How To Apply For A Work Permit And Work Visa For Malta?

Whatever is your nationality, you will have to have a work permit to work in Malta. Work permits can be difficult to obtain and are delivered to the employers, who wish to hire foreign workers for a determined purpose and duration, and only if they can prove that no Maltese citizen can take the work in question. 

If your plan is to start an independent business in Malta, then you will have to supply a letter of recommendation drafted by a person with whom you will have a commercial relation. 

Who needs a work permit to work in Malta?

The nationals of the EU and the EEA can work in Malta without need for a work permit for a duration of up to three months. After this period, they will have to make an application for a work permit. 

The nationals who live in a country, which is not a member of the EU or the EEA, will have to request and obtain a work permit even before going to Malta. The application for a work permit can impossibly be made inside Malta. 

How to apply for a work permit to work in Malta?

A work permit is granted by the department of labour according to the conditions mentioned above, and only after the application made by your potential employer. During the application process, you will have to supply the following documents:

1- A valid passport.

2- A certificate of good behavior.

3- A letter of your future employer detailing the description of the job and its specificities.

How to renew a work permit in Malta?

Work permits in Malta are, generally, valid during one year after the date of delivery. Three-year work permits exist, but will be only delivered at request of your potential employer. You can renew your work permit after its expiry date.

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The Formalities To Enter Italy And Get A Residence Permit!

What will you need to travel to Itally?

Italy is a member of the European Union and the Schengen area. Citizens of the other member states of the European Union such as: Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Italy. Belgians, French, Germans and the Swiss have to be in possession of an ID card or of a passport of current validity. A driving licence is not valid as an ID card to enter Italy.

Citizens of North America (Canadians) wishing to travel to Italy, will have to present a passport of current validity because an ID card is not enough. If they want to stay in Italy as tourists for less than 90 days, then they will not need a visa. The people holders of a residence permit in another country of the Schengen area do not need a visa for the tourist stays up to 90 days.

The minors have, necessarily, to possess an ID card. An authorization of exit of the territory is compulsory for the minors, who are not accompanied with their parents.

Before the departure, it is recommended that you carry with you copies of your important documents such as: ID card, pages of your passport containing your personal information, credit cards, tickets of plane or train, driving licence, etc. so it will be easier for you to replace these documents in case of loss or theft. 

How to get a residence permit in Italy?

Citizens of the Member states of the European Union can live and work in Italy without authorization if they don't exceed 3 months. However, if they exceed 3 months, they have to declare themselves with a police station (Questura) and bring a proof that they are capable of meeting their own needs. In addition to that, having a fiscal number (fiscal codice) is compulsory to receive a salary in most jobs. 

To work or study in Italy, including in a school of language, the nationals off the member States of the European Union have to obtain a specific visa in their country of origin from an Italian consulate. During your entrance on the Italian territory, check if your passport is stamped to be able to obtain then a residence permit (permesso soggiorno di) or a work permit (permesso lavoro di). 

To obtain more information on the formalities to be carried out, consult the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Italian consulate in your country. 

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How To Receive Funding From SAAS To Study In Scotland?

Managed by the Scottish Government, the SAAS program, aims at giving financial support to eligible foreign students, who are doing a course of higher education within the Scottish universities. The principle of SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) is simple, every foreign student who is citizen of a country withing the European Union will get a scholarship covering the entire registration fees at a Scottish university. 

While the students in England have to pay, approximately, 7000 euros as registration fees, Scotland proposes free registration fees to foreign students. Nevertheless, Scotland benefits from famous English universities such as: St Andrew's university, university of Edinburgh or Glasgow. 

How much will SAAS pay for you?

If you are eligible for SAAS help, then SAAS will pay your tuition fees straight to your college or university. Your application will be valid for only one academic year, so you have to make sure you apply every year. The amount of tuition fees that SAAS can pay, will depend on what course you are studying. The tuition fee rates for 2016-2017 are:

- £1,285 (or €1400) for HNC and HND and any other sub-degree courses.

