uvic eu study tour

European Study Tour and EU Internship Program

What is the European Union Study Tour? 

Every year the Department is able to send up to two students on the European Union Study Tour and Internship program (EUSTIP). This program is run by the University of Victoria, and brings a small number of students from universities across Canada to a three week-long immersion course in the European Union. The trip includes visits to its major institutions, located in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Frankfurt, in order to learn how the EU functions.

When does the European Union Study Tour take place?

The European Union Study Tour occurs over three weeks during the month of May.

What is the EU Internship Program?

In addition to the Study Tour, the program offers a number of qualified participants internship opportunities within EU institutions and other EU-affiliated organizations following completion of the tour. Most internships are for two months but internships of longer duration may be available.

When does the EU Internship Program begin? 

Internships typically start at the beginning of June, and can last for a maximum of three months (all internships will be finished by the end of August).

How do I know if I’m eligible to participate in the European Union Study Tour? 

Students must be enrolled in a degree within the Politics and International Studies department, be in good academic standing, and have an overall average above 70%. In addition, students must have successfully completed POL231 (European Union: History, Institutions, and Policies). 

What are the costs associated with the Study Tour?

The European Union Study Tour has a $3500 CAD fee, as well as an approximately $550 CAD fee for tuition fees at the University of Victoria. The Internship Program has a $650 CAD fee associated with the internship application and placement. These fees include transportation and housing for the three week Study Tour, as well as some meals. It does not include airfare to and from Europe, nor does it include room or board for the duration of the internship. It is important to note that the internship is unpaid. 

Bishop’s does have funding opportunities for this experience, and we recommend that you apply for all that are available!

Do I get course credit for the European Union Study Tour?

Yes! Through the University of Victoria. You will receive three credits upon completion of the course, which can go towards your BU degree.

How do I apply for the European Union Study Tour? 

Students must submit a letter of application (the letter should include a statement of how the EU study tour relates to their future academic and career objectives), their CV, and a copy of their academic transcript to the professor in charge of organizing the Study Tour for Bishop’s students (typically Dr. McKeen-Edwards or Dr. Ugland). Interviews will then be conducted the following week. 

I’ve been selected for the EUSTIP… What do I do next?

Once you’ve been selected, you must begin the process of applying as a visiting student to the University of Victoria. Once that has been completed, you will enroll in the course at UVic, and fill out several applications, including a standard EU resume (if you apply for the internship option) and a general information form. Then you can start applying for work/travel visas (if applicable), finding housing (if applicable), booking flights, etc. 

There is also a reading/work component to the Study Tour; prior to May, you will be assigned various readings in order to help with your understanding of the EU and prepare you for what you will experience on the Study Tour. The Study Tour includes lectures from prominent EU citizens, government employees, and politicians, and hands-on experiences learning about the mechanics of the European Union.

• Academics / Featured / Hands-on learning

A Comprehensive List of All the Ways you can Go Abroad at UVic

by Meghan · October 31, 2019

Throughout my past five years at UVic, I was always frantically researching all the ways I could go abroad and get credit for my studies. Like many people, ever since I was little I’ve had this deep urge to travel, to get out of my city and go somewhere new. It’s part of the reason I left Vancouver to come to UVic for university. 

So if you’re like me, and are desperate to get off Vancouver Island but don’t want to take a semester off to travel and can’t afford to skip a summer’s worth of paychecks, this is the blog post for you! 

I’ve done all the research into ways you can take your degree abroad , so you don’t have to, and put it one big comprehensive list below. If I miss anything, leave it in a comment below!

International Exchange

One of the easiest ways to go abroad is to go on an international exchange ! I did my exchange in 2017 at Utrecht University in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and it was truly an experience that shaped my personal, academic, and professional life.

Swimming in a Dutch canal on a hot June day during the final days of classes at Universiteit Utrecht.

