Experience in Istanbul, Turkey by Merve

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

To live in Istanbul is like being in a chaos but cannot do without it. Many people visiting Istanbul for a short time say that they LOVE the city but the more they live in it, the more challenges they face. However, this may seem like a disadvantage, nope, it is not. You learn to survive in the city somehow for the sake of its fun places, its cuisine including traditional anatolian food, its reflection of the Ottoman culture and history, the tea (çay) that will be served wherever you go, its people coming from different background but mostly generous and helpful and so on and on.

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

To be a student in Istanbul, I can tell, would be a great experience. Istanbul is a big city and very crowded but when you become a student in Istanbul, you come to the conclusion that "yeah man, this city is alive." Travel for students is not as expensive as it is in the central Europe. Since the city is very crowded, I cannot promise for the convenience and comfort, but Metrobuses, subways, trams, halk busses, minibuses are travelling all around the city so much so that you may get surprised to see that travelling from the European continent to the Asian continent every day is a daily habit for many people. The biggest problem is the lack of trains. For the enthusiastic learners, there are great libraries of the state universities you could go and benefit. Students may rent a house/flat from the Internet and share with Turkish people if they are enthusiastic about learning Turkish language. They can also find many Erasmus students living in the central places. Taksim, Kadikoy, Uskudar, Bebek, Avcilar are the best places for students to live and enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Istanbul although these places may be more expensive than the other side regions in Istanbul. If you are coming from Europe, life in Istanbul is not very expensive and there are some job opportunities, especially for those who can teach English.

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

It may be but you will definitely find foreign people/students living in Istanbul via Internet.

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

Food in Istanbul is one of the top reasons why people love Istanbul. Turkey has a very rich cuisine since it is home to incredibly various local cultures. My favorite dishes are "sarma", "kumpir" and "kuru fasulye-pilav". :)

What places would you recommend visiting in Istanbul?

Adalar, the Blue Mosque, Selimiye, Kiz Kulesi, Cinaralti, Topkapi Palace, Ayasofya, Istanbul Modern, Moda sahil, Ortakoy, Galata Tower, Aga Kapısı, Taksim Square

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

If you are a student, as in most big cities, it may not be a good idea to eat out everyday. If you are in Istanbul, you may find various kinds of vegetables, meat, ingredients to cook at home. I can hear your saying "donna how to cook", so don't worry! Just relax! You can order any kind of fresh, delicious food from the website yemeksepeti.com. Or you can order pizza any time. Ok, for those who want to eat out, one of my favorite places is in Besiktas, opposite the Bahcesehir University, which is Upper Crust. There you may eat the best pizza ever. Another one is "islak hamburger" places at the beginning of Istiklal St. in Taksim. If you are looking for a more traditional and fancy place, you may go to Unkapani and ask about Zeyrekhane restaurant or Fetihpasa Korusu in Uskudar.

What advice would you give future students headed to Istanbul?

I am not sure. Maybe I can advise them to be ready for the challenge of language. The problem is most of the people living/working in Istanbul do not speak English. But still they will definitely try to help you by using funny body language, so don't get shocked. Also, have some pocket money because Istanbul is vast city to travel and there is always somewhere new to see. Another thing is about Turkish culture and the dominant religion in the country. In Istanbul you may see various types of clothing or manners. Some women wear hijabs but they do respect those who don't or vice versa. Some men talk so loudly that you may think they are fighting but probably they are not. Turkish men and women, gender does not manner, are great fans of football teams. One suggestion for girls, do not get in between (a) a man and his food, (b) a man and his football team! All in all, people in Istanbul are more polite and helpful to foreigners than they are to each other so just enjoy being in this crazy but lovely city!