#immigrants working on croatia

[balkanradfem]

So I have some upsetting.. events to share that I promised to keep secret, but this blog is secret, so it feels like I'm not breaking my promise by putting the secret into the well of secrets.

My roommate came to me today with some documents for a sanitary permit for work, and asked me to translate it and explain to her where to go. I translated it, and offered to take her to the microbiology lab since I knew where it was. She still looked worried and lost, but didn't know how to explain in english what was going on. I encouraged her to talk into her translator app, which would then translate everything in english, and I'd understand what's going on.

She then proceeded to speak in Nepali, and the translation was: 'I don't know how things work in here. I still haven't received a salary for this month. It's confusing and I don't know what is going on.' I was concerned, and asked her if she had received salary for her work before this, and she said yeah, and went on to explain that she first came here via her agent, and she was working at the sea side, doing the seasonal work, and she was paid for that part. But then the season was over, her work permit ran out, her agent left her, and she got work in the Thai restaurant with the woman who brought her to live with me. Without her agent, she didn't know how to get her salary, or who to talk to. I asked if she could talk with her employer, and she grimaced and said she couldn't, because the woman is angry at her.

I asked more questions, and she teared up and showed me a small injury on her leg, explaining that the woman yells at her, gets angry with her for not understanding croatian, and yesterday she threw a knife and injured her leg. I was horrified, but she asked me to please not tell anyone about this. I promised not to. (you gyns don't count okay. shhh. you won't tell anyone either).

She then slowly explained that she said to the employer multiple times, that she'll go and find a new job if the employer isn't happy, but the employer said no! She can't find another job because she'd already signed a contract to work for her until the work permit runs out, but she didn't even get the permit yet, and the employer said she'd cancel the work permit if she quits. I was scandalized and suggested we tell someone or call the police, but then realized she can't go to the police as an immigrant without a work permit, it's illegal for her to work in the first place. I looked over her work contract and the contract said the work started only when she got her work permit, so the contract has not even started working, but without working for this woman, she can't get the permit, and won't be able to find another job without a permit. I tried to find a way around this, but was then overcome by the pain in my neck and had to lie down (I was sitting up for too long) and she said thank you, and went off.

I looked up the requirements to get a work permit in croatia, to find that you already have to have an employer, and have to submit the registration number of the company you're working for, just to get a work permit, and if the permit is connected to the employment, quitting might mean that you lose the permit, which leaves workers vulnerable to exactly this type of abuse. I am stressed, I have no clue what to do. I hate it here. Mobbing at work is so common here that about half of my roommates complained about it, and it seems croatian people give themselves even more freedom if it's immigrants who have nowhere else to go. I'm not good with legal stuff, it was my first time even looking into this, so I don't know what would be a good solution for this. Does anyone have an advice or further insight into how things like this could be resolved?

The work contract stated it can be resolved by the employer or the employee, but upon looking for rules and requirements for such a thing, it was clearly written for the native people who didn't need a work permit, and didn't depend on the employer to get them one. So what is a woman supposed to do when she gets a knife thrown at her at her workplace?

The only help I could offer was to teach her croatian so maybe the woman wouldn't get so mad over her not understanding the language, but it's a hollow help, not resolving the danger of working in a violent place. I'm upset. She told me all this in confidence and called me 'my friend and my sister' which made me tear up but I feel helpless to do anything.

[nmdsm]

[lostuntothisworld]

lukadrien: Adrien comforting Luka about his dad when he finds out about Jagged Stone. In front of everyone he acts ok. But later maybe Adrien finds him angry and crying and keeps him from getting akumatized. I just love more of Adrien comforting Luka.

Listen, I have some SERIOUS headcanons on the Couffaine's past and Jagged's influence on Luka and Juleka's life before his identity was revealed... Buckle in.

My headcanon is that the Anarka Couffaine is Romani and an immigrant from Croatia... or rather, the part of Yugoslavia that becomes Croatia. You see, for many years, several very polarized countries were fused. The horrific Yugoslav Wars happened, and now they are separate. But even before that, World War 2 was not kind to the Romani people, especially in the Balkans, and Anarka's mother and father are the sole survivors of their families due to those horrors.

Anarka's original name before she changed it was Nevenka, and she had a loving mother (named Julika) and father (named Lucijan), several older brothers (named Apolon, Alarik, Andronik, Aristid, and Aleksije), and an older twin sister (named Jasminka).

Their surname was Knežević, and while they didn't have much, and faced prejudice due to their Romani heritage, they were a tight knit and loving family.

And then everything changed when the Yugoslav Wars started. At the time, it was considered the worst conflict in Europe since World War 2. It was especially difficult for certain populations, such as the Romani people, who were targeted.

Over the course of the early to mid-90's Nevenka slowly lost her entire family. Then, she miraculously managed to escape the country. It was not easy being an immigrant, especially as a Romani individual, but then she met Jagged.

Jagged was a wayward son of a foreign upper middle class family. He was an only child, and a bit spoiled at that, but he was genuine and sweet. He was also a talented pianist, which complimented Nevenka's excellent guitar prowess.

The duo wrote a song together and somehow managed to attract a producer to create a full album. The duo called their partnership Crocoduo, and went to work.

But when you mix work with feelings, things get muddy. It created a stunning album, but also broken hearts. Neither Jagged nor Nevenka would tell the Truth of what actually happened, but Crocoduo split up.

Nevenka moved to Paris, rented a decent flat with royalty money, and quietly gave birth to a set of twins. Nevenka named her eldest son Luka, and her younger daughter Juleka, as a tribute to her late parents.

Nevenka's new quieter life was nice. She wasn't a perfect mother, but she loved her unexpected, yet not unwanted children unconditionally, and they loved her back. All was perfect until the twins were about 11-12 years old.

Someone started a rumor that Luka and Juleka weren't actually Nevenka's children, a horrific stereotype of Romani women kidnapping children. The horrible rumor snowballed until Luka and Juleka were forcefully taken from Nevenka.

Luka and Juleka went to a group home, and Nevenka was deported to Romania. She isn't even Romanian, but that's where they sent her, because of racism. It took months, but with the help of the twins' mysterious father, Nevenka returned to France and regained custody of her children.

The state-ordained kidnapping of the twins traumatized Juleka so much she developed selective mutism, and she had to repeat a school year due to absences from her PTSD.

Nevenka's midnight black hair became fully gray due to the stress of losing her children.

Luka already put too much on his shoulders, before he was taken from his mother, and it only exaggerated it afterwards. He developed a very strong Atlas complex. He insisted his mother tell him how she managed to get him back, and she accidentally lets it slip that it was because of his mysterious father. Luka begged his mother to tell him who his father was, but Anarka tells him that "The Truth is the one thing I can't tell you." Luka was devastated, but buried his feelings down unhealthily.

All of this is what culminates in the season 4 episode Truth, and everything comes full circle.

Nevenka decided her twins deserved a better future, so she painfully changed their last name from Knežević to Couffaine (something more French, to hide their origins), and her first name from Nevenka to Anarka. (An "A" name to remember her brothers, and a "Ka" ending to remember her origins and twin sister). She split her twins up to two different new schools in order to protect them further.

The newly named Anarka also purchased a barge, and with the help of her children, renovated it into their new home. The trio christened it The Liberty. Anarka promised they would always be free.

Despite her disability, being held back, and starting a new school, Juleka made friends, and her grades improved.

Luka, while renovating The Liberty discovered he enjoyed creating, and excelled at being a luthier while attending his school.

Then season 1-5 happens.

In season 6+ it is discovered by the main cast that Sabrina is the reason Luka and Juleka are taken away from their mother. She was the one that reported the false kidnapping to her father, and Officer Roger, actually ended up getting a promotion to Police Chief of Paris due to this. Roger and Sabrina had to move closer to city hall, and Sabrina now attends the same school Juleka transferred to.

I'm still working out the finer details, but I think that Sabrina's former friend Cleo, was involved, or Cleo was framed. Chloe was also involved, too, or was also framed. Not sure what the motive would be yet, for Sabrina's actions but it could be due to jealousy.

In the present day, after Luka and Juleka's trauma is brought to light, Officer Roger gets akumatized because while his daughter did horrible things, she's still innocent! Sabrina tries to return the Dog Miraculous to Ladybug, but Ladybug insists that if she truly wants to prove she's changed, she has to be proactive. Miss Hound helps Ladybug and co. defeat the villain, and Sabrina manages to redeem herself (this is a kid's show after all).

