Job Discussion Forums

[Qaaolchoura]

I'm thinking I will apply to the Y�K teaching Fulbright, as plan C if I don't find a job I like in Turkey before the deadline. And if I do find a job I like, it'll probably be in September, since If I do get the Fulbright, I can start in October.

Questions though, for anyone who's done this, or knows anyone who's done it:

1. Is it better to choose Turkish language study or a small research project?

2. On my application, I plan to tell them that I'm spending some time in Turkey, currently on a tourist visa, to work on learning the language. Which will be absolutely true. Like I said, with a good job before the deadline, I won't apply for the Fulbright.

If it turns out that I get the Fulbright, and they find out I've been teaching in Turkey on a work visa, starting after the application deadline, will they revoke the scholarship?

Thanks for any advice you can provide,
~Q

[jkp114]

I was also thinking to apply for Fulbright Yok scholarships... from what I understand, the research is much more competitive and you need to already have affiliation with a University set up and a research proposal completed. The YOK are much easier to get, BUT from what I understood you get assigned to places mostly in the Southeast/South or Central (Ankara) of Turkey. Considering I KNOW that I want to be in Istanbul, this is not very helpful as I dont want to risk being placed somewhere that I dont want to live. If you are willing to work anywhere in the country (even some of the less desirable locations in the southeast of Turkey) then I would suggest going for the teaching as its much easier to get, unless you already have an academic research proposal in mind.

I really doubt they will care if you are already teaching. you said with a work visa, how did you get a work visa without a job? or did you mean WITHOUT a work visa?? Just curious

I will perhaps still apply as well but most likely to research, I am working on the proposal with my academic advisor. If I get it, I still plan to work on getting CELTA certified for teaching later. We'll see. If I find out anything more, I'll let you know, and please keep me posted on anything you find out as well regarding the application process or restrictions, and what you end up doing!!

Goodluck!

[Qaaolchoura]

I'm not talking about applying for a research Fulbright.

The Y�K Fulbrights have an option to submit a small research proposal, or to do intensive study in Turkish. Last year the wording said that you had to do one or the other. This year it looks like they're saying that Turkish lessons are optional, and a research proposal is optional, though it's not clear if they allow both, and which combination (Turkish/No Turkish; Research/No Research) is preferred.

The reason I referred to a work visa is that if I get a job in Turkey, I will obviously need to get a work visa. And I'm not sure if the fact I would be teaching in Turkey at the time I get the scholarship would count against me.

As for my location, I really want to be in Turkey, period. Being a non-drinker and fairly straitlaced, I'm likely to be fine with the cultural norms in the more conservative parts of the country. (I'll need to bite my tongue regarding evolution and homosexuals, but that'll be a problem anywhere in the country, and in a lot of parts of my own.) And I've long wanted to learn Kurdish.

Are you still in college? That's a definitely plus for you, since the State Department prefers to award teaching scholarships to recent graduates. And I will let you know anything I find out.

Regards,
~Q