best Symposium on education how to train your responsible Engineer 07.07.2024- 15.07.2024 - SKOPJE SURVIVAL GUIDE
SURVIVAL GUIDE Table of Contents 4 - All about BEST and BEST Skopje 6 - Introduction to North Macedonia 8 - Introduction to Skopje 10 - What to visit in Skopje 12 - Arrival in Skopje 14 - Language School 16 - What to bring? 18- Importantphonenumbers and useful links
SURVIVAL GUIDE Hello Dear PARTYcipant! This Survival Guide is made to provide you with some useful information for your travel to Macedonia and to prepare you for your stay. Local BEST Group Skopje has been working hard to make the BEST possible symposium on education for you and we hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are. Please read this document very carefully. It provides you with all the information you need, but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us! Best regards, On behalf of BEST Skopje, on behalf of Your Organisers!
SURVIVAL GUIDE 4 ALL ABOUT BEST ABEST - Board of European Students of Technology is a voluntary student organisation that provides endless opportunities for students all around Europe. With its non-profit, non-representative and non-political character, BEST dates all the way back to 1989, and has since then grown immensely, with 85 Local BEST Groups in 30 countries. In addition, BEST also aims to strengthen the connection between its three stakeholders: students - universities - companies. BEST helps students achieve an international mindset, understand and respect each other's cultures, and work in a culturally diverse environment. Furthermore, through its activities and core services, BEST supports students in their personal development, acquirement of new soft and hard skills, as well as reaching their full potential. OUR VISION AND MISSION EMPOWERED DIVERSITY DEVELOPING STUDENTS
SURVIVAL GUIDE 5 AND BEST SKOPJE BEST Skopje was officially founded in 2002, and has been supporting students in their development ever since. Through numerous events, BEST Skopje offers students complementary education, career support and educational involvement (the core services of BEST), and has organised several editions of EBEC (European BEST Engineering Competition), Job Fair and LEoE (Local Event on Education), as well as one BSE (BEST Symposium on Education). Of course, we have also organised various BEST Courses, specifically in the summer season. In fact, this year we will finally be organising our 2nd BEST Symposium of education, and all of our members are very excited to welcome you and give you the most incredible and unforgettable 9 days of your student life! FRIENDSHIP open-mindedness IMPROVEMENT FLEXIBILITY FUN OUR Values
Introduction to North Macedonia Population: 1,836,713 (2021 est.) Capital: Skopje is the capital and the largest city in North Macedonia with about a third of the total population. Other cities of interest: Ohrid, Resen and Dojran - the cities where our three natural lakes reside, as well as Mavrovo - our winter wonderland. Other cities full of culture are Prilep, Bitola, Struga (which also has part of Lake Ohrid) and more. Weather: The weather in North Macedonia during the summer (especially in July and August) is very hot, with some occasional summer storms. During mid-day in July, the temperatures go from 30-35o C, but sometimes they can reach up to 40o C. In the night you can cool off. It's very important to have a bottle of water with you at all times, and do not forget to put sunscreen on! Time: CET (GMT+1) Language: Macedonian, but most young people can speak English well. Many people can also speak French, German, Spanish (telenovelas). Also, we have no trouble understanding Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian and Croatian because of the similarities in our languages. Electricity: Like most of Europe, North Macedonia has 230V power grid @50Hz. BEST 6 SURVIVAL GUIDE
