AFSNIT 2

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
SURVIVAL GUIDE
to l i f e i n D e n m a r k
Version 2, April 2017
Layout and print: KLS PurePrint

Made by the organisation The Cooperative of Danish Student Unions (Danske Studerendes
Andelsselskab) in collaboration with the National Union of Students in Denmark (dsfnet.dk).

The International Survival Guide for Students in Denmark is available and applicable to all international students in Denmark
but published specifically for international students at:

http://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/ http://www.cbs.dk/en/international-opportunities/ https://ruc.dk/en

international-students/full-degree-students

2
CONTENT
Chapter 1 Chapter 5
04 Welcome to Denmark 36 Housing
05 Culture Shock 38 How to Find a Place to Live
40 Housing Options

Chapter 2 42 Furniture
43 How to Avoid Housing Scams
06 Denmark at a Glance!
08 Transportation and Getting Around Town
10 Things to See and Do in Your University City Chapter 6
46 Meeting the Danes

Chapter 3 48 Meeting People

50 How to Get Involved
12 Getting Started in Denmark
52 Danish Friends
13 Rules and Requirements for
54 Do the Danes Even Date?
Getting a CPR-Number
55 Explore Your City
15 Opening a Bank Account in Denmark
56 Bike Culture
16 SU
57 Nightlife as a Danish Student
17 Phones
59 Do More Spend Less
18 Internet
19 Transportation
20 Emergency Chapter 7
21 Healthcare 62 Getting a Student Job
22 Dentists and Extra Healthcare Services 63 What Kind of Jobs Can You Get as a
23 Insurance Student?
24 Family, Children, and Pets 65 Where Do You Find a Job?
25 NEMID and Digital Denmark 66 Taxes (SKAT)
26 Disabled Students 67 Unions
27 International Citizen Services in Aalborg, 68 Danish Work Culture
Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen

Chapter 8
Chapter 4 69 History
28 Student Life 70 Political System
30 Being a Student 72 Education
32 Practical University Info 73 Danish Culture Crash Course
34 Life Outside Uni 76 Public Holidays in Denmark
77 Expat Blogs and Fun Sites
About Danish Culture

3
C H A P T E R 1 W E L CO M E

WELCOME TO DENMARK
WELCOME! You have decided to study in Denmark, and We believe that this will bring you further than any quick
for that we salute you. We hope that you will enjoy your fixes could otherwise do.
stay. We know that acclimatizing to a new country and
a new city can be complicated and we know that the If you have any questions during your stay here and dont
Danes can be a little weird at times, so this book will give know where to go, our best tip is simple: Ask a Dane!
you tips, insights and background information on how to Approach one of your Danish classmates and ask them
experience the best possible student life in Denmark. how they find their way around your universitys intranet,
how they navigate the Nem-ID-system, or where they
In each chapter you will find useful information, tips and bought their bike. They know these things better than
tricks, fun (and not so fun) facts about Denmark, and a any book ever could, and the best cultural knowledge is
variety of links and places to get even more information. gained through meeting people so ask for information
and help when needed!
This book is a guide to many different aspects of Danish
student life. It is not comprehensive, but we have tried to Before you plan your trip to Denmark, remember to check
cover as much ground as possible. We will give you tips, whether your new university offers pre-semester introduc-
information and where-to-go places, but we will not be tion activities and language classes. If they do, we recom-
able to solve every problem that you encounter. mend that you plan to participate in those, as these will
give you the best possible start to your stay here.
What we hope this book can do, is to give you the tools
and knowledge to solve your problems on your own. We hope that you will have fun, learn a lot, and enjoy your
experiences as a student in Denmark.

!
Info

For more information about studying

at Danish universities, click below:

www.Studycph.dk

www.studyindenmark.dk

Language Courses for Free

The majority of universities in office (or Student Hub if you numerous private and public centres
Denmark have Danish language are studying at CBS) when you offering free language courses for
courses for international students arrive if its not mentioned in your internationals. You just need to have
either pre-semester or in the admittance package. a CPR number to sign up. (So that
beginning of the semester. Check If you would like to continue is one more reason to get it done in
with your local international studying Danish, there are a hurry)

READ MORE HERE:

www.dedanskesprogcentre.dk/en/forside
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/learning-danish

4
 W E L CO M E C H A P T E R 1

Youre
not alone!
(Even if you feel like it)

CULTURE SHOCK Moving to a new city can

be tough. Moving to a dif-
ferent country and culture
ARRIVING IN A NEW COUNTRY can result in both practical and personal altogether can be even
issues. Some people even talk about experiencing an actual culture shock.
tougher.
Here are some tips on how to make your first time in a new culture easier and
more enjoyable.
According to a 2011
Although Denmark is a well-organised country and people hereare eager to survey, 25% of the
make you feel comfortable,you will need some timeto settle in. There may be international students in
times when you question why you left home, which is likely similar to what your Denmark experienced
fellow students are feeling and questioning. loneliness during their
stay. However, this is not
When this happens, it is important for you to remember that you are going
solely a problem for inter-
through a learning process. By accepting this brief adaptation period as a lear-
ning experience, you will ultimately be returning home with greater self-confi- national students similar
dence and the skillset to succeed in a multicultural environment. surveys amongst Danish
students show that up
So keep active, engage in social opportunities, talk to people and try tolearn to 23% of them also feel
Danish.
lonely at university.

