How is life in Turkey?

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Rengim

Zoi's questions are very important and you have to take all of them in account before considering a country and the thing is, without the school you'll be attending nor even the city we won't be of much help. You should realize that there are some really good schools in Turkey and some very mediocre ones, I won't give names but hey. Also in Turkey universities usually have reputation of having certain clicks attend them, for example left wing students in METU, right wing students in Gazi, and although these are left from the 80s and aren't much of importance today, some conflicts within them reside still. But transfer students won't have to worry about that in my opinion, as long as your respectful to everyone, Turkish students have a good reputation of welcoming foreigners.

But it may also be different from what you saw on TV, I mean Istanbul is not going to be Antalya, imagine a HUGE NEW YOR CITY for Istanbul and a Washington for Ankara. Istanbul is a hectic, crowded city which becomes very muddy when it rains and very humid in the summer, it's very pricey but there's always something to do and it's one of the most interesting cities on the world, personally my favorite place in the universe. Ankara is less crowded, more empty areas but a bit boring compared Istanbul. Izmir is even less crowded but areas are bigger, it's a bit more interesting than Ankara and it's definitely beautiful, a half hour from one Turkey's popular vacation spots, Cesme and it has a beautiful big blue sea. Eskisehir is very small and has a more traditional side to it but the main areas are modern, it's basically a student city, what Starsbourg might have looked like if it was created 80 years ago, very easy-going, cheap. I just assume you might go to one of these cities.

The people are very very respectful so you don't have to worry about that, they'll threat you very well but if they're like the average Turkish family they'll continuously try to meddle in your life (a host family who accepted a friend of mine, she was Turkish though, wouldn't let her go out past 10 o'clock or listen to music in her room) but I guess this might be normal for host families in general. The thing is respect them and they'll be the best people ever, stay away from politics or religion, you don't want to stir up some trouble just in case. Zoi's right I can imagine how hard life would be if they didn't know English but I guess a family who participates in such a program should know English. And in a city like Istanbul everyone on the street knows at least 4th grade level English, it might be more difficult in other cities though.

I recommend that you make a couple of friends as soon as you get there, Turkish friends would be useful so you can get the ropes, the customs of the country. They'll be able to introduce you to traditions (when someone offers you food at their house, it's regarded highly insulting not to accept it for example), how to act on the street (when men whistle at you don't look at them and just ignore them), what to wear (you can go naked if you want in Beyoglu or Nisantasi, but don't wear a mini in Kurtulus or Ulus) and where to go, the good coffee shops, the good bars and such.

Depending on where you come from and which city you go to, you may have a culture shock, more than what you'll have if you go to Russia but less than India. Though the thing is in Turkey you can quickly get used to it since soon you find that the country has you hooked, even if you don't like the city you're in, usually something grabs a hold of people in this country.

My personal choice would have been Russia, but I have a personal bond with the country and I love the language. The practical choice I thing is definitely Turkey but if you're looking for adventure India is not bad either but I don't know much about studying there. So if you're thinking about Turkey, do it, you won't regret it, you'll be more comfortable than Kazakhstan that I can, although I've never been I know people who have temporarily lived there and they continuously complained about boredom and having nothing to do.

Totally Blunt

If these are your choices, I would definitely pick Turkey.

Probably your host family will take you in like a daughter. People here are warm, welcoming and caring. Social opportunities change according to school and district, so you may want to give a few more details.

Zoi ((Î–Ï‰Î®))

Factors that you could take into consideration:
1. Will the native family speak english or annother language you are able to understand?
2. Which country has the most 'arrtactive' to you educational system? For example in my country theoretical and cultural issues are very important even in Primary School rage.
3. Which country is safer for a teen girl?
4. In which country you will have the breafest cultural shock and you think you will accept and FOLLOW their way of living society for a year?
5. In which country you have easier communication and 'access' to the empassies of your country?
6. Which country has the most frequent and trustworthy air-connection to your native country? (F.ex. can you fly directly to Kazakstan, are there reliable fly companies flying there?).

Sorry to tell this, but, please, exclude Russia and Kazakhstan from your list. I plan to go on a trip there (Russia, Ukraine) and I've asked many people that originate from there and live now in Greece. All of them told me not to go, especially alone. You will get, AT LEAST robbed out of your money.
India sounds very exotic. If you have a relative background, you are Indonesian f.ex., buddist etc, it will be surely easy for you.
I don't know why, but it seems to me that Turkey is safer for a teen than the other countries.
One important thing is the language, it's very important being able to communicate with the native family. So, make sure that they will speak english AND that you will learn the basics of their language before getting there.

Russian is absurdly difficult, by the way (with 8 cases for the nouns and a complicated writting system).

Emily S

like the person above, i'd pick turkey, when in summer, you know its summer, when in winter, you know your in winter etc etc.
also there are millions of things you could do in your spare time...even just siting in a cafe reading a book can be fun in turkey.
you could go skiing, the clubs in turkey awsome, i know many british people who've been to istanbul and marmaris who dont want to come back.
the beaches there are wonderful, the clothes in istanbul are good too, one of my mates when to turkey to buy her prom dress.

here are some pics of turkey.

* bodrum*
http://www.hapimag.com/media/2415/bodrum.jpg

*istanbul*
http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/7870/img03614mw.jpg

Qu'est ce que tu pense?

If it was me making the choice, I would pick either Turkey or Kazakhstan.

I wouldn't pick Russia because it's just too cold there and you have to be pretty jacked in order to defend yourself on the streets.

India would be nice, but the Indian culture is very different from a western culture. If you're not willing to adapt to a more drastic daily routine, then maybe India wouldn't be your best bet.

Kazakhstan is very nice. I've never actually been there, but I watched last season's Amazing Race and when the contestants were in Kazakhstan, I thought it was a very beautiful country.

Turkey is also very nice. The people there are very kind, even to a stranger they barely know. They're also very respectful. If you seem to lose your way on the streets, any person will help you find your way even if they're busy.

However, like any country there are bad people. But hopefully you never have to run into those sorts of folks.

Ergin A

Do not pick turkey if you have to stay with a host family. the turks are not friendly, they are not respectful, they have backwards customs that you will not understand. turkey is a wonderful nation, great landscapes and history, but modern turkey is a nightmare. i have family in turkey(we are not turks but we are a part of a lare ethnic minority) and they are good people, they would be the best host family in turkey. other then that, pick somewhere better like russia ( i wonder if you mean the caucasus in russia becasue the caucasus is only russia in a map other than that it is all caucasian, and circassian**)

same in your place

you have to ask some one in Turkey ..How is life in Turkey

friendly and funny Fyromian IV

my twin is in true

friendly and funny Fyromian III

itÂ´s poor and dangerous, out of Istanbul and Ankara

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