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Study Abroad - Blog

Latest on the blog: Study Abroad, International Students, Study Abroad Because, Go Abroad, Scholarships Abroad, Success Stories, Visa, Blocked Account & Accommodation – stay up to date with news by clicking here.

Highlights Of The Month (Interview & Would You Like To Study In Italy?)

Yana Immis

Hello!

Have you missed me?

After travelling in 15 countries the last 15 months and flying to the 16th country… I decided to make some changes and reach out to the world with the updates!

Here are the highlights!

From now on, you can also study in Italy!

I used to send students to study in Germany. But the times changed...
And now is the time to diversify the country portfolio. I am happy to announce that as of today I will also send students to study in Italian Public universities.

Tuition fees per year not more than 4000 Euro. A great opportunity in the difficult times to not lose a chance to study abroad for those who considered Germany a very expensive offer (thanks to the blocked account).

I am happy to consult everyone - you know where to find me?

I had the pleasure to be interviewed by GirlTable

What is a GirlTable club? A strong female entrepreneurship support group & forum. My story got highlighted. Thank you so much! I am excited to share my story!!!

I didn't like my job as I was no longer developing or meeting resourceful people and every day was the same. One day, as a coincidence, a few things happened that led to me risking everything and starting the business from scratch. I believe that immigration and Education Consulting are services needed by many individuals from developing countries who are moving to developed countries. Mostly, there is no one to help or the services are too expensive, and this is where my niche is...

_____

Small businesses thrive when you have good connections. I had an Education Sales experience; hence, I use this to talk to future customers. My business education (MBA) helps me to do my own accounting, the marketing for my website and social media, and to use some good old negotiation skills when I’m talking to prospective customers.

____

[Advice?]
Try! Mostly, people are afraid to take risks and think it will never work out. Always aim high and settle for less only in the worst-case scenarios.

________

Read the interview in full here.

Stay tuned and thank you for reading this, following me, and supporting me. This all would not be possible without your help!


Anastasiya Nederytsia - Master Student From Ukraine

Yana Immis

Meet Anastasiya Nederytsia. She lived in Munich, Mainz, Berlin, Cologne, and Bonn - German Globetrotter! You can read her study in Germany success story here.

Place of Birth Krivoy Rog, Ukraine
Nationality Ukrainian
Where did you live? Krivoy Rog (Ukraine), Munich, Berlin, Mainz, Cologne (Germany)
Education Level Prior to Relocation Secondary School
Reason of moving to Germany Bachelor Program
When did you move? 2013
How old were you? 18
Are you still in Germany? Yes
What is your current occupation? 2nd Year Master Student
What is your future goal? Full-time job in Germany, Permanent Residence
Would you like to stay in Germany? Yes

Chapter 1: Ukraine

I was born in Krivoy Rog – the center of Ukraine – the longest city in Europe. We have 2 rivers forming a shape of a horn, which contributes to the name of my city (according to one of the legends).

I was a very active child: I took dancing, singing, and painting classes. I became the head of my class and an editor of a school newspaper. I became interested in Public Relations & Communication studies since then.

In Ukraine, I disliked math and physics and when looking for a future profession I tried to stay far away from it. Frankly speaking, it was also very difficult to choose a profession. I started thinking 2 years before graduation from secondary school. I had no idea what I wanted to study or whom I wanted to be, so I decided to go for business – you can find a job in any industry or field. It is a very broad choice

I definitely recommend parents to send their children abroad (from 11-12 years old), not for long-term, but rather for language courses or Summer language camps. This experience helped me to become more open-minded, experience people from different backgrounds and cultures and to remove a culture shock. It broadens horizons when you get to know people from different nationalities and you hear their stories. When you are young, you absorb everything like a sponge and you haven’t yet formed a strong opinion on different matters. It is also a great age to learn languages because you learn at a rapid speed.

