Living Abroad Blues: Coping with Loneliness

When I first moved to Istanbul in 2016, I too experienced loneliness. After all, I was a foreigner in a new country, who did...

First-Time Residence Permit in Türkiye Guide: Essentials to Know for your...

Thinking of staying in Türkiye for a while and want to file a first-time residence permit application? That's lovely to hear! Before getting too...

Practices of Mindfulness in Turkey

We sometimes forget how hectic life in a cosmopolitan city like Istanbul can be (I know I do). Weekdays can feel mechanical, while weekends...

Learn Turkish in Your Comfort Zone with Turkish Academy

If you are an expat living in Türkiye, a language enthusiast watching every single Turkish drama, or a university student researching about Turkish history,...

Strangers on Istanbul’s Walls: A Glimpse Into Istanbul Street Art

The first time I came across the signature 'Yabancı' was when I stepped out of my house to do the privileged walk during the...

An International Linguistic Puzzle

My wife and I visited Konya, May 2023. Never having been to Konya before, we decided to hire a guide for an all-day walking...

Turna.com: Your Gateway to a Seamless Travel Experience

Planning your dream vacation should usually be one of the most exciting and hassle free experiences. With hundreds of possible destinations and numerous travel...

How to Cope with Grief

On the morning of February 6th 2023, the citizens of Turkey woke up to the tragic news of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake affecting major...

Activities in Ayvalık for the Adventurous and Active

Ayvalık boasts beautiful blue water, lovely sunsets, and plenty of beaches to relax on, but its range of nature also provides no shortage of...

The Respite of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands

Every time I head out to the islands, I look back on the Istanbul skyline as I imagine the first astronauts gazed down upon...

The Struggles of a New Yabancı in Turkey

Moving to Istanbul was an exciting thought. I get to live in a new country, surrounded by people of a different culture. Oh, the...

Assos: Turkey’s Best Kept Aegean Secret and Once Home to Aristotle

Aristotle, roasted almond mezes, and a tortured history… Of all Turkey’s hidden treasures, Assos (Behramkale in Turkish) is an insiders’ favorite, conveniently located between...

Friendly Speed Dating: Finding Human Connection in Monthly Events

From the organizer: We created Friendly Speed Dating because we believe in the power of human connection. We understand that dating can be difficult and...

Interesting Names, Great Taste: Turkish Dishes to Cook During Ramadan

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major factor shaping our lives. This year again, the holy month of Ramadan began...

Diaspolis Temizlik: Professional, Trustworthy Cleaners for Your Home or Office

Those who have spent time living in Turkey will know that hiring a cleaner to visit your home is a fairly common practice. While...

12 Cool Places to Study in Galata Neighborhood

Galata is a beautiful neighborhood in the apex of Beyoğlu district. It used to be a sanctuary for Turkey’s Greek, Armenian, Italian and Jewish...

Foreign Student Experiences in Turkey

Making the decision to continue (or go back into) education is a tough one. Nevertheless, learning opens many doors and being a university student...

Expat Life: Struggles of My New Turkish Home

I arrived in Istanbul with little knowledge of the country, its culture or language. Straight from the vacation in Japan with my boyfriend and...

Earthquake Donations, Volunteering, Needs, and Resources: Help Those Impacted in Turkey...

On Monday 06 February, 2023 two massive earthquakes (7.5 and 7.8 in magnitude) devastated Turkey and Syria, with aftershocks being felt hundreds of miles...

A Guide to Istanbul Earthquake Preparedness

With all the disturbing events in the news recently, it is easy to forget the more mundane, boring threats of life: pickpockets in Taksim,...

How to Get a Müzekart in Istanbul

Once you’re officially a resident in Turkey, you can buy a Müzekart (“museum card”) – a handy, money-saving tool for expats keen on visiting...

Four Masters of Turkish New Wave Cinema

A notable player in the current world of art house cinema, Turkey has seen a new wave emerge and establish itself. Amongst others, there...

Be Earthquake Ready in Istanbul

It’s the kind of story that sweeps down the gossip chain, becoming so popular that it morphs into an urban legend. The tale retold whenever...

Off The Beaten Path: Rumeli Hisarı

Although the Bosphorus is the real star of Istanbul, its beauty is accentuated by the city’s monuments, those sturdy shapes that mediate between the...