Major FAQ- TEFL Turkey

Arrival Information

Being that Istanbul has two international airports - Atatürk International Airport (located in the Yesilköy District on the European side) and the smaller Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in the (Kurtköy District on the Asian side) - trainee can arrive fly into Istanbul from either location.

Transfer from Airport to Host Family/Hostel

Program fee does not cover airport transfer/pick-up and reception service (NOTE: Global Crossroad does NOT offer airport drop-off/return services). Additionally, Global Crossroad's partnering TEFL provider in Istanbul requests that participants take a taxi from the airport or train station. Participants are urged to retain their receipt for imbursement upon arrival at the language institute.

How can I contact the TEFL institute (if I arrive before the start of the TEFL Istanbul program)?

In the event that a participant arrives before the start date, it is advised that they arrange their own accommodations and contact someone at Global Crossroad's office who will then provide participants with instructions. Details, such as the address and telephone numbers of Global Crossroad's partnering institute in Istanbul , will be provided to participants in their in final placement details/pre-departure booklet.

Accommodations/Meals

Global Crossroad's partnering institute in Istanbul can assist in locating appropriate living accommodations to best suit the needs of TEFL participants - all available at very competitive prices. All student accommodations in Istanbul are either in or near the center of the city. Accommodations are usually in fully-furnished, shared apartments. Home-stays and private apartments can also be arranged upon request. The starting price of accommodations in Istanbul is €300.

Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Affordable meals may be purchased throughout the city of Istanbul at very reasonable prices. Dishes native to the Marmara region reflect characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine and are often rich in vegetables, herbs and fish. Commonly-used ingredients in Turkish dishes include: meat, eggplant, green peppers, onions, garlic, lentils, beans, tomatoes, nuts (namely pistachios, pine nits, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts) with spices such as parsley, cumin, black pepper, paprika, mint, oregano and thyme found in just about every dish - albeit a pastry for desert or lamb for the entrée. Soups (i.e. lentil, yogurt or wheat) of various makes are present in traditional Turkish meals. Also: shish kabobs are common dishes through all of Turkey .

Along with the traditional dishes, there are a large number of European and Far Eastern restaurants found throughout Istanbul as well as a variety of fast food.

Internet/Telephone/Medical Facilities

The city of Istanbul offers a variety of telecommunication and medical facilities/services. Phone and internet services are also available in various internet cafés throughout the city (some within a 5-minute walk from the TEFL institute).

Climate

The climate of Istanbul has a climate classified as temperate-continental - with hot and humid summers and cold, rainy and often snowy winters. With a somewhat high humidity exacerbating the warm, summertime temperatures, the heat often feels more intense than indicated. Snowfall often occurs over the course of one or two weeks with some intensity (usually between the month of December and March). The daytime temperature between the months of June and September averages 74° Fahrenheit (23.3° Celsius). Istanbul is a significantly windy city with an average wind speed of 11 mph (17/km/h).