Blog

etiquette

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Author: Ahmad Sulaiman, BBA Business Administration and Management.

An individual’s behavior and expectations within a place of business are governed by business etiquette. It entails treating bosses and coworkers with decency and respect in a way that makes the workplace enjoyable for everyone. Establishes trust, fosters a pleasant environment, exudes confidence, and avoids misunderstandings. It is a crucial component of creating a successful company. Some good business etiquettes are listed below;

Leave your personal affairs at the front door, be respectful of your coworkers’ experience and knowledge, and ask for advice on how to interact with coworkers, superiors, and clients. Meet deadlines for work assignments. Make a good impression on your boss. You’ll get a promotion and more opportunities if you assist the organization in achieving its objectives. Never bypass your head supervisor without consulting them first. Try to project a professional image. Being clean and well-groomed is crucial.  Adopt a positive outlook. People with a creative streak and an open mind are valuable. Be adaptable. You establish a reputation as an accommodating employee by being adaptable and implementing change.

In conclusion, good business manners help a company present its best side and can shield its owners and employees from internal and external conflicts by establishing high standards for everyone’s conduct. Business etiquette is a set of rules for conduct that encourages people to treat others with respect and act politely at all times. The secret to growing your career is having good business manners. Good business manners demonstrate respect for one’s position, job, and coworkers as well as a serious commitment to performance.

By James Cutright, ago

LOVE IN THE HAIR

Author: Etieno Udoh, BCom, Commerce and Marketing.

To commemorate this year black history month I will be taking you through how I care for my afro-textured hair.

Afro is a hair type and hair style that is grown naturally by people of the black community.

Hair just like any other thing has factors that play in enabling it to grow. These factors include but are not limited to genetics ,diet, weather and so on. Regardless, it all boils down to knowing your hair type and what works for it.

Being a black girl and growing up with an afro-textured hair hasn’t always been all rainbow and sunshine, the struggles were real.

As a young girl I remember always wanting to relax my hair because of how painful it was and how much I cried through the process. Fast forward years later when I was done with my secondary school, natural hair had become a trend so I hopped on the trend, with zero knowledge about it .

To commemorate this year black history month I will be taking your through how I care for my afro textured hair.

smiling woman standing near plant

Afro is a hair type and hair style that is grown naturally by people of the black community.

Hair just like any other thing has factors that play in enabling it to grow. These factors include but are not limited to genetics ,diet, weather and so on. Regardless, it all boils down to knowing your hair type and what works for it.

Being a black girl and growing up with an afro-textured hair hasn’t always been all rainbow and sunshine, the struggles were real.

As a young girl I remember always wanting to relax my hair because of how painful it was and how much I cried through the process. Fast forward years later when I was done with my secondary school, natural hair had become a trend so I hopped on the trend, with zero knowledge about it .

When I decided to start my hair love journey, I had to do my own research. Why does it take so much time? Why are my curls so tight? Why do I have so much shrinkage? etc, are some of the questions I researched.

After my extensive research, I concluded that I have a 4c hair type, low porosity, thick strands and high density hair. I have been on my natural hair journey for a few years and honestly I am still trying to find my foot around it, having coloured, cut, and styled my hair in endless ways to figure out it’s full potential. It definitely has been a journey and I am loving every part of it.

The 4c hair type is usually termed problematic, unkept, ugly, untamed, and unpolished. Over time our beautiful nappy curls have become accepted and well represented. I will be taking you on tips on how I maintain my 4c hair types.

I try to keep my hair routine very simple, as it is said less is more.

Moisture: My hair is always dry, so I try to moisturise it with water before styling it to avoid any breakage.

Protective styling: A protective hair style is a black girl’s best friend, it prevents the hair from breakage and tangling, my personal favourite is cornrows. you can also have your hair done in twists and bantu knots they also protect your hair.

Trim dead ends: Trimming your split ends helps retain length for your hair. I try to trim my hair once a year cause if done too much it can cause hair loss.

Wash days: It is greatly advised to set a day aside to wash your hair because the washing process could be tedious. Also having a simple hair wash routine helps a whole lot, because you would not want to put your hair through undue stress as it might lead to breakage. I try to follow my wash days religiously.

Others include; going easy with heated tools, following up your hair treatment frequently, choosing the right shampoo and conditioner, and finally finding a good hairstylist who can handle your hair.

Afro hair can be overwhelming but find out what’s works for you, love your hair, don’t compare your hair journey with others and be prepared for the bad hair days.

By James Cutright, ago
woman closing her eyes
food photography of food and wine bottles on table inside boat

The Relation Between Food, traveling, and culture

Author: Areej Alsobh, PhD Food Engineering.

Food and cuisine are an integral part of the culture of any country. And as we know food has evolved from the time when humans hunted and foraged for food to today, where exploring and experiencing local cuisine is a major part of our trips. Where these days we see entire tomes and TV series, dedicated to food and travel for those people who seek to explore and experience different cultures through travel. Today, there are many countries whose name is associated with the dish in which they are famous. We can not mention Italy without mentioning pizza and pasta dishes, or France without mentioning the delicious varieties of chees, and we feel that we can smell croissant.

