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Why study a university degree in the Netherlands?
You’ll be surprised by the recognition that studying a university degree in the Netherlands has! Perhaps that’s why it’s becoming the reference country for those who want to study abroad without leaving Europe. Or because of the tulips, who knows! The Netherlands was the first non-English speaking country to offer higher education courses taught in English. The national language is Dutch, however a large percentage of the Dutch population also speaks English and often also speaks another language such as French or German. Mate, bilingual is not enough for them. 🎓 Quality education in an educational system with international prestige The Netherlands is a relatively small country, with a population of just over 16 million people – and 23 million bicycles! So it is surprising that out of the 14 research universities in the Netherlands, 11 are among the top 200 in the world. Wow! The prestigious Dutch higher education system has been internationally recognised for its ‘problem-based learning’ methodology, which encourages university students to analyse complex problems in their respective fields of study and arrive at conclusions through individual study and group discussions. So days of debate around a cheese board are guaranteed. 💰 Affordable rates Studying at university in the Netherlands is cheaper than in many other EU countries and the country is eager to welcome international students. The Dutch government has halved tuition fees for first-year higher education students from an EU country. You can take advantage of this opportunity at a special price! And they will treat you like everyone else. Therefore, if you wish, as a student from the European Union you will be able to access the different financing options and aid during your studies as if you were a local student. If you want, you will also save time and money, as some university programs in the Netherlands can be shorter compared to other countries. 🌍 International focus and classes in English Dutch universities tend to have a more international focus, with a wide range of students from different nationalities. This provides a multicultural experience and the opportunity to expand your network of contacts on a global level. You will multiply your networking contacts! English will not be a problem. As we mentioned above, the Netherlands was the first non-English speaking country to offer university courses taught 100% in English, which will make it easier for you to communicate with the teaching staff and your colleagues, while improving your language skills. 🌍 Movement within and outside the country If you want to be on the move, Holland is the place for you! The country has a fantastic public transport system, but cycling is the cheapest, easiest and most popular way to get around. There are bike lanes on almost every street and road, making your mobility a sustainable part of your international experience. Plus, who wants to go to Holland and not ride a bike? You have to fit in 100%, although we’ll leave the choice of clogs up to you. But that’s not all, the main European capitals are just a few hours away, allowing you to visit different countries during your stay. Start packing your suitcase to fill it with experiences because you won’t stop! 👌 100% admission chances But above all, don’t forget that if you want to study a university degree in Holland, there are many things to take into account. Many really prepared profiles are left at the door because they don’t know how to deal with bureaucracy or simply because they forget a paper, a date or don’t know all the options available according to their needs. At Plan Zero we have been helping students on their path to study abroad for years with a 100% admission rate. Our success lies in our fully personalized process. We guide each student to choose the universities they like the most and also those with the best options. Shall we start your plan? Contact without obligation.
Intercultural skills: the key to the international future
At Plan Zero we have set ourselves a challenge: to ensure that your educational trip is full of truly meaningful intercultural experiences. And why is this so important? Travelling offers an unrivalled opportunity to enhance your intercultural skills, essential abilities that will help you face the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world. Let’s take a look at the core intercultural competences presented by UNESCO’s “Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue” text. At first glance, these concepts may seem simple, but by exploring them in more depth, you will discover their immense potential. The Basics: Listen, Dialogue and Wonder Intercultural skills: Listen 🙉 Listening involves “tuning into an experience.” Tuning in is experiencing another culture and accepting the truth of that other culture. It is allowing the other culture and its truth to affect me directly, to penetrate me, to change me, to