Why You Should Intern in Turkey
If you’re looking to make moves in your career aspirations, why not try working somewhere other than your own country—like Turkey? A lively location where East meets West, and packed with culture and incredible opportunities, Turkey is a great place to gain work experience for young professionals.
Dive into a world where you can grow professionally, find your passion, and have an unforgettable adventure. Find an internship that mixes work, learning, and fun in one of the most amazing destinations on earth.
Let’s explore the best reasons to intern in Turkey and find out why this is an excellent option for you.
12 Reasons to Intern Abroad in Turkey
Interning abroad is an incredibly rewarding and beneficial experience. There are so many places across the globe to pick from, but here, our focus is Turkey.
Interning in Turkey can give your career a boost while also allowing time to explore this amazing country. From bustling bazaars to stunning coastlines and a work culture that’s as warm as their famous Turkish tea, Turkey is the perfect spot to grow your skills.
1. Cultural Richness and Diversity
Turkey is right in between Europe and Asia, meaning you’ll get the best of both worlds. Interning abroad is an incredible idea, but doing it in this multicultural hotspot is an even better one! This country is home to a crazy mix of traditions and history, giving you insight into an incredibly rich culture.
From the Byzantine grandeur of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, interns can experience a spectrum of cultural influences. Picture exploring Istanbul’s epic historic sites by day and cultural experience by night.
As an intern here, you’ll be able to soak up so many different cultures, offering you a new perspective and understanding of the world.
2. Wide Range of Opportunities
Turkey’s got a bit of everything going on in its economy—from buzzing tourism and traditional agriculture to manufacturing gigs and cutting-edge technology.
As an intern, you’ll have tons of opportunities to dive into different experiences, whether you’re sticking to your area of study or want to try something new. It’s a great way to bulk up your resume and get an idea of what’s out there in the professional world.
3. Strategic Geographic Location
Turkey is the ultimate spot for getting the inside scoop on both European and Asian business worlds because of its unique geographical location. Interns gain exposure to international business practices and are able to speak to peers from various cultural backgrounds. You’ll stand out to future employers in the job market with your diverse and global experience!
4. Language Skills and Communication
If the language barrier is the reason why interning in Turkey intimidates you, don’t stress! While Turkish is the official language, many business environments in Turkey operate in English.
Why not take advantage of the opportunity to improve your own language skills and pick up some Turkish while you’re here? It’ll make your whole experience more authentic and boost your communication game big time.
5. Affordable Cost of Living
When it comes to financial planning and going abroad, it can make anyone nervous, but budgeting in Turkey doesn’t have to be stressful. Turkey is pretty wallet-friendly, especially compared to a lot of countries in the West.
This affordability extends to accommodation, food, and transportation, making it easier for interns to manage expenses and explore the country’s landscapes instead! That means you can save your cash for checking out all the cool sights and taking in the country’s awesome history and scenery without stressing about money.
6. Vibrant Work Culture
In Turkey, the work culture is a mix of chill and formal, with a big focus on making connections. As an intern, you’ll find yourself in a warm and hospitable work environment where getting to know people is key. It’s all about building strong work relationships and networking with everyone, this will undoubtedly lead to new doors opening for your career.
7. Educational Partnerships and Support
Many universities and international education organizations have partnered with institutions of higher learning in Turkey, so whether you’re still pursuing a degree or not, there will be plenty of internship programs available to you.
They’ve got your back with everything from mentorship to accommodation. They even have cool activities to help you successfully experience Turkish culture! It’s a great option for those students who want to get more out of their time in school.
8. Access to New and Emerging Markets
Interning in Turkey is like getting a front row seat to see how up-and-coming markets work. This useful hands-on experience is exactly what you need. The country’s economy is on the rise, and it’s a big player in regional trade.
So, as an intern, you’ll get to see all the action up close, dealing with challenges that help you develop your own problem-solving skills. You will have some great opportunities in Turkey’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.
9. Historical and Archaeological Wonders
Turkey is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and archaeological treasures, making it a dream destination for an internship. If you’re into history and archaeology, or just love soaking up different cultures, this is a great backdrop for you to explore those passions.
This rich historical context adds a little something to your internship experience, turning it into an educational adventure!
10. Thriving Art and Cultural Scene
Turkey’s art and culture scene is buzzing with life! With numerous galleries, museums, festivals, and performances, you have to check out the vibrant atmosphere.
If you intern in Turkey, you get to engage with the locals, soak up some creative inspiration, and really develop a deeper appreciation for Turkey’s cultural and artistic contributions.
