A transcontinental nation straddling both Asia and Europe, Turkey is a democratic and strongly secular country with one of the most fascinating histories. The once-Ottoman Empire stretched to over three continents and controlled a majority of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa - spanning from the Strait of Gibraltar in the west to the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf in the east from the edge of Austria, Slovakia and parts of the Ukraine in the north to the Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen in the south.
Considered the epicenter of communications and relations between what we know as the Eastern and Western world for some six centuries, present day Turkey is an amazing example of influences coming together to form one of the most spectacular countries on earth. With Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman monuments seeable in just about all parts of the country, Turkey's past and present can be the perfect educational background for the TEFL student looking to begin a future abroad.
Dishes native to the Marmara region reflect characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine and are often rich in vegetables, herbs and fish. Commonly-used ingredients in Turkish dishes include: meat, eggplant, green peppers, onions, garlic, lentils, beans, tomatoes, nuts (namely pistachios, pine nits, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts) with spices such as parsley, cumin, black pepper, paprika, mint, oregano and thyme found in just about every dish - albeit a pastry for desert or lamb for the entrée. Soups (i.e. lentil, yogurt or wheat) of various makes are present in traditional Turkish meals. Also: shish kabobs are common dishes through all of Turkey.
The School
Earn your TEFL certification in Istanbul - Turkey's most populated city and cultural and financial center. Located on the Bosporus Strait, this glorious northwest city touches down on both the continent of Europe (in Thrace) and Asia (Anatolia) and is widely known as the only city in the world to sits on two continents.
Where west meets east, Istanbul (formerly Byzantium, Constantinople just to name a few) once served as the capital city of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire. In 1985, Istanbul's numerous sites of historical significance were added to the UNESCO World Heritage with the city to be named the "European Capital of Culture" for the year 2010. A university city boasting some of the most reputable educational institutions, Istanbul is an ideal setting for students looking to further their educational horizons.
Housing
Housing options and pricing are dependent upon availability and season at the time of your course. Your onsite coordinator will be able to provide more details and recommendations.
The school in Istanbul can assist in locating appropriate living accommodations to best suit the needs of TEFL participants - all available at very competitive prices. All student accommodations in Istanbul are either in or near the center of the city. Accommodations are usually in fully-furnished, shared apartments. Home-stays and private apartments can also be arranged upon request. The starting price of accommodations in Istanbul is €300.
Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Fantastic meals may be purchased throughout the city of Istanbul at affordable prices.
Transportation
Being that Istanbul has two international airports - Atatürk International Airport (located in the Yesilköy District on the European side) and the smaller Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in the (Kurtköy District on the Asian side) - students can fly into Istanbul from either location. Your onsite coordinator will provide the address and a map of the school so you can easily arrive.
As for traveling around the city there are many options. When traffic is heavy, walking is great way to see the city on short trips around downtown. For longer distances there’s the metro, trams, buses, taxis, trains, ferries, and more!
Climate
The climate of Istanbul is classified as temperate-continental - with hot and humid summers and cold, rainy and often snowy winters. With a somewhat high humidity exacerbating the warm, summertime temperatures, the heat often feels more intense than indicated. Snowfall often occurs over the course of one or two weeks with some intensity (usually between the month of December and March). The daytime temperature between the months of June and September averages 74° Fahrenheit (23.3° Celsius). Istanbul is a significantly windy city with an average wind speed of 11 mph (17/km/h).
Tuition Includes
Tuition Includes:
Tuition DOES NOT Include:
Course fee
Job placement assistance
Pre-enrollment and departure advice
Assistance finding housing
Course materials
Accommodation and meals
Personal expenses
Travel to and from the course
Visa, if needed
Airport pickup
Medical insurance (TEFL Institute can recommend medical insurance)
Earn your TEFL certification in Istanbul - Turkey's most populated city and cultural and financial center. Located on the Bosporus Strait, this glorious northwest city touches down on both the continent of Europe (in Thrace) and Asia (Anatolia) and is widely known as the only city in the world to sits on two continents.