Some programs, like BComm or Economics , have their own exchange programs or exchange requirements, but for students in faculties of Humanities, Science and Social Sciences , look to the International Student Services Exchange Program .

Students in the Faculties of Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Human and Social Development, Law, and Graduate Studies can also go on exchange, but need to work with their academic advisors to plan one.

To be accepted on an exchange, you just need to be in good academic standing, registered as a full-time student, have completed one year at UVic, have a couple of academic references that can vouch for you, and submit an application form. Applications are due in January for the Fall exchange term (Sept-Dec of the same year) or August for the Spring term (Jan-April of the following year).

Here are only some of the places you could go:

• The United Kingdom

International Co-op

Another great option to go abroad is by doing an international co-op term . This way, you can get co-op credit, live abroad, and get paid to do it . To do an international co-op, you must first be accepted into the co-op program . The next deadline for applications is in January. 

The co-op program itself is such a fantastic resource that will help you build skills and get job experience alongside your degree, but adding an international term can help you develop intercultural skills and a host of other skills that employers really like. 

Here are some of the jobs that you could get as an international co-op:

• Events Management Trainee with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
• Commercial Coordinator Internship with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, Thailand
• Graphic Design Intern with SOLS 24/7 in Malaysia
• Community Engagement Intern with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Language Interpreter at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France

Field Schools

Many faculties and programs at UVic have optional field schools . Sometimes you have to be a registered student of the department or have taken the proper prerequisites, but oftentimes you don’t have to be! Check out the field schools below, open to all UVic students :

• Urban Sustainability Field School (Northern Europe, run by Dept of Geography, application deadline Nov 28, 2019 for the 2020 program)
• Cuba Ethnographic Field Schoo l (Cuba, run by Dept of Anthropology, application deadline Nov 15, 2019 )
• Semester in Greece 2021 (Greece, Dept of Greek and Roman Studies, application deadline October 15, 2020)
• Eastern Boeotia archaeological project in Greece (Greece, Dept of Greek and Roman studies)
• I-Witness Holocaust Field School (Central/Eastern Europe, Dept of Germanic and Slavic Studies, application deadline Nov 1, 2019 )
• EU Study Tour (Europe, Dept of European Studies, application deadline Dec 13, 2019)
• Intensive Italian language course (Recanati, Italy, Dept of Hispanic and Italian Studies)
• Paris Field School (Paris, France, Dept of French, runs every two years)
• Colonial Legacies in South Africa (South Africa, Dept of History, not offered every year)

An average day in Amsterdam. This year, the Urban Sustainability field school run by the Department of Geography includes Amsterdam as one of its stops.

CAPI Internship

Right now, I’m writing this blog from Yokohama, Japan, where I’m working as a CAPI intern . Last January, I seized an opportunity and applied for the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) Internship Program , delaying my graduation a year to take on this amazing experience.

Learning how to operate Yokohama Fire Bureau equipment, with the help of a Japanese firefighter, during an event put on by my internship placement organization.

CAPI offers funded internships for UVic students to work with non-profit organizations across Asia (and sometimes Africa). The program challenges you, makes you think about your place in the world, and encourages you to be a leader and a global citizen. This year, my intern cohort is in Zambia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and more! 

Applications for the 2020 intern cohort are due January 24, 2020 . To apply, you must be a current, full-time UVic student, in your third year of undergrad or higher, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and available to complete all program requirements. If you’re interested, pop into an info session on November 21 , 2019, or January 22, 2020, from 12:30-1:30 pm in Sedgewick room C168 .

Department-based opportunities

Finally, some departments have separate study or work abroad programs for their students, particularly language departments or regional studies departments. These include:

• Semester in Spain or Ecuador for students studying Spanish,
• China and Taiwan exchange program for Pacific and Asian Studies students,
• Exchange in Indonesia for Pacific and Asian Studies students,
• Japanese language program for Pacific and Asian Studies students, and
• Study and work abroad program for Germanic and Slavic Studies students.

