Yola cikmak icin zaman yaklasiyor, Baris agabey'i hatirlamak icin dogru bir zaman degil mi? Gecen sene de gurbetteydik ama asil bu sene alisilan manasiyla tam bir 'gurbetci' oluyorum.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Their Lausanne Video
MySwitzerland.com is an excellent resource for people who would like to know more about Switzerland. It also includes some videos, two of which are;
Thursday, 5 July 2007
My Conditions in Switzerland
During the interview, one of the crucial questions I needed to ask was if my salary would be enough to have a decent life in Switzerland, as I know Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in the world. According to CIA World Factbook, The GDP per capita of Switzerland is about $34,000, which is 4 times of Turkey's, and 8 times of Morocco's.
Although the director assured me that my salary would be competitive, with some basic mathematics I can see my life standard will not be as good as it was in Turkey, or Morocco. Besides, I'll have to pay rent.
I won't have a car for the first year, however public transportation is said to be excellent and extremely punctual.
My flat is only 2 km to Centreville and 5 km to my workplace.
Where I'll live and where I'll work on GoogleMaps.
I rented the place of a teacher who will be moving out in order to share another apartment with 3 other teachers from the school.
This flat has 2 bedrooms, and basic utilities, but no furniture. First thing to do in Lausanne seems to be a visit to Ikea.
Although the director assured me that my salary would be competitive, with some basic mathematics I can see my life standard will not be as good as it was in Turkey, or Morocco. Besides, I'll have to pay rent.
I won't have a car for the first year, however public transportation is said to be excellent and extremely punctual.
My flat is only 2 km to Centreville and 5 km to my workplace.
Where I'll live and where I'll work on GoogleMaps.
I rented the place of a teacher who will be moving out in order to share another apartment with 3 other teachers from the school.
This flat has 2 bedrooms, and basic utilities, but no furniture. First thing to do in Lausanne seems to be a visit to Ikea.
My Story
I don't remember any serious issue bothered me in Morocco. Unlike the other members of the staff in Akhawayn, I was content with my conditions. I was especially satisfied with working in a quiet, small school, and being the boss of myself. It is true that from time to time I was feeling like going nowhere forward in my career, but I actually was. First of all, it was my first abroad experience, and I learnt how to survive in a foreign culture without speaking any of the common languages. I taught science for the first time, and I had plenty of time for travel. I even had the opportunity to save some money in this cheap country.
The real reason behind my leave was the university board's decision to adapt the French system, which was followed by some ambiguity about my future in the school.
I actually didn't do much job seeking; sent my CV to 3 or 4 schools in total, which include some schools in China and one in Switzerland.
While waiting for an answer from schools in Far East, the ISL school director Dr. Taylor invited me to Switzerland for a formal interview. This invitation was indeed a strong sign that they were serious about my application. I couldn't go to Switzerland, or couldn't have the chance to see the school before signing the contract, but learnt quite a few things from my colleague and head of department, Dr. Hazenberg, who had taught in Luzern two years before she came to Morocco.
The reason I refused this little trip offer to Lausanne was about the hassle of obtaining a Swiss visa. As a Turkish citizen, I have this problem in Europe. Anyways, thanks to Graham Bell; we talked via telephone, and I was offered a contract soon after.
Turkey ask visa from the citizens of almost all European countries, and reciprocally they do the same thing to Turkish citizens. I can understand the rationale of both sides. We, Turks are not very fond of Western Europeans. This rivalry firsy started at the time of the Crusades, then was carried to another dimension when Turks took over the role of Eastern Roman Empire. This is a long story between two sides of Europe. Is it hate between us? I'll disagree; but our relations with West do have a serious trust issue.
The other side of the story is more economical. Western Europe is where the wealthiest countries of the world are located, and I guess they think that there are people in Turkey who would like to continue their lives there for better life standards. I can understand these people, but also understand Western European countries whose lands are already full of immigrants from third world countries, mostly imigrants from their former dominions.
Personally, I doubt any Western European country is financially more beneficial for me as a teacher from Turkey. Considering my professional qualifications, I am almost sure that I cannot find any other country that I would earn enough money to live in luxury as I was in Istanbul.
So, frankly Switzerland does not seem to be the best place on earth for me if my concern would be to have a better life. However, the biggest educational NGO of the world, IBO's headquarters is only 45 minutes away from Lausanne, and educational NGO's are what I want to build on my career.
Thus, I signed the contract, obtained the work permit, and getting ready for my new life in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The real reason behind my leave was the university board's decision to adapt the French system, which was followed by some ambiguity about my future in the school.
I actually didn't do much job seeking; sent my CV to 3 or 4 schools in total, which include some schools in China and one in Switzerland.
While waiting for an answer from schools in Far East, the ISL school director Dr. Taylor invited me to Switzerland for a formal interview. This invitation was indeed a strong sign that they were serious about my application. I couldn't go to Switzerland, or couldn't have the chance to see the school before signing the contract, but learnt quite a few things from my colleague and head of department, Dr. Hazenberg, who had taught in Luzern two years before she came to Morocco.
The reason I refused this little trip offer to Lausanne was about the hassle of obtaining a Swiss visa. As a Turkish citizen, I have this problem in Europe. Anyways, thanks to Graham Bell; we talked via telephone, and I was offered a contract soon after.
Turkey ask visa from the citizens of almost all European countries, and reciprocally they do the same thing to Turkish citizens. I can understand the rationale of both sides. We, Turks are not very fond of Western Europeans. This rivalry firsy started at the time of the Crusades, then was carried to another dimension when Turks took over the role of Eastern Roman Empire. This is a long story between two sides of Europe. Is it hate between us? I'll disagree; but our relations with West do have a serious trust issue.
The other side of the story is more economical. Western Europe is where the wealthiest countries of the world are located, and I guess they think that there are people in Turkey who would like to continue their lives there for better life standards. I can understand these people, but also understand Western European countries whose lands are already full of immigrants from third world countries, mostly imigrants from their former dominions.
Personally, I doubt any Western European country is financially more beneficial for me as a teacher from Turkey. Considering my professional qualifications, I am almost sure that I cannot find any other country that I would earn enough money to live in luxury as I was in Istanbul.
So, frankly Switzerland does not seem to be the best place on earth for me if my concern would be to have a better life. However, the biggest educational NGO of the world, IBO's headquarters is only 45 minutes away from Lausanne, and educational NGO's are what I want to build on my career.
Thus, I signed the contract, obtained the work permit, and getting ready for my new life in Lausanne, Switzerland.
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