Experience in Adana, Turkey by Hakan

What is it like to live in Adana? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Adana is constantly growing agricultural, industry and commercial center with population around 2.5 mil. people. It is busy city with busy traffic, with a lot of cafes, restaurants, parks, shops, shopping malls (Adana Optimum Outlet, Real, Carrefour) and nice walking area along the Seyhan River and dam. Thanks to Çukurova University, city is full of young people during the semesters, but also outside of this time. There is train station in the city center, and bus station on the periphery of the city (free of charge shuttle minibus is going there from the city center). Trains to Mersin and back are going quite often, check the following link for the train time schedule. http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/Upload/Files/ContentFiles/2010/bolgesel/adanamersin.htm

What is the student lifestyle like in Adana?

As mentioned above, Adana is “city of young people”, so it is not a problem to meet with young people and hang out with them. But Adana is neither İstanbul nor European city, so students cannot expect European style facilities. There are dozens of cafes, bars and restaurant where students can spend their free time. People are very friendly and hospitable, so students will feel welcome.

How much does it cost to live in Adana?

Highly depends on the lifestyle and accommodation a student has. Below are some examples of prices:
1 ride by bus for student – from 1.5tl to 2.2tl
5l of water – 1.50tl (water is drinkable in Adana; no need to buy)
Bread – from 0.60tl
Fresh vegetable and fruit – starting from 1tl per 1kg (good to buy it on let’s call it Fresh markets – some street is closed for cars and farmers are selling their products there; every day in the different parts of the city)
Entrance to karaoke bar/disco – from 20tl
Beer in bar – 0.5l for 6.5tl/10tl
Residence permit at the police – 198tl (year 2013)
Gym – from 50tl/month
Train Adana-Mersin (student ticket) – 4.5tl

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Adana? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not difficult but prices are not student-friendly. All cheap houses are taken at the beginning of September, when all out-of-city students are coming back. Flats are usually rented unfurnished which means inconsiderable growth of expenses for Erasmus students.
1 room studio fully furnished can be rented from 600tl/month. 3 rooms flat unfurnished from 500tl/month. Owners usually demand 1 year payment in advance. It can be a bit difficult to rent flat just for 4-5 months, but it is not impossible.
Erasmus students coming to study at Çukurova University will live in dormitory in the campus – 250tl/month/person. Students coming to CAG University (between Adana and Mersin) will stay in house/flat/studio which is chosen by Erasmus coordinator. CAG University used to supply students with 100eur/month for accommodation. This money is not paid cash to students but to flat/studio owner.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Adana is famous for its Adana kebab which is really delicious. There are plenty of restaurants and eating spots where you can eat from 5tl/person. Most favorite dishes of the students are: mercimek çorbasi (lentil soup), ezogelin çorbasi (soup consisting of lentil and mint), paça çorbasi (soup consisting of various meat), tavuk durum (chicken wrapped in bread), humus, kebab etc. When ordering kebab in restaurants various kinds of salads are given as a side dish.

What places would you recommend visiting in Adana?

Adana is not the best place for the lovers of the history. In the city there is old Roman bridge - Taşköprü, Sabancı Central Mosque, hamam, Ataturk’s house and some small old mosques, but that’s all. There is beautiful park next to Sabancı Central Mosque worth of visiting.
But Adana is good base for the out-of-city trips, e.g. Mersin, Kiz Kalesi, Varda Viaduct, Hatay, Gaziantep, ŞanliUrfa, Adiyaman (Nemrut Dagi), Kapadokya etc.

Is it good to eat out in Adana? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, food is delicious and not expensive (excluding higher level restaurants). There is dozens of eating spots in Adana, on the bigger streets every 20 meters there is a place to eat.

Is the nightlife good in Adana? Where is good to go?

One must bear in mind that Turkey is a Muslim country with growing religious influence of current government on the daily life of its citizens. European student cannot expect European style of nightlife. Currently there is no disco club (although might be re-open again), but there is a lot of cafes and bars with great atmosphere. In some of them there is also life music. Some bars have dance parquets in their basement which are used for life concerts and salsa nights.

What advice would you give future students headed to Adana?

Read about Muslim culture, respect it, come with the open eyes and hearts and enjoy the stay!