Hello. I've been given an offer from a school just outside of Ankara, but I would like to know more about jobs in Turkey and Turkey in general before deciding.

If you can answer any of these questions, I'd really appreciate it.

1. What must I do to get the proper visa? Rumour has it one can get a visa only from the Turkish embassy in his or her own native country. One can't get it from Turkish embassies elsewhere. Is this true?

2. How long does it take to get the visa?
I've heard it takes several months, minimum.

3. Are airfare reimbursements possible in Turkey?
I'm in Thailand now, a place whose schools don't give reimbursements. I want to avoid these types of places in the future.

4. Are Turkish kids really interested in learning English, or have you been more or less their babysitter during your tenure there?

5. How's the market for GOOD jobs in Istanbul?

6. Can you give me a ballpark figure on the tax rate?

Thanks a bunch.

R747