Currency: North Macedonia is not part of the EU and we don't use Euros. When you come to North Macedonia you're going to have to change some money into Macedonian Denars, There are exchange offices at the airport and everywhere around the city. We also recommend taking a credit/debit card and using it everywhere, and having some cash with you at all times just in case. Prices: In North Macedonia we use Denars. Approximately, 1 Euro equals 61.5 Macedonian Denars. North Macedonia is considered as a rather cheap country to live in - now you know! 1 Beer at a café/nightclub: 2.1€ - 3€ (130 - 180 DEN) In a supermarket: 1€ - 1.6€ (60 - 100 DEN) 1 Cocktail: 3€+ (180+ DEN) 1 Pack (20) of cigarettes: 2.2€ - 3.3€ (140 - 200 DEN) 1 Bottle of Coca-Cola (1.75L) in a supermarket: 1.5€ (90 DEN) 1 Ice-cream: 1€ (60 DEN) 1 Hamburger: 3€+ (180+ DEN) Bus ticket (whole day + all lines): 2.4€ (150 DEN) Ba SIM Card for internet: 8.1€ (500 DEN) rs and Nightlife: There is a wide variety of bars in Skopje, including bars with live jazz, rock, traditional music, and sophisticated spots to suit every taste and mood. Late night cafés serve liquor as well as coffee. There is a pulsing nightlife scene in Skopje with a mix of international people. Heaps of live music and DJ venues will get you dancing and will ensure an exciting visit. Cafés: Spending time in cafés is a national pastime in North Macedonia, which is evident from the plentiful variety of cafés in Skopje. From sophisticated, trendy cafés, where one goes to be seen, to cozy, family-run establishments, where one goes to relax, there is something for everyone. Shopping: Reserve some of your time during your stay in Skopje for shopping and visiting Skopje's shopping malls, streets with domestic and international department stores, souvenir shops, delightful antique shops, handcraft shops, and last but not least the Old Skopje Bazaar. Opening Hours: Most of the shops, supermarkets and facilities in Skopje are open from 08:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, and from 08:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays. On Sunday everything is closed, aside from cafés, restaurants, clubs, and large shopping centers, such as Skopje City Mall, Vero Jumbo, East Gate Mall, Ramstore Shopping Mall and Diamond Mall. PRICES 7 SURVIVAL GUIDE
Introduction to Skopje! Back in 4000 BC, Skopje was just a village. Its ancient name Scupi was given by the Romans when they took Macedonia as a province in 146 BC. They were the first to set Skopje as a city. Some remains of their rule are still present today, like the Skopje Aqueduct, and other ancient cities like Stobi and Heraclea. 8 SURVIVAL GUIDE
When North Macedonia was in Yugoslavia (1945 - 1991), Skopje reached its peak population, going from 88 000 to 445 000 citizens in 1991. Though Skopje's neoclassical architecture style was ruined in the devastating earthquake in 1963, some of that architecture is still found in buildings like the Ristic Palace, Skopje's Old Train Station, The City Assembly, and more. Today, Skopje is a modern city with a rapid expansion and a constant "makeover" in buildings, streets and shops. During the Middle Ages, North Macedonia was under the Ottoman rule for 500 hundred years, which defined a big part of Macedonian culture and traditions. One of today's most visited attractions in Skopje is the Old Bazaar, built by the Ottomans. 9 SURVIVAL GUIDE
WHAT TO VISI~ Stone Bridge ~ The Stone Bridge in the City Square was built between 1451 and 1469. This bridge represents the connection between Skopje's past and present and is featured today as the emblem of the City of Skopje. The bridge was partially renovated in the 1990's. ~ Old Railway Station ~ The clock on this old train station stopped at 5:17 AM in the morning of the 26th of July 1963, when this piece of the grand modernist station of Skopje was one of the few parts of the city that remained standing after a devastating earthquake crushed the city. It's a reminder of a tragic moment in Skopje's history. Today, it is a museum. ~ Matka ~ Just outside of Skopje lies a natural treasure - Matka Canyon. It's a breathtaking outdoor destination that is - Matka Lake. There are plenty of activities you can do here: hike around the lake, take a boat ride, go kayaking, have a meal at the restaurant and enjoy the beautiful views. Another interesting activity is to visit the Vrelo Cave, which is speculated to be the deepest underwater cave in the world. Needless to say, Matka is a wonderful place that keeps on giving! ~ Old Town ~ The Old Town, also known as Old Bazaar, is situated in an area between the Stone Bridge and the Bit Bazaar, and between the Kale Fortress and the Vardar River. In the past, all economic activities in the city were taking place in this part. In the period between the 16th and the 17th century, the Old Town reached its urban and economic zenith, developing into one of the largest and in the Balkans. It is full of bustling shops that beckon visitors. This bazaar is an interesting mixture of Eastern and Western culture. 10 SURVIVAL GUIDE