Afterwards, Sabrina tearfully apologizes to the Couffaine twins. She truly didn't mean to have them removed from their home, but just play a silly prank, but in the end, good things happened. Juleka met her true love, Rose, because of it.

Juleka steps forward. She stutters and mutters for a bit. Then with conviction, she tells Sabrina that it was not Sabrina that created a new wonderful life for the Couffaines that created it. Sabrina was just the trigger. She will forgive her if she sees change, but Sabrina hurt her family incredibly. Juleka says she wants to forgive, but it will take time, and work on Sabrina's part, and to understand if she needs space, but she will be cordial to her otherwise. Sabrina bursts into tears, happy that she has a second chance, and promises to fight for all of her friend's liberties.

Later on, a mysterious woman is akumatized because a junkyard dealer won't sell to her because of her Romani heritage. Ladybug and co. save the day, and Anarka discovers that her older twin sister Jasminka is still alive. The sisters share a heartfelt reunion, and Jasminka moves in with the Couffaines. She also starts a business: a food truck. The original junkyard dealer finally agreed to sell Jasminka something and she gets a good deal on an abandoned old beat up food truck trailer with a rusted signs that say "Fritirie Grassette". The signs are removed and the trailer is renovated.

Jasminka's business is to sell fries (or chips, if you're from the U.K.). She has various fry cuts, some potato alternatives, and of course, dozens of toppings. Customers can CHOOSE whatever kind of fries and topping combination they want. It's sort of the antithesis of Andre's ice cream cart, where he chooses what flavors and how many you get. And of course, Jasminka is properly permitted to sell her food.

Anarka is proud of her older twin sister. She was always the rambunctious rebel of the family, and now she found a purpose: to allow people the freedom to choose their destiny... or at least their next meal.

I've written a post [linked here] of how I think Jagged and Penny's story should go if I had a say in the story. A summary of it is that Penny and her sister grew up in foster care. Penny was able rise from her circumstances and be successful, but her sister did not cope as well. Her sister also has a young daughter named Rythm (remember the little girl in the black cat onesie from Kuro Neko?) Penny's sister became ill with a mysterious illness and passes away, and Penny gains custody of her niece. Jagged becomes the step dad that stepped up, and the trio become a family. Adrien, who never properly grieved his mother and still reeling from his father's "sacrifice", was able to come to terms with her passing while helping Rythm process her grief.

Of course, Gabriel's Wish transferred Nathalie's illness to Rythm's mother, and the new character Sublime lost her legs due to him wishing to transfer his Cataclysm wound to her, and Gabe's alive and waiting in the shadows for the perfect time to strike.

Ah, but you wanted a Lukadrien reply with Adrien comforting Luka, and not this... thing I just wrote over the course of 2 nights...

I think Adrien comforting Luka after the Truth of Jagged's identity is a sound premise. Will it happen in canon? I think that ship has sailed for the most part, unfortunately. Canon seems to want to paint the picture that Luka is coping very well with all of this. That's not to say it can't pop up in the future, I just don't think it's likely.

But you know what I do think is likely? That Bob Roth is going to make good on his promise to make Luka sing for him or else there will be hell to pay. After a short arc of Luka fighting back against stardom, but only succumbing because he doesn't want his sister and former bandmates to suffer Bob Roth's horrible schemes to manipulate him to signing a contract with him anymore.

You can't tell me the boy who was raised by Anarka would enjoy the pompous and restricted life of being a celebrity. And you know what? We could have a storyline of Adrien helping Luka adjusting to being famous. With all the glorious angst and bonding that can be expressed in 25 minute episodes.

And I think it would go both ways. It's basically text that Tom Dupain is going to try and get Adrien to take over the bakery. The only problem is that I don't think Adrien wants to be a baker. He certainly didn't seem keen on the idea in Weredad.

I think Adrien could intern at the bakery, and absolutely hate it. It's monotonous work, and he's a terrible baker. You can't have the best bakery in Paris with a pastry chef who can't even make macarons. It's unheard of! And of course everything has to be perfect. You can't sell something that's not perfect. Something Adrien knows very well.

Of course, Luka swoops in and saves the day, and helps Adrien learn to stand up for himself and put his foot down. To try and find what he is truly passionate about. To tell Marinette he thinks it's weird the hamster they share custody with has the same name as him: Adrien.

Adrien has to jump off the tedious hamster wheel and escapes his cage eventually...

My personal headcaonon is that Adrien becomes an astrophysicist, and also discovers the mysterious Planet Nine, which he names Hyperion, after his beloved Viperion. And in the future, he wins a Nobel Prize or two for his research.

Luka also discovers his true calling: Producing. It's a bit like his original dream of helping people create and enjoy music by being a luthier, but instead of working with materials, he's working with people. And Luka knows people. And naturally, he's a much more kind and just producer than Bob Roth ever could hope to be.

Thank you for reading my longwinded post of where I'd go with the story!

[msperfectsheep-posts]

top 5 folk dances ? ^^

ROBIN DON'T MAKE ME PICK THIS IS LIKE PICKING A FAVORITE CHILD

Anyways. My top 5 Folk Dances: 1. Vjalla E Pllanes (Albania) This dance is so good. It has everything. It has scarves, it has a bunch of very unique figures that stand out from one another, there's a section where you just fucking SPIN for eight counts as much as you can, and the double-headed eagle is a classic. I love this dance so so much and it looks great.

2. Dance of Ikaria (Greece) EXACTLY THE SAME FOOTWORK as the Serbian dance Biserka/Bojarka and Romanian Boiereasca but I really love the Greek music specifically that was chosen for it. This dance is made to mimic the sound and feeling of waves crashing against the rocks of the islands old Greek monastaries were located on, including Ikaria! It's a dance where you intentionall mimic the feeling of being off balance, and the entire circle of dances sort of rocks back and forth like the barrel of a washing machine. In a small circle, the energy and feeling is so great that I literally feel like I am back in the Indian/Pacific ocean.

3. Ördög Útja (Drumul Dracului) (Csango Peoples, Romania/Moldova) Okay so I didn't credit Romania/Moldova alone here because there is a really important distinction to be made with the Csango Peoples: they are Not Romanian. They're of Hungarian descent and speak a Hungarian dialect, they just live In Romania. It's kind of like Opsa (below) where it's an immigrant group's work, but crediting Hungary entirely feels a little disingenuous, so there we go. Anyways, rant aside, this is the worst fucking dance I have ever danced (/aff). My folk dance group lovingly calls it the Fitness Gram Pacer Test of dances. You think you are done but you are Never Done. The footwork is actually pretty simple, but the real catch with this fucking dance is that it keeps getting faster and the songs can easily go one for over 5 minutes. Traditionally, this dance is done to hype everyone up for the big hunt, and they can easily do it for over twenty minutes straight. Me? I'll just die. We like to haze newcomers to our folk dance classes by having them go into this dance with no warning whatsoever and everyone hates us for it. It's one of our most popularly requested dances. The feeling is universal.

4. Opsa (Croatia/Serbian/USA) The thing with Opsa is that it is so stupidly simple. You just chat with your friends while you dance it! You hold hands, you chat, and whenever it's time to shout "OPSA!", you shout "OPSA!" I do not know what opsa means, and at this point I'm scared to ask. It's great. This dance is a great dance to start off the day, to end the day, or just for when you want to chat.

5. Sicilian Tarantella (Sicily) I was taught the Neapolitan Tarantella (Italy) first, and By God. That's definitely the harder but more "authentic" tarantella, but if you do not know how to dance in a ballroom position, then it is Hell. And let me tell you, most people do not know how to dance in ballroom position. However, the tambourines are always a delight, and the Sicilian Tarantella still retains a lot of the charm of the Neapolitan Tarantella while making it a lot more accessible to beginners. In a dance that relies on the fact that you at bare minimum have a partner, but ideally four people, you should either get a group of people who know how to dance or dance an easier version so people can still have fun. Anyways, that's my spiel.

