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Lifestyle & Commentary

Three Significant Barriers in Expat-Local Romantic Relationships

Being an expat is difficult. You start a new life somewhere you probably have very limited knowledge about. All your old habits and automatized...

A Trip through Tarabya

Located in the quiet northern suburb of Sarıyer, Tarabya is home to the modern, chic amenities of downtown life as well as the natural...

Expat Life: Why I chose to give birth in Turkey

Finding out that I was pregnant came as a complete surprise, my husband actually found out before I did, but that's a whole other...

Open Call: Nadas’a Bırak Fall Art Residency Programme (Deadline: 21 September)

Editor's Note: The application window has been extended through Saturday 21 September. NADAS Istanbul is excited to announce its upcoming art residency programme, Nadas’a Bırak,...

TIYYD: Building a Better Tomorrow for Refugees

What’s left behind becomes a faded memory, one that will be carried long distances no matter how tough it gets. Life becomes what’s packed...

25 Eco-Signs You Live in Turkey

Living in Istanbul comes with many joys alongside many compromises. If you are the kind of person who tries to lead a green life,...

Three Romantic Ideas for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul

Every year, with the arrival of the first day of February, we know what is ahead of us -Valentine’s Day! While some can’t wait...

Exploring Istanbul’s Not So Obvious Metrobüs Etiquette

If you ever feel like having a quick tour of Istanbul from the Asian to the European side (or vice versa), just buy an...

Technomads: A 13,000 KM Pedagogical Road Trip to Mongolia

After a few years in Istanbul and a very yabancı life, it is time for us to go on a big adventure in 2020!...

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...

Istanbul: What I Remembered, What I Forgot

Memory is a funny thing. As much as it keeps record of reality, it also creates a reality of its own. As expats, we...

The Personalities of Six Istanbul Neighborhoods

Personality is a phenomenon which describes the way people behave in everyday life. It’s an essential concept in order to understand and predict our...

You May Just Be An Istanbullu When…

OK, I’ll admit it: I hate these lists. They’re usually a shortcut to thinking. Besides, I’ve always fancied myself more an impressionist than medievalist,...

Rimuut: Borderless Freelancing Solution For Yabangees

In the era of digital nomads, Turkey has proven itself an idyllic destination for freelancers from all over the world. Whether settling in for...

A Five Star Toilet – Bathroom Tales in Turkey

Back in 1990 when I first visited Turkey, toilets, whether squat or what we think of as ‘normal’ but the Turks call Ala Franga,...

Istanbul Welcomes the Yellow Bouncy Castle

Istanbul attracts all sorts of heroes and magnificent freaks. And I am not talking about Sean Connery or Liam Neeson. Meet Thomas, who calls himself...

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...

Istanbul Z

The gas mask is definitely too tight. When the three soldiers fly over Istanbul aboard the camouflage helicopter, the condensation almost stops Cem from...

“Longing for Istanbul”: An Expat’s Love Letter to the City of...

Longing for Istanbul doubles as a sociological reflection on modernization processes in Turkish culture and a personal memoir that articulates what it means to...

Organization Profile: Small Projects Istanbul

Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from Kristina Delgado of Small Projects Istanbul, one of the organizations involved with this year's We...

Black Cats and Slippers: Turkish Superstitions

The first time I visited a Turkish home, I got perplexed upon hearing the phrase ''Don't walk barefoot, you'll get a stomach ache.'' Have...

Just for Fun: Seven “Worst” Turkish Foods

Wow, I know, that was a controversial title wasn't it? Now that I've got your attention, can I just say that obviously this is...

Introducing RIFA: Robert’s International Football Academy

RIFA - Robert’s International Football Academy was started by Robert Mullally in 2012, with the dream to change lives and perspectives through sport. How?...

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...