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EMPLOYMENT

Young Swedes choose summer school

The summer vacation usually means a chance to earn some much needed cash for young people in Sweden, but for those that can’t get hired, going back to school may prove the most viable option.

Especially since it makes you eligible for continued student allowances.

“In many cases this is due to a lack of summer jobs. Taking a summer course becomes a way to have fun while doing something useful at the same time, “ Peter Citron of Växsjö university told TT.

The Swedish agency for higher education services (VHS) has noted a significant increase of applicants to the summer courses at universities countrywide.

Last week saw the deadline for applicants for the coming summer term, and according to news agency TT there is an increase of 17 percent since last year.

Courses on offer range from the more traditional to the obscure.

Students can choose to study the American TV channel HBO, behind TV-series such as Sopranos, in a course called “HBO and the contemporary TV-drama”.

Other courses on offer across Sweden are “Chemistry in the Kitchen”, “The Meaning of Life” or “The behavioural needs of zoo-animals”.

However, according to news agency TT, the number one on the list this year is “Harry Potter and his worlds” which received 900 applications.

Peter Citron of Växsjö sees this as a positive development as it could be a way to guide those into the academic world who otherwise never may enter it.

“As far as I know there are strict rules on quality and content, there is no need to question them,” Peter Citron told TT.

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EMPLOYMENT

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier

Can you carry a tune? Are you a night owl? If so, this job posting in Switzerland may be up right up your (cobblestone) alley. Here’s how you can submit an application for this… very high position.

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier
The hat and coat are optional for the job. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

As far as unusual employment opportunities go, this one from Lausanne is — quite literally — tops.

The city, which employs one of Europe’s last remaining town criers, is looking for people to fill this position on part-time basis.

What’s a town crier?

In Lausanne’s case, it is a person who announces the hours every night between 10 pm and 2 am from the bell tower of the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, a landmark overlooking the roofs of the picturesque Old Town.

The workplace: Lausanne Cathedral. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

The person who will assume this position will continue a tradition that this city in the canton of Vaud has cherished since 1405.

These are the requirements for the job:

  • To watch over the city each night
  • Announce each hour on the hour between 10pm and 2am in a melodious voice (in French, but knowledge of foreign languages is a plus)
  • Be able to climb 53 stone steps to the cathedral’s bell tower
  • Not have a criminal record
  • No falling asleep on the job
  • Have a business apprenticeship certificate (we are not sure why)

This is 365-days-a-year job, but the new hire will share the position with other criers.

Interested? This is how you can apply.

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