Au Pairs From Turkey

Turkey is a country that spans across both Europe and Asia and therefore its culture has many different influences. Although they're influenced by modernization in Western cultures, they also desire to maintain traditional religious and historical values. You and your children will love learning common cultural aspects of Turkish life while hosting an au pair from this nation. And you can expect that au pairs enrolling in the program will have a strong desire to learn about American culture and integrate into your family life.

Children are at the center of Turkish families and are rarely put in daycares or nurseries. Mothers and other family members usually care for children. So, as you can imagine, most Turkish au pairs will have ample experience from regular babysitting opportunities, as they often care for relatives like siblings, nephews, nieces and cousins.

EurAupair has been connecting American families with au pairs from around the globe for 30 years. We know you'll love your experience with one of our extraordinary live-in au pairs from Turkey.

General Facts About Turkey

When you and your family host an au pair from Turkey, you'll get to learn fascinating facts about this diverse nation, such as:

• 73 million people are living in Turkey today.
• 13 million of these hail from the capital city Istanbul.
• Many languages are spoken, not just Turkish. This includes Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian and Greek.
• The idea of being an au pair is a common one in Turkey as many young people relish the chance to improve their English and travel.
• Turkish life is energetic and extremely family-oriented.
• Being an au pair improves potential job opportunities when they return home.

Family Life and Children in Turkey

Turkish families greatly value children, and Turkish couples have on average two to three children. About a fourth of all households include extended families, but the majority include only the nuclear family. Even so, close extended family members will often be living very nearby.

Turkish children tend to leave the parental household rather late, although it depends on whether they attend post-secondary schools and where. Some of the Turkish universities, especially the technical ones, tend to compare with Western European and North American universities.

Driving Skills

The minimum driving age is 18 years old in Turkey. To obtain a driver’s license, a written and practical exam is required. Driving in Turkey can be quite chaotic, so you can expect your Turkish au pair to be very aware of the surroundings, such as inattentive drivers or pedestrians. It is always recommended that you discuss your driving needs with au pairs during the interview process.

Education

The educational system is not unlike what we find in the U.S. These schools are free and mandatory for both boys and girls for 12 years. The school year starts in September and then goes on until June. Although Turkish is taught as the primary language, students also have opportunities to study other languages, like English.

Once they have completed their compulsory education, many go on to university. However, only 20 percent of these students are female. Other women study certificate programs, enter the workforce or get married and start a family. Those who become au pairs relish the opportunity for the educational advances the program provides.

Communication and Language Skills

Learning a foreign language is mandatory in Turkish schools. English is the main language taught, followed by French, German or Spanish. Some universities also ask for an additional year of English preparatory study to be completed before the start of studies, unless an exemption examination is passed.

You may find that Turkish people need less personal space than Americans, as they're used to touching more. A common way to politely say no in Turkey is to lay their palm on their chest. They may also make a "tsk" sound, raise their eyebrows or tilt their head back to assert a negative response.

Religion

The most prevalent religion in Turkey is Islam. However, many young people do not practice this regularly. Much like American culture, your au pair may not feel uncomfortable discussing religion or politics until they know you better, as these tend to be sensitive subjects.

Diet

If you've ever heard of kebab or baklava, then you know that Turkish food is well-known throughout the world. The foundation of their meals is grain, vegetables and grilled meats. Although your Turkish au pair will probably not be a vegetarian, those from this country usually do not eat pork.

Hosting a Turkish Au Pair

When you contact EurAupair to find a Turkish au pair, we happily assist you in determining which of our applicants you may wish to interview to become a part of your family.

If you're ready to embark on an unforgettable cultural experience your family will always remember, contact us today to find out more about applying.