When I was 13, I studied the English language in Malta Summer Language lessons. I loved the atmosphere. When I was 14, I went to the UK. I started thinking of studying abroad since then because the education standard abroad differs a lot from Ukraine and I chose to study for an Applied Sciences Degree abroad. For me, when I was moving abroad long-term, I wasn’t afraid at all. Germany stereotypes didn’t bother me or the fact that I would live alone and without parents. It was another exciting experience. I didn’t have any fear, because I already experienced 2-3 weeks courses in Malta and 2-3 month courses in the UK. 

Of course, culture & language shock will always be there, but minor in comparison to those students who move abroad for the first time at the age of 18. If you have an opportunity to go even for 2-3 weeks prior, definitely do it! I’d recommend parents to send children from 5th grade onward abroad. 

My parents supported me with the idea of studying abroad. I wanted to select the UK, but it was much more expensive than Germany. I applied to schools in Italy and Germany through an agency, and we decided to visit the schools prior to applications during my school vacations. I loved the Bocconi University in Italy but I didn’t know the Italian language and didn’t want to do a preparatory program. State universities in Europe didn’t accept Ukrainian secondary education without university studies (1 or 2 years) and we found a good option in Germany at a private university, which allowed me to study the Bachelor program directly.

Parents considered Germany as an economically stable country. Moreover, we had friends and relatives in Germany, who could help out in case. I moved to Munich when I was 18 after I had finished secondary school. I advise Ukrainian students to study hard. With 100% GPA, many students can skip a preparatory year in Germany (considering you speak English). Do not waste a year of your life, take this chance!

Chapter 2: Germany

  1. I thought Germany is punctual and Germans are punctual. This is so not true. Hello Deutsche Bahn!

  2. I thought people are cold. This is true, but it changes with the foreigners coming to Germany. People are becoming more open-minded. They influence the German culture.

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Summary of my life after the move: Munich (3.5 years) – Ukraine – Mainz – Berlin – Munich – Cologne

I finished my Bachelor in Munich, left the city, but came back. I saw so many changes. People who are living there do not see these changes. People became more friendly and open-minded, more things doubled in the English language, oriented not just on the locals rather on foreigners too.

I did an Internship in Mainz and worked in Sales. Mainz is a very beautiful city, but too small for me. You see the same people every day. I wanted to say hi, but hey, we didn’t know each other. I was missing the drive and the energy of the big cities. 

Then I moved to Berlin and worked in the Affiliate Marketing. I moved because it was a full-time position and because I really wanted to move there to experience the capital. I considered the South to be boring. 

Not all companies can sponsor your visa. It didn’t work out in Berlin further, because of the visa, that’s why I had to find another job with higher pay. One lovely evening, I applied spontaneously for a job without even looking for a location – got a call – got an in-person interview - got a job offer the next week – and I ended up in Munich within a few days again. That’s how fast qualified people get hired in this country. I have to point out that it was a long way to achieve it with education and first experience. The best decisions in life are spontaneous. I worked in Inside Sales in the IT sector in Munich and developed my passion for Digital Marketing

The next step in my career was already predefined: I want to do a Master degree. I found the only school in Germany offering Digital Marketing and applied. I was happy to know I have managed to get in, as it is a very well-ranked school. After I got to know that I was accepted to university, I got a position as a working student in the Online Marketing department of the same company. 

The road took me to Cologne. Cologne is amazing, the people are open-minded and great, so much more different from Berlin and Munich (by far), but the city is not for me. I am into architecture and culture. I am missing this Munich charm and architecture. Yes, Cologne has a nice city center and a great location, but if you live not in the center, you live in a pretty grey area. Maybe if I would live in the center, I would consider staying longer.

Since my university has a lot of German students, I got to know many more German friends than before. I am studying with 20 different nationalities (out of 25 students), among those: Hungary, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Italy, Germany, Armenia. I tried to find Russian-speaking students in my university, but I think we got max 10, if not less. Out of 500-600 students that is a very good number.

The school offers a lot of opportunities, I absolutely love it: weekly events with recruiters on campus, workshops with BOSCH, Telekom, REWE: when you can learn new industry tips & tricks and talk to the people, who can end up being your employers. The chances to get a job or internship are very high. I have another semester to go and then I will be writing my Master thesis.

