I want to au pair in Turkey. Someone tell me I'm crazy.

[Mississippienne]

So here’s the thing: life After Americorps has been weighing on my mind. My stepfather-to-be wants me to attend UT at Austin, but I’m not sure I’m up for more college. I still want to do some traveling, and that’s where this au pair idea came in.

I’ve had previous experience with children (I was a TA) and I adore the little boogers, so that part of the job appeals to me. The chance to experience a completely new country – living and working there, not just touristy – excites me. So the idea of au pairing was natural to me. But I couldn’t go somewhere normal and safe, no that’s too boring for this little Miss, so Europe is out.

My three initial choices were France, India, and Turkey. France would be cool, but it’s been done. India would be hella cool, but it scares me a little bit. So that leaves Turkey – a place I’ve always been fascinated by, and would like to experience.

The thing is, I know I’m crazy. I’d have to be off my rocker to go halfway around the world to a country I’ve never been, where I know no one, and where I don’t speak the language. But I really, really want to go, and it’s not just idle speculaton – I’ve been considering this for a while now. Americorps doesn’t finish up until November, so I’ve got a while to make my decision.

My friends are no help whatsoever. They’re all wildly enthusiastic about the idea – several have promised to visit me, and one wants to take me on a tour of Israel while we’re in the Middle East. My family would freak out, but they freaked out over Maryland, they’d freak out over Texas, they’d freak out no matter where I went.

So I turn to you, O Dopers. Either tell me I’m a mad, silly, crazy little girl for wanting to run off to Turkey for a few months, or let me know about your personal experiences with the nation, good or bad. Anyone who has au paired in the Middle East would be especially welcome. Thanks!

[ioioio]

A while back I saw some photos of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul; it was so beautiful that I wanted to go see it. A bit of reading on the web convinced me that I did NOT want to visit Turkey.

To start with, visit U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs site. Here are a few excerpts from the current bulletin:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Terrorist bombings – some with significant numbers of casualties – over the past two years have struck religious, political, and business targets in a variety of locations in Turkey. The potential remains throughout Turkey for violence and terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests, both by transnational and indigenous terrorist organizations.

In November 2003 the Al-Qa’ida network was responsible for four large suicide bombings in Istanbul that targeted western interests. The British Consulate, HSBC Bank, and two synagogues were targeted by massive suicide car bombs that killed numerous people and wounded hundreds. These incidents represent a significant change from prior attacks in Turkey and show an increasing willingness on the part of the terrorist to attack Western targets.
…
In light of the November 2003 bombings in Istanbul and ongoing security concerns, Americans should exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and exercise caution. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists will seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans and Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.

Also, Iwon’t the fact that you don’t speak Turkish limit your appeal as an au pair?

[DeVena]

OK you’re crazy. Well you DID ask!
But really - you want to go overseas as an au pair. My sister has had several au pairs, typically girls working their way through college. They were responsible for child care (and ferrying children to various after school activities), house cleaning, laundry, and some cooking.

OK, then. Basic list of what I would look for, if I were hiring an au pair in Turkey. [ul]Are you legally an adult? [/ul]
[ul]Do you speak any languages, other than english? [/ul]
[ul]Do you speak Turkish? Are you fluent? [/ul]
[ul]How many languages can you read/write fluently? [/ul]
[ul]Have you been overseas before? [/ul]
[ul]Do you have an international driver’s license? [/ul]
[ul]Have you experience with children outside a classroom? [/ul]
[ul]Have you been an *au pair * here in the States? [/ul]
[ul]What child development classes have you taken? [/ul]
[ul]Do you have any emergency medical experience/training? [/ul]
[ul]Have you had all the necessary innoculations? [/ul]
[ul]Do you have a valid passport? [/ul]
[ul]Have you had emergency preparedness training (in the event of earthquake or bombing)? [/ul]

You will also need references, including parents of children you have looked after.

From the State Department Website.

All those who are planning to stay more than three months for any purpose are required to obtain a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate. Such travelers must also apply for a residence/work permit or Turkish ID card within the first month of their arrival in Turkey.

I would also talk to as many people who have lived in Turkey as possible, especially women.

Just my thoughts… Good luck with this. Personally, I would look for an au pair position in a major North American city. If you like it, then look for something overseas. It’s much cheaper to get home from the Cayman Islands or Mexico City, than Istanbul.

[Eva_Luna]

Why are “I am crazy” and “I should au pair in Turkey” mutually exclusive? Also, why does India scare you more than Turkey?

I think it’s really cool. But I also think that if you decide to do this, you should DEFINITELY take language classes, both before you go (to whatever extent that’s feasible) and while you’re there.

Good luck, and have a great adventure! Personally, for whatever this is worth from someone who’s never been to the Middle East, if you use some common sense the chances of something bad happening to you abroad are pretty low; try to blend in, etc. But what I always tell Mom is that bad things never happen when they’re supposed to. That’s why nothing bad ever happened to me during 2 extended stays in Russia, but I got tear-gassed while vacationing in Paris.

[jeevwoman]

I know nothing about the nanny world, but I did teach English overseas for a bit. You might look into that as a job (eslcafe.com is a good start).

And look, there is danger no matter where you go (in your hometown, even) so why not go for it? Be safe and keep your eyes and ears open, but there is no reason that you should cross Turkey off your list.

[DaToad]

As one who has never been afraid to pack up and go somewhere (Iran-3yrs, Egypt-1 yr, N. Ireland-5 months), I say do it.

