MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH GLOBAL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS

I'm back! I've been missing for a while and in this post I want to explain why (apart from the fact that with this COVID-19 thing I haven't been able to travel). It turns out that after embarking on what was the adventure of my life, my trip to Ecuador, I got into another one: the Global Training scholarship.

After having tried in 2018, after finishing my degree, I decided to make a second attempt to be a scholarship holder for the Global Training Scholarships 2019-2020, and this time I got it!

Photo: Global Training Scholarships

What are Global Training Scholarships?

This is a programme of grants abroad organised by the Department of Economic Development and Infrastructures of the Basque Government. The aim of this project is to enhance the transnational mobility of young people from the Basque Autonomous Community (Autonomous Community of the Basque Country) by making it possible to carry out work placements in companies and institutions abroad.

What was my experience like?

The first time I tried it, it didn't work out and I'm not going to lie to you, it was a bit of a disappointment. There is usually quite a lot of competition, so I recommend that you focus on an offer where you are a good fit and keep an open mind in case you are offered other vacancies that you hadn't thought of.

The second time I had more professional experience and it was easier. That's why I recommend that you don't give up and try again if the opportunity arises. Having international experience on your CV is something that is highly valued in selection processes. You won't regret it!

Global Training training-course:

In my case, I managed to get a grant to work for 6 months at Technomar GmbH in Munich (Germany), managing the communication of the REPLICATE project of the European Union. Before I went, I had to take a training course in San Sebastian. The training course varies depending on the entity you apply with (more on this later) and as I applied with Fomento de San Sebastián, I applied in San Sebastián.

Obviously, you can choose to apply to offers offered by organisations in your province so that the training is "closer to home" (for example, being from Vitoria-Gasteiz, I would have been better off applying to an offer managed by the Chamber of Commerce of Álava) but it is best to apply to the offers that really interest you. In addition, there are usually two weeks of training.

This training deals with soft skills, professional self-knowledge, improving online reputation... but it is valid above all for networking and talking to people who are going to be in the same situation as you for a few months. In our course, we created a WhatsApp group where, in addition to asking questions, we shared concerns and comments.

Regarding the payments, before you arrive at your destination you receive more or less half of the grant (about 4.200€), when you are half way through your stay you receive about 40% of the grant (about 3.200€) and when it ends you receive the rest (taking into account the social security contribution, this is not exact).

The importance of the reports:

Another very important aspect is the reports. Some institutions may not ask for them, but in general, if you want to get paid, you have to fill in the reports that are requested. Also, if you want to get paid on time because you need the money urgently, it is best to work ahead.

In the case of Fomento de San Sebastián, you must submit the first report during the first month, specifying what you and the company have agreed on the tasks and functions to be carried out. Halfway through the grant, you will have to fill in the interim report and finally, at the end of the first 6 months, the final report, together with the evaluation from your managers (they fill it in but you send it) and a video summarising the experience in one minute.

Of course, during the whole scholarship, you can count on the Basque entity in charge of managing your case. In Fomento de San Sebastián everyone was very patient and kind with me (not that I had few doubts) and I am very grateful for that.

Photo: Pixabay.com

What are the eligibility requirements for Global Training Scholarships?

Regarding the requirements that were necessary to apply for the scholarship during the 2019-2020 call, they were the following:

• Debes contar con una titulación de Grado Universitario o Formación Profesional de Grado Superior.
• No tener cumplidos los 30 años de la fecha que se establezca durante esa convocatoria.
• *Empadronamiento en un municipio de Euskadi con una antigüedad superior a 12 meses o de 5 años consecutivos en los últimos 10.
• Not to have been beneficiary of other grants that have made it possible to carry out a work placement abroad lasting six months or more (European mobility programmes: Leonardo da Vinci Erasmus+, etc.).
• Certified level of English B2 (B1 for Advanced Vocational Training). If you do not have an accredited qualification, which is less than 4 years old, you must take a level test.

**UPDATED 2022** (See more information here)).

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS OPEN FROM 15 JUNE TO 18 JULY 2022

• Proficiency in English, level B1 for Advanced Vocational Training and level B2 for University graduates.
• Global Training oferta 500 plazas para que adquieras una experiencia única en el extranjero.
• Las prácticas a realizar constan de una duración mínima de 6 meses, pudiendo extenderse hasta 12 meses.
• Se imparten 40-60 horas de formación previa.
• 1530€ per month for 6 months.

English:

As for the last point, some people are in luck, as in previous editions the required level of English for people with a university degree was C1. The first time I applied, I didn't have such a certificate, so I had to go for separate days to do a test of English and a test of spoken English.

The English language requirement is compulsory, whatever your destination. However, in some cases it may also be necessary to have a higher level of English or an additional language. It all depends on the company or institution.

Photo: Pexels.com

How to apply for a Global Training Scholarship?

The application period usually opens between approximately June and July. This is followed by English language tests, training courses and the selection process. This is why most grantees do not leave for their destination until November or months thereafter.

Although SPRI (Basque Government) finances them and Basque Trade & Investment manages them, seven entities are in charge of the rest of the overall process.

Entities managing Global Training:

• Fomento San Sebastián and Garapen
• Chambers of Commerce / Eusko Ganberak
• University of the Basque Country / UPV-EHU
• Mondragon and Deusto universities
• Novia Salcedo Foundation
• Confebask, HETEL, Politeknika Txorierri and ADEGI
• AFM and Ikaslan

Each of them is responsible for about 60 offers. That is why it is necessary to check the offers that each of them offers. However, on the official website you can probably find a compilation of all of them in Excel format.

In previous editions, and in some institutions, you could choose several of the options offered. However, you will most likely have to choose only one vacancy at the time of application. After submitting all the necessary information, it will take several weeks to tell you if you have been lucky. If not, you may be offered some other vacancies that also fit your profile and are still unfilled.

Regarding the documentation required and how to submit it, it varies depending on the entity to which the offer you are applying for is linked. For example, the first year I applied with UPV-EHU and I had to print it all out and hand it in at the university. The second year, I applied with Fomento de San Sebastián and I only had to upload the documents to the Internet through their own platform.

The documents are usually as follows:

• Foto tamaño carnet
• Copia del DNI (partida nacimiento o cualquier otro documento acreditativo de la fecha nacimiento)
• CV en inglés y castellano
• Carta de Motivación sobre el proyecto al que se presenta solicitud en castellano e inglés
• Títulos oficiales de formación reglada (si aún no los has recibido, puedes presentar el Expediente Académico justificando haber cursado todos los créditos
• Títulos oficiales idiomas (original y copia, de lo contrario realizarás una prueba de nivel)
• Certificado de Empadronamiento en algún municipio de la CAPV (al menos 1 año antigüedad)
• Affidavit (To download and fill in).

Photo: Pixabay.com

What does the grant cover?

**UPDATED 2022** - Endowment of 1530€ per month for 6 months.

This grant, of 6 months but withpossibility of extension for up to 6 more months, involves a monthly allowance of 1,400€ for the first 6 months (social security contributions are deducted from this sum). After that, if you are extended, you must negotiate the salary with the person responsible for it in the company.

Insurance:

In addition to this, Global Training also takes care of the accident and liability insurance for the entire duration of the internship.

Due to the Coronavirus, the 2020 call for applications was cancelled, as well as the other internationalisation grant of the Basque Government called BEINT (also very interesting). If you cannot access this scholarship, for whatever reason, I invite you to investigate these two pages that may contain job opportunities abroad for you: MeVoyAlMundo, TrabajarPorElMundo and Locos por las Becas.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask me, I'll be happy to help! Later, I will write more about my experience moving and living in a foreign country.