Surprising Inconveniences of Not Speaking Turkish

Before moving to Turkey, I felt confident in my ability to quickly learn Turkish. After all, my bilingualism plus select Rosetta Stone lessons would be enough to get me by, right? Nope. Here are some surprising inconveniences of not speaking the local language of where you plan to move:

Applying for Visas
If only it was as simple as "fill out this form, pay, and pick up on X date". The application may be written in Turkish with specifications that Google Translate won't help you understand.

Grocery Shopping
Is this spinach or basil? Good luck identifying produce without English name tags plus discriminating against odd items that aren't usually offered in America.

Taxis
Unless you're heading to a popular location (e.g. Anka Mall), you'll likely get dropped off near your intended location rather that specifically at the location. It's an adventure!

Receipts
What did I buy? Was the item priced as advertised? Was tax already factored in the listed price?

Housing Contracts
This only applies if you're moving abroad, but you will never need to know the local language- written and spoken- than ever before. Only knowing the spoken language is useless if you can't read a contract.

Ordering Food
I hope you don't have allergies or are a picky eater! Not all places have English menus nor pictures accompanying food descriptions. What you thought was regular sushi could be live octopus. Mmm!

Utility Bills
Paying our first month's utility bills was a nightmare. Are the internet and landline bundled or should I expect another bill? Why did the brick and mortar location turn me away? Fingers crossed you find an English-speaking representative.

These were just a few unexpected reasons to learn your new country's local language prior to moving. Consider the fact that major cities generally house more English speakers than rural areas when choosing a destination as it'll impact your convenience of daily outings. While you'll learn quickest through immersion, don't enter a country empty-mouthed.

5 Must-Haves Before Traveling Internationally

There's always something you forget to pack when traveling. It's hard to decide what's useful vs junk, so I created this list of 5 must-have items when planning a trip or move abroad:

1. Universal Adapter
Absolutely necessary when packing phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices. If you're staying at a popular hotel in a touristic location, they may include a universal adapter in the room, but why take the risk? Invest in a good adapter and you'll never worry about being stranded without a cell charge.

2. Translation App
Tons of English-to-[Language] apps are available for iPhone and Android. Purchase an app that features both popular phrases and a regular dictionary as it'll be invaluable when navigating the land, communicating with locals, and ordering food (especially if you have dietary restrictions). A translation app that you can access regardless of WiFi will be a real lifesaver.

3. Advance Refills on Medications
Not all medicines are available OTC and prices may vary. Inform your doctor of upcoming travel plans to order refills in advance. Note: some countries may not even offer sexual health items, so plan birth control and condoms accordingly.

4. Notebook + Pen
Write down all important info rather than scrambling for loose leaf papers. Keep it all in one place - hotel details, passport copies, receipts - for easy, organized access and peace of mind should you get lost, misplace your passport, or be faced with an unexpected credit card charge.

5. Backup Phone Plan
Google Voice is free and allows calling, texting, and voicemail to and from America with an internet connection. Skype's low international fees means even $5 is a decent investment. If you can afford it, purchase an international phone, as it doesn't require an internet connection or local phone plan.

Make your trip or move abroad less stressful by purchasing the above items in advance; you'll be especially grateful for them when faced with sticky situations.

Resources: cellularabroad.com, google.com/voice, amazon.com

Everything You Need to Know About Ankara, Turkey

If you're considering moving to Ankara, Turkey, here's a condensed list of everything you need to know from the economy and politics to lifestyle and personal living:

Fun Facts!
Turkey is a first world country with Ankara as its capital. Most people mistakenly assume the capital is Istanbul, but it's simply the most well known city. Bridging Asia and Europe, there is debate on whether Turkey is considered to be part of the Middle East or Eurasia.

Economy
Turkey is a cheap country and has been called "the cheap man's Rome" for good reason. As of this writing, 1 USD = 2.11 TRY (Turkish Lira). Depending on the position, the average Turkish job offers a salary between 1,000-3,000 TRY while physicians earn up to 6,000 TRY. It doesn't seem like much compared to what people earn in the US, but keep in mind that cost of living is cheaper, too.

Lifestyle
6 day work weeks are the norm, with people enjoying tea, smoking, and drinking for recreation. While Turkey is a Muslim country, alcohol is legal, but heavily taxed (Absolut Vodka runs $40 for a $20 bottle) so people prefer to smoke. Pubs, bars, and nightclubs are easy to find. Ankara's ~5 million population + low income means most people ditch the car in favor of walking and taxis.