My last semester starts in a month and I will finish on-campus studies by next year. I will write my Master Capstone (Thesis) and graduate in Summer 2020. In fact, I have just gotten my next student job and I have a lot of opportunities on the radar. Perhaps, I will write my Master thesis with this company. Perhaps, if all goes well, I would work for this company full time in Bonn.

Bonn and Cologne are neighboring cities, and they share the same underground network. 50 Minute commute. For Russians and Ukrainians that is an OK distance. My European friends would complain probably.

When I wake up after my graduation, I would probably see myself for the next few years staying in Germany. If I travel once and fall in love with another country, so be it. I might consider it, but Germany is appealing to me as of now. I have been in Germany for the last 5-6 years with some breaks, so I am aiming for a permanent residence in the next few years after I have secured my first work visa.

Chapter 3: Miscellaneous

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What do I do in free time? What is it? :)

Gym, meeting friends, travel, cooking. If I travel outside Germany, I mostly choose Belgium, Holland, Italy (my favourite) – Pasta, Pizza, Cappuccino

My mother often travels to visit me in Germany. With Ukraine, it is very flexible to travel now especially visa-free. I speak with relatives and my friends from Ukraine very often and I go home as often as I can.

In Germany, you can often work from home (home office) – this way, I could travel back home and save costs on living expenses. It is a common practice for German companies: as long as the job is done, it is not relevant for you to be 40-60 hours per week in the office. 

I have some advice for foreigners. Customer beware:

  1. If you decided to go to Germany, start learning German before arrival. It helps a lot with documents and bureaucracy. The majority speak English, but you will be treated better if you are trying to speak German

  2. Do not be shy to speak the German language. Break this barrier early enough. I started learning German in school in Ukraine. I knew German grammar well, but I was very shy to speak. Sometimes I am still shy with the language. I understand 98%, depending on the accent, but when I have to speak about Digital Marketing, let’s say I have a processing delay

  3. Check and recheck all your contracts!!! Especially telephone services. You cannot simply cancel contracts in Germany

  4. Accommodation search – start earlier! It is not like in Russia or Ukraine, where you can arrive and find something, here you can’t just do that. The process takes longer, and the landlords ask you for the CV and the form to fill out (Selbstauskunft). Munich and Hamburg would be the top 2 difficult cities for accommodation search. Check for forums for the people from your country. Do not underestimate the power of your nationality. Same nationality landlords will give preference to you


If I look back now and I have to choose the best German city for me…well… I kind of have a love-hate relationship with Munich. I love it and miss it when I am out of the Bavarian reach. But I’m so bored when I am there. Has anyone else experienced the same feeling?

Maybe somewhere between Berlin and Munich? Maybe party until 30 years old in Berlin and then retire in Munich?


18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7 Or Higher

Yana Immis

Tip#6 Speak English at least 30 mins per day out loud. Tip#16 🤐 If you can, take a seat in the first three rows. Read the whole list of advices here. Read more advices below and practice, practice, practice!

IELTS Basics

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most popular and widely accepted English test (among others: TOEFL, Cambridge Advanced Certificate, PTE, etc.) IELTS test was created to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. The scorecard contains the test taker’s photo, nationality, first language and date of birth. The test is officially accepted by more than 9000 organizations worldwide as a means of measuring language proficiency. More than 3 million people from 140 countries take IELTS test every year.

18 IELTS Tips and Tricks

If you are planning to work in the English language or to take up a study course at an international university, this article is for you. This post is focused on the most relevant to studying abroad IELTS: The Academic IELTS. If you haven’t studied in the English-speaking program prior to your relocation, you may be required to take this test.

You will often hear false advice about IELTS. Don’t listen! Myths about the difficulty of the test are not true. Instead, prepare for the test, improve your English, and follow the tips at the end of the article. Successfully passing the test will minimize your visa risk as well as the risk of not being understood abroad.

