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Study abroad: the little-known secret to making the most of it

Pursuing an education in a country other than your own not only offers you the possibility of studying at some of the best universities in the world but also provides you with the experience of living in a different country, and immersing yourself in a different culture.  

Study abroad: the little-known secret to making the most of it

After all, studying abroad shouldn’t merely be about your academic education.

Studying abroad should provide numerous personal and professional benefits too, ultimately not only making you a better candidate for companies eager to hire interns and graduates who are flexible, multilingual, and comfortable in a range of situations, but also a more rounded person.

And a big part of this ‘added value’ are the extra-curricular activities offered by educational institutions – the societies, associations and groups that the best schools offer.

“I found it really eye-opening”

To get some insight into this important but less talked-about aspect of international education, The Local spoke to Leonardo Schulze Wierling and Calypso Dubos, both currently studying the three-year Bachelor in Management (BSc) at the ESCP Business School, which has campuses in six major European cities, and which emphasises the importance of developing life skills both on- and off-campus.

“It has really improved my emotional intelligence.” Calypso Dubos

Take this four-minute quiz to see if ESCP’s Bachelor in Management (BSc) could be right for you

“ESCP has a bunch of student societies that focus on, for example, art, debate, music, sport – just to name a few,” Calypso says. “I’m a member of MusicCollective and GirlUp society as well as Agora, the ESCP student union and they’ve all been amazing experiences. But the student ambassador programme really broadened my horizons.”

Student ambassadors offer advice and guidance to potential ESCP students. “I found it really eye-opening,” says Calypso. “It really forces you to reassess your priorities. It kind of pushes you out of the selfish mindset of being super-competitive and into one where you really care about others. Instead of just worrying about your future you end up thinking, ‘We’re all in this together’, and I’m going to give this person the best advice I can because I want them to succeed. You realise there’s so much more to life than your own academic success.”

Leonardo’s main off-campus activity is working as president of JET ESCP, a junior enterprise consulting firm founded in 2004 as a student association within ESCP Business School. The aim of junior enterprises is to give students experience of entrepreneurship at an early stage in their careers, to add practical experience to the theoretical skills and to provide private business with state-of-the-art knowledge from universities.

If you want to study management at a business school which broadens your horizons, learn more about ESCP, which has campuses in six major European cities

Leonardo is thriving in this environment. “I’ve learned real skills – client management, project management, market analysis, due diligence. It’s been really hard work but I’ve had a lot of doors open for me. I’ve had clients asking me if I wanted an internship because of the work I did for them, and I’ve had other students asking me for some mentoring.”

“I’ve learned real skills.” Leonardo Schulze Wiering

But it hasn’t been all plain sailing for Leonardo. “I remember this one client in Spain who was really tough. Spain is a hard place even for graduates – employers expect a master’s degree. So me, a bachelor’s student, I was getting a hard time from this one guy. So I asked him to give me two days and I’d come back with a structured approach on how to deal with the issue we were talking about. Two days later I was back and we won the business.”

“Get out of your comfort zone”

Both Leonardo and Calypso say they’ve learnt a lot off-campus with ESCP. Calypso, especially, thinks that her activities with the societies and associations have helped her grow as a person. “When you enter university it can be very difficult because you think you’re being ripped out of a familiar environment. But being at ESCP has definitely made me less self-centred and more aware of other people and their cultures and opinions. It’s really improved my emotional intelligence.”

Leonardo believes it’s pushed him to grab hold of opportunities when they arise. My time at ESCP has taught me that there are many open doors but that you have to walk through them yourself. Don’t wait to be asked.”

He has one last tip for prospective students, especially off-campus. “Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t stick with just your nationality. I have German friends here for sure, but I have made a point out of seeking people from other countries too. You’re at an international university – make the most of it!”

Take this 4-minute quiz to find out if the Bachelor in Management (BSc) at ESCP could be right for you. Applications are open until July or August depending on your country of residence – find out more about applications and admissions

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DRIVING LICENCES

UK driving licence deal: How to exchange yours for a Spanish one

After 10 long months, the wait is over for UK driving licence holders residing in Spain as you are now able to exchange your permit for a Spanish one. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to go about it.

