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An offer from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Ana Paula Bertioti-Schüler, Certificate assessment Bachelor's in Business Administration

But I would def­i­nite­ly do it again!

Ana Paula Bertioti-Schüler left everything behind in Brazil to start a new life in Germany. After obtaining a certificate assessment for her bachelor's degree, she is now working to build a future in this country.

My advice
Use the time and ar­rive at a clear view of what you wish to achieve.
Profile
Name
Ana Paula Bertioti-Schüler
Age
38
Reference occupation
Certificate assessment Bachelor's in Business Administration
Country of origin of qualification
Brazil
Current job
Plans to begin a master's course of study in 2019

My story

Ana Bertioti-Schüler arrived in Germany at the age of 34 because she had fallen in love with a man from Rostock. She had already accumulated a considerable amount of professional experience having obtained a Bachelor's in Business Administration before gaining 15 years of professional experience with prestigious companies. She was confident of repeating this career success in Germany. Initial euphoria, however, quickly gave way to a number of setbacks. Ana found the German language a particular struggle. But today, at the age of 38, she has fully settled into life in Germany and feels integrated. “The certificate assessment of my Brazilian qualification made a major contribution to this,” Ana stressed.

The Job Centre in Rostock advised her to use the IQ Network recognition guidance service to look into the opportunities of a certificate assessment for her bachelor's degree. It would be difficult to find a job without undertaking this. Ana set about the task immediately. Her advisor helped her to gather the necessary documentation, and she submitted an application for certificate assessment to the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in September 2016.

In the meantime, Ana participated in a six-month training measure aimed at persons with academic qualifications offered by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania IQ Network. This programme included practical language exercises, communication training and basic knowledge of the German economic system being imparted across occupations. A short time later, the ZAB confirmed that Ana Bertioti-Schüler’s qualification was equivalent to a German bachelor's degree. She was now ready to enter the labour market and embarked upon the application process with great enthusiasm. However, although she completed two internships, Ana was unable to find a job. “It wasn’t that the companies were unwilling to give me a chance. But you need a C1 language level for this kind of work.”

Ana has already achieved level B1 and is determined to achieve level C1 by attending further language courses. Her aim then is to master's course of study in order to explore this occupational field even more effectively. She hopes that this will improve her opportunities on the labour market. The certificate assessment was an important first step. “The certificate assessment of my bachelor's degree is something which is very personal to me. I feel integrated and am motivated to achieve my goals.”

The interview with Ana Paula Bertioti-Schüler was conducted in June 2018. She received her certificate assessment from the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen [Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)]. Guidance and support were provided by migra e. V., part of the IQ Network Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Ana also took part in a training measure for persons with academic qualifications offered by the AFZ Aus- und Fortbildungszentrum Rostock GmbH [AFZ Initial and Advanced Training Centre in Rostock].

My procedure in brief

  1. In 2014, Ana Bertioti-Schüler arrives in Germany from Brazil. She has a bachelor's in business administration and 15 years of professional experience.
  2. Following counselling from the IQ network she applies for a statement of comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in 2016.
  3. She then completes six months of training for academics in the AFZ Aus- und Fortbildungszentrum Rostock GmbH [AFZ Initial and Advanced Training Centre in Rostock].
  4. Ana Bertioti-Schüler learns German up to level B1. She aims to take further language courses to achieve level C1.
  5. Following the statement of comparability Ana Bertioti-Schüler completes two placements. She wants to use a master's degree to improve her chances in the job market.