Remember: you are not alone in experiencing these feelings.Talking about your
feelings and worries is the best way to deal with loneliness or homesickness. Students loneliness
may be caused by the

Tip! fragmented university

structure and the lack of
Here are some tips on easing yourself into a new culture centrally located social
from Study in Denmark (www.studyindenmark.dk) activities. If you want to
Accept that you cannot know everything about your new country and language counter this, there are
Keep an open mind many ways to get involved
Try to do things that you did at home both at your university and
Stay in touch with family and friends at home in your city, and through
Talk to other students about how you feel the local Student House
(Studenterhuset).
Stay active

5
CHAPTER 2 DENMARK

Aalborg

Aarhus
JUTLAND Roskilde

Odens
e
Copenhagen

FUNEN ZEALAND

DENMARK AT A GLANCE!
DENMARK. Home of Hans Christian Andersen, Tivoli, Danish demography
LEGO, beer, pastries and hygge. Denmark has a population of a little over 5,5 million
people. Copenhagen is the biggest city with 1,2 million
On the surface its hard not to see Denmark as a tiny cute inhabitants, followed by Aarhus (approx. 240.000 inhabit-
country, mostly known for its fairytales and tourist attrac- ants), Odense (approx. 170.000) and Aalborg (125.000).
tions unless you arrive in January. Then youll probably
notice the grey, rainy and cold weather, and crazy Danes Most of Denmarks population can be described as mid-
who will bike to class regardless of snowstorms and fog. dle class, and there is little divide between most peoples
living conditions, compared to other western countries.
Denmark is a lot of things, and we hope that you will dis-
cover a great deal of those things during your stay here. Around 85% of the Danish population is considered of
Danish descent, meaning that they have one or two Dan-
Geography ish parents. The remaining 15% of the population is a mix
Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and 443 of Western and Non-Western immigrants, guest workers
named islands, linking Northern Europe and Scandinavia and refugees.
via the resund bridge. Copenhagen, the countrys cap-
ital, is situation on the biggest island in Denmark, called It is mandatory that all Danish kids receive at least 9
Zealand. You can find Funen, a slightly smaller island, years of education, normally until the age of 15 or 16,
between Zeland and Jutland. resulting in a 99% literacy rate in Denmark.

The big university cities are Aalborg and Aarhus in Jut- Government-funded education is free of charge and open
land, Odense on Funen and the Greater Copenhagen to all. 60% of all Danes between the ages of 15 and 69
area (including Roskilde and Lyngby) on Zealand. have a higher-level education.

6
 DENMARK CHAPTER 2

Climate
DENMARK IS SITUATED in the temperate zone, and has a coastal cli-
mate, resulting in generally mild temperatures that rarely becomes either
too cold or too hot.

Winters seldomly get much colder than -10 to 0 degrees Celsius.

The weather tends to be mixed throughout the year in terms of sun,

wind and rain, but be prepared for wonderful sunny, rainy, and grey days,
and then those days where it simply feels like youre about to get blown
away by a storm. Get wellies, a big scarf and a raincoat, and remember
that layers are the way to go all year round.

Due to Denmarks geographical placement, which is quite north,

we have short days in the winter (from 9-16 around winter sol-
stice) and long days and bright nights in the summer. This
results in a lot of indoor cosiness (hygge) in the winter
and outdoor fun in the summer.

Outdoor life is an important part of enjoying life

in Denmark, even if its just biking through the
city on your way to university so be pre-
pared for that. Get a bike, and pack some
warm clothes that will enable you to go
outside and enjoy yourself regardless
of the weather.

If you dont have winter or

autumn clothes with you,
several shops such as
H&M, etc. have
plenty of afforda- Religion
ble options.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM is a constitu-
tional right in Denmark. The countrys official
state religion is Christianity, in the form of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (Dansk Folkekirke).
In this respect Denmark is a non-secular state; however, atheism
and most religions are represented within Danish society, and religion is rarely
mentioned in political or state matters. The second largest religion isIslam, which
has witnessed an increase since the 1980s as a result of immigration. There are
Jewish, Muslim and different Christian congregations in the bigger cities, so
contact them, if you are interested in getting involved.

