Living in Istanbul: the ultimate expat guide

Passion taking flight

My name is Maureen, but I commonly go by Moe (or Meryem locally). I was born in Germany and have dual citizenship with America. Already balancing two cultures I added a third when I moved to Istanbul in early 2009 from Seattle and currently living in the "old" European side.

Jane in Mersin: "The locals are still the most welcoming people on earth"

Jane comes from Sydney. Married to a Turk, she has been visiting their family in Turkey for years before finally deciding to move to Mersin in 2012. In this Interview, she tells us about her daily life in her new home.

How a Kiwi expat found home away from home

Teacher Alan Scott first moved to Turkey in 1995 and, when he returned to New Zealand, he realised that Istanbul had become the place he called home, so made the move a permanent one in 2001. When he's not teaching, he's writing on his blog or working on his autobiogrpahy. He talks to Expat.com about how he came to adopt Turkey as his home. 

Expat life in Turkey: It's a perfect ten

We most often talk about learning a foreign language and the challenges we face, but what about learning foreign numbers? Sounds familiar — that time at the till in a foreign country when we are expecting the cashier to punch in the amount we have to pay and turn the calculator so we can see. Jason, an American expat in Turkey, speaks to Expat.com about his slow-paced life in Izmir, Turkey, the benefits of being your own boss, and his application, 'Foreign Numbers'.

Expat life at the crossroads of civilisations

Leonard, a writer, an educationist, a history-lover, and an avid reader and traveler, has found everything he needs to lead a fulfilled life in Turkey — where two opposite cultures meet and thrive together. He established his new home in Turkey in 2008 by some quirk of fate, and today, ten years later, he knows that his future is tied with Turkey. To find out more about his expat life in this magical country, follow us as we unfold Leonard's story.

Stricter immigration policies for foreign workers and students in Canada

Continuing with the restrictive immigration policy initiated in 2024, Canada has introduced several new measures in 2025, including the suspension of sponsorship application processes, delays in pathways to permanent residency, and restrictions on work permit eligibility for expatriate spouses. The most recent regulation now allows for the cancellation of work permits and student visas.

How to adapt your professional skills in a new country

Moving abroad is frequently seen as a career boost, but it's important to recognize that skills and qualifications might not always transfer seamlessly across borders. Challenges such as language barriers, changes in status and salary, and unrecognized degrees can lead to a diminished professional identity. How can you safeguard your career value when relocating internationally?

Essential non-academic questions to consider before studying abroad

Studying abroad isn't just about earning a degree or enjoying campus life. You will be immersed in a new culture, your ability to work or even travel will be curtailed by immigration laws, and you will be paying for groceries in another currency. These non-academic factors can shape your study-abroad experience, for better or worse. What important questions should you ask yourself before accepting an offer to study abroad?