Job Discussion Forums

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

Hello there,

this thread was originally created some time ago (2005). I am hoping to revisit the topic to get some fresh perspective from those who have experience in Istanbul.

I am originally from Chicago. I've been to Turkey many times to visit, but have no experience in applying for jobs there. I am certified and have taught English to ESL students here in the Chicago public school system.

I want to evaluate the job landscape for a black female teacher in Istanbul. It would be especially helpful if those of you with experience could reccommend schools that have historically hired teachers of color (a good indication that the institution is open to this).

Your fresh thoughts and advice would be super appreciated!

Thanks!

V

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

I have a little pertinent information: I work at an Amerikan kultu dernegi branch and they have one black female teacher on staff - I've only seen her around twice though so I don't know where her experience is like. I only teach on the weekends, so I think the reason i haven't seen her much is that she teaches during the week.

CECTPA · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject:

I'm one of the original commenters on that thread from 2005, I'm sure.

I've been a black American female in Istanbul for 3 years now. It's not easy, but if I didn't like it here, I could of course have gone elsewhere a long time ago. From what I read on here with these "black female" postings for other regions/countries, many places I could go would be far worse and more openly racist.

Personally, I found it a LOT harder to get even a crappy p/t ESL job in the USA than here.

Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

Hey,

Thank you both for your responses. C, I am a new member. Unfortunately, I have not posted enough times to pm someone. I'll try to hit my remaining 4 post requirement in the next couple of days so I can pm you soon. Thanks again.

CECTPA · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:42 pm Post subject:

How did you find people when you visited? You came back, right? I know visiting and living in a place are two different things, but still. I still enjoy the things I was so enchanted with when I first came to visit, and I'm still exploring and discovering.

Employment, when it sucks, tends to suck for everyone regardless of race or gender. Choose your venue carefully, for that reason. I decided this time round I didn't want to work just anywhere, and I seem to have gotten an OK situation, though it took a while.

I will say, as I get a chance to get on a bus now & then lately and see other parts of the country, it is probably that I like living in Istanbul proper. I get the sense from what I've experienced and heard from others that it might drive me nuts to live in say, Konya, or Canakkale -- or any smaller, less diverse place, to say nothing of less Westernized.

(Not that there's anything wrong with not being as Westernized, but I'm speaking in terms of whether I could deal with living with it, or they with me)

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

C,

thanks for the additional feeback.

I've been to Istanbul to visit maybe 5 times now. I absolutely love it there. However, I just assumed that job searching and trying get interviews would be a different story. There are a lot of threads on here that seem to indicate overall, the market has become a little more challenging (as with every country just about). For the schools with a better reputation (with regard to the topic), I'm not sure if those schools have many positions available.

But, C, I have a couple more post to make, then we can chat more on PM. Looking forward to it.

-V

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

tasha522 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6

I worked in Turkey 2009 -2010. I am a single black female. As a Black woman in Turkey you will be stared at alot. In Saltanhamet area you can roam freely with out the stares, pointing and people being a pain in the butt. You will be a famous person in Turkey because many of them have never seen a Black person face to face.You will take lots of photos with strangers who got to capture you on film. This should not bother you too much the first three- four months but after a while it does wears on your nerves.
I have travelled all over western Turkey, north to south. They point and stare and will talk about you too your face. There are some good people there but the others greatly outweigh them. This was the main reason why I left Turkey. Only once did an old man try to solicit me for sex. I find it a safe country, most people will seem friendly and helpful to you. My advice dont work for Leeds Academy and beware of border runs to Georgia, Bulgaria and some other European cities. Some men attack women on the street and no one will help you.
I wish you the best, every now and again you will see a Black person, but rarely.

Vchick81 · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 15

Thanks Tasha,

I am having the same experience now. The city is great, but there are far too many scumbags that I have to deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes, I just want to stay at home for the day.

I live near a busy street (which means taxis are constantly coming), and as soon as I step out of the door, I get every taxi driver's head turning my way. I truly wonder how they can avoid accidents. Its really unnerving. Its like every Turkish guy feels like he has to stare, say something or gesture when I walk pass (its as if I have a sign on my forehead that says "please harass me, I love it!").

Then, I get the smiles and the laughs when I walk down the street--the comments like "ooh cikolata". Even parents with children pointing and saying "bak bak, cikolata!". Turkish people think its cute, but its truly rude and obnoxious. They are warm people, but very childlike in a way (lack of cultural sensitivity). Also, Many Turkish people think its OK to call black people "zenci", which really drives me crazy.

So yea, I am still trying to deal with this issue--actually, there's probably is no remedy for it. The only time I get a break is when I'm walking with my boyfriend. Actually, the stares still come, but the comments go away. But, of course, we can't be together every second of the day. He really hates that I have to deal with this so much (He is Turkish) and knows that this is the unfortunate reality of being a foreign female here.

As for finding jobs--I don't believe it has really mattered to anyone that I am African American (great news!). However, I haven't looked for much (except for Bilgi--who always rejects me). I've been pretty satisfied with where I am. My students love me and I get a lot of hours.

CECTPA

I am saving it for my forthcoming book on this subject. (OK, I'm only half joking about the book)

When I was much younger and desperate to know more about the world beyond the stifling little suburb I grew up in, some of my favorite books were accounts written by anthropologists who did their field work in some other culture -- their attempts to understand and explain a society very different than their own.

It is in that spirit that I step outside my door every day. This also requires me to open up the baggage I brought here with me and examine the contents on a regular basis. Fun times.