MEF International School Izmir
Izmir
Proprietary, Turkish administration, mostly European students
K-12
Most children take long bus rides because the school is located in an industrial zone near the airport, far from the center of Izmir.
The schools facilities are cramped and inadequate. As the school is located in a former factory, the campus leaves a lot to be desired. The school's tiny play areas are not what one would expect in an international school. (In fact the school seems more like a Turkish school with international students.)The classrooms are small and lack resources.
The school has NO league or team sports. The schools community service seems to limited to donating unwanted goods and lost and found articles to poor Turkish schools. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, there are some after school activities, these are arts and crafts activities, and some games that seem more like an extended recess. Parents have suggested the school hire a martial arts expert to for this time, but the school has failed to act on parent requests.
The school has not been honest in what it says it would provide for the students. There is a Turkish lady who teaches English as a second language, but she appears to lack the proper training, experience, and resources. She shows a lot of videos to keep the students occupied and gives them work sheets, it seems like a lot of busy work and not what I would expect from a professional.
The PTA organized a hike to a castle and a lunch at a winery. There are some great parents who really want to make the school a better place, but they seem to have a hard time getting the school administration to listen to them. The principal has been dishonest when parents have asked questions. For example the PTA president asked what books is my child using. He was told that each teacher had a $5,000 budget to buy books. I later talked to a teacher who said her budget was cut to $952.
Visit the school. Talk to the teachers. There are some excellent teachers. Some have international experience, others are retired teachers from Canada that seem rather bitchy and should go back home. There are some teachers that can not communicate with the students. I have been confused when talking with the Host Country Studies teacher. My child can not speak a sentence of Turkish after one year. I can not understand the middle school math teacher.
In meeting with the school owner I felt he did not care about me or the students. The principal has walked out of meetings with parents. I have been very disappointed in the school.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Izmir Index
An index of all of our site's Izmir information.
Turkey Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Turkey on our Turkey forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Turkey by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Turkey.
Expats in Turkey offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Turkey.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what digital nomads & expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Turkey.
An overview of healthcare in Turkey. Topics include: health insurance requirement for residence permit, hospitals in Turkey, quality of medical care and more.
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Izmir Index
An index of all of our site's Izmir information.
Turkey Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Turkey on our Turkey forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Turkey by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Turkey.
Expats in Turkey offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Turkey.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what digital nomads & expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Turkey.
If you're moving to Turkey, read this guide to get advice from expats.living in Turkey about making the move.
Copyright 1997-2022 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.