Special mentions to: Das Fenster (Germany), T'smidje (Beligium), Eastbourne Rover (England), High Green Mountain (Taiwan), Istanbul Bar (Turkey/USA), Udarata Kandukara (Sri Lanka), and Fado Português de Nos (Portugal)

[fuck-customers]

Fuck managers

I work in a job for adults with disabilities

I can’t have certain music on like Rammstein (at all despite there not being many of any German speakers at work) or an entire album in Russian cause one mis translation about disabled people dying

There’s 2 croatia immigrants

1 African

1 Middle East

2 Asians who grew up in an English speaking country

I’m not sure any other employees know these bands or languages

But now they’ve banned our own music altogether except break times

Theres too many fights over it

We can’t have headphones cause we have to be able to hear the forklifts and Pallet jacks as a safety thing

Next thing they’ll ban all music that’s not for toddlers

Too pc

@staff I HATE the new text editor!

[beardedmrbean]

The new government's programme includes the introduction of a citizenship test as part of its plans to tighten the requirements for obtaining Finnish citizenship or permanent residence in Finland.

In its programme for government published last month, Finland's right-wing ruling coalition said it plans to introduce a citizenship test as part of efforts to tighten rules around the granting of permanent residence and citizenship permits.

"Passing a citizenship test and a language test will be made a requirement for naturalisation," the programme states.

The Finnish citizenship test will be modelled on similar evaluations used in other European countries.

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (Finns) told Yle that her ministry has started work on drafting the citizenship test, but the process will take time.

Examples from across Europe

Among the EU's 27 countries, nearly half — or 13 — currently have a citizenship test. They include the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary and Estonia.

In addition, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein — which are not members of the EU but are part of the Schengen area — also have a citizenship test.

In general, the tests feature questions about the history, culture, society and population of the host country. The assessments may also ask about living in a democracy and other aspects of a particular country's politics, such as in Estonia and Greece, or about the country's national anthem, as in Latvia.

In each country, the test is organised by an official body.

Rantanen previously told tabloid Ilta-Sanomat that the exams could be organised by community colleges, for example.

From multiple choice quizzes to interviews

In an interview with Yle soon after taking office, Rantanen said that her ministry will perform a "u-turn" on immigration and refugee policies during her term, and she reiterated that position this week.

"I am glad that we are reaching the pan-Nordic level, and that we will not be the only country in the Nordic region with lax rules," she said.

Among the Nordic countries, the citizenship test is used in Denmark and Norway.

The Danish test has 45 multiple-choice questions about the country's society, culture and history — 35 of which are based on provided study material while 5 questions deal with topical issues taken from Danish media and politics. There are also five questions on Danish values.

At least 36 correct answers are needed in order to pass the Danish test. In addition, they must correctly answer at least four of the 10 questions that are not included in the study material.

The citizenship test in Norway has 36 questions, of which 24 must be correct. Norwegian authorities also offer the option of completing a social studies course (75 hours) with a final exam in Norwegian.

Luxembourg also provides the option of taking a social studies course instead of the citizenship test.

In Slovakia, there is no formal citizenship test but the required language test does ask basic information about the country.

Study material helps participants

In almost every European country where a citizenship test is mandatory, participants are provided with study material.

In Spain, the test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions selected from a list of 300, which can be practised in advance with an app.

The tests are also often multiple-choice, although one notable exception to this is France, where the 'test' is conducted as an interview.

In Europe, the citizenship test is often multiple-choice, but one exception is France, where the exam is conducted as an interview. Study material is also provided.

In addition to the citizenship test, each country has other conditions which must be met if the applicant is to receive citizenship or a permanent residence permit — such as a certain income threshold.

Although Austria has no citizenship exam, people applying for citizenship or permanent residence must have lived continuously in the country for at least 10 years and prove their intentions to stay.

Rantanen noted that the proposed citizenship test is also intended to help speed up integration into Finnish society.

"The idea is for people to integrate into Finland, to learn our language and our social system. With integration, the citizenship and language tests should not prove to be too difficult," Rantanen said.

Citizenship test previously proposed in 2019

The possibility of Finland introducing a citizenship test has been mooted before.

In 2019, then-Interior Minister Kai Mykkänen (NCP) presented a package of measures he said was aimed at preventing and combating crimes committed by foreign-background individuals, especially sexual offences.

The draft bill at the time stated that "the practices of other countries in the use of citizenship tests will be studied and a test suitable for Finland will be introduced".

However, the citizenship test was not advanced during the following government's term in office.

[icl-immigration]

2025 Opening Dates for Capped Working Holiday Schemes Announced

2025 Opening Dates for Capped Working Holiday Schemes Announced

23 January 2025: The New Zealand Government has officially announced the 2025 reopening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS). These schemes allow young people from partner countries to work and travel in New Zealand for a set period. The following table provides detailed information on the reopening dates and the quota for each scheme in 2025. Once a scheme opens, applications will remain open until the annual quota is filled. Once the cap is reached, the scheme will close until the following year. Some working holiday schemes with places left from 2024 will remain open until their quotas are met. After this, the quotas will reset based on the 2025 opening dates. Key Details for 2025 Working Holiday Schemes: Applications open on the specified dates below. Quotas vary by country. Once the cap is reached, applications will close until 2026. Working Holiday Scheme 2025 Opening Date Quota (People Per Year) Malaysia 11 February 2025 1,150 Portugal 20 February 2025 50 Mexico 27 February 2025 200 Estonia 4 March 2025 100 Philippines 12 March 2025 100 Hong Kong 19 March 2025 400 Slovenia 2 April 2025 100 Spain 10 April 2025 2,000 Hungary 23 April 2025 100 Slovakia 1 May 2025 100 Austria 8 May 2025 100 Korea 15 May 2025 3,000 Israel 21 May 2025 200 Taiwan 28 May 2025 600 Singapore 3 June 2025 300 Czech 18 June 2025 1,200 United Kingdom 25 June 2025 15,000 China 2 July 2025 1,000 Luxembourg 8 July 2025 50 Poland 15 July 2025 100 Latvia 22 July 2025 100 Thailand 5 August 2025 100 Malta 12 August 2025 50 Lithuania 19 August 2025 100 Turkey 27 August 2025 100 Croatia 10 September 2025 100 Argentina 24 September 2025 1,000 Peru 1 October 2025 100 Brazil 8 October 2025 300 Chile 16 October 2025 940 Viet Nam 23 October 2025 200 Uruguay 30 October 2025 200 What is a Working Holiday Visa? A Working Holiday Visa allows young travelers to work and explore New Zealand for a set duration, helping them gain cultural experiences and offset travel costs. These schemes are offered to specific partner countries, each with unique quotas and eligibility criteria. Important Notes for Applicants: First-Come, First-Served: Quotas are limited, so early applications are recommended. Quota Reset: If quotas for 2024 remain unfilled, those places will be carried forward until the 2025 quota opens. Country-Specific Caps: Each scheme has a different limit based on bilateral agreements between New Zealand and partner countries. By allowing young individuals to work and travel in New Zealand, these schemes not only provide a unique experience for travelers but also contribute to New Zealand’s economy and cultural exchange. For more details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the official New Zealand Immigration website. Don’t miss your chance to explore New Zealand while gaining valuable work experience! Reference - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ About ICL Immigration ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and  97% approval rate. Read the full article

[rohanseoewe]

FOR THAILAND CITIZENS - NEW ZEALAND  Immigration of New Zealand for Electronic Travel Authority and Visa for Tourist and Business  - วีซ่ารัฐบาลอย่างเป็นทางการของนิวซีแลนด์ - วีซ่านิวซีแลนด์ออนไลน์ – NZETA..