UK driving licence deal: How to exchange yours for a Spanish one

Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed on Tuesday March 14th that the UK-Spain driving licence deal had been approved and that those with UK licences could be back on the road from Thursday March 16th, while they wait to exchange it. 

From March 16th 2023 onwards, holders of a valid and current driving licence issued by either Spain or the UK may request to exchange it, depending on their residency, without being subject to any additional requirement such as a practical or theory test.

In order to make the process easier, the provincial traffic headquarters has granted a period of six months, during which British citizens can drive in Spain with their original permit while they undergo the process of exchanging it.  

READ ALSO: British embassy hails new UK-Spain driving licence deal

But how exactly do you go about exchanging it?

Firstly, driving licenses for residents in Spain that have been issued in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland can be exchanged for an equivalent Spanish licence, only when a set of specific requirements has been met. These are:

  • The driving license cannot be exchanged if you obtained it in your country of origin while you are already a legal resident in Spain.
  • It will also not be exchangeable if you have obtained the permit after signing up as a legal resident in Spain.
  • You will still be able to exchange your licence, even if your permit has expired after you entered Spain. 

Driving licences issued by the UK and Northern Ireland authorities will be valid for driving in Spain for a period of six months from March 16th. 

The British Embassy in Spain has reminded UK residents in Spain that “If you don’t exchange within the six-month window, you won’t be able to drive in Spain anymore using your UK licence, but you will still be able to exchange your licence after that time without taking the Spanish test”.

Step 1: Take your psicotécnico test

The ‘psicotécnico‘ is a medical exam in Spain that tests both your physical and mental abilities to assess whether you can safely carry out certain tasks, such as driving a car. Everyone in Spain needs to get one of these when they renew or get a new licence.

Remember that you must take this test before you make your appointment to exchange your licence. To find out all about what the test entails and where to get it done, click here. You must have taken the test within three months of applying for the exchange. If it is older than this, you will have to take it again. 

Step 2: Getting an appointment

The next thing you need to do is get an appointment with a Jefatura or Oficina de Trafico to do the exchange. You can request an appointment online here or by calling 060. If doing it online, you will first select your city from the dropdown menu and then select Trámites de Oficina.

Next, click ‘continuar‘ on the Área: Conductores / Vehículos / Sanciones. This will bring up a page where you will have to fill out all your personal details such as NIE/TIE number, name and e-mail address. Once complete, click on ‘Solicitar’ and this will give you your appointment day and time. 

Be aware that because of the number of applicants, it may not be able to get an appointment in all cities right away, but keep trying at different times of the day. 

What do I need to take with me to the appointment?

  • A completed application form which you can find on the DGT website here, including a declaration to say you have the right to drive motor vehicles and mopeds, haven’t been restricted and that you do not hold another EU or EEA licence of the same class as the one requested or that has been restricted, suspended or annulled.
  • ID cards such as your NIE or TIE, residence card, or valid passport. Proof of residence such as your original residence card or certificate of registration in the EU citizen registry and any other document requested by the office where the exchange request is processed.
  • Your permit verification code: Before the day of the appointment, you must access the following web pages to obtain your permit verification code. If your permit has been issued by the UK (DVLA), you can find it here. If it was issued in Northern Ireland (DVA), you can find it here.
  • The results of your ‘psicotécnico‘ test, issued by an authorised Driver Recognition Centre.
  • Proof of payment of having paid the fee. This costs a total of €28,87.
  • A current original photograph, measuring 32 x26 mm. It must be in color and with a plain background. The same rules as your passport photo apply such as not wearing dark glasses or a hat.

Remember that while your application for the exchange is being processed, your original permit will be taken away and a provisional permit will be issued to you until the new Spanish one is ready. This will be valid for three months. 

How long will it take?

According to the DGT website, it will take approximately a month and a half after your appointment until you are issued your final Spanish licence. You don’t have to worry about making another appointment and going to your nearest office to collect it, it will simply be sent to your home address. 

You can check online to see the processing status of your permit. 

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