Most Danes see themselves as secular in their daily lives, andchurch

attendance is generally low. Religion plays little role in most peoples
life choices, and it can actually be seen as a social faux pas to
discuss religion at length with people you dont know very
well. Most Danes prefer to keep their religious pref-
erences private, so maybe dont bring it up as
the first topic when meeting new
people.

7
CHAPTER 2 DENMARK

8
 DENMARK CHAPTER 2

TRANSPORTATION AND
GETTING AROUND TOWN
WITHIN THE CITIES, biking, walking, and taking public night, and to not bike on sidewalks or through pede-
transportation are more than enough to get you around strian crossings.
town.
It is not mandatory to wear a helmet in Denmark, but
Bikes can be quite cheap, often the fastest solution (no keep your brain safe and get a proper one that fits you
waiting for the bus), and most Danes will bike regardless and has the CE certificate (a sticker inside the helmet
of rain or snow. If you have only just learned how to ride with CE, staing that its approved). It can save your life.
a bike upon coming to Denmark, do be careful so that
you dont hurt yourself. In some Danish cities, Red Cross For safety reasons, we recommend that you do not to lis-
occasionally organises bike schools for foreigners who ten to loud music or use your mobile phone while biking.
would like to learn.
In the bigger cities, busses, metros, and local trains are all
If you know how to ride a bike, find an affordable yet reli- good reliable options for transportation. Across Denmark,
able one (ask your classmates where they bought theirs) there are trains, ferries, and coach services that you can take.
and remember to be safe while using it. Train lines run between the different regions.

You should always, always use the bike lane when possi- You must have a valid ticket or commuter card when
ble. If not, stick to the right side of the road, as close to using public transportation, as the fines for riding without
the curb as is safely possible. one are high in all cities.

Signal when you turn and when you stop, stop for red Outside the cities people often travel by car, and most
lights and stay in the bike lane or as far right on the families have at least one. It is expensive to own a car in
road as is feasible. Remember to get lights for your Denmark due to high car taxes, high gasoline prices, and
bike (white for the front, red for the back) to use at high insurance costs, so few students own one.

9
CHAPTER 2 DENMARK

THINGS TO SEE
AND DO IN YOUR
UNIVERSITY CITY
A ALBORG COPENHAG EN
CARNIVAL On May 28th of each year, Aalborg turns up TIVOLI AND BAKKEN The two oldest operating amusement
the heat for the biggest carnival in Northern Europe parks in the world - whats not to like? Many of the old
with 60.000 parade participants in extraordinary cos- rides are still in function and the atmosphere is magical.
tumes and over 100.000 cheering spectators.
SUMMER BARBECUES IN THE PARKS Bring a disposable grill,
JOMFRU ANE GADE Gaden (The street) is probably the good food, some wine/beer/soda and maybe even a ball to
most famous and notorious party street in Denmark, kick around. There are no laws against open containers or
and the street in Scandinavia with most restaurants, consuming alcohol outside in Denmark. This is how Danish
bars, pubs, and clubs in one place. Bring friends. students celebrate summer.
THE SINGING TREES Park in central Aalborg where a BOAT TRIP IN THE HARBOUR Harbour boats run all year long
wide array of international music stars have planted and are a great way to see Copenhagen. In summer
a tree that plays a musical creation by the various the boats are a breezy break from the citys heat, and in
artists at the push of a button. winter you get to have an outdoor adventure, while still
shielded from the rain.
SKAGEN The Northern-most point of Denmark with
spectacular nature, a sand-buried church, and the pos- SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS From CPH:DOXs docu-
sibility of standing with a foot in the two different seas mentaries to Distortions massive block parties, theres a
that meet at the tip of Skagen. festival for you in Copenhagen no matter what youre into.
www.visitaalborg.com www.visitcopenhagen.com

ODENSE
H.C. ANDERSENS HOUSE The famous Danish fairytale writer grew up in Odense, and there are plenty of subtle refer-
ences to his stories throughout the city.

BRANDTS Museum of Art and Visual Culture The central city art centre and museum is a great place for everyone
who is interested in art, photography, and culture.

WAREHOUSE FESTIVAL Independent festival for electronic music that gathers genre enthusiasts and party people for
a two-day melting pot of beats, bits, and big pop hits by the harbour in Odense.

www.visitodense.com

Most Danish students dress dress for a certain level of

Dress in a style that lands between

casual and very fashion for-
comfort and practicality, as
most students use bikes to

like a
ward. Theres no tradition get around. However, Danish
for formal dress codes, so students still manage to look

Dane:
suits, ties, and high heels are stylish while doing so. Think
optional (if you want to rock jeans not track pants; casual
it, go you!) and most people does not mean sloppy here.

