ISTANBUL — Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Art and Vocational Training Courses (İSMEK) is attracting foreigners as well as locals with its lifelong learning program. Currently 1,759 foreigners from 93 countries attend the courses, which cover a range of subjects. Most participants are from Asian countries and pursuing job opportunities in Turkey. Participants receive certificates after completing the course, which many need for job applications.

Russian national Olena Smyiznova attended Turkish language and computer classes while Judith Kapya from Zambia says she took classes on computer literacy. "It is necessary to find job here," she says.

Jerald Stanley and Kit Swenson, two retired Americans residing in Istanbul, said they completed courses on wood painting, bağlama (a traditional Turkish instrument) and tailoring. They now are attending courses on how to play the sideblown flute and digital photography.

İSMEK, with branches in almost all of Istanbul's districts, offers basic and advanced courses on a wide range of subjects, including information technology, handicrafts, music, and languages such as German, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Italian and Russian as well as Turkish courses for foreigners.