In this series, we explore the career journeys of professionals working around the world and the realities of building a career abroad. Today’s guest is Mehmet — Consumer Marketing Lead for Turkey & Eastern Europe at Spotify. He shares how he entered a global company, what life in Milan really looks like, and his practical advice for anyone pursuing an international career.

Let's get to know you better.

Can you briefly describe your current role and your responsibilities at Spotify? 

I work as the Consumer Marketing Lead responsible for Turkey and Eastern Europe. I oversee Spotify’s brand communications in these markets..

What excites you most about this role?

Working in fast-growing markets like Turkey and Poland is incredibly exciting. On top of that, being part of a brand that created its own category — and connecting with younger audiences through major global campaigns like Wrapped — is truly inspiring.

Which personal traits helped you most as you built an international career?

Communication and fast adaptation. I’m the only Turk on the marketing team. My manager is Italian, the person reporting to me is Polish, and my teammate is Spanish. You need to communicate effectively, deliver great work, and simultaneously adapt to a completely new country and city.

How did the idea of moving to Milan come up? Was it planned or unexpected?

It wasn’t planned. While I was looking for a new opportunity, someone in my network told me about this role in the first year of the pandemic. Everything happened within a month. I had been to Italy before, but never to Milan — and due to travel restrictions, I moved here without seeing the city beforehand 😀

Settling into a new country.

What surprised you the most about the work culture in Italy during your first days?

I had to continue working from home at the beginning, since the office wasn’t fully open yet — similar to Turkey. So the first days didn’t feel dramatically different, except for the new city. Later on, I realized our Milan office is a regional hub (Southern & Eastern Europe), so the environment is quite international and English is the working language. That made the transition easier. What I still haven’t adapted to are the long holidays. Almost all of Italy shuts down in August — if you need an agency to finish something for September, good luck 🙂

What were the most challenging parts of the adaptation process?

Bureaucracy is tough. My company connected me with relocation consultants, and I can’t imagine doing it alone, especially without strong language skills. Also, in Italy some things simply have no explanation — and nobody questions it. When you ask “Why is it like this?”, the answer can genuinely be “Because it is.” But culturally there are many similarities too. People in Milan work hard, but like us, they never take a lunch break shorter than an hour.

What were the biggest differences you felt between working in Turkey and working in Italy?

Long holidays and generous time-off options — you realize how much you actually needed them. Another big difference is the very clear boundary between work and personal life. It may not be the case in every Italian company, but most European organizations care deeply about this..

How was your first year compared to the following ones?

I can’t say I struggled a lot in the first year; I always liked the culture. But over time, you naturally adapt to their lifestyle. If you learn to enjoy it, the experience becomes truly rewarding. However, I also see people who constantly complain or compare Italy to where they came from. When you fall into that mindset, the whole experience becomes more of a burden..

How did you build your social life outside of work? What was the hardest part?

The classic issue exists here too: Italians already have established social circles, and it’s hard to break into them. Language is the first barrier, and having no shared history is the second. So you often make friends with other internationals or with the few other Turks in the company. If you have an Italian partner, integration becomes easier. It’s not exclusion — it’s simply that people already have long-standing routines. This is similar in many countries.

Industry perspective.

For those who want a career in tech or creative roles in Europe, what does the reality look like?

Europe is diverse, and opportunities vary by country. Places like Sweden, the UK, and the Netherlands offer many roles where English is enough and talent takes priority. But in countries like Italy or Spain, where language is essential, creative opportunities for foreigners are very limited. Many foreigners working in these fields either studied there or joined through regional hubs or multinational routes like I did. Still, every market has its own opportunities — I never imagined working in Italy, yet here I am..

How do European teams generally perceive professionals from Turkey?

Turkish white-collar professionals are genuinely hardworking, constructive, professional, and results-oriented. This becomes very visible after you join. Because our international exposure might be more limited than some European colleagues, we may sometimes appear introverted at first — this can slow down social integration. Another tendency is constantly comparing the new country to Turkey or complaining too quickly. Being mindful of these helps..

What is the one thing every professional should have before working in Europe?

Flexibility — the kind that prepares you for change.

The invisible things.

Something about living in Milan that no one tells you at the start?

The city basically shuts down in August (except in tourist areas)..

During your relocation, what was one thing you wish someone had told you earlier?

More information about the tax system. Many companies pay annual salary in 13–14 installments. There are tax advantages, but you need to track them — many accounting teams don’t. Taxes are high, and until the first salary arrives, it’s hard to know your real net income. Talking to someone who experienced it helps a lot.

Local life 💛

The sentence you hear most often in the office?

“Ci prendiamo un caffè?” / “Shall we grab a coffee?”.

A habit you developed after moving to Italy?

I now eat sweet breakfasts instead of savory ones 😀 Croissants, biscuits, and coffee..

Your favorite Italian dish — and one you think is overrated?

Favorite: Spaghetti alle vongole Overrated: Cannoli

Advice & insights.

Three things someone should prepare before moving to Italy for work?

– A bit of Italian, if possible – Clear knowledge of the tax system (especially for foreigners) – Step-by-step guidance on bureaucracy and healthcare (if you don’t have a consultant).

Beyond English, what is the most important skill to develop for working in Europe?

Flexibility and adaptability. Give yourself and the country some time. Avoid quick judgments. And try to stay positive — instead of focusing on what doesn’t work, focus on what does. Yes, Italy has 3–4 things that are slow or inefficient, but it also has dozens of wonderful things — food, culture, people. You just need to know where to look..

A method, resource, or practice that genuinely helps when preparing for an international move?

Talk to people who already live there. Everyone’s experience is different, so take only what’s useful for you. Don’t be afraid to ask..

One-sentence advice for young professionals aiming for a global career?

Your network is everything. When people know you’re open to new opportunities, they think of you when something comes up — and that single moment can change everything.