The test can be taken up to 48 times a year. If you take a test and do not perform well, you can retake it without any delay or limit on retakes. An IELTS result will be presented in 9 different scores from ‘band 0’ – ‘no show’ to ‘band 9’ ‘native speaker level’. IELTS 7.0 is the ultimate goal for the majority of international students. To get selected for your dream university abroad, score well in the test. A score of IELTS 7.0 or 7.5 is evidence that your English is good enough to join any university across the globe, even elite Ivy League institutions.


IELTS TOEFL | CEFR Level
9 – Expert User 118-120 | C2
8 – Very Good User 110-114 | C1
7 – Good User 94-101 | C1
6 – Competent User 60-78 | B2
5 – Modest User 35-41 | B1
4 – Limited User 0-31 | B1
3 – Extremely Limited User A2
2 – Intermittent User A1
1 – Non User A1
0 – Did not attempt the test -

The structure of the modules is as follows:

  • Listening – 4 sections; 40 questions, 30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time (from the answer sheet to the originals)

  • Reading – 3 sections; 40 questions, 3 long texts, 60 minutes

  • Writing – 2 tasks, 60 minutes

  • Speaking – 3 sections, 11-14 minutes

    Total: ~ 3 hours.


IELTS Modules

IELTS consists of 4 modules: listening, reading, writing, speaking to test all parts of the language proficiency. For each module, you will receive a grade & the results will be valid for 2 years. The overall band is calculated from the 4 modules and is frequently used in university admission. Some universities also require a minimum in each module.

Listening, Reading and Writing are completed in one sitting. It might happen, that you take the Speaking module on the same day, however, according to the amount of participants (do not be overwhelmed if you have 499 other test takers with you in an auditorium), the conversation with the IELTS examiner can be moved to another day (up to 1 week time).


IELTS Listening


You will be listening to audio recording and putting down your answers into a booklet. There will be four different recordings of the native English speakers, including a range of accents: British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian. The recordings are heard only once.

Examples:

18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7.0 Or Higher 5
  1. Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, e.g. about travel arrangements

  2. Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday scenario, e.g. about the surrounding area

  3. Recording 3 & Recording 4 are about educational or training situations

- a group discussion on the different academic topic, e.g. with a teacher and a student discussing a home task’s grading policy

- a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture

Your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed information will be tested within 40 questions (multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, plan/diagram/map labeling, note/flow-chart/summary/form/table comments).

Each section will be accompanied by a short introduction telling the test taker about the situation and the speakers. There will be a brief time to look through the questions.

At the end of the 30-minute session, you can transfer your answers to the answer sheet (10 minutes). Attention: incorrect spelling and grammar mistakes will be penalized with negative points. Do not write more than the maximum number of words required.

Get 30 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.0

Get 32 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.5


IELTS Reading


You will be reading different materials and you will be required to complete a set of exercises for each of the texts. This module will test you on a wide range of reading skills including main ideas hunting, skimming through the text, reading for details, and understanding logical arguments.

18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7.0 Or Higher 2

Examples:

  1. Section 1 - two or three short texts or several shorter texts, which deal with daily usage. For instance, timetables or notices – things a person would need to understand when living in a  foreign country or when enunciating in the English language

  2. Section 2 - two texts in a work scenario: job descriptions, contracts, training materials

  3. Section 3 -  one long text about a topic of general interest. The text is generally descriptive, long and complex

All the three different sections with texts sum up to 2,150-2,750 words. The texts are coming from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources written for non-specialist audiences.

Be ready to answer multiple-choice, short-answer questions, identifying information, finding out writer’s views, labeling diagrams, completing a summary with the use of text words and matching information/headings/features in the sentence endings. Be attentive with spelling and grammar once again to prevent from getting negative marks.

Get 30 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.0

Get 33 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.5


IELTS Writing


18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7.0 Or Higher 3

You will be required to fulfill 2 tasks: 1) describe a diagram and 2) write an essay in the form of a letter or an argument/problem or solution/answer.

