Share travel stories, cooking, and light house care at a peaceful apartment in Istanbul, Turkey

Details

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  Description

  Hello and welcome!
  
  I'm Dr. Bobby, an educator and academic director of an international higher education college based in the UK. I've been fortunate to travel to more than 80 countries, and meeting people from different cultures has always been one of the most rewarding parts of those journeys.
  
  I now live in a modern apartment in a secure residential complex in Istanbul. After many years of travelling, teaching and hosting people from around the world, I've realised that one of the things I enjoy most is sharing everyday life with travellers from different cultures. For me, hosting is much more than simply providing accommodation. I enjoy good company, interesting conversations, sharing meals, learning about different cultures and creating a relaxed, friendly home.
  
  Outside work, I enjoy going to the gym, healthy living, travelling, listening to music, watching films, exploring Istanbul and relaxing over tea or shisha. If you're friendly, respectful, open-minded and enjoy being part of a home rather than simply looking for a free place to stay, we'll probably get along very well.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Videography

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Movies & TV

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Charity work

  

  Photography

  

  Performing arts

  

  Languages

  

  Music

  

  History

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Winter sports

  

  Fitness

  

  Dancing
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  What volunteers can learn and how they will benefit:
  
  Staying here is about much more than simply exchanging accommodation for a few hours of help. My hope is that you'll leave Istanbul with new experiences, new skills and a new friendship.
  
  Having travelled to more than 80 countries, I genuinely enjoy meeting people from different cultures and exchanging ideas, travel experiences and everyday life. You'll experience life in Istanbul from a local perspective rather than simply as a tourist, and I'll be happy to recommend places, restaurants, cafés and neighbourhoods that many visitors never discover.
  
  If you're interested in education, travel, history, different cultures or simply hearing stories from around the world, we'll have plenty to talk about over tea or shisha in the evenings. I always enjoy learning about my guests' countries and sharing my own experiences in return.
  
  You'll also experience a healthy and organised lifestyle. If you're interested in cooking nutritious meals, going to the gym, building good daily habits or simply enjoying a calm, comfortable home environment, you'll probably feel very much at home here.
  
  Most importantly, I hope you'll feel like a welcomed guest rather than just a volunteer. Many of the people I've hosted over the years have remained friends long after their stay, and I hope your experience here will be just as memorable.

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  Help

  WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR
  
  I'm looking for one mature, reliable, honest and independent volunteer who enjoys cooking, takes pride in cleanliness and appreciates living in a peaceful, organised home.
  
  This placement follows the standard Workaway arrangement of up to 25 hours per week, leaving you with plenty of free time to explore Istanbul, study, relax or work on your own projects. You'll also have two full days off every week.
  
  Your responsibilities during your stay include:
  
  • Preparing healthy lunches and dinners for both of us on a daily basis.
  
  • Keeping the apartment clean, tidy and well organised through regular household cleaning, including vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, washing dishes, taking out the rubbish and maintaining all shared areas to the same high standard throughout your stay.
  
  • Occasionally helping with simple household or computer-related tasks if needed.
  
  I'm not looking for perfection, but I do appreciate someone who genuinely enjoys keeping a home clean and organised, communicates openly and takes responsibility for the tasks they've agreed to do.
  
  One of the main reasons I host is because I enjoy cultural exchange and having another person around the home. I hope we'll share meals, chat over tea or shisha, exchange travel stories, listen to music, watch a film occasionally and enjoy a relaxed, friendly atmosphere together.
  
  Please only apply if your profile accurately reflects your English level, experience and willingness to carry out the responsibilities described above. Honest communication before arrival helps ensure that both of us have an enjoyable experience.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  ACCOMMODATION
  
  You'll have your own comfortable private bedroom in my modern apartment within a secure and peaceful residential complex on the European side of Istanbul.
  
  The apartment has reliable high-speed Wi-Fi suitable for remote work, online meetings and studying. As I also teach online from home, I simply ask for a quiet environment during my teaching hours.
  
  In return for your help, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodation, full use of the apartment and access to the kitchen. Shopping malls, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, parks, gyms and public transport are all within easy walking distance.
  
  I take pride in maintaining a clean, comfortable and welcoming home. I simply ask that shared areas are cleaned after use and treated with the same care and respect as you would your own home.
  
  Smoking is not permitted inside the apartment.

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  What else ...

  FREE TIME, LOCAL SIGHTS & TRANSPORT
  
  One of the great advantages of this placement is that you'll have plenty of free time. With a maximum of 25 hours of help per week and two full days off, you'll have lots of opportunities to discover Istanbul at your own pace.
  
  My apartment is located in a modern, secure residential complex on the European side of the city. Everything you need is within easy reach, including supermarkets, shopping malls, cafés, restaurants, parks, gyms and other everyday amenities.
  
  Getting around Istanbul is easy. The Metrobus station is nearby and operates throughout the day and night, providing one of the fastest ways to reach many parts of the city while avoiding traffic. You can easily travel to places such as Taksim, Mecidiyeköy, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy and many other popular areas. Local buses, minibuses (dolmuş) and taxis are also readily available.
  
  On your days off, you'll have endless opportunities to explore Istanbul's rich history, architecture and culture. Visit famous landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar, take a ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side, spend a relaxing day on the Princes' Islands, or simply enjoy discovering different neighbourhoods, cafés and local markets.
  
  Having travelled extensively myself, I'm always happy to recommend places that match your interests, whether you're looking for history, local food, scenic walks, shopping, photography or simply somewhere to relax away from the crowds.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Digital nomads are very welcome. The apartment has reliable high-speed Wi-Fi suitable for remote work, online meetings and studying. As I also work professionally from home and have online meetings with my staff who work for me, I simply ask for mutual respect regarding noise levels and shared spaces during working hours. This arrangement has worked very well for previous guests and allows both of us to work comfortably. Please keep in mind that this is a volunteer exchange rather than a co-working space. Your agreed volunteer responsibilities should always take priority, with remote work arranged around the agreed schedule.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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