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7 Curiosities about Berlin

At Connectors Plus we never rest and we are always looking for new destinations, programs and opportunities so that you can learn different languages ​​and live unparalleled life experiences. A few days ago we talked about the French city of Lyon and now we are going to the engine of Europe:Germany and its crown jewel, Berlin. When we think of Berlin, adjectives like cosmopolitan, alternative, modern, open, bohemian come to mind… Well, Berlin is all that and more. Let’s discover it together! What you didn’t know about Berlin: 1. In Berlin there is a University that has produced 29 Nobel Prizes. The Humboldt University of Berlin is a successful university that has served as an inspiration for other renowned institutions such as Harvard and Cornell in the United States. One of its most popular Nobel Prize winners was the physicist Albert Einstein. Do you want to become the new Einstein? 2. The Berlin Wall was built in a single night. The Berlin Wall was built during the Cold War, on 13 August 1961, and divided the city into two: the western half and the communist half. It is now one of the most important tourist attractions in the capital of Berlin. 3. The city, which was once dubbed “poor but sexy” by its mayor Berlin is one of the cheapest European capitals to live in. It doesn’t have the highest average salary in Germany, but we’re talking about a minimum wage of €1,600. The average rent is around €700 per month, and if you share a flat, a room will cost you around €350 per month… Affordable if you’re going to study. It is one of the most multicultural and open cities in Germany and there are a large number of startups and international companies that make this city one of the most interesting destinations for entrepreneurs from all over the world. It’s not too difficult to find a job if you don’t speak German yet. Don’t worry, because if you have a good knowledge of English, that will be enough, and you know that we can help you with that. In addition, you can always train yourself a little before you go. To do this, we recommend the following blog where you can find resources, grammar explanations, useful phrases, texts, songs, videos, etc… https://www.alemanista.com/ 4. Berlin is constantly being rebuilt Wherever you go in Berlin, you will find a city under construction. The city was completely destroyed during World War II by the Allies. There is an urban reconstruction project, known as “critical reconstruction”, whose architect is the Berlin architect Josef Paul Kleihues; a project that began shortly after the fall of the wall and is scheduled to be completed no less than 2050. 5. The famous Donner Kebab was invented in Berlin. It is common knowledge that Berlin has a large Turkish population, but did you know that the “kebab” as you eat it in the Turkish restaurant on the corner was invented by a Berliner of Ottoman origin? Back in the 1970s, they began to put the meat (which until then had been served on a plate) in bread together with salad, the typical sauce and voila! The kebab as we know it became a revolution in the German capital. 6. Berlin means “Swampy Land” The city was built on a swamp. When you walk around the German capital, you will be struck by the multitude of coloured pipes you will see on its streets. No, they are not works of art, they are real pipes! And this is because the level of humidity under the ground in Berlin is very high, so they decided to take them out of the subsoil and paint them to make them more aesthetically pleasing. 7. The “Museum Island” There are more museums in Berlin than rainy days, and it rains quite a lot there. The cultural offering of this city is mind-blowing! There are more than 170 museums, so you’ll have to make a list to select the most interesting ones according to your tastes. But what is absolutely essential is a visit to what is known as Museum Island. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this island on the River Spree is home to 5 major museums that contain some of the greatest works of art in history. Almost two centuries old, Museum Island represents the purest spirit of the great museums, with neoclassical buildings and collections ranging from archaeology to sculpture and painting. The two you shouldn’t miss for anything in the world are the Pergamon Museum or the Bode Museum. I don’t know what you’re waiting for to ask us for information. Berlin is now within your reach, you just have to call us or write to us and we will tell you everything you need to know. Are you up for it?

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Useful Information

7 TIPS for writing a good “Personal Statement”

It’s time to make decisions. We are in a key month in which you may have to decide your future. Enrolling in a foreign university is a great option. But what happens if you decide to enroll in a university in the United Kingdom? Writing a good “Personal Statement” has a great weight in the final decision of the universities. UK university admission criteria. The importance of writing a good “Personal Statement” Unlike in Spain, to access a university in the United Kingdom we will find a methodology that follows different criteria. The average grade continues to be a yardstick for measuring our abilities, but in the United Kingdom they give equal or greater importance to the human aptitudes of the candidate. For this, they use what they call a Personal Statement or cover or motivation letter. Do you need help writing a good “Personal Statement”? Tips for writing a good “Personal Statement” and standing out in the selection process At Plan Zero we want to give you some TIPS for writing a good “Personal Statement” and help you stand out as the best option for any academic institution. Let’s go! 1. The importance of the first paragraph Let’s start at the beginning. The goal is to hook. Yes, yes, engagement is also important here. Transmitting noteworthy information so that the person responsible continues reading the letter is vital. We must avoid boring beginnings and clichés and show your innovation, your difference… How? Tell an anecdote. 2. No plagiarism Be completely original. You can get inspiration from resources you find on the internet, but never copy and paste. Most applications for registration at British universities are managed through UCAS (the British centre that manages university places), and they have a sophisticated programme for detecting plagiarism. 3. Show your skills and abilities Focus on skills and abilities that make you stand out and that will qualify you for the studies you have chosen. There is a strategy you can follow called the ABC rule (Action, Benefit, Career): 4. Detail achievements and extracurricular activities Add academic or extracurricular achievements such as activities related to music or sports or others that demonstrate skills such as leadership, teamwork, etc. Responsible people want to see proactivity. Previous experiences abroad, volunteering or courses related to the chosen career are good tactics to highlight. 5. Get to the point! Please note that the UCAS online application is limited to 700 words (4000 characters), so you should summarise the information you want to provide, avoiding fluff and focusing on what is relevant to the person who will be assessing your application. To do this, create a mind map beforehand. Take a pencil and paper and create a list of attributes, skills, experiences and even references to books or news you have read. Then, try to find the commonalities between the list and your studies and organise it as best suits you (by date, by relevance, etc.). You will have a structured starting point to begin writing. 6. Write positively If you have to talk about complicated situations or personal aspects that could be negative from the reader’s point of view, turn it around! Transform them into learning experiences. Always show positivity! Negativity has no place in a motivation letter. 7. Epic ending After stating your interest in the studies you wish to pursue (do not name specific universities, as the same motivation letter will be submitted to different institutions) and having outlined your skills and abilities, you should focus on creating a rounded conclusion. The ending should make an impact on the reader and you should make sure to explain how you believe that, if you are the chosen person, these studies can benefit you in terms of your future and expectations. You now have the keys to writing a good “Personal Statement”, the first serious challenge that will help you achieve your goals and gain access to a British university. Now you need to put effort, motivation and a lot of enthusiasm into it. And, if you need help, you know, you can count on Plan Zero!