- £1,820 (or €2100)for first degree or PGDE courses.

- £1,205 (€1300) for courses at private colleges.

- £2,895 (€3300) for medicine degrees that commenced in 2011-2012 or earlier.

The eligibility conditions to benefit from SAAS program:

Numerous French universities provide access to the SAAS program scholarship in an automatic way within the framework of their partnership with the Scottish universities. But, not only French students can apply, but also all foreign students, who wish to study in Scotland, can benefit from it. So, if you joined via UCAS (a system that handles the management of all the applications of higher education in the United Kingdom), or by, directly, sending your file to the university of your choice, you can benefit as well from SAAS scholraship.

However, every student should fulfill some conditions in order to obtain SAAS scholarship. These conditions include:

1- Present a letter of acceptance obtained from a Scottish university.

2- Study at least one year in a Scottish university.

3- Be a European citizen.

4- Take one year of full-time studies.

5- Obtain your diploma at the end of this year studies, the scholarship will be removed from you in case of failure. 

The procedure to obtain financial help from SAAS?

The procedure to apply for SAAS scholarship to study in Scotland is to be made online, on the official website of SAAS. You can start the procedure yourself before you leave for Scotland, but the majority of Scottish universities will help you in the procedure during the first weeks of your arrival in the Scottish university which accepted you. Thus no need to worry, because once there you can always benefit from the scholarship.

The SAAS program is important, and allows to join an English-speaking country more easily, with financial constraints much less important than for countries as Australia, England or USA.  

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What Are The Spanish Level Tests Required To Study In Spain?

Foreign students wishing to study in Spain, should not inevitably prove their level of Spanish in order to be able to travel to Spain. Indeed, all Spanish universities do not require a proof of the level of the student in Spanish, which means that you can travelto Spain to follow a program of study there even if your level of Spaish language is low. A decade ago, the best students were able to leave for Spain via Erasmus program without having to speak Spanish, although this practice is no longer wide-spread today.

In case, a university in Spain askes you to provide an evidence of your level of Spanish, you have two ways to do that. You either take an internal test at the university you wish to apply to, or take theDELE test, which is the international test of Spanish organized by Cervantès institute.

A- Taking an internal test of Spanish at a Spanish university:

The first way to prove your level of Spanish, is to take an internal test at the university. The major inconvenience of this test is that the student has to move up to the university in Spain, in order to take a test, which will last only for one afternoon, but, on the other hand, it is also an excellent way to acquaint with your future university and with the city. Certain universities in Spain nowadays propose tests administered via internet or by video conference to make sure of your level in a more practical way.

B- Taking the DELE test of Spanish:

The second way to show proof of your Spanish level is taking the DELE test, which is recognized all over the world, and approving in an official way your level of Spanish on a scale by counting six. For French students, who are wish to study in Spain, there is a test center in Paris, but, contrary to the Anglo-Saxon tests, the sessions are rather rare, with an average of 3 sessions a year. Thus, try to register yourself as early as possible.

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How To Apply For University Studies In The Netherlands?

Students who wish to apply for study program at a university in the Netherlands, have two ways to send their file to the establishment of higher education that they have chosen. Each way is depending on the system implemented by the university or institution. Certain universities ask the students to make an application via their website, by registering via their portal. It is in particular the case of the university of Groningen and the university of Leiden.

On the other hand, the majority of universities use Studielink, a portal of registration gathering large number of study programs and trainings that are available in the Netherlands. 

Which way is best to apply to a Dutch university?

Choosing a system of registration does not depend on you, but the development of Studielink portal makes more and more higher educational establishments turn to it. Your application file should containe the following necessary documents:

1- Your high school diploma if you want to apply for Bachelor's program.

2- Your Bachelor's degree or an equivalent if you want to apply for a Master's program.

3- A proof of your English level (TOEFL Ibt, at least 80).

4- A passport-size photo to be uploaded online or attached to your paper file.

The above mentioned documents are all the documents required, as certain universities may ask for additional documents such as:

1- Your CV or a summary of your past experiences.