การอนุมัติการเดินทางทางอิเล็กทรอนิกส์สำหรับนิวซีแลนด์หรือ NZETA เป็นการอนุมัติการเดินทางทางอิเล็กทรอนิกส์สำหรับผู้พักอาศัยในประเทศที่ได้รับการยกเว้นวีซ่า NZeTA ที่ส่งไปนั้นถูกจัดวางในปี 2019 วีซ่านี้ทำงานเหมือนกับวีซ่าท่องเที่ยว NZeTA หรือการยกเว้นวีซ่ามีผลบังคับใช้สำหรับผู้มาเยือนขาเข้าทุกคนที่เดินทางเข้าประเทศนิวซีแลนด์: ผู้อยู่อาศัยจากทุก ๆ ประเทศจาก 60 ประเทศที่ได้รับการยกเว้นวีซ่าสามารถเดินทางโดยเครื่องบินทัวร์ได้ ผู้อยู่อาศัยใน 191 ประเทศสามารถแวะใช้บริการขนส่งได้ Electronic Travel Authority New Zealand เป็นเรื่องง่ายถึงขนาดที่คุณสามารถดำเนินการให้เสร็จสิ้นพร้อมกันบนเว็บ และรับ eVisa ทางอีเมลภายในไม่กี่ชั่วโมงหรือสองสามวัน NZETA อนุญาตให้ผู้อยู่อาศัยที่มีสิทธิ์ข้ามพรมแดนของนิวซีแลนด์เพื่อวัตถุประสงค์ด้านอุตสาหกรรมการเดินทาง ธุรกิจ หรือการเดินทาง โดยไม่ต้องเสียเวลารอคิวสถานทูตหรือสถานกงสุล คาดว่าจะไม่มีการส่งไปรษณีย์หรือบริการจัดส่งไปยังสำนักงานบริหารใดๆ เพื่อรับการอนุมัติการเดินทางทางอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ของนิวซีแลนด์ - NZ ETA ณ ขณะนี้เป็นข้อกำหนดเบื้องต้นภาคบังคับสำหรับการสละสิทธิ์วีซ่าสาธารณะ เช่นเดียวกับลูกเรือของสายการบินหรือเรือสำราญ ทุกอย่างเท่าเทียมกัน แท้จริงแล้ว แม้แต่ผู้อยู่อาศัยถาวรในออสเตรเลียก็ยังจำเป็นต้องมี NZ Electronic Travel Authorization - NZ ETA ผู้อยู่อาศัยที่มีสิทธิ์สามารถสมัครผ่านแอปพลิเคชัน New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority โดยตรงบนเว็บสำหรับอุตสาหกรรมการท่องเที่ยว การเยี่ยมชมธุรกิจ หรือการเดินทางไปยังอีกหนึ่งประเทศจากสนามบินโอ๊คแลนด์ ผู้สมัครควรกรอกแบบฟอร์มใบสมัครของ New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority พร้อมรายละเอียดส่วนบุคคลและบัตรประจำตัว วีซ่านิวซีแลนด์กำหนดให้หนังสือเดินทางต้องมีหน้าที่ชัดเจน The Electronic Travel Authorisation for New Zealand or NZETA is an electronic travel authorisation for residents of visa waiver nations. The NZeTA sent was laid out in the year 2019, this Visa works precisely like a tourist visa. The NZeTA or visa waiver is obligatory for the all inbound visitors entering New Zealand: residents of every one of the 60 visa waiver nations can travel via Plane tourt. Residents of 191 nations can stop by journey transport. Electronic Travel Authority New Zealand is easy to such an extent that you can finish it altogether on the web, and get eVisa by email within few hours or a couple of days. NZETA permits the Eligible residents to cross the border of New Zealand for the travel industry, business, or travel purposes without going through the issue of remaining in the queue for embassy or consulate. No postage or courier to any administration office is expected to acquire New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation - NZ ETA. It is as of now a compulsory prerequisite for visa waiver public, as well as crew of airlines or cruise, everything being equal. Indeed, even the permanent residents of Australia are required the NZ Electronic Travel Authorisation - NZ ETA. Eligible residents can apply through the direct New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority application on the web for the travel industry, business visit or travel to one more country from Auckland Airport. Candidates are supposed to fill in the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority application form with individual and ID details. New Zealand Visa requires that passport has clear page with the goal that migration staff can stamp it on the air terminal.  The accompanying residents are Eligible to apply for New Zealand Visa On the web or NZeTA. Luxembourg, France, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Netherlands, Czech, Germany, Greece, Estonia, Romania, Italy, Belgium, Croatia, Joined Realm, Finland and Lithuania residents are all elgible for New Zealand Visa Online.

Address :   1st Floor E115 Rachadamri Rd. Phathumwan Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Phone: +66 2 169 9912

Email : info@newzealand-visas.org

Website : https://www.newzealandetavisa.org/th/visa

Business Hours : 24/7/365

Owner / Official Contact Name : Sarah John Cunningham

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[divinejhonson]

Secure Your Future in Croatia: Top Recruitment Agency for Pakistani Workers

 In today’s globalized world, many professionals are looking beyond their home countries to secure employment and build a prosperous future. One country that has seen a rise in interest among Pakistani workers is Croatia. With its growing economy and demand for skilled labor, Croatia presents a multitude of opportunities for job seekers. However, securing a job in a foreign country can be a complex process that requires proper guidance, expertise, and the right connections. That’s where Falisha Manpower, one of the best overseas employment recruitment agencies in Pakistan, comes in.

The Rise of Croatia as a Preferred Job Destination

Croatia, a member of the European Union since 2013, is an increasingly popular destination for international workers. Its diverse economy, which includes strong sectors like tourism, construction, manufacturing, and IT, has created a steady demand for skilled professionals. With competitive wages, a relatively low cost of living, and an attractive work-life balance, Croatia offers an excellent opportunity for workers from Pakistan to advance their careers abroad.

The country’s labor market is expanding, especially in fields like healthcare, engineering, and hospitality. As a result, many Pakistanis are seeking to tap into these opportunities to improve their quality of life. However, while the prospects are promising, navigating the job market in a foreign country requires the right support.

Why You Need a Trusted Recruitment Agency for Croatia

Entering the Croatian job market is no easy feat. Aside from language barriers and legal requirements, understanding the cultural nuances and navigating through various job sectors can be daunting. This is why working with a reliable recruitment agency for Croatia in Pakistan is a crucial step for anyone serious about securing a job abroad.

A reputable agency, such as Falisha Manpower, can help you understand the job market in Croatia, guide you through the recruitment process, and ensure that you have all the necessary documents to work in the country. With years of experience and a solid track record of placing workers in overseas jobs, Falisha Manpower stands out as one of the top recruitment agencies for Croatia in Pakistan.

The Role of Falisha Manpower in Helping You Secure a Job in Croatia

Falisha Manpower has earned a stellar reputation as a leading recruitment agency in Pakistan for overseas employment. With expertise in international job placements, they specialize in connecting skilled Pakistani workers with employers in Croatia and other European countries. Here’s how Falisha Manpower can help you secure your future in Croatia:

1. Comprehensive Job Listings and Opportunities

Falisha Manpower works closely with reputable Croatian employers to bring job opportunities directly to Pakistani job seekers. From skilled labor to specialized professionals, the agency offers a wide range of job options in sectors such as construction, healthcare, IT, hospitality, and more. Whether you’re looking for long-term employment or seasonal work, Falisha Manpower will provide you with the best opportunities that suit your skills and experience.

2. Expert Guidance Through the Recruitment Process

The recruitment process for jobs abroad can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the legal and immigration procedures. Falisha Manpower acts as a guide throughout this process, ensuring that you understand the requirements for working in Croatia. They assist with everything from the initial job application to obtaining the necessary work permits and visas. Their in-depth knowledge of the Croatian labor market ensures that you can successfully navigate any hurdles in your path.

3. Visa and Immigration Support

Securing a work visa for Croatia can be a time-consuming process, but with Falisha Manpower, the entire procedure becomes smoother. The agency handles all aspects of visa processing, ensuring that you meet all the requirements set forth by Croatian authorities. This includes preparing all necessary documents, filling out forms, and ensuring you are fully compliant with immigration laws. They also offer advice on how to deal with language barriers and help you get acclimatized to Croatian regulations.

4. Ensuring a Smooth Transition

Relocating to a foreign country can be overwhelming, especially when you are unsure about the local customs, accommodation, and other essential aspects of settling in. Falisha Manpower goes the extra mile to ensure that you transition seamlessly into your new life in Croatia. From offering accommodation options to helping you with cultural adaptation, their services ensure you feel comfortable and well-prepared for the challenges of living and working abroad.

5. Ongoing Support During Employment

Falisha Manpower doesn’t stop at just placing you in a job. They provide ongoing support during your employment in Croatia. Whether it’s addressing any concerns you have during your stay or helping you manage issues related to your job, Falisha Manpower ensures that you continue to thrive in your new role. This ongoing relationship gives Pakistani workers peace of mind, knowing they have a reliable partner to turn to in case of any issues.

Key Advantages of Choosing Falisha Manpower

1. Expertise and Experience

With years of experience in the recruitment industry, Falisha Manpower has established itself as one of the best overseas employment recruitment agencies in Pakistan. Their deep understanding of international labor markets, especially in countries like Croatia, makes them a trusted partner for job seekers. They have successfully placed hundreds of Pakistani workers in well-paying jobs across Europe.