Popular Areas
Just like LA, there are several smaller cities within Ankara. Popular areas include Tunalı Hilmi (Beverly Drive), Kızılay (DTLA), and GOP (Beverly Hills). Tunalı Hilmi is a long street filled with cafes, groceries, and clothing stores. Kızılay is cheaper and more crowded, so pay extra attention to your surroundings. GOP is a quieter, more upscale area with higher end restaurants and shops.

Environment
Leave your stilettos behind. Ankara is a rustic city built on a hill, so you'll be walking on unsteady, broken ground most of the time. Climate is cold with spring/summer between May-August and fall/winter the rest of the year. Extreme weather changes - from hail to sun - are not uncommon.

Politics
Despite being a first world country, government corruption does exist. Be aware that there is voter fraud and rigged elections. People are not afraid to protest for gay rights or against police hostility either; watch crowds when in seedier areas and be prepared to turn around if you sense an uprising.

Healthcare
Turkish citizens enjoy national healthcare but foreigners are recommended to purchase international health insurance before traveling abroad or check with their current providers about international coverage. Pharmacies can be found on every block with some medications (e.g. insulin, blood pressure) available without a prescription but dosage may vary.

Your Life in Ankara
$1,000 per month will cover all basic living expenses plus fun extras; the trick is to avoid Turkey's low wages by securing a telecommute job based in the US. There are slight differences between the Turkish and English alphabets but characters are largely the same. Homelessness is more common and I sadly recommend not donating to individual beggars as they will heckle you in the future.

Hopefully you found this list helpful and are better equipped to make a decision on whether or not Ankara is the place for you!

How You Can Travel & Live Abroad

After living in 3 countries in 12 months, people have asked how to figure out the logistics of moving internationally. Here are 4 steps you can take when preparing to travel and live abroad:

Step 1: Research

Always begin by reading the Wikipedia entry on your desired country of residence. There you'll find answers on climate, history, culture, transportation, politics, cuisine, popular areas, and more. While Wikipedia isn't perfect, it's a great place to start since you'll get answers from a wide variety of people.

Check your social circles to see if anyone you know is already familiar with the country: extended family, Facebook friends, coworkers, classmates, LinkedIn connections, favorite cafe baristas, and acquaintances. Ask them about the economy, laws, and cultural norms. Bonus: Google Image photos and video tours to see professional & informal views of the city's layout & get a better feel for the surroundings.

Engage with locals online through expat forums, IRC channels, and subreddits. Ask them about cost of living, how to overcome any language barriers, cultural concepts of personal space, and useful websites. You may be able to find a cost of living calculator online as well.
Resources: expat forums, cost of living calculators, wikipedia.com, reddit.com/r/IWantOut

Step 2: Obtain a Visa

Once you've decided on your country, check out the requirements on how to obtain a visa on the embassy's website. As a US citizen, this will generally be an easy process for you, but it's still important to look into the details- types and duration of visas offered, documents required to apply, as well as application and related fees. Typically you'll be given a tourist visa upon entry & will be able to apply for a long-term tourist visa, student visa, work visa, or residence visa after arriving.

Still have questions? Locate the closest embassy to you and contact them with a list of prepared questions. If they don't answer by phone, drop by in person with writing materials to jot down the answers, but leave electronics at the door as they're generally not allowed.
Resources: local embassy, embassy website

Step 3: Find a Job

If you plan to work abroad, search "[country] job sites" to find the most relevant job boards. Depending on the country's regulations, foreigners may be excluded from some professions - consult the embassy for more details. Bonus: Check LinkedIn for Recruiters in your new country, view their profile, and send them a brief message outlining your background/experience with a request for help finding a position, guidance on where to search and tips on applying.

Telecommuting is another great option, especially if you're in web dev or marketing. Monstergulf, dice, dubizzle, and elance (per project) are some starting points. Telecommuterjobs.net aggregates all USA telecommute positions from craigslist onto one website. Craigslist applies worldwide as well.
Resources: monstergulf.com, dice.com, dubizzle.com, elance.com, telecommuterjobs.net, craigslist.org, reddit.com/r/IWantOutJobs, expatworkforce.com, expatnetwork.com

Step 4: Socialize

You've landed! Time to get out there and explore the world. Meet and make friends with other expats. Begin your search with "meet expats in [city/country]. You're likely not the first expat in that country - search for existing communities, meetups, and events!