2- A motivation letter written in the English language.

3- Recommendation or reference letters of your teachers and/or of employers.

*/ If you are a French applicant, It is not necessary to translate your French documents into English, because there can be found always a member in the very great majority of educational establishments in the Netherlands, who can understand French. Nevertheless, before sending your file to the university or institution of your choice, contact them to find out if they accept documents in French.

*/ Universities and institutions in Holland make their decision based only on the information, which you provided them. It is possible that they may contact you again to ask for more information, but an incomplete file is often neglected. Thus, prepare all your documents in advance and get in touch with the university or institution you have chosen, during the constitution of your file.

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How To Apply For Study In Holland Via Studielink Portal?

Studielink portal is a centralized system of registration, to allow the Dutch and international students to make online applications to various universities in the Netherlands. The majority of educational establishments in Netherlands use Studielink, where you can find mentioned most of the programs of study. 

Studielink make it possible for you to apply to several educational establishments with one single file, while making the majority of the steps through internet. If you are eligible for a scholarship, then you have to know that you can apply for it via Studielink portal. The site is accessible in English, and the set of steps and necessary documents is explained step by step during your online registration.

The stages of registration via Studielink portal?

Studielink portal explains in detail every stage of the registration process. The start the registration process, you have, first, to create an account at Studielink portal by indicating your personal information and, once, your account is created, you have to provide the information asked.

It is necessary to inform universities of your identity as well as the studies and trainings you made so far. When applying to Studielink portal, you won't find any difficulties, because on every new page during your registration, you will find detailed information and instructions in English to guide you through the different steps of registration.

Once you complet your registration, verify regularly your e-mails box to make sure you get back all the information and the progress of your applications. You will receive by mail a confirmation of your registration. If you did not receive this mail after one month of your registration, contact Studielink, by e-mail or by telephone, to make sure your application was taken into account.

When you are admitted in a study program in Holland, certain universities would ask you to send them copies and other certificates proving that you followed the program of study, which you have indicated. As a result, it's not a good idea to lie to them by thinking that they will not verify, because it is not the case.

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Types Of Visas To Enter Italy For Non Europeans!

If you are not a citizen of a member state of the European Union, you will need to obtain a visa to enter Italy. However, the citizens coming from a third world country, who already have a visa for a member state of the agreement Schengen do not need special entrance visa for Italy. A visa would indicate the reason and the duration of the stay in Italy. Visas are issued for very specific reasons, and there exist several types of visas, which are:

A- Tourist visa/Visto turistico:

This kind of visa is delivered for tourist reasons only and is valid for three months maximum.

B- Working visa/Visto per lavoro:

A working visa is granted for a period that is up to two years. To receive a working visa, you have to provide an evidence of employment including your name and signed by an Italian employer.

C- Student's visa/Visto per studio: 

This type of visa is issued for the exact duration of studies in Italy. If your studies  take more than one year, a visa of one year will be issued first time. After expiration, this visa will be extended. The student should prove that he attends an Italian school or university.

D- Visa for health reasons/Visto per cleans out sanitarie:

The period of validity of this type of visa depends on the duration during which you intend to stay in Italy to follow a treatment or a therapy. To apply a visa for health reasons, it is necessary to provide an evidence that you are following a treatment or a therapy in Italy. These proofs, supplied by the State or by the approved private institute, must be authenticated by the embassy of Italy in the country of origin.

E- Visa for visiting a relative/Visto per visits has familiari:

This visa is granted for a period up to three months, and it can be extended. The rule is that it is granted only for the members of family or first degree.

F- Visa for family reunion: 

If you are a foreigner and you have a job in Italy and a legal residence, that is a work permit and a residence permit, you can be joined by your family, spouse, minor children or your parents if these people are financially at your expense. To request this type of visa, you have to provide an evidence of employment of at least two years, a residence permit and to possess a job. It is also necessary to provide evidence of the relation existing between the applicant and you.

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The Most Promising Renewable Energy Future Jobs!

