Istanbul

From Texas to Turkey, I've got 1 month before I head to Istanbul for a 9 month teaching post.

THE JOURNEY

I was debating between the contract I've accepted, and one in Shanghai, China. I chose Istanbul, because they offered me a contract to my liking.

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a business background. Combining both of those specialties in an ESL classroom works best with adults and corporate clients, and that is where I have decided to focus going forward.

Securing a job in Istanbul was fairly easy. I sent out my resume to a few schools, and one of them got back to me. I had a SKYPE interview about two weeks later, and was sent an Offer Letter within a few days.

Yesterday I accepted that job that includes; 30 contact hours, a housing allowance, some flight reimbursement, and free Turkish lessons.

Now, 30 contact hours is quite high. Rarely do you see that in ESL posts. Most contracts range from 23-25 teaching hours, plus planning time. The schedule is also in split shifts, which means I'll be working in the morning for a few hours, with a break in the afternoon, and picking up more lessons in the evening till 22:00. There is also a possibility that I will have to work some weekends.
So, why would I choose this contract in Istanbul, that seems a bit sporadic, over something a bit easier in Shanghai? There are a few reasons:

1) It's only a 9 month contract. I'm done mid-June. That gives me the whole summer to travel, return home for a visit, or prepare for my next post.
2) I'm 29. I'm a writer, and I plan to take the next nine months to perfect the English language, finish a book of travel essays, and learn some Turkish. It's a year of solidification. I want to walk away from 29 feeling confident that I can get into most Master's programs.
3) Istanbul is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and that excites me. I'm from Texas, I've lived in Brooklyn, NY, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Prague, Czech Republic. I'm ready for another adventure in a city that is predominately conservative, yet progressively liberal. As a writer I'm interested in exploring and understanding the similarities and differences among us. Istanbul seems to be a perfect place to be able to do that.
4) Statistically showing, expats like to stay longer than just a year in Istanbul. I'm looking to plant for a few years, and with Istanbul being the gateway into Europe and Asia, it's going to be a great hub for travel and exploration.

There you have it. I'm going into this contract willing and ready to work, to learn, and to share my experience.