Broke and Lost in Istanbul
“Habitash! Habitash!”
The unfamiliar deckhand appeared as a silhouette, repeatedly emphasizing this made-up word as though I would finally understand what it meant the sixth...
Awkward Tales from the ‘Bul #1: The Shopkeeper
The man who runs the corner shop next to my apartment building has a very strange approach to business, whereby he literally just changes...
Useful Tips For Road Trips in Turkey
The Winter of 2018 experienced a 'train crisis' in Turkey as a large group of travel enthusiasts found themselves refreshing the website of the national...
Yabangee English Whatsapp Groups
To better foster a sense of community, help people network, and facilitate sharing advice, we've put together some Whatsapp groups. If you're interested in...
Dispatches from Cappadocia: Börek, Mini Türks And Homesickness
There is nothing more sacred to an expat than the taste of food from home, although this is the kind of truth we only...
Sea Turtles in Turkey: Caretta Caretta Conservation at Iztuzu Beach
In a time of increasing disregard for the environment within Turkey, the conservation work being undertaken to protect endangered marine turtles on the southwest...
Why Turkey? – Reflections on a Former Life in Istanbul
“Where are you from?” “How long have you lived here?” “Where do you work?” “How much do you make?!” and, of course, “Why Turkey?”...
26 Yabancı Stereotypes You’ll Encounter Living in Istanbul
Stereotypes are inherently oversimplified, but can also hold some truth to them and be a fun(ny) opportunity for self-reflection. The international community living in...
Fires Across Turkey: Relief Organizations You Can Support
We recently made an open call to our community for suggestions and have since compiled a list of organizations that are currently taking part...
We Are All Refugees, One Year Later
Editor's Note: We asked Smilja Brown, the driving force behind last year's "We Are ALL Refugees" benefit concert, to reflect on last year's event. Below, she...
A Moment for the Victims in Ankara
This weekend has seen the country suffer its worst terror attack to date, with two bomb blasts in Ankara leaving over 95 dead and 240 injured. The tragic...
The Language of Swimming: Freestyle or Overarm
Being Australian and living in Istanbul, one of the hardest things to cope with at first was the difficulty of finding a pool to...
Tale from Istanbul’s New Normal
Friday night. A few minutes before midnight. April 20th, 2020. Kaan is in the CCTV room of the luxurious hotel where he works as...
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...
Ten Things I Have (and Have Not) Gotten Used to about...
I have been living in Istanbul for four years. Just writing that sentence makes me dizzy.
As a Spanish expat living in this amazing city,...
Awkward Tales from the ‘Bul #5: Döner Kebab
Three weeks ago, I was taking the metrobüs with my brother from Şirinevler, on a very rainy day. Being as crowded as it was...
Underneath Istanbul
The timeless column feels cold and rough to the touch. I like to visit things that are a lot older than I am. It...
A South Asian’s Guide to Eating in Istanbul
South Asians love spice in everything – life, movies and of course, food. South Asian food is truly so spectacular; the complexity of flavors,...
Dispatches from Cappadocia: Are We the Legal Aliens in Türkiye?
If I am driving, I am the one in charge of the playlist. No negotiation! In my car you will either listen to R&B...
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...