Renewable energy is the energy that we got from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as: wind, sunlight, waves, rain, tides, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas, which are: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural energy services.

The promising fields of the renewable energy sector are of two types: emergent and innovative jobs and the existing jobs that are having an evolution (updated content).

A/ Emergent and innovative jobs:

Emergent jobs are the type of jobs, which will know a growth in work hands and in job offer. These jobs are:

1- Solar coach: 

It is a specialist in coaching. He is provides support to users in making a decision about which type of energy to be used. He answers questions of the installation of the solar system until the mode of use of the installations. It is not easy to follow carefully the instructions of use, which require, sometimes, certain technical prerequisites from the utility of this speciality.

2- Cleaner of solar panels: 

Photovoltaic and thermal solar panels need to be cleaned. And thermal panels need an impeccable cleanliness in addition to their maintenance. The cleaning of the sensors of panels prevents the panels from losing more than 15 % of their capacity of harnessing without forgetting the state of the fixation supports.

B/ Jobs with updated contents:

These are already existed jobs which, as for all the promising fields, also pull an obvious surplus of the job offers. They include:

1- Energy councillor: 

It is an agent-council, as his name indicates it. He is in charge of giving information and advice to the economic operators, who want to invest in the domain. Other economic players, who are not in the domain, also need advice of this specialist for a rational consumption of the energy. The households are also concerned by the solutions of reduction of the consumption so not to see exploding energy bills. For the accessibility to the employment, the engineers are automatically concerned by this specialization. It is architects, industrial civil engineers or bio-engineers. The holders of a Master's degree in science and management of the environment are also concerned.

2- Installer of photovoltaic and\or thermal solar panels: 

This specialist installs both photovoltaic panels and thermal panels. These panels serve respectively to produce some electricity and some hot water due to solar collectors. Panels, once set up, possess a sensor or a solar follower, which serves to get the energy and to maximize it by keeping it. The electrician intervenes, after the set up, for the electrical connection.

3- Technician of maintenance of cogeneration plant:

It role of a technician of maintenance is to assure the maintenance of the installations and the equipment of cogeneration (simultaneous production of energy, electricity and heat). His role also is to detect the breakdowns (mechanical or electric), and to make the regular diagnosis. In the field of maintenance, there exist also specialists of repair of the devices of air conditioning, system of refrigeration, heat pumps, etc.

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What Are The Requirements To Work In Italy?

The requirements to work in Italy are not the same for European citizens and non Europeans:

Importance of a residence permit for Europeans:

European citizens are subject to no limitation concerning the access to the Italian labor market. A person citizen of a Member state of the European Union is automatically entitled to a work permit. And if he lived for three months in Italy, it is necessary to ask for a residence permit at the department of Foreign Affairs (or Ufficio Stranieri) of the police stattion (or Questura).

To ask for a residence permit, you will necessarily have to show your passport or any other document of identification provided with a photo. Certain additional documents can be asked according to the reason of the extension of your stay in Italy or the kind of work, which you look for.

European citizens, who wish to work in Italy as independent, may have to demonstrate that they seriously intend to create a company in the country.

The European employees, who ask for a residence permit, have to supply a certificate of employment or a statement of their employer.

These two groups receive a residence permit for a period that can go up to five years and which can be extended after the term of validity.

Requirements for non European citizens:

To be able to work in Italy, the citizens who do not come from a country of the European Union have to ask for an entry visa, for a esidence permit and for a work permit as well.

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How To Obtain A Residence Permit In Italy For Non Europeans?

In Italy you can apply for a residence permit after eight days of residence in the country, if you are a citizen, who is not national of a Member state of the European Union and according to the reason of stay, which indicated on your visa. 

You can request a residence permit at the police station of the zone where you live in Italy. After that, you will receive a proof of deposit of an application for residence permit. You will receive an answer within a maximum of one week. If your request is rejected, it will be in a language which you can understand.

For a foreigner in Italy, a residence permit is the most important document. Thus, it is important that you always keep it with you and be able to present it on request.

