Many parents shy away from the idea of moving to Turkey because they fear that it will be detrimental to their children’s lives and education. Many decide to postpone their move until the kids are of an age where they can support themselves. Some parents express concerns over the religious differences, others over the perceived lack of amenities for children compared to those available in the West. Yet emigrating to Turkey for kids of all ages is a positive and worthwhile event, which studies into the affects of immigration on children show will expand their horizons, social skills and academic qualifications.Life in the West
Life in the Western world tends to centre on school life and organised activities like swimming or football classes, dancing and music clubs. Many parents work full time with no choice but to leave their kids in institutional care like crèches and after school clubs. Weekends may be taken up with ‘quality time’ with Mum and Dad overcompensating for the time they have been unable to give during the working week. This may include lavish days out to local entertainment centres or a trip to a zoo or interactive museum. In comparison to Turkish children, kids in the West have it all in terms of material things; with everything from PSP’s to Wii’s and their own laptop computers. They are label conscious fashionistas with their own allowances. This advantaged, but artificial lifestyle has lead to a lack of family time and decreases in freedom. Children do not roam free anymore, their lives are structured and creativity stifled. Parents have become so safety conscious that playing in the street or wandering down to the local shop is too dangerous to consider.
Life in Turkey
Life for kids in Turkey will give your child a greater degree of freedom. Life here revolves around the outdoors. Turkish children are far more independent because they live in a environment safe enough to allow them to walk to the village shop unaccompanied, turn up at friends houses unannounced, play outside when it is getting dark and build secret camps in trees and deserted houses. Instead of structured activities they enjoy activities from forty years ago like climbing trees, picking fruit, playing with animals and helping their parents and grandparents around the home. They do not need excessive amounts of toys and they are not confined to the house for long periods because of bad weather. Considering a Move with Your Kids
A move abroad is stressful and unsettling for all involved no matter how much you want to do this. Children will find it hard to say goodbye to friends and family, but it may not dawn on them until they are finally in Turkey that they are not able to see these people often. On arrival in Turkey, they have no ready made set of friends and communication is difficult because of the language barrier. The best thing to do is fix them up with a private language tutor who gives lessons each day to get them ready for the school system. It may take your child around six months to settle in to their new Turkish life. If your child is of pre-school age, they may not need private tuition, enrolling them into the local kindergarten, will be enough for them to pick up the language through play. It is wise to build up the hours they spend in kindergarten gradually. The Effects of an Expat Life on Your Kids
A study by Organization Resources Counsellors Inc states that kids who move abroad generally grow up to be ‘perceptive, articulate, interesting, and diversity-embracing adults.’ Living in another country amidst a different culture is a positive, life changing, yet enriching experience.
It is an experience that makes them culturally more aware. They will easily become bilingual and the opportunities to travel and experience the idiosyncrasies of a different life from its music to its religious differences. Many people worry that Turkey is predominantly Muslim and that this will adversely affect their children’s view of the world. However, Turkish Muslims are mainly Sunni Muslims, which can not be associated with the fanatical Muslims who make media headlines and tar the religion with bad impressions. Turkey is a Republic run along the same lines as other Western countries with a democratic system and voting rights. On top of this its aim to become an EU member state is more likely to occur in the near future than most people care to admit and this too will have positive advantages for the country.
Living abroad also brings increased confidence. Part of this growth comes with the ability to learn a new language; expat children of all ages take pride in this accomplishment and it has a knock on effect in their learning of other subjects. It really doesn’t matter what age your kids are when you decide to move to Turkey. One thing is certain, they will adapt to the experience and they will benefit from it.