transform me. Ultimately, it is about approaching the other from within. This listening experience brings us new answers to existing questions and, more importantly, inspires us to ask new questions and challenge our deep-rooted prejudices, shaking the foundations of our beliefs. This is how we begin to consider new perspectives on life and understand new possibilities. Intercultural skills: Dialogue 🦜 Dialogue is born from the connection we establish with others and with ourselves. Through dialogue, we achieve greater self-knowledge and clarity about our own perspectives and points of view. In this process, we also become aware of our capabilities, of the potential that lies within us. Intercultural dialogue marks the beginning of a process of “attuning to the other.” Essentially, it consists of opening ourselves to the other, which creates the opportunity to experience mutual enrichment based on sincere intention. Intercultural skills: Wonder 😲 Wonder is the ability we have to be struck by difference. It is a state of mind we must constantly cultivate, especially in the information age, where we tend to believe we have seen it all. Wonder represents a form of “active openness,” in which we do not reduce others to a scale of similarity or difference with ourselves. By cultivating this ability, interculturality becomes a permanent discovery, a perpetual wonder, a recognition of the other as a source of wealth that we can discover. Pack your bags and get ready to live unforgettable experiences. Let’s Listen, Dialogue and Wonder around the world! At Plan Zero we can help you create your travel plan to go abroad, learn English and live unique experiences. Tell us your story and we will help you draw up the best plan for you. Feel free to read the full text and practice your English at the UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000185202
Last chance. Awareness campaign for Black Friday
The end of the year is a time of hyperconsumption and for brands it is a time of increased sales. But what happens when you don’t want to link your brand to values that you have been against all year round? When you need to sell like any other brand, because you need your project to be economically sustainable, but you don’t want it to be at the expense of putting at risk everything you believe in? This debate arises every year in our team and the conclusion has been clear: if we continue like this, there will be nothing to sell because the wonderful places to study abroad with Plan Zero will disappear. For this reason, we have designed an awareness campaign, in collaboration with the design studio Hoy es el día that always accompanies us, to highlight this situation. Last chance. Limited destinations. Sales seasons always follow the same pattern. Phrases that are repeated and that we have already deeply ingrained: “last chance”, “last days”, “limited offer”… a kind of warning call that, when you look at them from the right perspective, you realise that they hide something more than a short-term offer. They hide the reality of urgency that comes with excessive and unconscious consumption. Rising sea levels, pollution, loss of biodiversity, drought… all are effects of a climate crisis that clearly marks what our future will be if we are not able to reverse this situation. Thus, our favorite destinations for studying a university degree, a school year or a gap year abroad will suffer the consequences. The future of destinations according to Artificial Intelligence What will London be like when sea levels rise? What will Ireland’s green landscapes look like if the drought continues? What will Canada’s natural parks look like when they are filled with plastic? Or when a city as beautiful as Paris can no longer bear so much rubbish? We asked AI to imagine these scenarios and it gave us a visual response that is worth a thousand words. Transformative education projects aligned with the SDGs At Plan Zero we believe that youth have the ability to change tomorrow by becoming #changemakers. A way of understanding education where every step counts to find solutions to the major problems we face as a society and which are listed in the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. For this reason, we have been working for years to ensure that each of our programs is linked to these issues and helps to achieve solutions. From raising awareness among young people about new forms of sustainable living to introducing the gender perspective in short programs such as Mini Stay or Summer Courses, to linking Gap Year programs with different impactful volunteering, such as working in camps for children with disabilities, rescuing animals or preserving Natural Parks. And of course, helping each university degree to begin with a vision of the future based on the value that each student has as part of global citizenship. We want to take advantage of this “Last Chance” to take control of the future and reverse the climate and social crisis we live in. Will you join the #ChangeMaker generation?