If, for some reason, you wish to change the purpose of your residence permit, for example change your employment status to independent, you have to wait until the police station responsible for your file received an answer of the Ministry of Interior. Thus, it is better to decide on, as soon as possible, the status from which you wish to benefit in Italy.

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How To Apply For "Step Beyond Travel Grant" For Artists?

One of the ways the European Cultural Foundation uses to help artists, is through the STEP Beyond Travel Grant. This program  is open to artists and to employees in the artistic domains in Europe. 

Step Beyond Travel Grant supports the artists travelling through Europe and its close countries to explore, discover and create new artistic collaborations.

How to prepare for the Step Beyond Travel Grant program?

The candidates have to submit an itinerary prepared in advance with a program clearly defined by their activities. One of the partners of the project must be connected to the host country for the project. The financial support must be seen as a contribution to the project through the financing of the costs of international transport. It ranges between €250 and €700 according to your country of departure and your destination.

Who is eligible to get a Step Beyond Travel Grant?

To be eligible to get a Step Beyond Travel Grant, you have to fulfill two conditions:

1- You have to be an artist or work in the field of contemporary art and cultural disciplines.

2- You should be based in Europe or its nearby countries. The official list of the eligible countries is accessible on the official portal of the European Cultural Foundation.

In addition to the above 2 conditions, the individuals aged from 18 to 35 and/or in their first 10 years of career within their domain will, more easily, be selected.

How to apply for the program Step Beyond Travel Grant?

The program usually has no deadline, and it is being proposed continuously all year round. But it is always advisable to apply for the program one month in advance. In 2016, the last date to submit applications for Step Beyond Travel Grants was November, 30th. Next year, 2017, the application form will be re-opened with new guidlines.

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How To Go On A Language Study Holiday In Spain?

Each year, a lof of students go on a Language Study Holiday in another country, to study the language of that country while enjoying the stay.In this article, you will learn how to be able to go on a language study holiday in Spain.

Being near France, Spain is one of the members of the European Union, which means that your steps to leave for language study holiday in this country will be simplified. It is, nevertheless, recommended to prepare for your language study holiday, at least, 3 weeks to 1 month in advance, and even more for the long-term stays.

To start working on your language study holiday, it is advised to begin with a general check of the available offers of language study holidays of the establishments and agencies proposing Spain as a destination. Every agency can have its specif characteristics, its cities, as well as specific offers that cannot be found somewhere else. However, in the majority of cases, the proposed programs will be similar from one agency to another. Once you select an agency or agencies, try to get in touch with each of them to obtain detailed description of the programs which interest you.

A lot of factors can determin the cost of your language study holiday, such as: the location of the school, the city where the school is, the number of students by course, the type of program etc. The least expensive offer is not thus necessarily the best, and once the estimation received, do not hesitate to ask the agency questions to know more about it.

When you make sure that you will go on a language study holiday, it will be necessary that you validate your place within one of the schools by paying an advance deposit for your stay. Once your made the payment, your place is guaranteed within the program and you do not have more than to pack your luggage and prepare your departure for your language study holiday in Spain.

Do you need a visa to leave for language study holiday in Spain?

If you live in one of the countries of the European Union, then you don not need a visa to leave for language study holiday in Spain. Only a valid ID card will allow you to enter on the Spanish territory. If you stay more than 3 months in a row, it is recommended to go to register yourself with the local authorities to notify your presence and be registered in the registers of the city.

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How To Study Abroad As A Visiting Student?

For students who want to study abroad, there exist various options to be able to do that. One of these options is to leave as a visiting student. 

Student visitor, is a concept which is found especially in the Anglo-Saxon countries such as: USA, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

A visiting student takes the same class as an ordinary student of the university, but the difference  is that he will not obtain a diploma. The programs of visiting student are mainly built for students already registered in an institution of higher education, but wishing to spend one year in another educational establishment. This formula is so very appreciated by the students, who wish to make one year in a big university such as: Harvard or Oxford, where they were not accepted to study as regular students. It is moreover those establishments, which were among the first ones to propose this type of studies.

