What’s your opinion on the University Asylum in Greece?
It is an honourable idea much abused and taken completely out of context by subversive elements, professional protestors and drug dealers – It should be abolished and allow the police to do their duty in protecting public and private property. Being a “temple of knowledge” (as in the ancient Greek tradition) it does not mean that can be used as an “asylum” by those who habitually break the law and promote civil unrest . . . just because !
How easy is it for a Greek to live in Istanbul under Erdogan's regime?
I am a Turkish and I’ve been in Istanbul since the day I was born. I don’t know how the media shows the life in Istanbul or how foreigners speak about it, but it is quite similar to any other city in Europe except the city’s population. The traffic in the streets and the crowd of people can be very overwhelming. But other than that, I don’t believe there is any issue in Istanbul.People don’t really care about where you are from, what color your skin is or any other unnecessary detail. There are some people discriminating the Syrians and Arabs (which I don’t approve), but I don’t think any one has any issue with Greeks. However, most people don’t speak English well so it can be difficult to communicate with them.One think to keep in mind: Some people don’t really like other people (specifically opposite genders) to hug or hold hands in public. Culturally, some people may find doing it in public inappropriate. In places like Eminönü, you might see some people reacting weirdly because they consider those kind of actions in public disrespectful. But still, there are other more modern and liberal parts of the city that you can hang out.Generally, I think it is safe to travel to or live in Istanbul. There are very different people from very different backgrounds and because of that people, most of the people, know to respect others. If you know at least a little bit about the traditions and respect others, I am sure others will also be respectful and friendly to you. I would love to help you more if you have any other questions.
Is Istanbul safe for a female international student?
I am living in Turkey & Germany since a couple of years. I would say compared to Istanbul , europe is a safer place (for female students) but in general if you avoid certain districts after late evening , you will be OK. There were some incidents in the past happened in late hours and the victims were i.e. traveling alone in a public transport vehicle called “Dolmus” or “Minibus”. Those are private oprated things and drivers are to be cautious about. The regular city operated busses and trains are safe. Just avoid the dark streets in some districts and it will be fine.If you live in a good neighborhood with more families you will be treated as a daughter, people are always ready to help & protect. But beware of the boys around 20s , they think only about one thing, you know…On the Asian side of Istanbul you will find more family life and better areas. European side has more immigrants from eastern Turkey and crime & traffic level is higher.Honestly, there is no need to feel unsafe in Istanbul if you live a normal life… I disagree with what Andrew Barnes said, Turks do not mix up politics and life regarding private relationships towards foreigners. Our politics hates Greece but we can really have fun with Greeks whenever we sit together.
What's the cheapest university in Istanbul?
I’ll provide general info on how to study on cheapest or low tuition in Istanbul and Turkey as a whole:Turkey is a fast growing study abroad destination for international students. If you did not know, Turkey is bordered by eight countries with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest, Georgia to the northeast, Iraq and Syria to the South. The country is encircled by seas on three sides with the Aegean Sea to the West, the black sea to the north and Mediterranean sea to the South.One of the reasons international students choose to study in Turkey is tuition is low and affordable.Tuition fees and cost of living are significantly lower than in most European countries, yet the quality of education is top notch. There are also competitive scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, insurance and travel expenses available to international students.Note that the academic year in Turkey is based on two semesters and run from October until June..Top 4 Turkish Universities(1) Istanbul Technical UniversityThis is an international Technical University located in Istanbul. It is the world’s third oldest university dedicated to engineering sciences as well social sciences recently and is one of the most prominent universities in Turkey.(2)Orta Dogu Teknik UniversityThis university puts strong emphasis on research and education in engineering and natural sciences.(3) Istanbul UniversityThe University has 17 faculties on five campuses, the main campus being on Beyazit Square.(4) Anadolu UniversitesiThis is a public university Eskisehir. Anadolu university was founded in 1982 from the union of four existing universities in the city: the Academy of Economics and Commercial Sciences of Eskisehir, the state Academy of Architecture and Engineering, Institute of Education and Medical School.Related Post: Study on Affordable Tuition at University of Central Oklahoma, US: Tuition Fees, Admission Requirements and Cost of LivingTuition FeesRead more:Top 4 Low Tuition Universities in Turkey for International Students
What are some daily basic ways to save money living in Istanbul?
Live close to where you work. This will reduce your transportation expenses. It will also save you time.If your company provides service buses, use them.Use public transportation to get around. get a public transport card which you can use in all modes of public transportation.Eat at home as much as possible. Shop at open markets (called Pazar in Turkish). Most neighborhoods have one of these; you need to find out when they are formed. They also provide better (fresh and better tasting) fresh food than most supermarkets. Most companiesand schools in Istanbul also provide lunch for employees.When you have to eat out, eat cheap. Simit or pastries for breakfast. Frequent small shops rather than sit down restaurants. Small Doner kebab shops and restaurants where shopkeepers eat (called “esnaf lokantasi” in Turkish) are better options. Also healthier than pizza.as a general principle, shops in high-rent areas charge higher prices. Avoid high rent areas.Avoid expensive brands. I suggest brands like LC Waikiki, which has good quality and reasonable prices.Most people also don't pay for software, movies, tv shows…I don't know your age, your budget or your friend group but I'd meet a university student and model my life after them. They are experts in getting by in this expensive city.I did not mention reducing rent since your question referrred to daily basic ways of saving money. rebt and education (K-12) are the biggest expenses.
Do Greek Turks study both the Greek and Turkish language, or the latter only?
The Greek community in a turkey has been decimated by successive state instigated brutality culminated with the Garlic laws during WWII (which also destroyed Armenian and Jewish businesses) and the two Istanbul Pogroms of 1955 and 1964. What is left from the Christian Orthodox community which was 1/3 of Constantinople's population in the 19th century and 250,000 strong by 1922, is now about 1000 people mainly old. It would actually be better to let the Greek children go to private schools rather than the oppressively controlled state schools where Greek is being taught.I prefer to find this opportunity instead to write about the other side, of the 150,000 strong Muslim minority in Thrace.The great majority 60–70% of the Muslims in Greece are Slavic speaking Pomaki. There are Turkish and Roma/Gypsy speaking Muslims too. She stupidity of the Greek state is that it is teaching them in Turkish when the Lausanne Treaty specifically mentions “to be taught in their native language”. The result is that Pomak children are being taught in two foreign languages Turkish, and Arabic in religion classes but nothing in their native language and very little in the language of the country, Greek. The result is that they enter the work place virtually uneducated. The Greek state has for several years now created a quota for entry into the Greek Universities for the Muslim minority students without the vigorous entry examinations that other Greek students have to endure but the quota is hardly met due to the pressure from the Turkish consulate that controls things in the Muslim community to send them for studies in Turkey. The other pressure is for bringing teachers from Turkey instead of hiring locally taught teachers (The University of Thessaloniki has a special program for educating Muslim community educators). The Turkish consulate is adamantly against them and their mouthpieces habitually send letters demanding Turkey educated (and MIT Turkush security operatives, obviously) vs Thessaloniki educated teachers. Lastly there is great pressure from Turkish consulate community goons on families to send their children to the community schools where they learn how to read the Qoran in Arabic and speak Turkish but remain uneducated otherwise, rather than exercise their choice as free citizens and attend mainstreat Greek taught public schools which prepare children for advancement into maintreem society.