Additionally, some programs, like Social Work, require students to take practicums. Consider doing your practicum abroad!

• Social Work international practicum info (bottom of page)
• Child and Youth Care international practicum info (bottom of page)

So, hopefully after reading this big list you have a better idea of all the international opportunities you have as a UVic student. If you’ve decided to apply for some, or maybe already have, don’t forget to apply for funding ! UVic has scholarships specifically to encourage students to go abroad: the Student International Activities Fund.

Happy travels!!

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Thanks for the shoutout, Meghan! We’ve had amazing interns from UVic in the past, and we’re looking forward to having more great minds join us.

Here’s a list of all our available internship positions: https://www.sols247.org/internship

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Europe Memory Politics Study Tour 2023

Great opportunity for students at the University of Victoria: Europe Memory Politics Study Tour 2023

Explore how modern history and memory of the Holocaust is commemorated and politically utilized in European countries; participate in experiential learning by visiting sites of memory (former concentration, death camps, museums etc); engage with scholars, activists, discuss strategies for memorializing genocides; participate in an international conference on memory politics in Budapest; connect with other students in Europe.

May 29- June 21 2023 First week classes at UVIC and 3 weeks Europe: Vienna (AT), Budapest (HU), Kraków, Oświęcim (PL), and Trieste (IT).

Total costs CAD 5000 (including flights) – funding for most of the expenses will be available . Apply: send a 1-page motivation letter and a CV to [email protected] by November 20.

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EST are a national leading educational tour operator trusted by teachers and lecturers to organise school trips and college tours since 1982, to destinations all around the world - we don’t just do Europe! At EST, we are passionate about broadening students’ horizons and our exciting range of school tours and immersive LIVE conference events allow young people to not only discover more about their subjects, but also the wider world and their own potential.

Our school trips to France are always a popular choice due to its proximity to the UK and diversity of learning and cultural experiences available.  Even closer to home, offering great value and a wide range of visits, are school trips to London . Take your students on a school trip to Spain and open their eyes to its colourful culture and mixture of stunning scenery and architectural gems. School trips to Italy offer art treasures and wonderous historical and geographical sites, whereas school trips to Germany manage to encapsulate all that is modern about Europe, whilst not forgetting its turbulent past. Finally, make your college or school trip extra special by taking your school trip to the United States of America ! Big and bold, New York, Washington, San Francisco or LA offer the trip of a lifetime with exciting visits, shows, jaw-dropping skyscrapers and canyons.

Wherever your choice of destination, our knowledgeable and experienced team has travelled the world seeking out the essentials for your next trip and are keen to pass on their recommendations on the best options for your group. When you think school trips or educational tours, think EST!

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We Make Trip Planning Easy

• My Tour Manager; our market-leading on-line portal is a master class in tour organisation.  Designed to save teachers time and keep trip administration on track.
• Award winning EST Travel App, the secure companion when travelling with us.  Mobile access to tour itinerary and all the documents needed whilst you're away.
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• Committed to sustainable and responsible educational travel. Working to offset carbon emissions, reduce deforestation and provide wildlife habitats.

Study Abroad

Academic Programs

This program is aimed at international students who wish to spend one or two semesters in Barcelona or Vic. UVic-UCC offers Spanish courses that can be combined with other elective courses in English in the fields of business, communication, and design.

Courses offered

• Business, Design and Innovation (Campus Barcelona)
• International Business and Marketing (Campus Vic)
• Communication and Media Studies (Campus Vic)
• Engineering (Campus Vic)
• Technology and Management (Campus Vic)

Postgraduate programs

• Executive Master in Business Administration: Digital Economy and Management
• Master in Business Administration (MBA)

International Summer Courses

The University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia offers intensive academic summer programs combined with cultural and social activities at the heart of the vibrant city of Barcelona. These courses from June to late July may be transferable for academic credit. The length of each course varies according to the program.        This is a unique opportunity to focus on and explore a particular topic in-depth and experience Barcelona’s dynamic and multicultural environment. 