Examples:

  1. Task 1 - a graph, table, chart or diagram has to be described in your own words

  2. Task 2 – an argument or a problem must be discussed with your point of view. You may be required to justify an opinion, present a solution, contrast evidence, compare facts, challenge ideas, etc

The Writing assignment has a limit of 20 minutes (150 words) for the 1st assignment as well as 40 minutes (250 words) for the 2nd assignment. Answering with incomplete sentences or with irrelevant to the topic sentences, as well as grammar or spelling mistakes will be penalized. Avoid using bullet points as only full sentences are accepted.

Answer both questions fully, use sophisticated vocabulary, while writing in clear paragraphs, each with a main idea and supporting sentences. Provide an overview and comparisons for Task 1; indicate a clear position and stick to it consistently in Task 2. If you are aiming for IELTS 7.0 or IELTS 7.0 make sure to write error-free sentences.


IELTS Speaking


You will have a conversation with a native speaker at the premises of the Testing Center. Generally, the conversations are kept casual. You are being tested on your ability to communicate on any topic in a random scenario.

Examples:

18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7.0 Or Higher 4
  1. Section 1 - Introduction and interview (4–5 minutes). You will be asked about your studies, work, family, free time, hobbies & pastimes, computers & internet, etc.

  2. Section 2 – Subject matter (2-3 min). You will be given a task card to talk about a certain topic with 1-minute preparation time for a 2-minute speech with Q&A at the end

  3. Section 3: Discussions (4–5 minutes). You will communicate with an IELTS examiner about different topics, generally from Section 2.

Try to give critical analysis and open answers covering the topic. Speak fluently and at length on any given topic. Make sure to make use of the linking words, connecting your ideas. Refrain from using common and idiomatic vocabulary. If you are aiming for IELTS 7.0 or IELTS 7.0 make sure to speak with error-free sentences with good pronunciation and intonation.

IELTS Tips & Tricks

Save yourself time & money – follow the tips to make sure you score high. Where to start? First of all, do not get overwhelmed by the amount of available information. 3 million people wouldn’t take it on an annual basis if it was impossible. Passing IELTS is not only about how good your English language is, but also how attentive you are while reading the tasks (often the formulation is confusing on purpose) and how fast you are in prioritizing your allocated time during the exam. Before anything else, you need to get yourself familiarized with the test structure and the answer sheet patterns.

  1. Read the structure of the test (above) and learn it

    You need to be fully aware of what is coming your way in terms of timing, types of tasks, breaks, expectations. Understand different question types.

  2. Define your learning strategy

    • Do you learn on your own? You can easily find IELTS mock tests, IELTS tests from the previous years. Check for free courses online or purchase the IELTS test study materials

    • Do you prefer to learn with a tutor or in a group? Check for the nearest IELTS testing center in your town. There is a myriad of offline and online IELTS classes held individually with a teacher or in groups

  3. Set realistic goals but aim a bit higher!

    It is not necessary that you score well for the first time, but you can become better next time. Practice makes perfect. Do mistakes. Understand the reasons for making mistakes to prevent yourself from doing them repeatedly.

  4. Practice every day

    Structure your studies according to sections, prioritize your time. Plan and organize yourself for 45 min concentration on studies and 15 min on breaks. Put all the distracting devices aside and turn yourself off from social media. Do not disregard any module. Dedicate as much time for listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is highly advisable to focus on the Writing and Reading modules a bit more because they consequently will contribute to the other modules’ improvement. When you take IELTS sample tests, you will get to understand how much you have learned and at what level you are currently in. Practice multitasking, i.e. listening to the tape, reading the questions and writing down notes for you to be able to formulate the answers afterward.

  5. Read in the English language

    Do not know how to read diagonally? You will be able to do that sooner than you think. What to read? Journals, articles, and newspapers. Make sure to be informed of current events and issues. Once you feel comfortable going through a daily newspaper, consider yourself ready. This, consequently, will improve your vocabulary and grammar. Improve vocabulary to use synonyms. Familiarize yourself with them. Repeating words and using simple phrases will get you no extra points and in fact, could only bring you a negative score. Memorize 15 best practice words, phrases, and connecting words and keep them always ready in your head for every situation. This will help you in all the modules of the test. Improve your reading speed. When practicing the reading module at home, set yourself a timer. Do not be optimistic about the time, it runs faster during the exam. Excel in reading first, then you will automatically score higher in IELTS writing exam. The more you understand, the more you can eventually articulate

  6. Speak English at least 30 mins per day out loud

    Record yourself and listen to your own voice. If necessary, record yourself on video – the camera doesn’t lie. While listening to this record, you will hear your own pronunciation errors and mistakes. Use this knowledge to improve. If you can, find a native speaker around you to practice. There are a lot of tandem options and applications existing online to find a language partner (to teach you English while you are teaching your native language in exchange) free of charge as well.