2. Wide Network of International Employers

One of the key strengths of Falisha Manpower is its extensive network of employers in Croatia and other European countries. This allows them to provide their candidates with access to high-quality job listings that are not always available through public channels. Whether you are an experienced professional or a fresh graduate, Falisha Manpower has the connections to help you find a job that matches your qualifications.

3. Tailored Recruitment Services

Every job seeker has unique needs, and Falisha Manpower recognizes that. They offer tailored recruitment services to ensure that you find the right job that aligns with your career goals and aspirations. Their recruitment experts work with you to understand your skills, experience, and preferences, ensuring that they match you with the perfect job in Croatia.

4. Transparency and Integrity

Falisha Manpower believes in conducting business with complete transparency and integrity. They ensure that every step of the recruitment process is clear, from job offers to visa processing. This honesty builds trust and ensures that workers have a reliable partner throughout their journey abroad.

5. Competitive Fees and Services

As a leading recruitment agency for Croatia in Pakistan, Falisha Manpower offers competitive fees for its services. They aim to make international employment opportunities accessible to a wide range of job seekers without charging excessive amounts. Their affordable rates, combined with their excellent services, make them the go-to agency for anyone seeking to work in Croatia.

Why Choose Croatia for Your Career

Croatia is an ideal destination for Pakistani workers looking to build a prosperous future. The country boasts a stable economy, a high standard of living, and an excellent quality of life. Moreover, Croatian employers offer competitive wages, especially in sectors like construction, healthcare, and IT. For Pakistani workers seeking to work abroad, Croatia is an attractive option that promises not only good job opportunities but also an enriching cultural experience.

With the support of Falisha Manpower, you can unlock these opportunities and make the most of the career prospects available in Croatia. Whether you're looking to move for short-term employment or want to build a long-term career in Europe, Falisha Manpower can help you achieve your dreams.

Conclusion

Securing a job abroad is no longer a distant dream. With the right recruitment agency by your side, you can open doors to a successful career in Croatia. Falisha Manpower, a best recruitment agency for Croatia in Pakistan, provides the necessary expertise, support, and connections to help you secure a rewarding job in this European country. By choosing Falisha Manpower, you are investing in a brighter future, both professionally and personally. So, if you're ready to embark on a new journey and unlock international career opportunities, visit the website and get started today with Best Recruitment Agency for Croatia in Pakistan. Don't wait; secure your future in Croatia today with the best in the business.

[downtoearthmarkets]

Pastry chef Tanya Ponder is the one woman wonder behind Via Piante, a gluten-free bakery producing delicious, nutrient-dense breads and other baked goods that she sells through our farmers markets. Ponder spent five years working under Michelin-starred chefs including Daniel Boulud, Michael White and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Via Piante is the evolution of Sundae Fundae, her original enterprise that was reinvented and rebranded in early 2024. She recently took the time out of her busy schedule to chat with us about her background and personal journey inside the world of professional baking.

How did your interest in baking get started? I have always loved to bake. It all started with a lower-level cabinet in the far corner of my childhood kitchen, which became my favorite “toy box”. In my child’s eye, the cabinet contained a treasure trove of recipes: a mix of handwritten notecards, newspaper clippings, magazines, and recipe books. There was also a very eclectic blend of new and old-world baking equipment that my mother inherited from her grandmother and brought with her when the family immigrated to the U.S. from Croatia.

I absolutely loved to rummage around in the cabinet, looking at the old pictures and reading the recipes. Inevitably, I would demand that we bake one of the recipes, or at the very least, have my mother explain how the odd tools like the rosette irons, engraved rolling pins, and antique cookie presses were used. I continued to bake with both my grandmothers on every visit and with every babysitter who would let me.

You attended cooking school and worked under Michelin-starred chefs. What were those experiences like? I loved baking school. I went to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in Napa Valley, and it very much felt like a nine-month vacation in a gorgeous setting surrounded by mountains and rolling vineyards. Class was rarely intense, but we touched on everything from beginner breads to ultra-fancy wedding cakes and traditional European pastry techniques to modern “New American” baking.

In 2013, I moved to New York City and worked for some notable chefs and restaurants such as Daniel, Marea and Jean-Georges. Restaurant work was very tough, and ultimately not for me. I learned a lot of discipline from the traditional French brigade system, saw some incredible artistry and tasted meals that I will remember for the rest of my life. However, the long hours, combined with the rather extreme treatment of young cooks, were more than I could take.

As a child, I was taught not to quit, so I stayed with it and spent a little over a decade in the restaurant industry and I eventually advanced. However, for me, baking and cooking are acts of self-care and nurturing of others, and I could not reconcile that mindset with the reality of behind-the-scenes restaurant work. So, when the pandemic struck, I welcomed the opportunity to build something more in line with my own values.

What was the main driver behind rebranding from Sundae Fundae to Via Piante? When I started Sundae Fundae, I had never worked for myself. After years working for some very hard-driving chefs, I just wanted to have fun (hence the name) and explore my own creativity. Unfortunately, that’s not a great strategy for growing a business. Eventually, choices must be made, and processes must be streamlined. I also couldn’t make the economics of small-batch ice cream work as its production, storage and distribution are all very expensive. As much as I loved it, I simply couldn’t see a path forward with that as my main product.

From the beginning, I had offered gluten-free and gluten-full pastries alongside the ice cream. This stemmed from my restaurant experience, where we were required to offer gluten-free choices on the menu. However, I had never really had the time to explore it. The more I started to tinker with gluten-free baking, the more interested I became in it. Most of the specials that I brought to market were gluten-free because I was really enjoying the challenge of creating gluten-free versions of classic treats. From a professional point of view, it was like having to completely relearn my craft, which I found very exciting.

Before I knew it, the gluten-free items were outselling my gluten-full ones. Then those same customers started asking me to make bread. I brought a few items out quickly in response, but I wasn’t happy with the results. So, I decided to keep it behind the scenes for a while. My ciabatta was the first recipe that I was truly excited about, and it took about a year to develop.

Have your Sundae Fundae customers followed you during this rebranding? Have you gained new customers too? Yes, and yes! Even the ones who can eat gluten!

What is gluten and why do some people need to avoid it, and others choose to avoid it? Gluten is a protein found in every variety of wheat including emmer, einkorn, spelt, farro, durum, khorasan and kamut. It’s found in all wheat-derived products such as bran, berries, bulgur, germ and graham flour. It’s also found in rye, barley and some oats (depending on farming and harvesting practices). Certified gluten-free oats are available.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population. People with this disease must avoid gluten because it damages their small intestine and prevents them from absorbing nutrients from food. There are other medical reasons to avoid gluten, including IBS and gastrointestinal irritation caused by gluten sensitivity and intolerance.

The reason I most often hear cited from those who chose to eat a gluten-free diet is that they are avoiding the pesticides, specifically the glyphosate found in American grown wheat. Glyphosate is found in the herbicides used to keep pests away from grains while growing and is also sprayed on wheat as a harvest accelerant to speed up the drying process and get this high-demand product to market faster.

Do you follow a gluten-free diet? I am not medically required to follow a gluten-free diet. However, I love the bread that I make and enjoy it regularly. I have noticed that I feel more energetic and less lethargic when I stick to my own bread. I’m not a nutritionist, but I attribute this to the high quantity of whole grains in the breads that I bake, which makes them a slow burning carb. In contrast, when I eat the shelf-stable white breads in grocery stores, I always get a sugar crash.

How do you bake without using grains that contain gluten? What are some substitutes for gluten-containing grains? My favorite grain to use for its flavor is amaranth, an ancient grain. I also like to use both buckwheat and millet in moderation, as they can get bitter when used alone. A blend of brown and white rice flour helps to mellow them out.

I rely mostly on psyllium as a binder. It’s become very popular, especially when baking bread. Via Piante is a gum free bakery, but xanthan and guar gum are both very effective ingredients as well. There are others, but I can’t give away all my secrets 😉.

Are some heritage and ancient grains a good, and perhaps healthier, substitute for traditional grains? Yes, heritage grains have not been modified to maximize caloric output. They are classified as “largely unchanged over the last 100 years,” according to the Whole Grains Council. This renders them higher in nutrients such as omega-3’s, B vitamins, and zinc. They are also higher in fiber and richer in minerals such as manganese, iron and magnesium.