IT IN SKOPJE ~ Millennium Cross ~ The Millennium Cross is a tourist attraction situated at the peak of the Mountain Vodno. At a height of 66 m, it is the 10th biggest cross in the world and can be seen from 30 km away. It was built to celebrate 2000 years of the existence of Christianity and of N.Macedonia as a biblical land. ~ Kale Fortress ~ The fortress is situated on a hill above the city. There were settlements that existed before the Turks that created the extensive castle walls that have survived until today. The present fortress was originally built by the Byzantines in the 6th century. It is supposed that the stone blocks used in this construction were taken from the destroyed city of Scupi nearby. After the 1963 earthquake, Kale's circular, rectangular and square towers were conserved and restored. Today, this fortress is one of the best sightseeing spots in Skopje. ~ Macedonia Square ~ This square is the largest and most important of Skopje's squares. It was dramatically widened by the demolishing of the massive neoclassical National Bank and Army House during the 1963 earthquake. The most remarkable building is the Ristic Palace. However, the focus of the square is still the Stone Bridge, and it's a pleasant place to spend time in good weather. ~ Mother Teresa Sites ~ There are several landmarks of Mother Teresa in Skopje, the city she was born in, including a marker of her birthplace, a statue and a memorial house. The Memorial House of Mother Teresa in Skopje was opened in early 2009. 11 SURVIVAL GUIDE
arrival and transpGOING BY PLANE TO SKOPJE - There are two international airports in North Macedonia - one in Skopje and the other in Ohrid. The airport in Ohrid isn't used much outside the summer season. Skopje's airport "Skopje International Airport" is only 25 km away from the city centre. There are regular and charter flights from many major European cities to Skopje by both domestic and foreign air companies: Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Wizzair, Malev, Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia etc. - WTransporter" is the bus company that transports passengers from/to the Skopje airport up to 9 times a day, with a schedule adapted to suit arrivals and departures at the airport. The price is 3.25€ (200 DEN) for a one-way ticket. Check the time-table of busses on the following link: https://www.wtransporter.com/#timetable - You can take a taxi, but expect a price around 25€ (1550 DEN). 12 SURVIVAL GUIDE
portation in skopje GOING BY BUS TO SKOPJE TRANSPORTATION IN SKOPJE You can travel in Skopje by bus or by taxi, but most of the time it's wiser to choose a taxi. Bus tickets for one full day (for all bus lines) cost 2.4€. You can purchase them at any bus booth, some small shops, and there is an app Skopska for online purchase, but use that at your own caution. The bus stops are marked. People also use a taxi as a means of transportation. It's cheap if you're on a short destination, and if you ride with two or more people, it can be cheaper that the bus, not to mention faster and more comfortable. If you're stuck in traffic, or are going on a slightly longer trip within town, it can cost more. The start tariff is 0.65€, and the maximum price should be no more than 3 - 5€. Make sure your taxi has a meter, and the rest is simple. NOTE: There are some drivers who are not part of a taxi company, and they charge more for the ride, especially if they see that you are a foreigner. In case you need a taxi, we recommend that you call these taxi numbers: Palas: +389 2 15 166 Elitte: +389 2 15 169 Global Taxi: +389 2 15 180 De Luks: +389 2 15 187 Vardar: +389 2 15 195 Nase Taxi: +389 2 15 152 - The Main Bus Station in Skopje offers buses from Tirana (Albania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Belgrade (Serbia), Zagreb (Croatia), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Istanbul (Turkey), which run daily. There is also buses from some European countries, such as Germany, which can run twice/three times a week, and aren't very expensive. - There is a direct bus from Thessaloniki (Greece) every day except Sunday. Most of the busses arrive at the Main Bus Station, but there are some that don't. The Main Bus Station and the Railway Station are next to each other. 13 SURVIVAL GUIDE