  7. Listen to podcasts & watch TV shows

    There is plenty of great tv shows, alike F.R.I.E.N.D.S in the original version with the English subtitles. Master it until you no longer need the subtitles. Once you can watch movies without subtitles, consider yourself ready.

  8. Play video games that involve active conversations with your team members in English

    Counter – Strike, World of Warcraft, DotA! Switch to the American servers for your own good! It is a sacrifice you do for the IELTS. 😊

  9. Learn the exam approach

    In all parts, it is highly recommended to skim through the whole text/exercise first and to highlight the words, which you believe the emphasis will be on. This will help you navigate towards the question-answer later and to subconsciously divide the text into parts. Use question keywords to find the answer. Write an outline for the written answers – and follow it every time. Structured writing gets more points on the written part.

  10. Be attentive and read questions twice

    It is a common practice, that an answer can be hidden in the question itself. Read instructions carefully and always look at the example. Do not disregard the sample questions and answers.

  11. Answer exactly what is required

    Not more, not less. Do not go off-topic, do not go over the limit. 2 or 3 points for your reasoning is just fine. Do not overdo it. Give just one answer, unless you are specifically requested to give multiple options.

  12. Filter out irrelevant noise

    IELTS is about finding relevant answers in the big data volume. The tasks will be long and daunting, but do not let that confuse you – your task is to find the answers to those questions and that’s the only motivation you should have.

  13. Practice transferring answers from the answer sheet to the ‘original’

    This also requires time and efficiency in utilizing space.

  14. Recheck your answers if you have spare time

    We are all humans and might overlook something. Make logical guesses when unsure. Do not leave things blank. Check your grammar, spelling, and handwriting. If your writing will be confusing it will be marked wrong by default. Your answer may be marked wrong if the structure of your answer is not grammatically correct as well. Less is more! If unsure, use short but precise answers.

  15. Consider IELTS test as a job interview

    Sleep well before the test, arrive early enough and put on your best smile and attire.

  16. If you can, take a seat in the first three rows in the listening test

    Experience shows those rows have the best audio access. Listen carefully. If you miss out on something, drop it and continue with the future tasks.

  17. Do not be nervous

    Keep cool and calm. Get yourself water and chocolate (outside of classroom). Try to maintain normal fluency. If you score well – great. If you don’t – great. Time to rehearse and learn, it is not the end of the world and IELTS has no retake limit.

  18. Be yourself

    The more relaxed and yourself you are the more appealing and comfortable the conversation with the IELTS instructor will be.

18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7.0 Or Higher

IELTS Results

After giving the IELTS test, you can expect your result 2 weeks after. Reminder: the validity of your certificate is only 2 years. You need to make sure to be granted admission to a foreign higher educational institution until it expires. You can go ahead and attach IELTS together with your application documents when applying to a school of your choice. It has become one of the mandatory visa requirements as well. Exception: if your previous education was conducted fully in the English language (and you have a proof of that).

The majority of English-taught universities in Germany will consider your application with IELTS overal 6.0 bands (Bachelor) or IELTS overal 6.5 bands (Master).

  • Already took the test? Contact me to find out which universities you qualify for with your current result.

  • Still undecided to take the test or not? To be succesful at your plan to study abroad, it is highly advisable to start IELTS preparation not later than 90 days prior to the university application time (collection of documents & agent consultation). Considering most of the universities in Germany have deadlines, make sure to apply prior to these dates. More information about studying in Germany, as well as the list of German universities accepting IELTS may be found in the following links.