Share cultures, healthy living & meaningful conversations in a peaceful Istanbul home, Turkey

Infos

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  Description

  Hello and welcome!
  
  I'm Dr. Bobby, an educator, professor, and academic director of an international higher education college based in the UK. I have travelled to more than 80 countries and have a passion for languages, cultures, and meeting people from all walks of life. I can communicate in around 14 languages to different levels, which has made travelling and connecting with people one of the greatest joys of my life.
  
  I've been hosting international volunteers since 2018. I first welcomed volunteers at my school in Sri Lanka, where we worked together on educational and community projects. After moving to Istanbul, I decided to continue hosting by opening my home to travellers who appreciate cultural exchange, healthy living, and a genuine homestay experience.
  
  I live in a modern apartment in a secure residential complex in Istanbul. For me, hosting is far more than exchanging accommodation for help. I genuinely enjoy sharing everyday life, preparing and enjoying healthy meals together, introducing volunteers to local culture whenever possible, exchanging ideas, and spending relaxed evenings over tea or shisha with good conversation.
  
  Outside work, I enjoy going to the gym, travelling, exploring Istanbul, watching films, listening to music, and continuously learning about different cultures. I value honesty, respect, clear communication, and kindness, and I hope to welcome volunteers who enjoy being part of a home, are happy to contribute to daily life, and are looking for a meaningful cultural exchange rather than simply a free place to stay.
  
  I look forward to welcoming you to my home and sharing a memorable experience together.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Vidéographie

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Films et télé

  

  LGBT+

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Photographie

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Langues

  

  Musique

  

  Histoire

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Sports d’hiver

  

  Fitness

  

  Danse
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  For me, hosting has never been simply about exchanging accommodation for a few hours of help. Since 2018, when I first started hosting volunteers at my school in Sri Lanka, my aim has always been to create a genuine cultural exchange where both host and volunteer learn from one another.
  
  Having travelled to more than 80 countries and being passionate about languages, I enjoy meeting people from different cultures, exchanging ideas, sharing travel experiences, and learning how everyday life differs around the world. If you're interested, I'm always happy to help you practise English or other languages, while learning a little of yours in return.
  
  Rather than experiencing Istanbul only as a tourist, you'll have the opportunity to see everyday life from a local perspective. I'll be happy to recommend neighbourhoods, cafés, restaurants and places that many visitors never discover, and whenever possible I'll also introduce you to local friends so you can experience Turkish hospitality beyond the usual tourist attractions.
  
  If you're interested in education, history, travel, different cultures or simply good conversation, we'll always have something to talk about over tea or shisha. I enjoy hearing about other people's lives and sharing stories from my own travels and professional experiences.
  
  You'll also experience a healthy and organised lifestyle. I enjoy cooking nutritious meals, going to the gym, maintaining a clean and welcoming home, and creating daily routines that support both physical and mental well-being.
  
  Above all, I hope you'll leave not only with wonderful memories of Istanbul, but also with a new friendship. Many volunteers I've hosted over the years have stayed in touch long after their visit, and I hope your experience here will be equally enjoyable and memorable.

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  Aide

  WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR
  
  I'm looking for one mature, reliable, honest and independent volunteer who enjoys cooking, appreciates a clean and organised home, and is genuinely interested in cultural exchange and sharing everyday life together.
  
  This follows the standard Workaway arrangement of up to 25 hours per week, leaving you with plenty of free time to explore Istanbul, relax, study or work on your own projects. You'll also have two full days off every week.
  
  Your main responsibilities 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, doing laundry when needed, and maintaining all shared areas to a consistently high standard.
  
  • Occasionally helping with simple household or computer-related tasks if required.
  
  • Occasionally assisting me with simple stretching exercises or light muscle pressing after the gym. No professional experience is required, and I will always explain exactly what is needed.
  
  I'm not looking for perfection. What matters most is someone who enjoys taking responsibility, communicates honestly, and takes pride in doing everyday tasks well.
  
  One of the main reasons I host is because I genuinely enjoy meeting people from different cultures. I hope we'll share meals, exchange travel stories, practise languages, enjoy tea or shisha together, introduce each other to our cultures, and create an experience that feels rewarding for both of us rather than simply an exchange of accommodation for help.
  
  Please only apply if your profile accurately reflects your English level, your experience, and your willingness to carry out the responsibilities described above. Honest communication before arrival helps both of us enjoy a successful and rewarding experience.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Languages are one of my greatest passions. I enjoy learning new languages and sharing the ones I speak with others. I can communicate in around 14 languages to different levels, and I always enjoy helping volunteers practise English or other languages while learning about theirs in return. Language exchange is one of my favourite parts of hosting and cultural exchange.
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  Hébergement

  ACCOMMODATION
  
  You'll have your own comfortable private bedroom in my modern apartment, located in a secure and peaceful residential complex on the European side of Istanbul.
  
  The apartment has reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, making it suitable for remote work, online meetings and studying. As I also teach online from home, I simply ask that the apartment remains quiet during my teaching hours.
  
  In return for your help, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodation, full use of the apartment, and access to the kitchen to prepare our daily meals together.
  
  Shopping malls, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, parks and public transport are all within easy walking distance.
  
  Please note that the gym, swimming pool and other residential facilities within the complex are reserved exclusively for residents and are not accessible to visitors or volunteers.
  
  I take pride in maintaining a clean, comfortable and welcoming home. I simply ask that all shared areas are cleaned after use and treated with the same care and respect as you would your own home.
  
  Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the apartment.

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  Autres infos...

  FREE TIME, LOCAL LIFE & TRANSPORT
  
  One of the great advantages of this placement is that you'll have plenty of free time. Following the standard Workaway arrangement of up to 25 hours per week with two full days off, you'll have ample opportunity to explore Istanbul, relax, study, or work on your own projects.
  
  My apartment is located in a modern and secure residential complex on the European side of Istanbul. Supermarkets, shopping malls, cafés, restaurants, parks, public gyms, pharmacies and all essential amenities are within easy walking distance.
  
  Getting around the city is straightforward. The Metrobus station is nearby and provides one of the fastest ways to travel across Istanbul while avoiding traffic. You can easily reach destinations such as Taksim, Beşiktaş, Mecidiyeköy, Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Kadıköy, and many other parts of the city. Local buses, minibuses (dolmuş) and taxis are also readily available.
  
  Whenever possible, I'm happy to recommend places based on your interests rather than simply suggesting the typical tourist attractions. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, photography, local food, museums, peaceful cafés, scenic walks, shopping, or discovering neighbourhoods that many visitors overlook, I'll gladly share my favourite places and travel tips.
  
  Having travelled to more than 80 countries, I understand what travellers are often looking for beyond the guidebooks. If our schedules allow, we may occasionally explore a neighbourhood together, share a meal, or meet some of my local or international friends, making your experience in Istanbul more personal and memorable.
  
  Above all, I hope you'll leave with a deeper understanding of Istanbul—not only as a visitor, but as someone who has experienced everyday life in the city.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les 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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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

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  Mes animaux

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