• Business and Marketing 4.0
• Spanish Language and Culture in Barcelona - 4 weeks
• Wildlife Conservation in Madagascar
• English Summer School

Short-stay Programs

The University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia offers short-stay academic programs in the fields of Education, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Experimental Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences. The programmes are exclusively academic. The length of the courses varies according to the content and the planning of the program.  

Tailored Courses

The University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia offers tailored courses for groups of international students and teachers in the fields of Education, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Experimental Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences. The programs can be exclusively academic or combined with cultural visits and sightseeing. UVic-UCC can arrange all kinds of additional services such as accommodation, transport, guided tours and visits to organisations and enterprises of interest. The length of the course can be adjusted according to your needs. For information about these programs, contact the UVic-UCC Unit of International Programs at [email protected].

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• Boost your career: Leadership and Design Thinking

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European Study Tour – Research Seminar 2023:

POLI 326 | 3 credits

About the program

This course is led by  Kurt Huebner , Faculty of Arts

• Dates:  May 6 – May 30, 2023
• Format:  In-Person
• Locations visited:  Brussels; Frankfurt: Luxembourg; Strassbourg
• Approximate program fees:  $5000-$5500
• Funding:  All qualifying students will receive a $1,000  Go Global Award . We encourage students with financial need or other barriers to going abroad to apply for the Global Pathfinder Award by November 4. Successful candidates will receive a $2000 award towards a Global Seminar program, and will be notified before the program application is due on December 13. See the Go Global Awards page for more information on the application process.

About the course

This field school will offer on‐site visits of all critical institutions of the European Union (European Commission: European Parliament, European Central Bank, European Court of Justice) as well as NATO, the Canadian Embassy in Brussels, and some carefully selected NGOs. Students will have seminars with representatives of all these institutions.

Experience in the Field

Eligibility requirements.

General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must:

• Be in good-standing in their faculty (I.e. not be under academic or non-academic discipline)
• Have full-time status in the year leading up to the Global Seminar
• Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e. 3rd or 4th year standing)
• Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying
• Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program
• Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating

Final selection will be done by the lead faculty program directors. Spots in the program may be limited.

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Program-specific requirements

• This is an interdisciplinary program: All are welcome!

Program Fees and Costs

Approximate program fees:  $5000-$5500.

*The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. Students do not pay the Go Global fee when applying to a Global Seminar. The Go Global fee is built into the Program Fee and is payable upon acceptance to the program.

Included:  

• Accommodations
• Program-related travel in-country; (e.g. buses)
• Excursions and entrance fees
• Some group meals
• On-site guest lectures

Not Included:  

• UBC tuition for credits
• Visa/country entrance fees
• Health or travel insurance
• Personal spending money*

*Some examples of incidentals are: personal mobile communication, personal transportation that is not related to the learning outcomes of the program, additional meals that are not already identified as part of the Program Fee, immunizations, Visas, etc.  

Travel to Europe is a separate cost.  You are responsible for arranging your own travel. You should not book your flight until you are notified to book.        

How to Apply

Students apply through the  Go Global Gateway . Applications will open in early October. After the deadline, students’ applications will be reviewed by Go Global and the faculty program directors. You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the selection process.

Application Deadline

Tuesday december 13, 2022 (11:59pm pst), contact go global, in-person and virtual drop-in advising hours.

• Tuesday: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
• Wednesday: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Go Global offers both  in-person  and  virtual drop-in advising   through Zoom  during the times listed above.

Please use Go Global’s new  Ask Us Webform  and we will respond to your inquiry.

More information:

European study tour – research seminar | ubc global, european union study tour 2022:, about the virtual program.

This course is led by  Kurt Huebner , Department of Political Science

Format:  virtual (online)

Dates:   May 2 – 20, 2022 (TBC)

Schedule:  The course will be offered intensively from 9:00am – 2:00pm (PST), Monday to Friday. Students must be available for the entire program. The exact times may be subject to change depending on the daily activities.

