Facts about Turkey

If you're like me, I knew nothing about Turkey. I've found some interesting things in my research and thought I'd share. I'm sure there will be much more to learn! :0

Mstafa Kemal Ataturk

1. Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa Kemal, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks."
2. Ataturk's picture hangs in every classroom in Turkey and statues of him are in every town.
3. He is credited with modernizing Turkey -- replacing the Arabic script of the Turkish language with Latin alphabet, granting women the right to vote in 1930s, amending relationships with bordering countries.
4. Turkey is bordered by four seas: the Mediterranean, the Aegean, the Marmara, and the Black Sea.

Bosphorus River

5. The population is over 70 million in Turkey -- 98% Muslim.
6. Half of the population live in cities; the four largest are Istanbul, Ankara (the capital), Izmir, and Adana. (Tarsus is about 40 minutes to the west of Adana).
7. The city of Istanbul is on two continents (Europe and Asia). It is separated by the Bosphorus River -- the narrowest strait used for international navigation.
8. Turkey, a NATO member and on good terms with Israel, has been a canditate for EU membership since late 2005.
9. The weather in Tarsus has all four seasons, so I'll need to pack my swimming suit and my turtlenecks although the winter is rather short and more rainy than snowy.
10. The Turkish monetary unit is the Turkish Lira (YTL). I'll be paid all in USD -- a portion of my paycheck with go into my US account and a portion will go into my Turkish account. The exchange rate as of today is 1 YTL to 1.80 USD.



I think that's enough learnin' for one day!

New Beginnings

I decided to start this blog to document my teaching in Tarsus, Turkey. Just in case you don't know where Tarsus is located, here's a map. :) It's about 30 minutes from the Mediterranean. Mersin (also seen on a map as İçel) and Adana are larger cities than Tarsus.

I got the job when I attended the International Teacher's Fair at the University of Northern Iowa. I know, international and Iowa don't usually go together, right? ;0 But honestly, the fair was amazing! So much energy and excitement. Once I was there, I knew I had to go.  I would highly recommend going to the fair if you have ever considered international teaching.

The school is Tarsus American College and is an IB school. I'll be teaching ninth and tenth graders literature and writing. All students in Turkey take a national test at the end of eighth grade. This test determines their placement into the first year of high school. Students have a five year high school with their first year preparing them for the next four years.

But, now that school is out in Greeley, Colorado, I'm just waiting....oh, and packing too! Packing and pitching! Ok, ok, I have been catching a few games too, but it seems like I have been going through stuff for ever!

And as I'm seeing Facebook postings about people who have already started their international adventure, I'm anxious to get going. But, for now, I must wait and pack.