My 8 months personal experience in Istanbul. By Tumu

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

Istanbul is a beautiful city with lots of fun and culture , i have been here for 8 months but i do have more friends who are turkish than my natives back in Africa . turkish guys are really cool and fun and ease to get a long with,but the funniest thing that i gat more than 60 turkish friend some them i do not remember their names and even how we met but i have numbers in my phone and they keep texting to go chill with them hang outs ,and some have introduced me to their families though we had met for the first time which is really amazing and the funniest thing that most of these turkish guys do not speak english for the first time i meet them but i always get surprised once we meet for the second time they have alraedy perfected their english speaking and they are willing,happy to learn new culture no matter the race . though i have got a lot of trouble making friends who are turkish girls most of them have got a bad mind about black guys and am really honest with this either they hate me or not but they are racists .some of them during school times they will not and ever sit near a black guy but when it is time for quiz or exams that is when you see them smiling at you waiting for answers . and most of them have walked away once i or any black guy tries to sit near them in a restaurant or in the public transport . though most foreign students no matter boys or girls they are always welcome and that is why i love my University , Istanbul Aydin University we got lots of international students and they are really helpful,friendly, and fun ,i have made friends who are girls from Algeria ,Morocco ,Russia ,Ukraine and they are really good friends .since my first day i arrived here in istanbul i fell in love with the city it is beautiful and affordable for students. and on my point of view if you are an international student Istanbul is the best city for you and of course Istanbul Aydin University is the only way you can have a brighter future and memorable moments in your life .

What is the student lifestyle like in Istanbul?

My life as an international student has been amazing and fun after two months of my arrival , at fist everything was new to me the culture and i found out that most of the educated people in istanbul do not speak english . every one i tried to ask for directions on my first day at school kept telling me English yok,that they do not speak english and that really pissed me off because what would some one do at a university if she or he ca not speak english come on seriously .but with time i got used and started making friends from different countries , but i could say it is to have turkish fiends who are guys and once they become your friends trust me they you can always count on them really helpful and friendly. but i personally have had lots of fun than i have ever had in my life . istanbul has lots of fun and stuff to offer that is why i consider it as my favorite city after Kigali Rwanda, but trust me once you come to Istanbul you will not get bored or regret why you came to turkey

How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?

i do pay 400 dollars for 2+1 full furnished apartment just 7 minutes from my University but i do find it worth it cos there are no costs of transport to get to the metro lines it is just a 1 minute walk

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

Actually it is very easy and cheap to get an apartment cos every after two locks ,there is a real estate agency and they are really friendly than a five star hotel service, but you gat to be careful cos they always do not keep the promises they make to you. but they offer good services and do not pay for the apartment before everything is the way you want cos once they leave the real estate agents it will had to get them again apart from when they come to collect rent, so be careful but be assured of good services from them

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

i would say you can never feel hungry in Turkey cos they gat lots of food types, mainly i love their pizza, their steak i think it is the best in the whole world plus their pilawo but they gat lots of foods and every each day i try out different kinds of foods

What places would you recommend visiting in Istanbul?

ohh my Gosh , there are lots of places to visit .i have been here for 8 months but i still discover new places to check out , istanbul is too big to visit in one day. but i would recommend the few i have visited like, prince island, night clubs,shopping malls like my favorite mamari mall , blue mosque,takism square, football stadiums and of course no other country has got as beautiful restaurant as Istanbul does

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

ohh my Lord , honestly on do not lie to yourself that you can find your favorite restaurant in istanbul cos it is a city of a thousand wonders every second you gonna see a new place that you have never sat in or seen in your life. i would say takism has nice restaurants with lots of western food at fair prices but all restaurants i pass by here in istanbul are worth it . honestly

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

of course all roads lead to takism square clubs like The Beat which is my favorite cos of the western music plus afro music played there plus all the bar waiters speak perfect english and alos roof top parties in Besiktas .and besides that these bars have the best services ever

What advice would you give future students heading to Istanbul?

hey Bro or Sis , trust me no other place in europe better than Turkey in general and istanbul you will never get satisfied of it cos it has lots of things to offer and never will you complete them. but one more point students are not allowed to work so come prepared with your money but do not worry it is a cheap city to live in for students cos everything for them is discounted . but if you are lucky and you learn turkish language then you can get a party time job but not assured. but if you have your own money trust you will have a hell of blast in istanbul .
This is for you my BROTHER SAY NO TO DRUGS AND YES TO GOOD HUGS that is you are to enjoy your amazing life in istanbul