I don’t regret taking the chances that I took. I have had the opportunity to see a lot of this amazing world and should the occasion to go somewhere I haven’t been arise, I would probably take a shot at it.

[Mississippienne]

@DeVena

OK, then. Basic list of what I would look for, if I were hiring an au pair in Turkey. [ul]Are you legally an adult? [/ul]

I am.

[ul]Do you speak any languages, other than english? [/ul]

Yes, French. There are lots of French speakers in the Middle East/North Africa, but mostly in Arab countries like Morrocco and Tunisia.

[ul]Do you speak Turkish? Are you fluent? [/ul]

No on both counts. Some au pair families offer to pay for language classes, and I’m willing to learn. Though it’s a completely alien language to the two I speak, it is written in the Roman alphabet, so learning a new writing system isn’t a problem.

[ul]How many languages can you read/write fluently? [/ul]

Just two, and my French isn’t fluent.

[ul]Have you been overseas before? [/ul]

No, unless Mexico counts.

[ul]Do you have an international driver’s license? [/ul]

No.

[ul]Have you experience with children outside a classroom? [/ul]

Yes, I’ve cared for several in a baby-sitting setting. I’ve never cared for infants, however, so I plan to select a family that has older children.

[ul]Have you been an *au pair * here in the States? [/ul]

No.

[ul]What child development classes have you taken? [/ul]

None.

[ul]Do you have any emergency medical experience/training? [/ul]

Yes. As part of the Americorps training, I am certified in Disaster Relief, CPR/Emergency, Mass Care, Shelter Ops, etc.

[ul]Have you had all the necessary innoculations? [/ul]

Yes.

[ul]Do you have a valid passport? [/ul]

No, am working on that.

[ul]Have you had emergency preparedness training (in the event of earthquake or bombing)? [/ul]

I’m trained in Disaster Relief, etc. (see above).

Thanks folks, you’ve given me some stuff to think on!

[calm_kiwi]

Go to India! Turkey is cool but more Indians speak English, especially the ones likely to hire an Au Pair.

There is more then one Indian on this board that could convince you I’m sure. (come in Maleinblack).

Traveling is a very cool thing to do. You learn so much about yourself and others. I left NZ (eons ago) as a 17 yr old with $600 and a one way ticket to Eygpt (I cried almost all the way there thinking I had done a Bad Thing) It was amazing, I didn’t get back to NZ til almost 5 years later, with Au Pairing, fruit picking, bar maiding, factory working, dishwashing etc all as part of the parcel.

There is a kiwi term. The Big O.E, the O.E bit is overseas experience. It is never a bad experience even when it is.

[Mississippienne]

@jeevwoman

I know nothing about the nanny world, but I did teach English overseas for a bit. You might look into that as a job (eslcafe.com is a good start).

I’d like to teach ESL, but the problem is that you have to have a Bachelor’s to get a job with a reputable institution, and I don’t have a college degree. I know it’s ridiculously easy to get a blackmarket “degree” in places like Thailand, but I’m a very law-abiding person by nature and just not willing to go overseas, break various laws, obtain a job illegally, and live in fear of being caught.

[jeevwoman]

You’re probably right and I agree that going there illegally might not be the best. Have you considered enrolling in a school there? I’m sure it’s expensive, but if you’ve got any kind of savings or can get a loan, it might be the easiest way to get there. Once you start classes, you very well might either be able to get some jobs tutoring English or even find out about a local family that might need a nanny.

I know there are a bunch of websites and I just can’t remember them right now, but I am sure you can do a bit of research to find something. Or enroll in a local college near you that has an exchange program.

If I think of anything else I will let you know. Living overseas is an amazing experience and I think everyone should do it at least once.

[jeevwoman]

http://www.studyabroad.com/content/portals/Turkey_port.html might get you started.

[pulykamell]

@Mississippienne

I’d like to teach ESL, but the problem is that you have to have a Bachelor’s to get a job with a reputable institution, and I don’t have a college degree. I know it’s ridiculously easy to get a blackmarket “degree” in places like Thailand, but I’m a very law-abiding person by nature and just not willing to go overseas, break various laws, obtain a job illegally, and live in fear of being caught.

I’m fairly certain that the situation in Turkey is such that you could teach English without any type of certification – especially if you do it privately.

I lived in Europe for five years, and only two of those years did I have totally legal status. Frankly, it made absolutely no difference to me. So long as I left the country and returned every three months, the Hungarians were happy enough to give me a three-month entry visa. Most of the expats I knew who lived there were technically illegal. I was never afraid of getting caught.

I suspect Turkey is also pretty lax about these things, but I’d check before I’d go there. Also, if you do want to do ESL, and you do want some sort of certification, just take a TEFL course. It’s probably not absolutely necessary in Turkey, though. Most of the English language teachers I know who are reasonably successful have no formal training. Times are a-changing, and you certainly couldn’t get away with that in Western Europe, but in that part of the world, I’m sure you’d be able to fine if you have the will.

I’m not advising you to do any of this, per se. I’m just saying that a lot of people do do it this way, and it can be done fairly easily, without fear of being caught or deported. So long as you follow their visa rules, nobody seems to give a damn, especially if you have an American passport.

And the international drivers license is pretty much a worthless document, in my experience. All it is is a translation of your American license, and is valid only in conjunction with the original. That said, every single time I’ve been pulled over, whether in Hungary, Croatia, Austria, or Germany, my US license was always satisfactory.