Dear all who have been invited to the AC for the translators' competition,
could you please exchange ideas for the allowances paid for travelling to Brussels from other EU Countries? From what I have understood by reading concerning articles (2 and 6), if the AC takes places in one day (which is the case) then no subsistence allowance is paid? Could you confirm that you understood the same? Which means we are supposed to travel approximately 4 hours the night before and the night of the AC return? How is that actually possible without staying at a hotel?
You have understood correctly. The rules say: "A contribution to the travel and subsistence expenses of candidates invited to an assessment centre session [...] shall be made."
They don't say "The travel and subsistence expenses of candidates invited to an assessment centre will be paid in full."
So the sum paid by EPSO is meant to be only a "contribution" and has been calculated accordingly. It is clear that for most candidates it will not cover their expenses; in many cases this contribution will only cover less than half of the travel and hotel expenses the candidate will have.
Dear JaGyGy,
what is actually stated is that only if the AC extends over more than one day will hotel expenses be paid. Consequently, I am asking how is it possible to attend the AC starting in the morning without already staying at a hotel the night before and maybe the night after for most of us travelling from abroad. This is included in Article 6 of the concerning annex.
This is exactly what I meant; for many candidates it is not logistically possible to take part in a one-day Assessment Center without having to stay in a hotel overnight (or in some cases even two nights, depending on flight schedules).
So they will have to cover such hotel expenses themselves. EPSO only provides a contribution towards the expenses the candidate incurs when they are invited to an AC. EPSO does not cover all expenses.
I am asking, since till very recently, it did cover hotel expenses for such cases. Now, no hotel expenses are covered, not even a contribution to hotel expenses.
Anyway, thank you for your answers.
@Chrysa: Congratulations on being selected Chrysa! We exchanged views a while ago regarding the CBT results. I am also invited to the AC and I was wondering if you would be interested in doing some practice together :-)
Where are you based?
Hi, Sofia, congrats to you as well! My base is in Athens. I am interested of course, I also work many hours though, I hope we can find some time. When is your invitation date?
@Chrysa: why don't you send me an email to epsotranslatorcandidate@yahoo.gr
@EOS: Congrats to you too! We' ll get together via Sofia.
As far as the 320e travel allowance, I don' t know if you already booked your tickets, but there is no company offering tickets under 350e for this destination. :) So, no hotel allowance any more. If you want to fly like a human being (I mean normal hours), go to the AC having rested like a human being at least a night, then you have to contribute a lot.
@Chrysa & @Sofia: Graz on passing to the AC! I'm invited too and would love to join you to practice. I'll send Sofia an email so we can arrange to meet up.
Re: EPSO allowance
If you use the EC distance calculator (http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/tools/distance_en.htm), you'll see that Athens (assuming that's where you'll be flying from) is 2089km from Brussels. Considering the translators' AC lasts more than 3 hours, this entitles you to a 325 euro allowance (http://europa.eu/epso/doc/version_en_01_01_2014_en.pdf). So, even though the allowance is only supposed to cover travel expenses, it is generous enough to cover an overnight stay as well. Unless you eat all your meals during your stay at a Carrefour Express, you're bound to overspend a bit on food, but that shouldn't put you too much off budget. The only problem is that the allowance is not paid until about a month or so after the AC.
@Chrysa: I used airtickets.gr to book my tickets with Aegean Airlines & found a hotel via booking.com. They only cost me 260 euro total. However, that was 10 days ago, so prices may have gone up as availability dwindles.
I did that yesterday (but I booked a flex and not the after midnight ticket) and it has cost 370e the ticket and 300e the hotel for 3 nights. :))) litos vios
Of course I know that has been my choice, I am just complaining because in the past they did give you at least a night' s hotel expenses. Anyway, it is worth it whatsoever!
Ouch! I feel you.
I must admit that I tried to save wherever I could, so only booked a one-night stay. The trip is not that strenuous and the time difference is negligible. And considering the AC ends at 5pm, I found no reason to dally and booked the evening flight back. Αrriving back home past midnight will be an utter drag, but needs must.
I 've sent to both of you, hopefully we 'll find some time to meet up.
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Did you sit the specific
Did you sit the specific competency-based interview at the AC? If yes, could please give some information regarding the questions?
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