[Expat profile] Life beyond the obvious

“In my search for a place other than cold and wet Holland to build my life, I’d travelled through Australia and New Zealand and also visited many places in Europe,” Annelies explains. “As soon as the plane landed in Antalya back in 2004 -- my first visit to Turkey -- I knew this was where I wanted to be. I gave myself five years to make moving to Antalya a reality and started preparations. Organization does come easily to me. I’ve always worked in supporting roles, such as management assistant and office manager, and even as a student, I was president of a union for exchange students. In fact, I’ve always been organizing!” She’s now in her 30s, but why did she choose provincial Antalya over trendy İstanbul? “Antalya’s a warm place, both because of the people and the climate,” she points out. “The view of the mountains and being so close to the sea give me a sense of freedom and space; it’s the right place for me at this time.”

How did she prepare herself for life abroad? “I had a vague idea of what to expect culturally,” she says. “Even though I was aware of the stereotypes of Turkish people, I paid no attention. I believe that if you’re open and willing to communicate with the people of your host country, even if you have to mime, then stereotypes disappear; that leaves just the ‘types.’ I did read a biography of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to understand more about the background of the country. Everything else, the little things, I’ve learned here. I have to keep explaining to friends in Holland that we really have more in common than we realize, with similar priorities.” Four years later, in 2008, she did a trial run and stayed in a holiday home near Serik for three months to see how life in Turkey would be for her. “I wanted to answer questions such as: Would I be able to adapt? Would the locals accept me? Would I be able to master the language?” she explains.

The next step was to find a way to support herself here. “I did a TEFL course thinking I would make a living as a teacher,” she remarks. However, things turned out differently. “While I was in Antalya, I was asked to help out in a company specializing in dental tourism. Back in Holland, I realized that some areas of the business could be improved, such as improving aftercare, and decided to start my own company, EatingApples.nl. I help foreigners find high quality dental treatment in Antalya for much better prices than ‘back home.’ An implant in Western Europe will cost around 2,800 euros whereas in Antalya, at ‘my’ dentist, that costs just 1,000 euros. I also look after clients while they’re here.”

Working for a Tu company is a bonus

Despite having the TEFL under her belt, Annelies decided to find another way to support herself while her company expands. “A friend told me about a job at a construction company, but I was initially very skeptical,” she says. “I’d heard too many scare stories about how working conditions in Turkey can be very different to those in Holland, such as being expected to work long hours for little pay with no work permit. Then I came round to the idea and decided to give it a try. It’s turned out well, and not only are all my papers in order, but they also pay me the amount we agreed on, on time. They even helped me move house. That just shows you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

Working with Turks at a Turkish company has dispelled a few other misconceptions as well, as she explains: “The biggest surprise to me is that everything about the company is open and honest: the prices are displayed on the website with no hidden commissions. The company doesn’t work with real estate agents; they build and sell their own apartments and maintain them. Another surprise is the thought they’ve put into the after-sale care they offer: There’s a pick-up service from the airport, they can help furnish an apartment and they’ve even realized that foreigners will probably need help opening bank accounts and registering for water and electricity bills. They even offer to help with matters related to residence permits. Perhaps it has something to do with the team -- all women working together. I feel very fortunate being able to work in a service-oriented company here.”

She’s also learning about customs, traditions and attitudes firsthand and gaining insight into everyday life in Turkey that many foreigners don’t have. “We also have to talk about the food at work,” insists Annelies. “We have a hot lunch every day whereas back in Holland lunch consists of a cheese sandwich. Our ‘Lady of the Kitchen’ is an absolute angel with food; she also helps me with my Turkish since we have no other means of communication.” It’s not just the cook who’s helping her with the language, she explains: “Learning Turkish wasn’t a top priority until I started working in an office. Not everyone speaks English here, of course, and in order to communicate, I do my best to speak Turkish. At this rate, I’ll be fluent in the next six months.”

Mixed blessing of being a single Dutch woman

Annelies lives on her own and, in Dutch fashion, goes everywhere by bicycle. Does she ever feel afraid? “I think being a woman living alone is the same everywhere: you have to be aware of what’s happening around you when you’re outside, day or night,” she emphasizes. “You shouldn’t be stupid or too trusting, and above all, you should trust your gut feeling about someone or a situation. I’ve noticed that there is a difference here in the way people treat me, a single woman, during the day and at night, though. Walking down the street in the evening on your own can be seen as an invitation of some kind. Having said that, as I used to live in one of the most dangerous places in The Hague, I do have a strategy which has gotten me this far: Always wear your hair up, have your keys in your hands, don’t make eye contact and be aware of your surroundings. Riding a bike helps too -- trouble can’t keep up! You do have to be more careful in areas obviously more geared towards tourists, though, as that’s where misunderstandings can occur with local men looking to pick up foreign women. Sometimes I find myself telling Turkish men I’m married to a Turk, just to avoid hassle. In general, I’m safe, free and happy living here on my own as I have good friends who look out for me and my neighbors are great, too,” she notes.

A more positive self image

Despite any problems she may encounter as a single woman here, her perception of herself as a woman has changed positively since she moved to Turkey. “Perhaps it has to do with the fact that we spend more time outside here, but I do feel more feminine now,” she observes. “The climate is more inviting than it was in Holland, and through a combination of the heat and humidity and no air conditioning in the summer, I’ve lost about 15 kilograms over the past year. Riding my bike everywhere may have helped a bit!”

 So is being Dutch an advantage or disadvantage for her here? “It’s a mixed blessing,” she emphasizes. “The Dutch are mostly seen as easy going and open and honest. I think adaptability is also a national trait; we expect foreigners in The Netherlands to adapt, so we should do the same here. The downside is that other national traits aren’t so well received, such as the way we tend to be brutally honest. That’s too direct. We also appear impatient and rude. Perhaps we are. … I prefer to see myself as a ‘global local,’ however. The biggest disadvantage of being Dutch in Turkey is the ridiculously huge amount of money we have to pay for a residence permit; Belgians and Germans pay a lot less.”