Great expat-ations

Name: Oguzhan Yurteri

Nationality: Turkish

Time spent in China: three years.

Why China?

My job in the Turkish Embassy to China brought me here from the USA where I was deputy tourism attache.

Occupation?

I am the culture and tourism counselor from Turkey. I guess I have been assigned to China as a counselor because of my work experiences in the USA, and because China is a developing market for Turkey. I work under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and have been doing so for more than 19 years.

Language?

I can speak fluent English and very little German. My Chinese is unfortunately not good. Owing to my busy work schedule, I have never had the chance to spare enough time for learning Chinese. However, I have learnt a few words to get by on the street.

Relationships?

I am here with my wife to whom I have been happily married for 18 years now. I have a 17-year-old son, attending the Canadian International School in Beijing.

Food?

We like Chinese cuisine and check out the different styles of Chinese cooking whenever we find time. Getting to savor Chinese food in all its rich variety in the mainland is a lifetime experience. I think one can easily find food cut to one's own taste in China since there is a great variety of cuisines.

Money?

Having worked as a civil servant for some years now, I am used to drawing a small salary. But I am fine with what I am earning. Although the cost of basic goods and services in Beijing is going up, I think one can still afford a decent lifestyle here, especially compared to other big metropolises of the world.

Future?

I think the future looks good for just about everyone living in China. My job is such that I do not get to determine my length of stay in any country. However, I would like to stay long in China if possible. Whatever the time I spend here, China will always remain a great experience and a wonderful memory in my life.

(China Daily 06/15/2009 page8)