The programs of visiting student can also address students in Bachelor's degree programs, or coming to end their Bachelor's degree study, and wishing to offer themselves one year of additional studies in an establishment abroad. Most of the universities propose this solution to the undergraduate students. 

The criteria to leave as a visiting student differ from one educational establishment to the other, but are not generally very different about the criteria required to join a complete program, in particular, within the world-class universities. It's the same for the cost of the studies which, even if it is sometimes a little lower, rest often equivalent to that of a classic curriculum.

There are no tools allowing to find available courses for visiting student. If this formula interests you, it is recommended that you simply use search engines such as Google or Bing  and search with the expression "visiting student" followed by the name of the university or by the name of the city which interests you to find out the best solution you need.

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How To Study English For Free At University Of Glasgow?

In Great Britian, there are several universities that provide English classes to people who are intersted in learning English and it is either completly free or after you pay a small subscription fee. 

The University of Glasgow, in Scotland, is one of those universities that provides English classes. All year arround, it organizes free classes of English to interested people. The classes are provided professors of English, who are experienced in the domain of teacing English.

The English classes are organized according to the following schedule:

1- From January till March, the English cources are held on Tuesdays and on Thursdays afternoon.

2- From June till July, the English cources are held from Monday to Friday, every afternoon.

3- From November till December, the English courses take place from Monday to Friday, in the afternoon.

In order to be able to participate in these English cources, you have to fulfill some conditions: 

- You have to be at least 18 years old.

- You should have a level of English between pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate.

- You have to pay 5 £ to cover the expenses of material.

*The next session will start on January, 8th. The registration has to be done on site on January, 4th.

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How To Join WWOOF?

You have probably heard before about "Wwoofing," but have you ever asked yourself what it is? "Wwoofing" is a movement which began in England in 1971, and it is based on the simple concept of exchange between an organic farm (or host) and a volunteer (or wwoofer). On one side the host is going to bring accommodation and meal, and on the other side, the wwoofer is going to bring his working skills to the life of the farm. There are no contractual reports between both sides and it is not about a contract of employment, which means that the wwoofer is not going to get paid any money.

WWOOF, World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is an international network acting for the promotion of the wwoofing. It is an organization that is registered in the UK and it is with non-lucrative purpose. On its website, you can find a list of all the national organizations of wwoofing, which you can go to, in order to be able to wwoofer worldwide. The WWOOF intends to make sure that the national organizations and the "hosts" respect well the first idea of the project. It does not exist, however, neither standards nor bodies of control, which can give evidence, in a certain way, of the seriousness or the quality of such or such organization.

The candidates for wwoofing will have to, in most of the cases, to pay one small contribution (generally 15 euros) to the national organization of the country in which they wish to go, to allow him to continue its work of referencing hosts.

How to apply to become a wwoofer?

1- Check the website of WWOOF, to know more about the wwoofing and to find the national organization of the country which interests you.

2- Go then on the website of the national organization of the country, which intersts you, and pay your contribution.

3- Get in touch with a host and check the conditions of your stay including: working schedules, number of meals, accommodation etc.

What permit or visa you need to be a wwoofer?

If you wish to become a wwoofer in one of the member states of the European Union, you are free to circulate without need to other documents than your French, Italian, Spanish or whatever identity papers during three months. But you have to indicate your presence on the territory to the national authorities. For it is generally enough to go at the post of police or in the city hall of your place of residence.

If you wish to become a wwoofer in Australia, Canada or New Zealand, for example, you have to get yourselves a Work Holiday Permit (WHP).

If you wish to become a wwoofer in the United States, it's not easy to get a via. Even if the wwoofing is not a paid activity, it is considered as work by American authorities. Consequently, in theory, you have to obtain a working visa to be a wwoofer in the United States. It is not advised to get a tourist visa to the USA and then use it as a cover to become a wwoofer in the country,because this process is considered illegal in the eyes of the American services of immigration.

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