Topic:  The EU Virtual Study Tour & Internship Program (EUST&IP) is an academic activity with a difference.

The EUST & IP is an immersion inside the European Institutions. Through seminars and briefings, you participants have virtual contact with the leaders and policy-makers actively involved in the daily work of the European Union, other European institutions, diplomatic representations to the EU (including Canada) and significant civil society organizations.

There are briefings from the following institutions (partial list): European Commission, Council of Ministers, European Parliament, European Court of Justice, European Central Bank, Canadian Mission to the EU, Quebec General Delegation to the EU, delegations from Turkey and Russia, NATO, and many more.

Internship: After the Study Tour, if you are a successful applicant into the EU Study Tour, you may also consider the Internship Program that is an optional program. Internships will be offered  in-person in Europe . This substantial internship opportunity is with European institutions and can be for two to six months in duration. Most internship positions commence immediately following the completion of the Study Tour but longer internships may begin later.  To be considered for an internship, please submit a brief CV to Prof. Kurt Huebner via email no later than March 8, 2022.

Funding : All qualifying students will receive a $500  Go Global Award

Eligibility requirements

• You must have at least a 70% average in your most recent Winter Session of  full-time studies  prior to application
• You need to be a UBC student in good standing (e.g., not be under academic or non-academic discipline) to participate in a Global Seminar
• You should have full-time student status (as defined by your faculty) in the year prior to your Global Seminar
• You must maintain 70% average prior to your Global Seminar departure
• You must have completed or intend to complete the necessary (or equivalent) pre-requisite courses prior to Global Seminar start date
• Unclassified students will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Some virtual global seminars have limited spaces and final selection will be done by the faculty program director.

How to apply

Application deadline:  Tues, Mar 8, 2022 11:59 PM

• Login to  Go Global’s Gateway  system
• Under ‘Search experiences’ search keywords: VGS
• Apply for: Summer
• Complete the statement of interest
• Save and Continue. Tip: Make sure to press “Submit” on the left hand side and a message should pop up confirming submission. You will not receive an email confirming that your application was submitted.

What happens next?

Students will be notified via email of the application result by the first week of April. Students will be asked to formally confirm their acceptance, and will then be registered in the course by the relevant department. All students will be required to attend a  pre-program orientation session  offered by Go Global in April.

For more information regarding program fees and costs, accessibility and who to contact please visit:

European Union: Virtual Study Tour and Internship | Student Services (ubc.ca)

Text: A A A Print Feature

Silver economy reshaping biz strategies.

Tourists pose for photographs at a scenic spot in Wuyuan, Jiangxi province. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Hao Yuling, a 64-year-old retiree in Beijing, had an unforgettable 10-day group trip in September 2003 to five European countries.

After arriving in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, she and her fellow travelers toured a windmill village and stayed at a ship museum hotel, followed by a boat trip to explore the whole city the next day.

Then from Germany, she arrived in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Louvre Museum and Paris Opera House. Her trip, organized by Beijing-based Hongsong, ended after visiting the other Benelux countries.

"It was unforgettable," she said.

"More importantly, I made friends with my travel companions — from complete strangers at the start to a deep friendship now, making my life richer," she added.

Fang Minghui, vice-president of Hongsong Group, the largest senior-focused service platform for retirees in China, said that compared with other tours, their study/travel services focus on study tours, letting the elderly learn from their sojourns and have more fun.

During the past six months, nearly 10,000 seniors have participated in Hongsong's offline study tours, touring five European countries and 12 Chinese cities.

He Jia, co-founder of Hongsong, said the retirees, part of a growing graying demographic, need more focused care and consideration as official data showed that by the end of last year, the country's population aged 60 and over numbered 296 million, accounting for 21.1 percent of the total population.