11. Networking and career advancement
The network that you create throughout your internship is vital for developing your future. Participating in this internship will open up tons of opportunities for you to meet new, like-minded peers, friends, and professionals.
You can meet and mingle with organizations, which might just lead to a job or even some cool projects down the line. Don’t underestimate the power of connections—get the most out of your experience and build that network!
12. Personal Growth and Adventure
The number one reason why you should intern in Turkey is because it’s going to be great for you! Living and working in a new country can be intimidating, but it’s a fantastic way for you to grow and possibly even find yourself along the way.
In Turkey, you can do everything from hiking in the mountains to sailing along the coast, giving you plenty of chances to push your limits and boost your confidence. It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone, finding what makes you happy, and diving into some adventures!
Next Steps to Intern Abroad in Turkey
Now that you know the reasons to intern in Turkey, you’re ready for the next big thing. There are plenty of cool ways to intern abroad, but there are some general guidelines to help you get started.
Don’t be afraid to commit to an internship program and prepare for the process. Make sure to keep these steps in mind so you can enjoy a stress-free and successful transition!
1. Choose the Right Program
You’re in luck! There are tons of internship programs in Turkey, so you’ll have the chance to search through a variety of unique options. Identify internship programs that align with your career goals and interests.
If you’re interested in the medical field, teaching English, or just want to spend a summer working in a hotel, there are programs for you! You might be worried about how to get accepted into an internship, but be confident in yourself and your abilities, and you’ll be fine.
2. Visa and Legal Requirements
Applying for a visa can be confusing, so understanding Turkey’s unique legal requirements is vital! Your program will most likely provide you with specific information or guide you through the process, but researching on your own beforehand won’t hurt.
You will have to contact the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country for the most up-to-date information; make sure to start this process ASAP after being accepted into your program!
3. Logistics, Budgeting, and Accommodation
Think about what you want your experience to be like. When do you want to intern abroad, and for how long? What are your housing options, and does this fit into your budget?
There are so many benefits to interning in a foreign country, but that also means you have to consider things like housing, transportation, and finances. Consider factors like commuting time, local amenities, and community when choosing your arrangements.
You will have plenty of time to figure this stuff out, so have fun customizing your personal experience!
4. Cultural Preparation
The last step is to prepare yourself for a possible culture shock.
If you’ve never been to Turkey before, you might be feeling excited or maybe even concerned about the cultural differences. Try to familiarize yourself with Turkish customs, etiquette, and basic language skills before your departure in order to ease your nerves.
Being respectful and educated will help you have a successful transition and enhance your interactions with locals!
Interning in Turkey is not just your first step in career development, but it’s an adventure of personal and cultural growth.
You will be given a unique opportunity to blend professional aspirations with living abroad. You are also able to explore one of the world’s most historically and culturally rich countries and will walk away with an unforgettable resume and memories.
Complete Guide to Turkish Visa Application
When applying for a work visa, the processing of your application may last for 25 working days. You can track the status of your application at their website.
To apply for a visa to enter Turkey, you will need to complete some procedures. You should make sure you complete all of them correctly, in the given order. If you mistake even a thing, your application may be rejected, which can also affect any future applications.
Before you start taking concrete steps, you should first find out a few things, regarding the Turkey visa application in your home country. First, ask yourself if you need a visa at all. If you do, then continue reading this article for more information.
- Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for.
- Find out when is the right time to apply.
- Check where to submit your Turkey visa application.
- Collect the required documents.
- Submit the application
- Wait for processing
Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for
There are a few Turkish Visa types, for which you can apply. The main thing that you need to know is whether you can apply for an e-visa or a sticker visa.
Note that according to the purpose of traveling to Turkey you will need to select one of the following main Turkish visa types:
- Turkish Tourist/Business Visa: You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of your trip to Turkey is transit, touristic visit, business meeting/commerce, conference/seminar/meeting, festival/fair/exhibition, sportive activity, cultural-artistic activity, official visit, or visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- Turkish Education Visa: You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of the application is for doing an internship, attending a course or other educational purposes, in Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- Turkey Work Visa: You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of your trip to Turkey is employment, or you are an assigned academic, sportsperson, artist, free zone worker, journalist to Turkey or for montage and repairman purposes.
- Other Visas. You may as well apply for other visas that do not fall under the ones listed above, as: archaeological excavation, exploration purpose, documentary purpose, tour operator representative, medical treatment purposes, accompaniment purpose, family unification purpose, freight visa, or seafarer visa.
For more details about the Transit visa for Turkey and the Turkish residence permits click here.