Can people who aren’t gluten-free enjoy Via Piante’s products? Yes, our products are made with everyone in mind, and I have many loyal customers who do not need to eat gluten-free.

Do you use locally grown grains and other ingredients in Via Piante’s products? We use locally grown produce in our crostatas and muffins whenever possible. There are very few certified gluten-free grains grown and produced locally, so most of those are sourced from Canada and the north Midwest. The only exception is Birkett Mills Buckwheat. There are some locally grown oats, but they are not certified gluten-free so we would not be celiac safe if we sourced those.

What are some Via Piante customer favorites? OMG the crostatas…I can barely keep up with the demand for them. The plum and the apple are seasonal favorites. Our ciabatta has been a best-seller since day one, and our faux rye bread is also very popular.

Thank you, Tanya, for sharing this glimpse inside the inner workings of Via Piante. You can find Via Piante and their range of artisanal gluten-free breads and other baked goodies at our Morningside Park farmers market every Saturday this winter.

[john-william-12]

A Comprehensive Guide to New Zealand ETA

New Zealand is a land of rich Maori culture, stunning natural beauty and a plethora of outdoor adventures. This country is located in Southwestern Pacific Ocean and consists of two landmasses - South Island (Te Waipounamu) and North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui). In recent years, NZ has become a good destination for tourism, work or business purposes. If you are planning to visit New Zealand, you must have Eta for New Zealand. Also, if you hold an eta from an eligible country, you do need to apply for an e visa for New Zealand. In this article, we will explore NZeta, required documents, application process, etc information that helps you to apply NZETA successfully. 

What is New Zealand Eta? 

To prevent unauthorized entries and efficiency of immigration process, New Zealand has launched a new system “New Zealand Eta” in 2019. This system allows citizens from visa-waiver countries, cruise ship passengers, and transit people to travel to NZ without applying a traditional visa. It allows you to stay up to 6 months within a 12 month period, you can enter multiple times and ETA is valid for 2 years for Travelers. 

When you are applying eta for New Zealand, you have to pay International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) fees that help fund the protection of the environment and infrastructure. 

Update: Now, Health Screening is required before entering the country and you have to answer health related questions. Also, IVL fees are increased, so before applying eta, you should need to check the latest fee structure. 

What are the eligible countries for eTA New Zealand? 

NZ eTA is required for those citizens who are coming from visa-waiver countries, transit travelers and cruise passengers. As of 2025, 190 countries under visa waiver program, check the below mentioned list of some visa-waiver countries or Territories for New Zealand: 

Andorra

Argentina

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Spain and many more.

New Zealand eTA required documents

Before applying for eta, you need to know what documents are required while applying for NZETA. 

A valid travel document or passport from a visa waiver country with 6 months validity.

Travelers must hold NZ eta.

Travelers must have a Health or Character certificate.

Purpose of visit, details of funds and travel tickets.

A valid email address to receive eta.

Master or Credit/Debit Card to pay the processing fee.

How to apply for New Zealand eta? 

The process of applying to eta NZ is very easy and straightforward. You can apply online for tourism, business or transit. You do not need to visit any office or apply for a traditional visa. New Zealand eTA Application process are below mentioned: 

For applying eta, you need to fill the application form online and enter the basic required details such as passport number, name, dob, etc.

You will be asked the questions related to Health and Character

After that, you need to upload the required documents.

Review your application and pay the processing fees visa Credit or Debit Card, Mastercard. Along with your processing fees, you need to pay IVL fees.

Once all details are verified, your eta is sent to your valid email.

Note: Eta processing time takes usually 72 hours, to avoid any delay, you should apply your eta in advance that helps you in a successful journey without problem. If you are already staying in NZ and want to stay longer then you have to apply for a visa or if you have a valid NZ visa then you do not need NZETA. 

How to check eTA NZ status? 

If you want to check if your eta is approved or in processing, then you can easily check it. When you applied for eta, a Reference number will be sent in your email. 

Go to the website. Enter the NZ eTA Reference number.

After that enter your passport number and select your nationality.

Now, you can see your eta is approved or pending.

Is it possible to extend New Zealand eTA?

No, New Zealand can not eTA for travelers. ETA is valid for up to 2 years for Travelers and 5 years for Crew members. If you have NZ eta then you are allowed for multiple entries, stay up to 3 to 6 months. If you want to stay longer in New Zealand for tourism, then you can choose other options such as New Zealand Visitor Visa which allows you to stay up to 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry). Through a Visitor Visa, you can study up to 3 months, visit family or friends and spend your holidays in New Zealand. 

Conclusion

NZ eTA is an essential travel document for travelers who are coming from visa-waiver countries, transit people and cruise passengers. Through eta, you can explore stunning landscapes, stay up to 6 months and visit family or friends in New Zealand. For visa-waiver country citizens, they do need to apply for an e visa or other kind of traditional visa, they can enter the country with the help of eTA. While applying for NZ eta, make sure to check required documents, processing and IVL fees and apply in advance to avoid any issue.

[eamimmigration]

Dreaming of a fresh start in Europe?

Settle in beautiful Croatia with genuine work permits and a 100% transparent process! Your journey to building a new life in one of Europe’s most picturesque destinations starts here.

���� Why Choose Croatia?

✔️ Gateway to Europe

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📞 Book your FREE consultation with our immigration specialists today!

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[jcmarchi]

Admir Masic: Using lessons from the past to build a better future

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/admir-masic-using-lessons-from-the-past-to-build-a-better-future/

Admir Masic: Using lessons from the past to build a better future

As a teenager living in a small village in what was then Yugoslavia, Admir Masic witnessed the collapse of his home country and the outbreak of the Bosnian war. When his childhood home was destroyed by a tank, his family was forced to flee the violence, leaving their remaining possessions to enter a refugee camp in northern Croatia.

It was in Croatia that Masic found what he calls his “magic.”

“Chemistry really forcefully entered my life,” recalls Masic, who is now an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “I’d leave school to go back to my refugee camp, and you could either play ping-pong or do chemistry homework, so I did a lot of homework, and I began to focus on the subject.”

Masic has never let go of his magic. Long after chemistry led him out of Croatia, he’s come to understand that the past holds crucial lessons for building a better future. That’s why he started the MIT Refugee Action Hub (now MIT Emerging Talent) to provide educational opportunities to students displaced by war. It’s also what led him to study ancient materials, whose secrets he believes have potential to solve some of the modern world’s most pressing problems.

“We’re leading this concept of paleo-inspired design: that there are some ideas behind these ancient materials that are useful today,” Masic says. “We should think of these materials as a source of valuable information that we can try to translate to today. These concepts have the potential to revolutionize how we think about these materials.”

One key research focus for Masic is cement. His lab is working on ways to transform the ubiquitous material into a carbon sink, a medium for energy storage, and more. Part of that work involves studying ancient Roman concrete, whose self-healing properties he has helped to illuminate.

At the core of each of Masic’s research endeavors is a desire to translate a better understanding of materials into improvements in how we make things around the world.

“Roman concrete to me is fascinating: It’s still standing after all this time and constantly repairing,” Masic says. “It’s clear there’s something special about this material, so what is it? Can we translate part of it into modern analogues? That’s what I love about MIT. We are put in a position to do cutting-edge research and then quickly translate that research into the real world. Impact for me is everything.”

Finding a purpose

Masic’s family fled to Croatia in 1992, just as he was set to begin high school. Despite excellent grades, Masic was told Bosnian refugees couldn’t enroll in the local school. It was only after a school psychologist advocated for Masic that he was allowed to sit in on classes as a nonmatriculating student.

Masic did his best to be a ghost in the back of classrooms, silently absorbing everything he could. But in one subject he stood out. Within six months of joining the school, in January of 1993, a teacher suggested Masic compete in a local chemistry competition.

“It was kind of the Olympiads of chemistry, and I won,” Masic recalls. “I literally floated onto the stage. It was this ‘Aha’ moment. I thought, ‘Oh my god, I’m good at chemistry!’”

In 1994, Masic’s parents immigrated to Germany in search of a better life, but he decided to stay behind to finish high school, moving into a friend’s basement and receiving food and support from local families as well as a group of volunteers from Italy.

“I just knew I had to stay,” Masic says. “With all the highs and lows of life to that point, I knew I had this talent and I had to make the most of it. I realized early on that knowledge was the one thing no one could take away from me.”