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Did you know that today is World Youth Skills Day?

This day was proposed by Sri Lanka and approved by the UN in 2014 as a way to claim the need to develop skills and raise awareness among countries about the importance of investing in training to, above all, encourage employment and promote gender equality in the social and labor spheres of our young people in a world where youth unemployment currently has a rate of 22.4% in 2020. We are tired of constantly and negatively categorising youth and new generations. An example is the NEET generation (in 2016 there were 259 million young people classified as NEETs), which has been much talked about in recent decades… This is nothing more than an example of the frustration of young people who do not lack motivation or these skills, but who do not find an option for the future, perhaps due to the formative and educational weaknesses of deficient educational systems that encourage the development of these skills. That is why at Connectors-Plus we always want to encourage our young people, you, to take action to improve your future through training, learning skills and competencies that you will only achieve if you embark on experiences that go beyond your horizon. In today’s world, where competition is overwhelming, it is more necessary than ever to go out, study, work and develop your future by obtaining new skills and higher qualifications at all levels. This year, the theme of Youth Skills Day, as it could not be otherwise, will focus on “the talent of a resilient youth in the era of COVID-19 and beyond”. This situation is a test of force majeure for all, but together we must face it by betting everything on you. United Nations World OrganizationWorld Youth Day 2020 is being celebrated in a challenging context. Lockdown measures and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the global closure of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, threatening the continuity of training development. It is estimated that around 70% of enrolled youth have been affected by school closures. According to the survey of TVET institutions, which draws on data collected jointly by UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank, distance learning has become the most common way of imparting knowledge, not without certain difficulties regarding, among other things, the adaptation of curricula, the preparation of apprentices and trainers, connectivity or assessment and certification processes. Before the current crisis, young people aged 15-24 were three times more likely than adults to be unemployed and often faced a prolonged period of transition from school to work. In post-COVID-19 societies, as young people are called upon to contribute to the recovery effort, they will need to be equipped with the right skills to successfully manage challenges and the resilience to adapt to future disruptions.

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How to apply for Pre-Settled Status or Settled Status to live and work in the UK after Brexit

ATTENTION! Are you living or working in the United Kingdom? At Connector-Plus we would like to remind you that you must apply for presettled status or settled status if you want to continue residing in the United Kingdom after Brexit. Don’t put it off for another day! During COVID-19 times, applications often take longer than usual. What do you need? You must have a valid passport or ID card. You will also need to provide any document that proves that you are actually living in the UK. Scan your documents and upload them to the system using the EU Exit: ID Document Check application. How can you do it? Register with your email or mobile number for the ONLINE service. It is as easy as having a computer or smartphone and an internet connection and being an EU citizen to be able to use this service. Please visit the GOV.UK website for more detailed information about your particular case or if you need any advice. You can also contact the Brexit One-Stop Shop of the Spanish Embassy in the UK via emb.londres.brexit@maec.es. Remember the most important thing, the deadline is June 30, 2021!

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ASEPROCE statement on the security offered by the sector

We’re back! What are you waiting for? In a few days we are leaving for Prague with a new 3-week programme that will take place from July 22 to August 5. It is aimed at young people between 14 and 17 years old and in which you will be able to learn English, live unique experiences or discover magical places like Vienna or Munich. We hope to leave in August and September as well. We are also expanding our network of destinations so that you can sign up NOW for any of our programs next year. Holland, France, Germany… Now much more than English, but always a great experience. Everything is going on as planned. The new academic year will start in September and you will be able to continue studying as you had planned. The universities are opening their doors and we are waiting for you at your destination with our Welcome Plan, always at your disposal to accompany you from the first day. We have already confirmed Cambridge for the second week of September. We will soon tell you more dates. We are fully operational to advise you and encourage you to continue trusting in yourself and in us; so that you can plan your future and go out into a world full of opportunities. The president of ASEPROCE, the Spanish Association of Promoters of Studies Abroad, wanted to encourage us at this time when we have left behind the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is time to go out, to learn, to grow… in complete safety.

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