Sarah from Sarıyer

Thanks to Sarah Turan for sharing her experience in Turkey with us.

What made you come to Turkey?
My parents always had a lot of Turkish friends when I was growing up and I had a lot of very close Turkish friends in graduate school (particularly from Middle East Technical University, in Ankara). When I graduated, I decided to try for a job at METU, as an instructor in the Department of Foreign Languages, and was accepted so, I just sort of settled there. I stayed in Ankara for 5 years before deciding to move to Istanbul.

What do you do in your daily life?
I work as an instructor at Koc University now. I've started taking Spanish classes a couple of nights a week and I volunteer for a charity called SED, which aids homeless animals.

Family?
I'm single and I live alone here. My family moved to the US about 35 years ago because of my dad's job. My dad still works there and my mother and brothers live there, too. There are a few relatives from my dad's side that went over and settled but most of my extended family live in Northern Pakistan (dad's side) or in Southern England (mum's side). I'm what you call a melez.

Can you compare your first days here with today?
When I first came to Turkey I was in Ankara, which is small and quiet compared to Istanbul. I lived with close friends and had a kind of family network there. It was easy, comfortable and predictable. Moving to Istanbul was a huge change. It's a totally different lifestyle. A lot faster and more exciting maybe but, sometimes I miss the "hometown" feeling I had in Ankara. I still feel it when I go back.

Has living in Turkey influenced your approach to life?
I'm just so comfortable here. My home culture prepared me in such a way that I'm really happy in Turkey. There are many similarities.

Turkish language?
I'm quite fluent I guess.

Let's talk about the region you are living in?
I live near the Black Sea and the Bosphorous, very close to Sariyer. I have a house on campus.

Have you traveled in Turkey? Tell us your discoveries
My favorite place is Karadeniz Eregli, in Zonguladak province. It reminds me of Devon, England - my mother's home area. It just amazes me that, according to legend, Hercules went there and fought monsters!

What is your preferred characteristic trait of Turks?
Warmth and generosity; as well as hospitality.

What was the annoying one?
I don't like to generalize about negative things.

Turkish Cuisine?
Anything zeytinyagli and I'm addicted to acili ezme. I need hot and spicy food like a drug - it's genetic :))

Any suggestion to new comers to Turkey?
Learn the language asap. You'll feel more comfortable.

Any suggestion to people planning to visit your region?
A warning not to come to Sariyer on Sunday. TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC,TRAFFIC. It's a nightmare.

Latest comments about this article

 By KTirmizi  12.3.2007

I am an indian living and working in turkey since 7 years. can u contact me on khalidtirmizi@yahoo.com.

 By persian.j.a.p.  22.12.2006

pardon all the typos... so sleepy:)

 By persian.j.a.p.  22.12.2006

So, another person like me who is able to adjust to the daily grind of Istanbul due to hour middleastern heritage. My family is also back in the states, but for me. I just wanted to be a part of the culture that I lacked. I love it here and would love to meet you one day. Here your words of wisdom, stories and just be girls. One thing I miss is the ability to just be a girl here without some weird pervert watching. hahhaahha cheers. persianjap@msn.com

 By tigrrboxer  7.12.2004

Sarah, how can you stand acili ezme?! It´s murder on my stomach! Seriously, I´d love to chat to you about Turkey, etc. You´re living in one of the most gorgeous areas of Istanbul. Make the most of the amazing views!!

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