By end-2023, there were over 490,000 business entities engaged in the eldercare business in China, focusing on home care, rehabilitation, adult education, leisure and entertainment, said He Zhifang, a researcher from Hunan University of Technology and Business.

However, Fang said, study tour services for seniors face more difficulties, as traditional sightseeing tourism can no longer meet the growing needs of the elderly in the new era.

He Jia said the State Council — the nation's Cabinet — hosted an executive meeting on Jan 5, calling for expanding the silver economy as a key measure to respond to the aging population.

It stressed fully utilizing the role of various business entities and social organizations to better meet the multilevel and diverse needs of seniors.

"At present, eldercare all over the world tends to focus on their physical health, such as accompanying the disabled, but a lack of a sense of value and social support networks was often overlooked," said He.

Take the example of Zhang Yunfeng, an 81-year-old retiree in Beijing, who was the eldest among Hongsong's clients.

Engaged in machine-tool technical work which kept her extremely busy, she also cared for her bedridden husband for six years before her retirement.

As her two sons live far away with their own families, she lives with her grandson, who is also very busy at work and can't arrive home until midnight. During the day, she is the only one at home, and has to make do with a walk in the park.

Hongsong noticed this and interacted with her often over the past three years, making her life more fulfilling, said He.

Another Hongsong co-founder, Li Qiao, said one of the reasons they set up the company in 2020 was to let his mother enjoy a higher quality retirement life, by focusing on social interactions.

"The elderly population is accelerating the development of the silver economy, whose scale has reached some 7 trillion yuan ($979 billion) currently, accounting for about 6 percent of the country's GDP," said He, who has a doctorate from West China Hospital of Sichuan University.

The China Tourism Academy forecasts that by 2025, China's senior population tourism income could surpass 1 trillion yuan, while statistics showed that by 2030, the market size of China's elderly education services could reach 1.2 trillion yuan.

So far, Hongsong has tailor-made online learning, socialization, e-commerce and offline study tours for seniors, said He.

To provide high-quality courses for users, Hongsong has hired over 4,000 lecturers nationwide.

"Our online and offline courses cover hundreds of areas, with a cumulative number of participants exceeding 10 million, and a total number of clicks on courses surpassing 200 million."

Fang said, "The silver economy has vast potential for development," adding that the market size of study tours alone can run up to 2 trillion yuan.

He Jia said that by February, they had set up research and development centers in Beijing; Chongqing; Chengdu, Sichuan province; Hangzhou, Zhejiang province; and Wuhan, Hubei province, and have finished their B+ round of financing.

According to a report by the Institute of Aging of Fudan University, by 2035, the size of China's silver economy will reach 19 trillion yuan, accounting for 28 percent of total consumption and nearly 10 percent of GDP.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge receives over 10 mln passenger trips

Archaeological findings of 2,200-year-ago tomb released

Singapore Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Bankok

Starry night at Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in C China

China launches Beijing-3C satellite constellation

Iran mourns tragic deaths of president and foreign minister

China's largest freshwater lake sees water level increasing

Heavy rainstorm hits south China's Guangxi

Lake Namtso welcomes tourism season in Xizang

Iranian president's helicopter makes hard landing

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Comicomment: 'How to suppress China's new energy industry?'

Concert celebrating 75th anniv. of China-Russia diplomatic relations staged in Beijing

Exploring biodiversity at horticultural exhibition 2024 in Chengdu

Chinese white dolphins spotted in Leizhou Bay

Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai

Xi, Putin attend opening ceremony of China-Russia Years of Culture

Marine ecological pasture complex gains development momentum in E China

Folk festival Siyueba celebrated in Guizhou

Magnificent scenery of Gangshika snow peak in Qinghai

Giant planet with density like cotton candy discovered

Intercity rails in Guangdong begin trial operations

Stunning sunset glow illuminates Beijing sky

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Cheongsam show presents elegance of old Chinese fashion

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