14 LanguageMacedonian is one of the hardest languages to learn, but once you learn the alphabetjust like they're written. We use the Cyrillic alphabet, and it may seem sEnglish MAcedHELLO / GOODBYE GOOD MORNING GOOD EVENING / GOOD NIGHT HOW ARE YOU? / FINE, THANKS WHAT IS YOUR NAME? / MY NAME IS... THANK YOU YES / NO / MAYBE ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE-SIX-SEVEN-EIGHT-NINE-TEN HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? I WANT THIS EXCUSE ME, WHERE IS THE TOILET? I AM HUNGRY / THIRSTY I WANT COFFEE / TEA / JUICE / WATER / BEER, PLEASE EXCUSE ME/SORRY / I DO NOT KNOW / PLEASE WHAT TIME IS IT? I DO NOT SPEAK MACEDONIAN I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU WHAT DOES IT MEAN? COULD YOU TELL ME THE WAY TO...? POLICE STATION / HOSPITAL BUS STATION / TRAIN STATION / AIRPORT FROM / TO STRAIGHT / FRONT / BACK / LEFT / RIGHT / UP / DOWN ONE TICKET TO... PLEASE WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE BUS / TRAIN / PLANE FOR... LEAVE? I AM TIRED DO YOU WANT TO DANCE WITH ME? YOU ARE CUTE / HANDSOME/PRETTY I LIKE YOU / I LOVE YOU / LOVE / KISS / HUG SURVIVAL GUIDE
15 e school t, it's easy to learn how to read and pronounce. That's because words are pronounced strange to many since most European countries use the Latin alphabet. donian pronunciation ZDRAVO / CHAO DOBRO UTRO DOBRA VECHER / DOBRA NOK KAKO SI? / DOBRO, FALA KAKO SE VIKASH? / YAS SE VIKAM... FALA / BLAGODARAM DA / NE / MOZHEBI EDEN-DVA-TRI-CHETIRI-PET-SHEST-SEDUM-OSUM-DEVETDESET KOLKU CHINI OVA? GO SAKAM OVA IZVINETE, KADE E TOALETOT? GLADEN/GLADNA SUM / ZHEDEN/ZHEDNA SUM SAKAM KAFE / CHAI / SOK / VODA / PIVO, VE MOLAM IZVINI / NE ZNAM / TE MOLAM KOLKU E CHASOT? NE ZBORUVAM MAKEDONSKI NE TE RAZBIRAM SHTO ZNACHI TOA? MOZHETE LI DA MI GO KAZHETE PATOT DO...? POLITSISKA STANITSA / BOLNITSA AVTOBUSKA STANITSA / ZHELEZNICHKA / AERODROM OD / DO PRAVO / NAPRED / NAZAD / LEVO / DESNO / GORE / DOLE EDNA KARTA DO... VE MOLAM KOGA I KADE ZAMINUVA AVTOBUSOT / VOZOT / AVIONOT ZA...? UMOREN/UMORNA SUM SAKASH DA IGRASH SO MENE? SLADOK/SLATKA / UBAV/UBAVA SI MI SE DOPAGASH / TE SAKAM / LJUBOV / BAKNEZH / GUSHKA SURVIVAL GUIDE
WHAT TO BRING This is more of a to-do list before you pack and come to Skopje. Be prepared! 16 Your travelling tickets (plane, bus, train); Passport; VISA/Invitation Letter (if required); Travel/Health insurance; Cell Phone; This Survival Guide; List of contact info of the organizers; ID Card; Student ID; Student Card (ISIC) (if you have one); Money/Cards (Credit or Debit); Medicine (if you need any); Towel(s); Toothbrush and other toiletries (shavers, shampoo, etc.); Clean beadsheets and a pillow case (in case you don't feel comfortable sleeping on the ones in the dormitory); SURVIVAL GUIDE
WHAT TO BRING Food/Drinks for International Evening; Country flag for International Evening; Sun Cream; Swimsuit; Clothes (It's best to pack 90% light clothing, but pack a pair of longer trousers and a hoodie or two for the cooler nights); Pair of extra shoes (preferably sneakers, since there will be a lot of walking); Digital camera - we will try to gather all the photos after the course; Sunglasses; Hat; Umbrella; Backpack/Smaller bag (for Weekend Trip); Hand sanitizers; If you have an instrument that you can play, and won't mind bringing, then it will get the atmosphere going for sure; Reusable Water Bottle; Insect Reppellent. 17 SURVIVAL GUIDE
Country Code: +389 International Call Prefix: 00 The Macedonian telephone numbering plan is the system used for assigning telephone numbers in the Republic of North Macedonia. It is regulated by the Agency for Electronic CommunicationsAEK,which holds responsibility for telecommunications. The country calling code of the Republic of North Macedonia is +389. Area codes should always be dialed, even within the country, because of the many fixed and mobile operators. Breakfast -> 08:00 - 10:00 For breakfast, we usually have bread with butter, pâté, jam, Nutella, cereal with milk, sandwich with ham and cheese, etc. Lunch -> 14:00 - 16:00 For lunch, we usually have some soup and always some meaty dish: pork/chicken with potatoes, traditional foods, etc. Dinner -> 20:00 - 22:00 For dinner, we usually go out and have hamburgers, pizza, pasta, etc. - Police: 192 - Fire brigade: 193 - Ambulance: 194 - Center for Announcements and Dangers: 195 - Emergencies: 112 - wikitravel.org/en/Skopje - mzt.mk - skp.airports.com.mk - jsp.com.mk/en - mfa.gov.mk/en Important phone numbers Macedonian cuisine Useful links Important Service Numbers 18 SURVIVAL GUIDE
Main Organiser: Kamelija Mateska [email protected] President: Sara Krshinar [email protected] BEST Skopje [email protected] CONTACT US 19 SURVIVAL GUIDE Main Organiser: Daniel Gramatikov [email protected] BEST SKOPJE IS WAITING FOR YOU WITH OPEN ARMS
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