According to my experience, after I move from my country to Hungary I found out the difference in food and cooking between our Arab countries and this European country. In the Arab country and Asia in general, we rely on bulgur and rice in our meals in addition to meat, which is often fresh. Also, we eat cooked vegetables and our meals can be made of vegetables only without meat, this is something you rarely notice in Hungary and most of Hungarians do not consider the food as good food without meat. There is also a difference in the spices used, we tend to use cumin, mint, and cloves, While they use more basil, dill and they use a lot of red pepper.

In summary, if you visit Hungary you should try Gulyásleves which is prepared with meat, traditionally beef, that is simmered in a rich paprika-infused broth, usually alongside onions, bell peppers, root vegetables, various spices, and occasionally tomatoes, Gyümölcsleves which is cold fruit soups, halászlé it is fish soup, and you can try paprikash, lecsó.

If we talk about other European countries, and because I did not visit most of them, I asked some of my friends about their experience with the food there, and one of them told me that the best thing you can try in  Poland is  Pierogi which are filled dumplings, made with unleavened dough, they are usually filled with savory fillings including minced meat, potato and sometimes cheese, before being cooked in boiling water. While in Portugal you should try the Portuguese sandwich which originates from Porto and combines bread and a meat filling (typically wet-cured ham, fresh sausage, steak, or roast meat), before smothering it with melted cheese and a tomato and beer sauce and serving it up with a side of french fries. In Turkey try gözleme which is a rolled flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients before it is cooked over a hot griddle. Typical fillings include minced meat or spinach and feta. While in Sweden try (Swedish) Meatballs, in  Bosnia & Herzegovina you should try Ćevapi .

It is interesting to see how the world can be explored and open to people through their food and serving habits. Also, trying new food can show or be seen as a sign of respect for the culture you’re being introduced to, although sometimes this food may be out of your comfort zone, it is necessary to try because without trying you can not enjoy or gain a great experience/

By James Cutright, ago

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Author: Othman Abdulaziz, BSc Commerce and Marketing.

Being the target of much debate, organizational culture has occupied a prominent position in multidisciplinary publications since the early 1980s and yes organizational culture does exist, although it may seem simplistic, it took years of research and theory to conclude that organizational culture exists.

Firstly what is organizational culture:

An organization’s culture defines the proper way to behave within the organization which consists of shared beliefs and values established by leaders and then communicated and reinforced through various methods ultimately shaping employee perceptions, behaviours and understanding.

A core tenet regarding organizational culture is the group nature of the concept that has been used to properly distinguish organizational culture from other similar constructs and to differentiate methods from previous work in organizational climate. Ultimately organisational culture is enforced as we to maintain a structural and healthy work balance within an organisation to promote communication from different channels within an environment.

By James Cutright, ago
high rise buildings
landscape man love people

Volunteer in EUROWEEK, Poland

Author: Kanna Nishi, BSc Commerce and Marketing

Overview

EUROWEEK is an educational program/ seminar for students of all age and adult learner. It focuses in enhancing the English language and leadership skills of its participants. Furthermore, we are also developing the key areas of multiple intelligence that the students needed in this past- changing environment; cross-cultural, social and communication, intellectual and creativity skills.

And as to be a position of the volunteer in the EUROWEEK, Cross-cultural approach is one of the key areas of EUROWEEK in providing non formal education to its students. The facilitators of every activity are the Youth Leaders around the world. Each volunteer has a commendable background and expertise such as in Economics, International Business, Law, Masters in Psychology, English Teachers, International Studies, Tourism, Political Science, Literature, Journalism, Aircraft Engineer, Software Engineer and more. Furthermore, Youth Leaders are also engaged with different organizations, serving as volunteers inside and outside of their country.

They have previously attended local and international seminars and are passionate in all they do more so advocacy work. Also, majority of the Youth Leaders are actively participating and engaging in community activities; they have also interesting hobbies that will surely interest all the participants.

How to be a volunteer.

EUROWEEK is also a learning space for volunteers. The volunteers can create; teach workshops and other activities that would not only benefit the students but also contribute to their growth as individuals, team players and leaders.

Benefits

  • Accommodation is provided
  • Local Transportation
  • Meal during activities
  • Travel fund
  • Leadership Training
  • International Certificate

How to apply

By James Cutright, ago

Recent Wars Tremors into the Arctic

By Chelsea Harvey, E&E News on March 14, 2022

icebergs

Diplomatic tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are affecting the farthest reaches of the Northern Hemisphere.

Seven of the Arctic Council’s eight members — all except Russia, which currently holds the council’s rotating chairmanship — have agreed to boycott future meetings.

The boycott, announced earlier this month by the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, indefinitely pauses council proceedings on issues from climate change to Arctic oil drilling.

“We remain convinced of the enduring value of the Arctic Council for circumpolar cooperation and reiterate our support for this institution and its work,” the seven nations said in a joint statement released March 3. “We hold a responsibility to the people of the Arctic, including the indigenous peoples, who contribute to and benefit from the important work undertaken in the Council.”