And remember, you moved here for a reason. Explore the city, communicate with locals, and create a routine to feel more settled. Bonus: frequent the same cafes and groceries once you hit your groove to at least see some familiar faces while you're in the process of making new friends.
Resources: meetup.com, expat.meetup.com, internations.org, expatfriends.com


Whew! There's everything I wish I had known prior to moving abroad. Globalization is really happening, and the internet is making it easier. Bonus: simply search "how to become an expat" to learn more from other people's experiences.

5 International Traveling Tips

We moved from Dubai, UAE to Ankara, Turkey on 08 March 2014. Although we were relatively prepared, there were a few points we missed. Here's some tips on international traveling:

1. Exchange Currency Prior to Departure
It's easier to change currency prior to leaving as the new country may not convert your money. When in doubt, always convert to USD and then you can change it to local currency as needed.

2. Pack Smart
Regardless of the climate, pack for 4 seasons since weather can't be perfectly predicted. "Dubai is a desert, I don't need winter clothes," I naively thought. A light jacket, heavy jacket, and pair of rain boots will take you a long way.

3. Double Check Airline Baggage Allowances
Not all flights allow one checked bag and one carry-on per person. We assumed US airline regulations would apply as we left Dubai, and the assumption cost us $300 in baggage fees. Ouch.

4. Research Privacy Laws
Seriously. Not all countries are like the US and it's incorrect to assume you'll retain all US privileges when traveling abroad. The US might not care if you have porn on your computer but if the country you're traveling to does, it's better to delete it than potentially face fines or jail sentences upon arrival. Begin your search at your local embassy's website and contact them for more resources.

5. Learn a Little Language
You don't have to be fluent, but knowing words like "yes", "no", "I don't speak [language]", "Do you speak English", "please", "excuse me", "left", "right", "my apologies", "no problem", "stop", and "wait" will help you immensely. English is the international language of business, yes, but not all countries speak English. Write down your hotel's address and phone number to at least ensure you can get back home.

These were the most important lessons I've learned so far from traveling internationally. Did I miss any other important tips for traveling abroad? Let me know in the comments!

24

What is life?

Yesterday I turned 24 years old. It's strange to think that I've been alive for nearly a quarter of a century. When I see friends getting accepted into prestigious PhD programs, going through grad school or medical school, I feel like I'm just drifting along, coasting through life without any real concrete plan. 

Realistically, I know I've accomplished a lot in terms of personal development but I feel like I haven't done much at all. Maybe I compare myself to my friends who are pursuing higher education and think "I should have done that". As I sit here writing this, I'm considering pursuing a Masters in Marketing or MBA for no other reason than school makes me feel like I'm "doing something" when the truth is we all do different things depending on what's right for us. 

Life is what we make of it, and I'm doing the best I can.

Top 3 Luxuries You'll Miss From LA

While I obviously miss my friends and family, here are the top 3 luxuries you'll miss in Dubai:

1. Fast Food

The abundance of cheap, quality fast food restaurants like Chipotle, In N Out, and Panda Express will leave you homesick and hungry. While major fast food joints like McDonalds are around, local fast food is mediocre at best and disappointing at worst. 

-But, the lack of quality fast food has been replaced by the abundance of delivery. Mcdonalds, Wendy's, and Which Wich all deliver! The joys of answering the door in my pajamas battles against the joys of American fast food. 

2. Toilet Seat Covers in Public Restrooms

Yes, I know these don't actually protect against anything & I can lay down some toilet paper if I'm a prim little princess, but I still don't want to put my bare bum where yours was only seconds ago! Thank goodness The Cheesecake Factory (TCF) at Mall of the Emirates is considerate enough to not inconvenience my pampered ass.

-However, these have been semi-replaced with bidets. Bidets are French washbasins located inside restrooms used to rinse any residue. Rather than a full bidet to squat over, though, most public areas offer the hose & handle for aiming and space conservation.

3. Free Water

Gone are the days of ordering free tap water along with your meal. Tap water here is considered unsuitable for drinking so you have to pay for bottled water at restaurants (TCF charges $6).

-Buying bottled water from supermarkets though is surprisingly cheap, though. Most bottled water found in LA supermarkets ranges between $1-$3 whereas it ranges between $0.25-$1 in Dubai. 

It's obviously not unbearable, but these three alone are enough to make you homesick.