Mandura's Exchange to Danish School of Media and Journalism | Denmark
There is only so much theory can provide. Discussing what the exchange will be like, searching the Internet for tips and tricks and stalking the social media sites of soon-to-be classmates can only do so much. It is the reality of being there that hits the hardest.
When it comes down to it, this exchange semester in Denmark changed me beyond any experience. It was during these months that I learnt about how small I am compared to the vastness of the world. The more you see, the less you feel you know. Embrace every experience, make mistakes, feel shitty, feel great, put on weight, and ultimately explore who you are.
I regret not writing a blog and tracking what I did and how I did things, but when it comes down to it I think a detailed chronological list is as helpful as anything. Listed below is what I would have found useful to know before hand.
Pre-departure
- Save up
- Denmark is –at time of writing- similar to Perth in prices for groceries. There is no Kmart or Target for cheap essential stuff and coffee is about $8 a cup for a long black. It will drain your bank account
- Centrelink/ OS-Help
- Jump on that pony if you’re illegible.
- Money overseas
- Don’t bother opening a Danish bank account. Too much hassle
- Get a Travel Money Card. CommBank, NAB or Citibank are options.
- Bring essentials from home
- Contact lenses
- Medication
- Anything that is expensive in Australia WILL BE more pricey in Denmark
- Flights
- Check out www.momondo.com. It’s a great flight aggregator and it’s Danish.
- Apps
- Download the Danish DSB app. It’s for trains. A few days before you go, buy the DSB Wildcard. This gives you cheaper train tickets and will essentially pay for itself after a few rides.
You will miss your friends, family, dog, cat and home. This is natural. Remember though, you’re about to step into a whole new world. One that you have never seen before, never experienced. People you have not met in real life, ideas and opinions that are completely foreign. It’s an adventure that will change you, so don’t be afraid.
TRAVEL NOTE: If you plan to take a train to Aarhus from Copenhagen, buy the ticket on the DSB app, with DSB Wildcard prices. The bus will always be cheaper though.
Train: www.dsb.dk
Bus: www.abildskou.dk Zealand [Kobenhaven Lufthavn] -Jutland [Aarhus H]
Upon arrival
- Housing
- I lived at Børglum Kollegiet which was a giant complex of 7 apartment blocks, 4 stories each, with 14 people on each floor who share a common kitchen.
- Talk to your floormates, ask them anything you need to know. They are used to exchange students because DMJX books out those rooms and replaces the outgoing kid with another one.
- Floormates
- These people are your gateway into Danish culture and getting around Aarhus.
- Don’t be shy even if your floormates seem a bit detached or distant. It takes time for them to warm up. Give it a week or two.
- Bicycle
- I was lucky enough to be left a bicycle, so try and get in touch with the person who had your room before. They may have either left you one or is willing to sell you an old one.
- Look on Facebook for ‘International Students in Aarhus’ there will be bikes there.
- It’s possible to rent a bike for a period of months.
- The police auction should be your last port of call. Bikes there are crap and expensive.
- Always have your lights on after dark. The police will stop you and give you a ticket.
- Groceries/ Food
- Watch out for milk/ yoghurt confusion. Their yoghurt comes in milk cartons [A38]. I made this mistake twice. Not fun times.
Things to do
- Physical fitness
- If you enjoy running, you’re in luck. Pretty much the entire Danish population runs at some capacity. All times of day, all weather, all year.
- Borglum Kollegiet has a one-time payment gym. Talk to the office.
- Gym memberships are mostly monthly and are pretty reasonable.
- Aarhus Fight Academy if you want to pick up martial arts
- There’s a bouldering place near the IKEA which is awesome but pricey
- Folkekokken [People’s Kitchen]
- Every Sunday a bunch of people get together at the community centre in Trøjborg and cook up a storm with donated veggies. Fun for meeting a whole lot of people and eating for free. You get to bring home leftovers.
- There’s also music rooms and hippie stuff at the location
- Winter swimming
- I didn’t do this myself, but apparently you can join a club where they go into the freezing sea for a few minutes then scuttle to the sauna. Apparently it’s good for you. Danish people are nuts.
- Bazar Vest
- A large indoor ethnic market located in Brabrand, the supposed ‘ghetto’ Aarhus. Great for cheap veggies, halal meat, Asian things and anything Middle Eastern.
- Places to eat
- Shawarma King opposite Magasin has the best kebab in town. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.
- Yup that’s all I got. Everything else was too expensive.
Dealing with school
It’s a very different system, so be prepared to adapt quickly. Exchange semesters may have the reputation of being all fun, promiscuity and beer but this is an ‘elite’ journalism school. The Danish kids take entrance exams. Some do them twice before they get in. There will be work, and it will be stressful. But also very rewarding, so don’t freak out. When you feel like you’ve hit a wall, just remember that there is always a story to be found. Speak to the people around you as they may have noticed things that you have not. Your teachers are more than willing to help, although they may be cryptic at times.
Dealing with relationships
Skype will help to a certain degree and catching up with family and friends is pretty straightforward. Just a gentle warning, the number of long distance romantic relationships that made it through the semester I was there was a total of 0.
Leaving Aarhus
This was by far the hardest part of the whole program. It is a depressing hell-hole time with a lot of sobbing and hugging. Reverse culture shock is a thing when you get home, but they never tell you that it’s so bloody impossible to leave in the first place. Bring tissues.
I did this exchange because I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. I wanted to learn journalism from a different perspective, travel and meet people from all over the world. All those goals were surpassed. I built relationships that will last a lifetime, a network of people that I look up to and respect. Journalism skills will be shoved down your throat like having to eat at grandma’s house.
Honestly can’t recommend this experience enough. Don’t take my word for it though, go find out for yourself.
- Mandura studied abroad at DMJX in Denmark
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