5 Amazing Reasons to Teach English in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is not only the most developed city in Turkey, but it's also one of the oldest cities in the world. The city was founded by the Romans in the year 300 and is considered a sacred place today, important to all religions in general. Its geographical location at the junction of Asia and Europe is unique in the world, making it an attractive destination for teaching English as a foreign language.
Here are 5 reasons why Istanbul is a great place to teach English!
Istanbul is a huge city.
Istanbul is one of Turkey's most popular cities with a population of 17 million. The city has a total of 39 districts and an area of 5,000 square kilometers, making it an incredibly vast city to explore. The big city life is also what draws many people to Istanbul, discovering the famous saying "Stone and land is gold in Istanbul".
Istanbul is a Religious Melting Pot.
Istanbul, which serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, was established along the Marmara coast and the Bosphorus to surround the Golden Horn. The founder of the city of Istanbul was none other than the invincible emperor Constantine the Great, a Christian. After years of prosperity, the city was at last conquered by the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who established the Muslim faith in the region. However, over the years, Istanbul was also under the control of Jews from time to time. This makes Istanbul a melting pot of religions, that is still evident in its old buildings and attractions.
Fun Fact: There are several names for Istanbul over the course of time that were in use: * Byzantion, Nova Roma, Konstantino polis, Stanpoli, Darülhilafe, Makarrı Saltanat, Dersaadet, Asitane.
Istanbul is a tourism hot spot.
Istanbul is an important tourist destination in Turkey because of the city's long history and many historic monuments and its location along the Bosphorus. More than one thousand historical monuments lie inside the city walls, including palaces, pavilions, mosques, churches, synagogues, fountains, and mansions. This abundance in tourist attractions leads to around 10 million visitors per year. This also means that locals are required to speak English for the tourism industry and foreigners don't have a hard time getting around in the city - even if they don't speak a word of Turkish.
Istanbul has two large airports.
Istanbul is very well connected with all parts of the world through its 2 airports. There is one airport on each side of the city and one of them just opened in 2019. It's Istanbul's largest airport, Istanbul International Airport. The second airport is Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the mainland of Istanbul. Traveling around Turkey and between Europe and Asia is a piece of cake when traveling out of Istanbul.
The weather in Istanbul is great.
Istanbul has a fantastic climate, especially in summer. Even the winters aren't that cold so you will still be able to explore the city. It is often said that the best time to visit Istanbul, however, is during the spring. Anytime between March and June is an excellent time to explore all that the city has to offer without scorching in the heat that follows in summer.
If you decide to teach English in Istanbul, you have the chance to live in a place filled with a rich history and cultural attractions that are unlike anywhere else.
And if you're still not sure if Istanbul is for you, take it from these famous quotes about the city:
“If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.” Napoleon Bonaparte
“Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me.” Before taking Istanbul from the Byzantine Empire's rule, Fatih Sultan Mehmet
“Istanbul, a universal beauty where poet and archaeologist, diplomat and merchant, princess and sailor, northerner and westerner screams with the same admiration. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on earth.” Edmondo De Amicis
“The treasure of the Turkish motherland, the wealth of Turkish history, the Turkish nation’s apple of the eye, Istanbul is the city that has a special place in the hearts of all citizens.” And finally, the most incredible commander of all, the founder of the Turkish Republic and the father of all Turks, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
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