
All in all, Ankara may seem boring to some, but for me, it was a refreshing change of pace from dirty, crowded Istanbul.

clock · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 38 Location: Thailand

I have searched extensively through the discussion forum for posts re: Bilkent and have found a number. However most of these seem to be very dated (at least 3 years). Is there anyone who can give me an up to date appraisal of the place? It would really be grteatly appreciated as I have an interview for the prep program this week. The benefits and working conditions appear good, are there any current teachers out there who can shed a little light please? Thank you

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

i'm sorry that more people haven't responded to this thread. i am very interested myself. i'd apreciate your comments after the interview

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I know someone who left Ankara to come to Saudi Arabia because "Ankara is too Islamic" !

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

i don't think ankara is quite as islamic as saudi.

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

i can smell islamophobia.

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

i studied islam in university, if you're refering to me....
in any case, it would be a truism to say that one place may exibit more "islamic" cultural tendencies than another place. nothing "phobic" about that...

some people may like those tendincies and other not....
for example i like thai food more than chinese chicken balls

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

How could anywhere in nominally secular Turkey, seeking EU membership, particularly its capital, be "more Islamic" than Saudi Arabia? I smell a troll.

renrats · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 3 Location: North Carolina

studymylesson · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Turkey

To the best of my knowledge the Bilkent campus is outside the Ankara city limits and transportation can be a problem. Native English speakers can get lojman accommodation on campus though, but then the issue is getting to and from the city centre when you want.
Salary and conditions, so I hear, are acceptable, but I understand that an MA is required for work there as a foreigner.