Eco-XMas Challenge! 10 ideas to make your Christmas sustainable
No matter where you spend Christmas, there are things you can keep in mind to make it a time to reaffirm or start your commitment to sustainability. Will you join Plan Zero’s Eco-XMas Challenge? The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness and generosity, but it can also be a time of overconsumption and waste. In a world where sustainability is increasingly crucial, it is essential to rethink our Christmas traditions in order to celebrate the holidays in a more conscious way, whether you are here or abroad. Here are 10 ideas for a more sustainable Christmas. Can you do them all? 🎁 1. Gifts with Purpose Choosing a gift can be a big challenge in itself, but don’t panic! Opt for meaningful and sustainable gifts. Prioritize experiences to live rather than just use, look for handmade items, local or second-hand products that mean a gift to the recipient, but also to the person who makes it and to the planet. And if you dare, make your own gifts! Nothing can beat something this special. 📦 2. Ecological packaging Did you know that shiny wrapping paper can’t be recycled? Try to make sure your gifts require as little packaging as possible, or at least recyclable. When it comes to wrapping, reuse wrapping paper you have on hand, use recycled materials, or find alternatives like tissues, old newspapers, magazines, or even decorated boxes that can be reused. Be imaginative! 🎅 3. Sustainable Decoration Most of us have a big cardboard box full of Christmas decorations that we keep from one year to the next. Nothing is more eco-friendly than traditional reuse! But if you need to incorporate something new or start this annual box from scratch, here are some ideas. Create Christmas decorations with natural and reusable elements: pine branches, pine cones, nuts; or you can also use recycled materials: cardboard, cardstock, thread, old clothes… let your imagination run wild, or take a look at Pinterest! You will enjoy decorations with a unique and sustainable touch, and also the time to make them. Extra tip: We know that glitter will blind you with its sparkling charm, but it is tiny microplastic particles that are seriously endangering the planet. Avoid it! 🎄 4. Eco-friendly Christmas tree Opt for a real Christmas tree as long as it can be replanted after the holidays. Otherwise, consider a high-quality artificial tree that can be reused for years to come. In addition to the classic plastic tree varieties, there are also other varieties made of wood, metal, or even fabric that can last a long time and become part of your Christmas tradition for a long time. 🏘️ 5. Be local Support local businesses by purchasing food and holiday products beyond gifts. Try to choose small businesses and brick-and-mortar stores instead of big box stores. You’ll reduce your carbon footprint while helping your community’s economy. 🥗 6. Sustainable Menus Plan Christmas meals with local and seasonal ingredients. Not only will they be healthier options, but local markets offer options with less unnecessary plastic and packaging. Also, did you know that opting for vegetarian or vegan options can be beneficial for both the environment and your health? Opting for a menu with less meat will be a win-win! And if there is something left over, don’t throw it away, the next day you can turn it into a new meal with a little love. Yes, you can make croquettes with anything 😉 🕯️ 7. Efficient Lighting Use energy-efficient LED lights for decoration. These lights use less energy and last longer, which reduces both electricity costs and environmental impact. And above all, don’t leave decorations on all night or when you’re not going to be home. 🗑️ 8. Waste Reduction Both with food and gifts. Avoid waste by planning the necessary quantities of food and storing leftovers appropriately. Also avoid over-gifting: quality is better than quantity. Think about whether what you are giving will have a long shelf life or if, on the contrary, it is something dispensable. ✊ 9. Gifts with a Cause: Consider giving to charities or causes in the name of your loved ones. You can support projects that promote sustainability, education, or environmental protection. 🙏 10. Reflection and Gratitude Remember the true spirit of Christmas: love, togetherness and gratitude. Take advantage of this time to reflect on the importance of caring for the planet, understanding the society in which we live and being thankful for what we have. It is also time to plan the new year. What are your new goals going to be? Do you have a plan? If you would like to discover the world and learn to be a #changemaker, at Plan Zero we can help you. As you’ve seen, the holiday season is an ideal time to adopt more sustainable practices and foster a positive impact on the world. How many do you think you can accomplish? Happy and sustainable holidays!
