A kids’ eye view of living in Turkey

Lara: “People here are very helpful and like visitors, unlike in Belgium. In Belgium, however, people are more interested in sports, and it’s normal to go skiing, play tennis or go horse riding. That’s because the weather is so bad there that they get bored staying at home and have to find something to do.”

Atam: “I like it when it’s hot, very hot, here as then we go swimming. I also like the religion, as it says everyone has to be nice to each other, so people are. I also like kebab and İzmir eritme. In Germany I like it when the forests are covered in snow; it’s like a scene from a fairytale. I like seeing all the different wild animals, too, such as deer, wild boar, rabbits, ducks and geese; you can eat them too. I also like the architecture, such as pyramid-shaped buildings.”

Anastasia: “People look much happier here than people in St Petersburg, where they’re gloomy because of the grey weather. I also feel safe in Turkey as there aren’t many criminals here. I’m not scared of people here. We go to Russia in the summer and stay in our summerhouse near a forest; I love the countryside and animals there. I also love Russian food.”

Tolga: “I like Turkey’s wonderful and rich history and culture which includes many different subjects and covers anything really from the ancient Greeks to the wonderful Mediterranean hospitality. There are many things I like about the Netherlands, such as its multicultural culture and the cultural tolerance that has created, although that’s unfortunately changing.”

And what would they change if they could?

Atam: “We need more good schools in Turkey. In Germany I’d stop unemployment benefits because it de-motivates people; if people know they will get money from the state if they don’t work then they won’t make an effort at school or try to get a job.”

Anastasia: “I’d like to see all the cockroaches in Turkey exterminated. In Russia I’d like to change the climate, as it’s very cold there, and also reduce crime.”

Tolga: “I would like an end to the abuse of animals and nature; every day you see a man or woman somehow abusing a street animal here, which I find sad. In Holland I’d like to see a partial return of childhood innocence; sometimes I watch the Dutch news and get quite upset when I hear about people my age who get hospitalized for drinking too much alcohol.”

And just where are you from?

Lara: “My name isn’t a problem as my parents chose it because it works in both Dutch and Turkish. I tell people I’m from Ankara and that my mother is from Belgium. I feel proud that my mother is Belgian. I speak Dutch with my mum, Turkish with dad and Turkish or Dutch with my younger brother. I feel most myself when I’m speaking Turkish. I argue in Turkish with Turks, my dad and my brother but only in Dutch with my mum.”

Atam: “My mum wanted to call me ‘Louis’ but my dad chose ‘Atam’ because we live in Turkey. I wouldn’t change my name: ‘Atam’ is my name and that’s who I am. In Turkey I say that I’m German and in Germany I say that I’m Turkish. I’m proud of both sides of my family. My father’s family is from all over the Ottoman Empire and includes Turks, Greeks, Libyans and Saudi Arabians. On my mother’s side there are Germans, French, Italians and Greeks. I speak German with my brother and mum and Turkish or German with my dad. I’m most comfortable speaking Turkish even though my German is better. Turkish is more fun than German as you can tell better jokes with it. As Turks show their emotions more than Germans do, I also feel freer when speaking Turkish.”

Anastasia: “I have a Turkish and a Russian name: ‘Deniz’ and ‘Anastasia.’ Turks call me ‘Deniz’, Russians call me ‘Nastya’ and everyone else calls me ‘Anastasia.’ I like my Russian name best because ‘Deniz’ reminds me of ‘Dennis the Menace.’ I speak Russian with my mum and brother and Turkish with my father and stepfather. I feel different when I’m speaking Turkish or Russian because people call me different names: when I hear ‘Deniz’ I feel Turkish and it reminds me that I’m not just Russian. If I’m arguing, I use words from both Russian and Turkish to better express myself. In Turkey I say that I’m Russian and in Russia I say that I’m Turkish. I’m proud that there was a princess in my mother’s family.”

Tolga: “I’m happy my parents chose ‘Tolga’ because I now fit in with the Turkish community and it’s also easy for foreigners. My mum told me I don’t have a Dutch name because she doesn’t like them! I generally say I’m half Dutch, half Turkish, but not always in that order. If I’m in a rush and in Turkey, I just say that I’m Turkish. At home I speak Dutch with my mother and Turkish with my father; when we’re all together, I generally speak Turkish. With English-speakers I speak English; with half-Turkish friends I mostly speak Turkish but sometimes Dutch with my half-Dutch, half-Turkish friends and with Dutch friends I always speak Dutch.”

A bright future

Lara: “I’ll be living in Belgium because it’s different there. I’d like to be a vet when I grow up. I’m not thinking of getting married and having kids but if I do, we’ll live in Belgium -- or somewhere else outside Turkey, in America maybe -- and have a summerhouse in Turkey.”

Atam: “I’ll be based in Turkey because Germany is too cold and it rains too much there. As I like dinosaurs I want to become a paleontologist. As there are no dinosaur fossils here, I’ll work in Mexico because there are lots there. I’m not sure whether I’ll get married but if I do, and if I have children, then I’ll bring them up in Turkey as my family is here and I like it here.”

Anastasia: “I’ll still be in Turkey because I love it here. As I’d like to get married and have two kids, Turkey will also be a good place to bring up my kids. I want to become a journalist -- I have two friends who are journalists -- as I’d like to share knowledge and information with others and I’d also like to travel. I’ll write in Turkish, Russian and English. I’d also like to learn another language, such as French or Italian, and I might also write in that language. I might also have a second job as a dance teacher.”

Tolga: I’m not planning on staying in Antalya. I’d like to study acting and psychology at Oxford University and then stay in England to get an acting career started. If that works out, I’d then move to New York to audition for Broadway, films or television. If that works out, I think I’d try and move to Beverly Hills! At some point I’d like to work for the Royal Shakespeare Company. If my acting career turns out to be a flop, I’d always have my psychology degree to fall back on. Having a family will be quite important to me; I’d like two children of my own and to adopt two [one from Africa and one from the Far East]. I’ll always be grateful to Turkey, the Netherlands and my school and also to my parents and school for sharing their knowledge of many cultures with me.”