Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey is bordered by seven countries. With influences from the Ottoman, Byzantine, Greek, and Roman empires, the country’s history is a melting pot from all over the world. Known for its beautiful landscapes, natural wonders, and popular cuisine, Turkey is a magical place that enthrals all who visit.
Turkey is an emerging market economy, and is often classified as a newly industrialised country. This means that the country’s many industries as rapidly growing, making for great employment opportunities in the right sectors. It is renowned for its high-quality textile industry (7th largest in the world), and is a major exporter of clothing, home, and technical textiles. Manufacturing employs 84% of the population, so food, apparel, motor, and basic metals and an extremely important part of Turkey’s economy. As the official language is Turkish, then you will have to brush up in order to take full advantage of any employment opportunities that could be on offer.
With a developed metro system in its two largest cities, and a trams connecting getting you to your destination in other places, getting around Turkey is a breeze. Working alongside these are the many bus routes and ferry’s (depending on where you are staying) which give you a very scenic option on your journey. As well as a tourist attraction, many cities make use of cable cars to transport people to otherwise difficult to reach areas. All major cities are connected by high-speed train (the Ankara – Istanbul line in one of the fastest in the world).
The largest and most popular cities to live in is Istanbul, mostly because it is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, which offers a mix of the modern and historical. A major business hub, it is a popular choice for professionals. Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, with a much more relaxed pace of life than Istanbul. Its universities and relative tranquility make it a good choice for families and students. Antalya, a resort city, is known for its stunning natural scenery, ancient ruins, and beautiful beaches.
Turkey has a well-developed education system, and the government has established the ‘Turkey Scholarships’ program which provides financial aid to international students wishing to study higher education at one of their universities. Some international school options include the Istanbul International Community, Istanbul international, and British International. At the higher end, prices will, on average, cost twenty-nine thousand pounds. For those taking advantage of the scholarship, Middle East Technical, Bilkent, and Sabanci Universites.
With such a rich history, and unique blend of cultures, Turkey has an abundance of things on offer. There are of course the stunning beaches in Antalya and the Aegean coast to melt away the days, but turkey is certainly a place that needs to be explored. Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloon rides over its natural landscape, and its impressive underground cities. The ancient ruins of Ephesus, Troy, and Hierapolis are also a must for any history buff. The natural wonder of Pamukkale in western Turkey is well-known for its white terraces that are made from calcium carbonate. And after, why not take a dip into the mineral-rich pools.
