The lands of Turkey are located at a point where the three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe, are closest to each other, and straddle the point where Europe and Asia meet. Because of its geographical location the mainland of Anatolia has always found favour throughout history, and is the heartlands of many great civilizations (Hittites, Hurrians, Urartians, Phrygians, Lydians, Lycians, Cappadocians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks and more). It has also been prominent as a centre of commerce because of its hinterland to three continents and it is surrounded by three different seas. Thanks to 26 different ethnic groups and members of the three divine religions within its population, Turkey offers you a cultural diversity…
If you are interested in participating in a Year Program or a Summer Program as an AFS student in Turkey, AFS Turkey will welcome you with arms wide open. The only thing you need to do is to apply to the nearest AFS office in your country. The wise words of a Turkish Dervish will explain best our approach to hosting our guests:
“Come let’s know each other
Let’s make things easy
Let’s love, let’s be loved
This world will remain to no one”
Yunus Emre, 13th Century Turkish Dervish
Get Ready!
A year in Turkey »»
Every AFS experience is unique; each one of you will have a different experience from each other. Some of you will live in big cities, some will live in small cities and others will live in the country. Please do not spoil your experience with unnecessary comparisons.
The first step toward learning about a country is not acting like a tourist, which means not to see only the surface of the culture but to participate in day to day life. You should not be only affected but also affect.
The most important thing to remember to be interested learning new things, ready to find differences and willing to accept them as they are. It is wise to try to see, learn and enjoy as much as possible to make the most of your stay here. After all, what would be the point of your AFS year, if your day to day life in Turkey to be exactly the same in your home country?
There are certain changes of mood and phases that every AFS student goes through when adapting to a new culture. You should realize that they are due to new experiences and very common. One of them is culture shock. Although coming to a new country is exciting, adventurous and wonderful, it may also shake your balance. Before you get used to the time difference, you may fall asleep in the day time, not sleep at nights, new kind of food may taste odd, language may sound so strange to be understood, also your host family and host school can be quite different from what you are used to.
It is a good idea to read about Turkey before you come here. Have an open mind and be interested in everything around you, and soon you’ll notice that you are starting to adapt to the new environment and as much as you get used to Turkish way of life, you will enjoy more and more your stay in Turkey.
Participation is the key word to get to know the people, the culture. Show that you are interested in the people and the culture. Try to participate in daily life as much as possible. You may feel strange not to be able to do all the things you were used to do at home, or even watching TV may be difficult due to language.
Learn the language by using it. Do not hesitate to speak even few words of Turkish you know. People will appreciate very much and will help you to learn the language quicker. Most teenagers know English and they may speak with you in English and would be easy for you but please avoid speaking in English. Do not forget that one can learn the culture by speaking the language. You may find hard to make close friends at the beginning but you have to give time to get to know people and you have to give time to them to get to know you. You may be the first exchange student your new classmates meet, they may not even have heard of AFS. They are probably curious to meet you, but they may be also shy and worried to make mistakes while speaking in a foreign language. So you should make the first approach! When you make friends you will see that they will be a friend for a life time.
Please try to empathize, try to see the situation from the other person’s perspective, try to accept differences before judging them. This will help you to understand and to communicate with the people.
If you have a question in your mind or a problem, please do not hesitate to ask or talk about it. Your host family is willing to help you anytime you need as they only want you to be happy during your stay in Turkey. They should be the first ones you get in touch when you need help.
Everyone who has lived abroad feels homesick at some point. Please do not hesitate to talk about it with your host family, friends or your AFS contact person. You should not be ashamed of being homesick and try to keep it just to yourself. It is very understandable to miss your family, friends, community, etc. If you would not feel homesick, then it would be strange. The best way to get over homesickness is to be active in daily life, family activities, school activities, hobbies, etc.
And please do not forget that life is not always easy but hard times are always part of life and the good times will be more fun.
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Family Life »»
Keep in mind that there are different kinds of families; families with old or young parents, families with or without children or with just one parent. It is impossible to describe a typical Turkish family as in all around the world families differ a lot from each other due to their backgrounds and beliefs. As Turkey is land of different cultures it is very hard to give you a description. Please do not compare your host family with your natural family. Do not forget that both families are coming from different cultures. The host families have only one in common and that is their wish to share their life with an exchange student.
Please do not forget that your host family is adjusting to many new things with you also. Although we can’t give a description, we may give some tips for your stay in Turkey.
Please keep in mind that;
- Your host family wants you to be a member of the family. They would like to share their life and enjoy life with you. They would like you to learn about Turkey and would like to learn about your country and your way of life.
- Your host family receives no money from AFS. They host voluntarily because they believe in the program. It means a lot for them if you show your appreciation.
- There may be misunderstandings, please do not hesitate to talk with your host family when something bothers you or a question arises in your mind. Be honest in your relationships with the family members and ask them to do the same. Keep in mind that they may not tell either as they be may afraid of hurting your feelings. If you find the answers of the questions, you will prevent bigger problems building up and both you and your family will happy if you feel at home.
Meals & Food: Usually meals in Turkey are eaten between the following times weektime.
Breakfast (Kahvaltı): 07:00 – 10:00
Lunch (Öğlen yemeği): 12:00 – 13:30
Dinner (Akşam yemeği): 19:00 – 20:30
Dinner is usually the main meal of the day and is often a time when the whole family is together. Turkish people keep their knife in the right hand and fork in the left hand while eating.