Masic continued competing in chemistry competitions — and continued winning. Eventually, after a change to a national law, the high school he was attending agreed to give him a diploma. With the help of the Italian volunteers, he moved to Italy to attend the University of Turin, where he entered a five-year joint program that earned him a master’s degree in inorganic chemistry. Masic stayed at the university for his PhD, where he studied parchment, a writing material that’s been used for centuries to record some of humanity’s most sacred texts.

With a classmate, Masic started a company that helped restore ancient documents. The work took him to Germany to work on a project studying the Dead Sea Scrolls, a set of manuscripts that date as far back as the third century BCE. In 2008, Masic joined the Max Planck Institute in Germany, where he also began to work with biological materials, studying water’s interaction with collagen at the nanoscale.

Through that work, Masic became an expert in Raman spectroscopy, a type of chemical imaging that uses lasers to record the vibrations of molecules without leaving a trace, which he still uses to characterize materials.

“Raman became a tool for me to contribute in the field of biological materials and bioinspired materials,” Masic says. “At the same time, I became the ‘Raman guy.’ It was a remarkable period for me professionally, as these tools provided unparalleled information and I published a lot of papers.”

After seven years at Max Planck, Masic joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at MIT.

“At MIT, I felt I could truly be myself and define the research I wanted to do,” Masic says. “Especially in CEE, I could connect my work in heritage science and this tool, Raman spectroscopy, to tackle our society’s big challenges.”

From labs to the world

Raman spectroscopy is a relatively new approach to studying cement, a material that contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. At MIT, Masic has explored ways cement could be used to store carbon dioxide and act as an energy-storing supercapacitor. He has also solved ancient mysteries about the lasting strength of ancient Roman concrete, with lessons for the $400 billion cement industry today.

“We really don’t think we should replace ordinary Portland cement completely, because it’s an extraordinary material that everyone knows how to work with, and industry produces so much of it. We need to introduce new functionalities into our concrete that will compensate for cement’s sustainability issues through avoided emissions,” Masic explains. “The concept we call ‘multifunctional concrete’ was inspired by our work with biological materials. Bones, for instance, sacrifice mechanical performance to be able to do things like self-healing and energy storage. That’s how you should imagine construction over next 10 years or 20 years. There could be concrete columns and walls that primarily offer support but also do things like store energy and continuously repair themselves.”

Masic’s work across academia and industry allows him to apply his multifunctional concrete research at scale. He serves as a co-director of the MIT ec3 hub, a principal investigator within MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, and a co-founder and advisor at the technology development company DMAT.

“It’s great to be at the forefront of sustainability but also to be directly interacting with key industry players that can change the world,” Masic says. “What I appreciate about MIT is how you can engage in fundamental science and engineering while also translating that work into practical applications. The CSHub and ec3 hub are great examples of this. Industry is eager for us to develop solutions that they can help support.”

And Masic will never forget where he came from. He now lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with his wife Emina, a fellow former refugee, and their son, Benjamin, and the family shares a deep commitment to supporting displaced and underserved communities. Seven years ago, Masic founded the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT), which provides computer and data science education programs for refugees and displaced communities. Today thousands of refugees apply to the program every year, and graduates have gone on to successful careers at places like Microsoft and Meta. The ReACT program was absorbed by MIT’s Emerging Talent program earlier this year to further its reach.

“It’s really a life-changing experience for them,” Masic says. “It’s an amazing opportunity for MIT to nurture talented refugees around the world through this simple certification program. The more people we can involve, the more impact we will have on the lives of these truly underserved communities.”

[agacs-pvt-ltd]

Stay in Canada After IEC.

It is important to understand whether you can extend your IEC work permit.

Participants in the IEC program are permitted to extend their work permits only under exceptional circumstances. Unfortunately, the desire to enjoy another ski season in Whistler does not qualify as an exceptional circumstance. Therefore, you will need to explore the options outlined below to determine the most suitable path for you.

A fundamental principle: Plan in advance!

Having already navigated the IEC process, you possess some familiarity with the Canadian immigration system. Would you characterize it as the quickest, simplest, or most efficient system available? We would not either.

Keep this in mind if you intend to remain in Canada following your IEC experience. This is not a decision to be made hastily, so it is advisable to plan ahead. Many of the alternatives mentioned below necessitate the preparation, submission, and processing of immigration applications, which can take several months.

What are your optimal options for remaining in Canada after your IEC participation?

How many times can one engage in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program?

If your initial experience with IEC was positive, why not consider participating again?

The number of times you can engage in IEC is contingent upon your country of citizenship. Many individuals may be eligible to participate up to three times, thanks to their country’s Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada. Even if your nation permits only a single participation through the Youth Mobility Agreement, you may have the opportunity to apply for two additional participations via an IEC Recognized Organization. This could serve as a significant opportunity for you.

However, there are limitations for citizens from certain countries. In particular occurrences, people may as it were apply for a moment IEC work allow after a assigned period has passed since the close of their to begin with IEC work permit. This stipulation applies solely to applicants from Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain. For citizens of these nations, this means that while they cannot remain in Canada after their first IEC permit expires, they may apply to return at a later date.

How can your boss offer assistance you in growing your stay?

Suppose you possess specialized skills or training that make you appealing to a Canadian employer. In that case, they may be able to extend a job offer that would allow you to apply for a work allow through either the Transitory Outside Specialist Program or the Worldwide Versatility Program. While obtaining a work permit through these channels can be complex, it remains a viable option if you fulfill the necessary criteria.

Acquiring a work permit for Canada outside the IEC framework may necessitate your employer’s assistance in securing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). If this assessment is required, your employer will typically need to advertise the position and demonstrate that there is a genuine need to hire a foreign worker, indicating that no Canadian was available, willing, and capable of fulfilling the role.

Consider extending your visit:

This option is advisable if you seek additional flexibility at the conclusion of your working holiday. You may apply to extend your stay as a visitor, which typically allows for a duration of six months. It is fundamental to yield your application for a guest record at slightest 30 days earlier to the close of your work permit. While visitor status is generally granted, approval is not guaranteed.

It is important to understand that once you assume visitor status, you forfeit the right to work in Canada. Engaging in employment without the appropriate status can lead to significant legal consequences.

Pursue permanent resident status directly:

Your IEC work allow speaks to a brief status in Canada; be that as it may, you may have the opportunity to apply for changeless residency, which would empower you to work for any manager in any area. The status that grants you to dwell, live, and work uncertainly in Canada is known as lasting inhabitant status.

Canada offers several pathways to achieve permanent residency:

Immigration for workers: If you possess substantial work experience, post-secondary education, and proficiency in English or French, you may qualify for an ‘economic immigration’ pathway for workers, such as Express Section or a Common Chosen one Program (PNP).

Express Entry is a notably swift route to permanent residency, with processing times typically within six months, while the PNP may require a longer duration.

It is important to note that not all candidates for Express Entry receive invitations to apply for permanent residency. However, acquiring at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada while on your IEC work permit can enhance your points and significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation through Express Entry.

If you have been employed in Montreal or any other location within the province of Quebec, it is important to be aware that there exists a distinct immigration system for workers in Quebec, which may require you to enhance your proficiency in the French language.

[mariacallous]

Some European Union countries, led by Italy, are pushing to normalize ties with Syria in order to facilitate deportations of migrants as mainstream leaders look to replicate anti-immigrant far-right parties’ surging popularity across the Continent.

“It is necessary to review the European Union Strategy for Syria and to work with all actors, to create the conditions for Syrian refugees to return to their homeland in a voluntary, safe and sustainable way,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday to the Italian Senate ahead of the EU leaders’ meeting. 

After dictator Bashar Assad’s violent crackdown on protesters in 2011 spiraled into a bloody civil war, his government was accused of using chemical weapons on its own people and was accused of torture.

The EU cut off diplomatic ties with the country in 2011. The regime survived and its operations continued in major part due to the military support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The civil war has since ground to a standstill and the Syrian president has faced near-total global isolation. 

Meloni plans to raise the relationship with Damascus during a meeting of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, two EU diplomats told POLITICO.  

Those calls from one of the EU’s largest countries come on top of a concerted push by a group of others, some of which have hard-right or far-right parties in government (or supporting government), such as Austria and Hungary.

