Istanbul vs Thessaloniki

[Anonymous]

Daughter is thinking of studying abroad there. She is between Istanbul and Thessaloniki Greece. What do you think regarding diff factors? I am leaning towards Istanbul because of safety concern(she is a fair skinned American girl). Not that it makes a difference but I always hear people talk about targets towards Americans when I mention her possibly going to turkey.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Leaning towards Thessaloniki I mean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daughter is thinking of studying abroad there. She is between Istanbul and Thessaloniki Greece. What do you think regarding diff factors? I am leaning towards Istanbul because of safety concern(she is a fair skinned American girl). Not that it makes a difference but I always hear people talk about targets towards Americans when I mention her possibly going to turkey.

There are blonde and pale Turks. They come in all complexions/coloring.

I would be more worried about the political climate in Turkey/Erdogan’s authoritarian ways than being singled out for coloring/being an American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daughter is thinking of studying abroad there. She is between Istanbul and Thessaloniki Greece. What do you think regarding diff factors? I am leaning towards Istanbul because of safety concern(she is a fair skinned American girl). Not that it makes a difference but I always hear people talk about targets towards Americans when I mention her possibly going to turkey.

There are blonde and pale Turks. They come in all complexions/coloring.

I would be more worried about the political climate in Turkey/Erdogan’s authoritarian ways than being singled out for coloring/being an American.

Op here. Would it be unsafe for a girl walking around Istanbul compared to greece? And what is specifically going wrong politically besides fears of terror attacks etc

[Anonymous]

Blonde hair woman here - traveled and lived in Turkey when I was 21 (alone). I felt safer in Istanbul and most of Turkey (don’t go too far east) than DC (where I was robbed by gunpoint in college - and other numerous close calls). If she’s smart (doesn’t drink too much when out and about, never leaves her drink alone and is skeptical of men), she will be fine and it’s an incredible city. My only concern is around men getting too aggressive or slipping in something in her drink - which unfortunately is a risk everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Thessaloniki is the better choice. I had a friend at university who grew up there and she loved it (from the UK originally).

I went to Istanbul in my late 20s and its very oppressive for women. It's also more politically explosive at the moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daughter is thinking of studying abroad there. She is between Istanbul and Thessaloniki Greece. What do you think regarding diff factors? I am leaning towards Istanbul because of safety concern(she is a fair skinned American girl). Not that it makes a difference but I always hear people talk about targets towards Americans when I mention her possibly going to turkey.

You know that doesn't mean white, right? I hope the best for your kid. Thessaloniki was really nice when I visited.

[Anonymous]

Erdogan is an authoritarian who verges on fascistic and I would pick Thessaloniki for that reason.

[Anonymous]

I studied abroad in Istanbul when I was 20. I then traveled back to Turkey several times throughout my 20s. It was my favorite country. I considered moving there after college. Gorgeous city, cosmopolitan, wonderful food, great nightlife, arts and culture, etc. I am also lighter and fit right in— people thought I was Turkish. Turkey is a super diverse country. My whole family visited me and had the most fabulous time. I also spent time in Greece and liked it but there is absolutely no comparison to Istanbul.

But… the political situation has really changed in the 15-20 years since I lived there. There has been backsliding on a lot of fronts, and it’s really sad. However, I also know a family of five (young kids) who just visiter Istanbul, Bursa, and Ankara this year and had the most fabulous time. My knowledge maybe be outdated.

Anyway, I would look closely into the political situation and talk to others who have recently visited and lived there. I find that Americans tend to be overcautious about places that they think are unlike America, when the risk of being personally harmed might actually be lower than in a more known (“western”) country.

[Anonymous]

Thessaloniki is not the nicest part of Greece. And it’s a key entry point for migrants so you will see lots of sketchy recent arrivals roaming the streets.

[Anonymous]

Greece is the way to go. People are very friendly whereas Turkey is not particularly friendly. She can and should do lots of weekend trips, and she should go to Istanbul for a weekend. No need to do a whole semester there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I studied abroad in Istanbul when I was 20. I then traveled back to Turkey several times throughout my 20s. It was my favorite country. I considered moving there after college. Gorgeous city, cosmopolitan, wonderful food, great nightlife, arts and culture, etc. I am also lighter and fit right in— people thought I was Turkish. Turkey is a super diverse country. My whole family visited me and had the most fabulous time. I also spent time in Greece and liked it but there is absolutely no comparison to Istanbul.

But… the political situation has really changed in the 15-20 years since I lived there. There has been backsliding on a lot of fronts, and it’s really sad. However, I also know a family of five (young kids) who just visiter Istanbul, Bursa, and Ankara this year and had the most fabulous time. My knowledge maybe be outdated.

Anyway, I would look closely into the political situation and talk to others who have recently visited and lived there. I find that Americans tend to be overcautious about places that they think are unlike America, when the risk of being personally harmed might actually be lower than in a more known (“western”) country.

OP here. Thank you for that description! I showed her what all of you said. She is now leaning towards Thessaloniki but would still love to explore Istanbul on a weekend trip. How many days would be sufficient in Istanbul from your experience?