The Power of Multilingualism for Global Citizenship
What does multilingualism and travel have to do with global citizenship and wanting to change the world? You may be wondering, what does learning languages and travelling have to do with changing the world? Gugulethu Jemaine Nyathi, one of the winners of the “Many Languages, One World” essay contest and speaker at the Global Youth Forum, gives us a glimpse into the power of multilingualism. Their ideas and reflections have inspired us in our mission: To help young people discover and understand the world they live in through international, immersive, educational experiences and the promotion of a responsible lifestyle. For this reason, today we want to share some of them with you. Here we go! What role does multilingualism play? “From personal experience, I can attest to the changes in my character and attitude after mastering a new language and, consequently, learning more about a culture that I thought I already understood. The effort involved in learning languages and cultures by going deeper than what I had seen or been told has taught me not to take first impressions and deeply ingrained stereotypes seriously. I finally understood that no matter how difficult a task may seem, learning a new language is a process that, when completed, leaves an incredible mark on the learner. “I learned the largely unknown stories behind famous festivals, foods, and traditions. I discovered that every aspect of these cultures has deeper roots and holds meaning beyond beautiful performances, unique architecture, fun music, and mesmerizing dances. I finally came to understand why these cultures mean so much to so many people, and why we should all treat their diverse cultural legacies with the respect they deserve.” At Plan Zero we couldn’t agree more when he says: “When you take the time to truly understand another person’s culture, others will take the time to understand yours. And so, without even realizing it, you will have managed to create a positive impact of infinite reach.” Most of us are familiar with the concept of putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes or looking at a situation from another’s perspective. But in reality, putting this into practice can be difficult when we know and understand very little about the other person. If we could all take the initiative to learn and therefore understand languages and cultures we don’t know, we would make the world a much better place.” At Plan Zero we want to help young people in their process as part of global citizenship and #changemakers. For this reason, the voices of those young people who are changing the world always have their place here. We know that learning English is key, we have been hearing it since we were children. But, have you ever considered this way of understanding multilingualism? Changemakers, it’s time to travel, learn another language and change the world! Contact Plan Zero without obligation and start drawing up your plan.
Why study a university degree in the United Kingdom?
Why studying a degree in the UK is always a good choice! The British tradition of welcoming students from all over the world is almost older than the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. What’s more, the variety of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees is so wide that you’ll need more than one cup of tea to go through them all. There’s something for everyone! Despite the political changes, the UK remains the perfect place to study abroad. With destinations ranging from London, the city that never sleeps, to Edinburgh, where history and culture are like those friends who never miss a party on your study program. Even if you don’t choose them, they’ll be there to have fun! Plus, free thinking and creativity are encouraged in the UK, so get ready to come up with brilliant ideas over a delicious apple pie! 🎓Quality education in an educational system with international prestige Degrees obtained in the United Kingdom are highly recognized internationally because its universities maintain high standards of quality in teaching, learning and research. Not by chance, 4 of the 6 best universities in the world are located in the United Kingdom. 💼 High job placement It’s inevitable, we study a degree with an eye to the future that awaits us after finishing it. In the UK, you are more likely to find a job than to find a fish & chip stand on every corner. What is unemployment? They don’t know about it. Did you know that in the UK the employment rate after finishing studies exceeds 90% in most degrees and 86% of graduates start working within 6 months of graduating? Wow! ✍️ Flexibility to study and work (if you want) If you want to work during your studies, you can do that too. The university’s educational system and timetables make it easy for you. A student visa allows you to work part-time, and if you want, you’ll easily find work thanks to your university’s Student Assistance department, which will provide you with the necessary guidance. (Yes, your university, we’ll see you there!) Of course, at Plan Zero we’ll take care of processing your visa so that everything is ready. 🙂 100% student satisfaction The United Kingdom has the highest-rated model in terms of satisfaction among international students, not only for its educational quality but also for the social, artistic and cultural environment it provides its students. Its educational dropout rate is the lowest in Europe! 🏡 Guaranteed accommodation And don’t worry about finding accommodation. British universities are like your grandparents who insist you stay overnight. You’re guaranteed a bed for your first year! If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Harry Potter room… you’ll have to go visit a college because the halls of residence are modern and comfortable. 😉 👌 100% admission chances However, if you want to study a university degree in the United Kingdom, there are many things to take into account. Many really prepared profiles fail because they do not know how to deal with bureaucracy or simply because they forget a paper, a date or do not know all the options available according to their needs. At Plan Zero we are UCAS Agents (University & College Admissions Service), that is, we have been agents of the admissions service of British universities since 2016. In addition, we have been helping students for years on their route to study abroad with a 100% admission rate. Our success lies in our fully personalized process. We guide each student to choose the universities they like the most and also those with the best options. Logical, right? In short, studying a university degree in the United Kingdom is like a walk through the land of tea, its wonderful traditions and British humor. Go ahead and be part of this academic experience with a very British touch! 🇬🇧 Shall we start your plan? Contact without obligation.
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Plans for children under under 18 years of age