The push to normalize relations with war-torn Syria and its president comes after a surge in support for anti-immigrant parties after the European election in June, namely France’s National Rally and Germany’s Alternative for Germany.

In recent weeks, Poland’s prime minister has drawn a rebuke from the EU executive for saying that Warsaw would suspend asylum rights for migrants coming to Poland via Belarus, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has shut his country’s borders to EU neighbors following a knife attack allegedly involving a migrant and France’s newly appointed prime minister, Michel Barnier, has said EU rules on deportations should be revised to speed up expulsions.

One EU diplomat echoed Meloni, saying Israel’s ground operations after its invasion of Lebanon in early October added momentum to the push for deporting Syrian migrants. Nearly 200,000 Syrians and Lebanese have fled to Syria since the start of October, according to the U.N. In Europe, more than 1 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in the past 10 years, according to 2021 data from the UN Refugee Agency. 

“The situation in the Middle East has completely changed the discussion,” the EU diplomat said, referring to the current war in Lebanon. 

Assad’s charm offensive

President Assad’s government, for its part, is eager to return to the embrace of its neighbors and other global leaders. In 2023, he received a hug from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at a meeting of Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia (the country initially backed some Syrian rebels), which he attended for the first time in over a decade. 

He has led a charm offensive for years, telling Syrians who fled it is now safe to return. In 2016, Assad told a group of Russian journalists, “We encourage every Syrian to come back to Syria.”

More recently, Syria has been bankrolling a campaign by Syrian and Western influencers to clean up his country’s image and jumpstart tourism, which has been largely dead for a decade.

But officials have not mapped out how such a shift to normalizing ties might happen. “There is no one who says: we will pick up the phone to call Assad,” said one EU official. “Nobody dares to raise that, but it is a hidden suggestion by some.”

In July, seven EU countries (Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece, Croatia and Cyprus) called on the EU’s foreign policy chief to review the EU’s strategy for Syria. The goal, they said, was to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria as well as help return migrants to certain regions of the country. 

For others, it’s more complicated.

The Netherlands is not ready to back plans for restarting negotiations with Syria as it is not considered a safe country according to the Dutch domestic assessment, its Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told POLITICO.

“The Dutch policy is that Syria is not secure to return asylum seekers. If that will happen in the future, [it] depends on the whole mechanism which is depoliticized [for] the Netherlands to decide to what extent Syria is secure, safe enough for the return of migrants,” he added. 

The EU foreign policy chief’s response to the letter from seven EU countries was curt.

“How the Syrian regime has been operating for decades is well known and documented, including with the direct support of both Russia and Iran,” Josep Borrell wrote in a letter dated August 28 and obtained by POLITICO. 

“That said, rest assured that the EU has always been ready to explore ways to better support the Syrian people and its legitimate aspirations.” 

But some within the EU are adamant it is time to, at the very least, start a discussion, even if it is “too early to say whether we can succeed in anything,” one senior EU diplomat said. 

“Assad is there, there is no whitewashing of him but Europe has taken in over 1.2 million Syrian citizens,” said Austria’s Alexander Schallenberg, federal minister for European and international affairs. 

“Our proposal is an open-minded assessment: where do we stand, where should we go, because we are simply not achieving the results we would like to achieve.”

[myglobalsiblog]

Business Immigration Services in Slovenia: A Gateway to European Opportunities

Slovenia, located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, offers a strategic location, favorable business climate, and access to the European market. Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to establish or expand their operations in Europe should seriously consider Slovenia. With competitive taxes, strong economic growth, and access to the European Union, it is one of the most attractive destinations for business immigration.

This blog post will guide you through the essential aspects of business immigration in Slovenia, answer frequently asked questions, and explain how My Global can assist in making your transition smooth and successful.

Why Slovenia?

1. Strategic Location Slovenia is positioned at the heart of Europe, bordering Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. It provides direct access to a population of over 500 million people in the European Union market.

2. Business-Friendly Environment Slovenia offers a favorable business environment, with low corporate tax rates and a well-educated workforce. It ranks high in terms of ease of doing business, making it an ideal location for both startups and established companies.

3. Quality of Life In addition to business opportunities, Slovenia boasts a high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure, making it a great place to relocate with your family.

Business Immigration Options in Slovenia

Starting a New Business If you are looking to start a new company, Slovenia allows foreigners to establish businesses without significant capital requirements. You can register a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or a branch office, depending on your business needs.

Expanding an Existing Business If you already have a business outside Slovenia, you can easily expand your operations by opening a branch or subsidiary in Slovenia. This will give you direct access to the EU market and European customers.

Investor Visa Program Slovenia offers an attractive investor visa program, allowing individuals who invest in Slovenian businesses to gain residency. This option is perfect for entrepreneurs looking to make a significant financial commitment.

Work Permits and Residency for Entrepreneurs Slovenia offers combined work and residency permits, allowing business owners to live and work in the country. After obtaining a business visa, you can apply for permanent residency if you meet the requirements.

How Can My Global Help You with Business Immigration to Slovenia?

At My Global, we specialize in providing comprehensive HR outsourcing and immigration services tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are looking to start a business from scratch, expand an existing company, or relocate your business operations, we provide expert guidance through every step of the process.

Key Services We Provide:

Company Formation: Our experts handle all aspects of company registration and legal formalities in Slovenia, ensuring a hassle-free process.

Visa and Immigration Support: From applying for business visas to residency permits, we assist you in navigating the immigration system.

HR Outsourcing Solutions: We offer tailored HR services, including recruitment, payroll management, and compliance, to support your business growth in Slovenia.

Business Consulting: Our team of consultants provides strategic advice on market entry, business regulations, and local partnerships to maximize your success.

Post-Setup Support: After your business is established, we offer continuous support, from legal advice to accounting and tax services.

With My Global, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the legal and administrative complexities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Business Immigration to Slovenia

1. What are the benefits of starting a business in Slovenia? Starting a business in Slovenia allows you access to the European Union’s large market, low tax rates, a strategic location, and a supportive government. Additionally, Slovenia’s ease of doing business makes it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.

2. Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Slovenia? Yes, Slovenia allows foreigners to own 100% of a company. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership.

3. How long does it take to register a business in Slovenia? On average, it takes about 7–10 days to register a business in Slovenia once all the necessary documentation is provided.

4. What types of visas are available for business immigrants? Slovenia offers several visa options, including business visas, investor visas, and combined work and residency permits for entrepreneurs.

5. Do I need to be physically present to open a business in Slovenia? While it is recommended to visit Slovenia during the business registration process, it is possible to complete many aspects remotely with the help of a local representative like My Global.

6. Can I get residency in Slovenia by investing in a business? Yes, through the investor visa program, you can gain residency in Slovenia by making a substantial investment in a local business.

7. How much does it cost to start a business in Slovenia? The cost varies depending on the type of business and the scale of operations. My Global can provide you with a detailed cost estimate based on your specific requirements.

8. How can My Global assist with HR outsourcing in Slovenia? My Global provides a full range of HR outsourcing services, including recruitment, payroll management, compliance with local labor laws, and employee management solutions to ensure your business runs smoothly.

9. What industries are thriving in Slovenia? Slovenia has a diverse economy with strong sectors in manufacturing, information technology, tourism, logistics, and green energy. It is an ideal location for innovative industries.

10. Can I bring my family if I move to Slovenia for business purposes? Yes, Slovenia allows business visa holders to bring their immediate family members through family reunification programs. Once you obtain residency, your family members can also apply for residency permits.

Why Choose My Global for Your Slovenia Business Immigration?

At My Global, we understand that navigating a new country’s business and immigration laws can be challenging. That’s why we provide a complete, end-to-end solution to make your business immigration to Slovenia as seamless as possible. Our local expertise, combined with years of experience, allows us to offer personalized services that meet your unique business needs.

Whether you are a startup, a multinational corporation, or an individual investor, My Global is your trusted partner in Slovenia. We’ll guide you through the entire process, from business registration and immigration to ongoing operational support.

Final Thoughts

Slovenia is a rising star in Europe for business opportunities, offering a stable and business-friendly environment with access to the European market. Whether you are looking to start a new venture, expand your current business, or relocate your operations, Slovenia provides the perfect gateway.

With My Global, you have a trusted partner to help you every step of the way. Our expertise in business immigration and HR outsourcing ensures that your business is not only established but also primed for success.

Contact My Global today to begin your business immigration journey to Slovenia and unlock the door to European business opportunities!