Indonesian Expat Living in Turkey - Interview with Dian

Dian is a Mother (and housewife), an Indonesian author, blogger, ghost writer, Graphic & Web Designer, online Turkish-Language-teacher. Since April 2005, she is living in Alanya, Turkey as she married with a Turkish man. So, the now chapter of her life is Long Vacation in Alanya.

Already publish a duet traveling book about "Best of Turki" in Indonesian Language. Dian's expat blog is called Alanya, Turkish Riviera, Turkiye (see listing here)

Here's the interview with Dian...

Where are you originally from?
Indonesia

In which country and city are you living now?
Alanya, Turkey

How long have you lived in Turkey and how long are you planning to stay?
I am living here since April 2005. How long I will live here is depend on my husband. If my husband work in other country, so I must follow him.

Why did you move to Turkey and what do you do?
I move to Turkey because I am married with Turkish man.

Did you bring family with you?
No

How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
I had to adapt to the local culture. I must learn the local language, in this case Turkish language. And of course I had to adapt to the Turkish food. I must learn to cook the food, and I learn it from my mother-in-law.

I learn the language by myself, I didn't go to the language course. Now, I am teaching Turkish language by online.

Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
It is easy after I can speak Turkish. Yes I do socialise with other expats.

What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
The best thing to do are to have shopping in Friday market, to have walk at the harbour, to see the best landscape of Alanya from the peak (Tepe).

What do you enjoy most about living in Turkey?
Enjoying the best landscape of Alanya from my home. It seems that I am in a vacation everytime I see the fabulous landscape of Alanya. That makes the now chapter of my life is a long vacation in Alanya.

How does the cost of living in Turkey compare to home?
Expensive

What negatives, if any, are there to living in Turkey?
For me, I don't like the weather that very extreme hot in summer.

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to Turkey, what would it be?
Alanya can be good for spending old days. Because many old people from Europe who buy house in Alanya and they lived here for spending their old days.

What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Adapt to the weather is the hardest aspect for me.

When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I haven't think about that. But when I finally return home, it means I must adapt to my home again.

What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?

1. Learn the language is a must.
2. Adapt to the local food.
3. Learn to cook the local food.
4. Adapt to the weather.
5. Socialise with the local people.

Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
My blog is about the place where I am living now and about my daily live.

How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
http://twitter.com/tomoko_dian

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