Social awareness in istanbul

Integrating in the local society is pretty hard initially, especially if you don't speak the language. 

One of the first things I did when I moved here was to contact the local Pakistan consulate for scheduled events. That helped me in meeting expats from my country for starters.

Good luck

Thank you very much.. helpful clue

Hi,

Actually turkish people are more cordial and friendly compared to many eu countries or us.

There are some meetups for meeting locals. For english practice they would enjoy your presence. Pm me if you cant find any or just need details. It wouldnt be appropriate to give out an external link here

Welcome to Istanbul again.  Good luck

No problem.

Lexbrown wrote:

Thank you very much.. helpful clue

infoaboutTurkey wrote:

Hi,

Actually turkish people are more cordial and friendly compared to many eu countries or us.

There are some meetups for meeting locals. For english practice they would enjoy your presence. Pm me if you cant find any or just need details. It wouldnt be appropriate to give out an external link here

Welcome to Istanbul again.  Good luck

I hope to meet those friendly people, open minded, love to help as he/she can and who knows English because it is a universal language and the common language of most foreigners..

Actually I moved to Turkey since more than 3 months but I don't have a friend; because I don't know Turkish enough to convention with Turkish people and most of them don't know English!

Even  when I try to talk to them by translation or by what I know with my simple little Turkish language; Many of them do not accept, laugh or angry and look at me as inferior...

Also when I'm looking for a job, they concern on Turkish language regardless anything, although they must have at least one employee speaking English in every working place...

Of course I am learning Turkish but I just a beginner also without practice it takes longer time...

Hi Everybody.

I am Ensar and I am a civil engineer. I had been an expat in Oslo for more then one year. I turned back to Istanbul last month. I can understand your concerns about integration with Turkish people. Because, unfortunately the percentage of people who knows English is too low in Turkey.  The most important issue is that where you are tying to be socialized. Because you know Istanbul is not only one city. It includes more then one city. So the place is important.

I can give you some tips about the place. You can contact with me. Because I would like to keep my English level to socialize with foreigners.

Have a nice day.

Ensar

Hello esar bay,what advice you can give to all ecxpacters foreigners who are living here in turkey.how they can survive here to be the part of society

It is always difficult to be a part of society in a foreign country but it is more difficult here. Firstly you have to know that, If you cannot speak Turkish, you can attempt to integrate with only high educated people's society. Most of high educated society is professional associations and you have to choose and contact with your professional society. They will approve you their society easily. But I think it is not real society in Turkey. Real one includes small business owners, municipal officials and empoloyees, housewives, imams, primary or high school students, etc. So if you want to be a part of real society you must learn Turkish. And it is not enough. You have too show your interest for Turkish culture and good intention. This is second must.
After then you can be a part of  hospitable, warm-blooded and helpful Turkish society.

Assalamualaikum Nour

It's best to take up a basic turkish course then slowly move on from there.