Typical food: Breakfast; cheese, butter, jam, honey, olives and bread. Lunch and Dinner; at least two main courses such as vegetable or meat dishes and rice, cracked wheat or macaroni, soup, salad and cold olive oil dishes, dessert or fruit.
Many families allow their children to take a glass of wine or beer at table; but you should be careful with the national drink “Rakı” which is rather strong. And do not forget the AFS rules!!!
Snacking from the fridge: Turkish people tend to eat three main meals rather than snack from the fridge. Food in the fridge is not necessarily available for general consumption. If you want a snack, always check whether it is all right for you to eat something.
Housework: You might be asked to set the table, doing the dishes, to keep your room clean and tidy. It is wise to ask your host family how to do any household tasks. Please note that in Turkey occasionally coloured clothes do not get washed with whites. If you want to wash your clothes, please ask your host mother how. Generally in Turkey, we do not put our sports shoes in the washing machine. If you want to wash your sports shoes it is wise to ask your host family if you can use the washing machine. Most Turkish families have a helping lady for cleaning once or twice a week.
Bathing: Homes have bath tubs or showers or both. The hot water supply can be limited so ask your host family the appropriate time to bathe or shower.
Telephone: Telephone calls are very expensive in Turkey, and we pay also for local calls. Telephone is used for messages only. So, please ask your host family for permission to use it and keep your calls to a minimum. Otherwise you will have to pay yourself for the extra calls.
When you arrive home: it is important to keep in mind that in most Turkish families, people do not get into the house with their shoes, they use slippers.
Parents: Some students have a very hard time calling their host parents “anne” and “baba” (mom and dad). However this is a great way to make yourself part of the family. Whatever you call your host parents, don’t be afraid to talk about it.
Brothers and sisters: If you have teenage host siblings, they might feel a little jealous of you. Don’t be suprised. You are taking away a lot of the attention they have been used to. The best way to help them over the jealousy is to include them as much as possible in your activities and to let them know that they are important for you.
Your family and friends at home: We know you have parents and may be brothers and sisters at home that you care about a lot. They will want to know what you are doing but…
- Keep phone calls to a minimum, it is expensive.
- Don’t write too often. Once a week should be enough. Too much letter writing or e-mails can keep you from learning to enjoy Turkey and keep your thoughts more on your family and friends at home than your family and friends in Turkey.
Keep in Mind that:
- Do ask your host parents before taking food or drinks out of the fridge.
- Ask for permission to go out. Do say where you are going, and when you will be back before you leave the house.
- Do say “İyi Geceler!” (goodnight) before going to bed.
- Don’t ever have long conversations on the phone.
- Don’t stay in the bathroom for longer than your share of the time.
- Don’t stay alone in your room for long periods of time instead of the living room with the rest of the family.
We know from experience that families can get upset about these things. If you are not sure whether the family gets annoyed by something talk about it.
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Social Life »»
Your social life probably differ from what you are used to in your home country. Most probably your activities will be with your family or with a small group of friends. Do not expect to go out all the time and party around. Of course your social life will vary greatly according to your family. When you want to go out, please do ask your host parents for permission and when they would like you to be back home. Your host parents may act over protective at the first couple months till you get to use the language better. When you want go out, do not forget to tell your family; when, where, with whom and for how long you will be out. And if possible, leave a phone number. You may talk to your brothers and/or sisters about your family’s habits.
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What to Bring? »»
Clothes: Mostly teenagers dress very casually. Both boys and girls normally wear jeans and shirts, t-shirts and sweaters. It is wise to bring a couple of nice outfits for special occasions.
For Summer; do bring swimming suit and shorts, t-shirts, sweaters for cool nights.
For Winter; do bring warm clothes, boots and a coat. A raincoat is always a handy thing to have.
For School; Students wear uniforms at school. The school uniform is not provided by AFS Turkey. Boys should bring a dark blue jacket, white long or short sleeve shirts, dark blue tie, grey pants and black or dark brown shoes. Girls should bring white long or short sleeve shirts and black or dark brown shoes. Sneakers and high heels can not be worn to school.
IMPORTANT: You may gain weight in the country. So, you might be prepared for this by bringing clothes that do not fit too tight.
Eyeglasses/contact lenses: If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, do bring an extra pair in case. As AFS does not cover expenses for eyeglasses/contact lenses.
Camera: Pictures are a good way of bringing home memories and sharing your experience in Turkey when you’re back.
Recipes: Turkish people enjoys good food a lot. So you might bring some of your favorite recipes, typical of your country. Your host family will love the taste of foreign food and bringing will save you the trouble of sending them later.
Presents: It is very difficult to give any advice about presents, but try to bring personal gifts for your host family. For instance, you may bring something made by yourself or something that is typical of your country. Besides, a number of smaller presents may come in handy for birthdays, when you visit homes of your friends and for special occasions through out the year.
Information about your home community & country: During the year, you will be expected to give speeches about your country, not only to your host family and school, but also the surrounding community. Try to acquire a general knowledge of your country concerning population, geography, history, agriculture, industry, sport activities etc.
For this purpose it is a good idea to bring a reference book of pamphlets. Contact your National Tourist Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
You should also be prepared to talk about your everyday life, your home, family, school and community. Bring picture books, photos or slides as they often tell more than words.