To read the full article: Click here

By James Cutright, ago

How to learn Norwegian while building skills for the workplace

Norway Today Published.

Navigating Norway’s job market can be tough

The Norwegian job market has always been competitive… So, what does it take to get noticed and selected among thousands of applicants – and land your dream job or get a promotion in Norway?

How can an international citizen navigate through the codes and ethics of the Norwegian workplace? How should one adjust their CV and application to the Norwegian standards? What’s the appropriate tone of communication or even… The dress code?!

Finding the answers to these questions – and many more – can be made much easier by getting a grasp of the Norwegian language – and culture. After all, learning the language is vital, but without proper and comprehensive guidance, there’s only so much you can do to be noticed.

Success is far from impossible – especially with the right assistance

There are many factors to take into account when trying to maximize your chances of success within Norway’s job market.

These include communication skills in Norwegian, confidence when holding presentations, and the ability to negotiate in the employer’s language.

Networking is key in Norway, along with making connections and friends. Having good relationships in the workplace overall is important; for example, being in good standing with your employers – who can give you a good reference letter for other jobs down the line – will take you far. Through conversation, socializing, and networking, advancing on your career path will no longer seem like a mirage.

To read full article: Click here

By James Cutright, ago

Cruise-ferries ‘welcome competition’

Views and News from Norway Published.

Cruise-ferry lines in Norway that run to Germany, Denmark and Sweden claim they welcome competition from a new player that announced its entry into the market this week. The recently formed Holland Norway Lines has launched plans to sail between Norway’s southern city of Kristiansand and Eemshaven in the Netherlands next spring.

“Competition is good and sharpens us all,” Nina Moland Andersen, sales and marketing chief for Norwegian-based Color Line, told state broadcaster NRK. “Even more people will be able to choose the sea route.”

Holland Norway Lines’ planned route using a vessel chartered from the Tallink Group, which is active in the Baltic, will take 18 hours and run three times a week from Kristiansand to Eemshaven.

To read full article: Click here

By James Cutright, ago
airport-airplanes-gates-flight-line-163771.jpeg

Travel: Norway to ease entry and quarantine hotel restrictions

The Local no Published.

Norway will scrap quarantine hotels and ease entry restrictions for travellers from the UK and EEA or Schengen countries where infections are low enough, the government confirmed on Friday. 

The government also said it would scrap the distinction between ‘necessary’ and ‘unnecessary’ trips, meaning arrivals from the United Kingdom and EEA and Schengen countries will no longer need to enter quarantine hotels and can quarantine at home or another suitable location. 

“We are now changing the rules for quarantine hotels. We are removing the distinction between necessary and unnecessary travel when entering Norway, “

Justice Minister Monica Mæland said in a statement.

Previously those returning from unnecessary trips would have to enter quarantine hotels for a minimum of seven of Norway’s ten-day quarantine period. 

Those returning from essential trips were exempt. 

Essential trips included those taken to visit your children, go to a funeral, or to see a relative or close relation with a severe or terminal illness, as well as strictly necessary maintenance on a holiday home in Sweden or Finland. 

To read full article: Click here

By James Cutright, ago

Erasmus+ Traineeship (student)

Overview

Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements, internships, etc) abroad for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Programme countries at Bachelor and Master level as well as for doctoral candidates. These opportunities are also open to recent graduates.

By doing a traineeship abroad with Erasmus+, you can improve not only your communication, language and inter-cultural skills, but also soft skills highly valued by future employers, as well as become more entrepreneurial. Read more about the benefits of an exchange abroad.

You can also combine your Erasmus+ traineeship with a study period abroad.

Access to Erasmus+ Online Linguistic Support will help you learn the language used at your workplace.

Duration

Your traineeship abroad can last from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 12 months.

You can benefit of an exchange abroad with Erasmus+ multiple times, either as a student or as a trainee, but your total time abroad (study abroad periods included) may not exceed 12 months within one cycle of study.

“Cycle” refers to the level of study as defined by the European Qualifications Framework (EQF):

  1. First cycle (Bachelor or equivalent) EQF 5/6
  2. Second cycle (Master or equivalent) EQF 7
  3. Third cycle (Doctoral or equivalent) EQF 8

For “one-cycle” courses such as medicine or architecture, you can go abroad with Erasmus+ for as long as 24 months.

You can also go for a traineeship abroad as a recent graduate. In this case, your traineeship must occur within one year of your graduation and you must apply while still being enrolled in your higher education institution.

Conditions

This opportunity is open for students registered in a higher education institution holding an Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education.

Your traineeship must be relevant for your degree-related learning and personal development needs and, wherever possible, be integrated in your study programme.

You may carry out a traineeship at any organisation in an Erasmus+ Programme Country (with the exception of EU institutions, bodies and agencies).

How to apply

You can apply through the international or Erasmus+ office of your higher education institution.

You are selected by your sending higher education institution in a fair and transparent way.
Find out more here.

Check out our programmes.

By James Cutright, ago