Job Discussion Forums

purple_lilac · Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Posts: 7

Does anyone have any information about Van, Turkey?

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

What kind of info?
Haven't been there for years but I reckon it's still highly unlikely that you will find a job with a work permit as I heard missionaries work there either for a pittance or for free
Very interesting place to visit though

purple_lilac · Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Posts: 7

I already have a job lined up, I am just interested in finding out some information about the place. There isn't much on the internet.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

A teaching job?
The net is full of tourist stuff about the place
Have you been to Turkey, rather, to anywhere in the east of Turkey? There's a huge difference between the east and the west of Turkey.
Culturally you could be, well, are, in for a shock.
Are you male or female? If the latter, western and on your own, that will be very challenging and restrictive. If not, I reckon that for even a western (assuming you are western) male it won't be easy. People are extremely traditional and clan-based there.
There aren't many foreigners (westerners) living in that area so you will be high profile and most will assume you are either a missionary or spy or both
Plus there are no doubt still all the security issues-PKK, army presence, smugglers
Sorry to be negative but after 10 years of living in Turkey and being able to handle myself well here (as a female) I think it's an amazing place to visit but I wouldn't consider living there (unless you have another reason to be there eg anthropology, linguistic study of Kurmanji etc)

cartago · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq

I'm also in a small town in Eastern Turkey but not Van. There are some western tourists but other than that it can be very culturally isolating. You have to be prepared to be totally immersed in the local culture since there may not be an expat community and very few other foreigners but I can't say for sure about Van.

Personally I've never had anyone think I was a spy or a missionary.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Wow Cartago-I'm dying to know where you are!
In fact, compared to a small provincial town, in Van there were foreigners working for the UNHCR and the GAP project and tourist hotels where you could hang out and have a drink.
As for the missionary and spy references, sounds a bit OTT I know but I stand by it