10
 DENMARK CHAPTER 2

ROSKILDE
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL is the biggest music festival in Scandinavia and a constant
in many Danish students lives. Lots of people go for the full 8 days, setting up
camps with their friends and checking out of everyday life so as to immerse
themselves in art and music.

INSP is a highly diversified cultural and social community center that describes
LG BTQ
itself as a fourth-sector enterprise this is to say a social-economic enter-
Denmark legalized same-
prise with the status of an NGO. INSP! has a great kitchen with 90-100 %
organic products. Aside from food, INSP! also facilitates a number of cultural sex civil marriage in 1989
and social events. and same-sex church
marriages in 2012. Overall,
MUSICON Both an offspring of a festival, which rebuilds itself from nothing every
year and a new permanent creative neigborhood with museums, cultural institu- the majority of people in
tions and numerous concerts and events. bigger Danish cities are
open-minded, tolerant
ROSKILDE CATHEDRAL Experience a magnificent church and an architectural mas-
terpiece. 1000 years of Danish history are gathered here under beautifully deco- and inclusive towards
rated vaults and in dark crypts. The cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site. the LGBTQ community.
Copenhagen in particular
www.visitroskilde.com has a big and diverse
social scene. Both Copen-
hagen and Aarhus host big
A ARHUS official pride parades and
celebrations, and many
AROS The huge museum of modern art in Aarhus has both permanent and visit-
smaller cities follow suit.
ing exhibitions. It is famous for Ron Muecks statue Boy and Olafur Eliassons
Your Rainbow Panorama, from which you can see Aarhus from above, tinted by
all colours of the rainbow. If you are looking for
LGBTQ-friendly venues
AARHUS FESTUGE For 10 days in August/September all of Aarhus is bustling with
art, theatre, dance, music, and too many events to mention in the cultural melting and events, the rain-
pot that is known as the Aarhus week of festivities. bow sticker system is
common, so look for the
NORTHSIDE A prominent city festival (so no camping) with major international
rock and pop acts with an emphasis on sustainability and good food. sticker at the entrance.
Info about the community,
BAZAR VEST If you venture out to the Western Aarhus suburb Gellerupparken, you
activities and events can
will come across the mythical place called Bazar Vest. Here you can find food,
spices and groceries from all over the world in the market hall, showcasing the also be found on www.
multicultural Aarhus at its finest. lgbt.dk and www.out-and-

www.visitaarhus.com about.dk.

If youre interested in
meeting likeminded stu-
dents, www.blus.dk is a
good place to start.
And yes, we DO wear a lot spective is one of the
of black. It is not because best out there:
we are all goths or coming
straight from a funeral, but it www.copen-
does make laundry day a lot hannah.com/
simpler. post/14228929903/
For a fun perspective on how-to-look-like-a-dane
Danish style, this outsider per-

11
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

GETTING THIS CHAPTER will give you a brief overview of how

to get started when you arrive in Denmark. In general,
check up on the links and follow the instructions given to

STARTED IN
you by the various authorities. This is not a definite check-
list, but a way to get most of your bases covered without
too much trouble.

DENMARK Most of this will not be particularly exciting to read about,

but it will be a great deal more exciting to study in Den-
mark when you get these things fixed upon arrival.

!
Info

www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm
https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk

To get a CPR-number, you need to go to your local Inter-

First step
national Citizen Centre (see addresses for your city at the
end of this chapter or find it at www.icitizen.dk).

Getting a You need to have a place to live with a valid address,

CPR-NUMBER and you must have been granted a residence permit or

certificate.

After arriving in Denmark there are some

important things you have to take care of If you do not yet have a permanent address, ask the cit-
before you can start enjoying your new life izen service staff if you are allowed to use your current
here. The most important is to register with address, such as that of a hostel, if you plan to stay there
the authorities and get your CPR-number as long-term.
soon as possible.

If you are in doubt during the process, ask the staff at

All Danes have a personal Social Security
Number called a CPR-number. CPR is an the local International Citizen Service office to help you.
abbreviation for Det Centrale Personregister, They are there to provide a service, and will normally be
translated to: the civil registration service. very helpful if you ask politely for help with the forms
The CPR-number is used for almost all of and procedures.
your dealings with Danish authorities, such
as the health care system, and is the main
You can also ask your universitys international office or your
information on the national health insurance
card (sygesikringskort). mentor (or your International ambassador in the Student
Hub if you are studying at CBS), but bear in mind that they
You will need a CPR-number to gain access might not know all of the current rules and requirements.
to the authorities self-service online system,
to open a bank account, to buy a phone, get Yes, we know that the proof of address can be the big-
a gym membership, and much more.
gest hurdle to overcome. This is why we have dedicated
an entire chapter to this. See the chapter HOUSING to
learn more.

12
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

RULES AND
REQUIREMENTS
FOR GETTING A
CPR-NUMBER
For EU students
(including EEA and Swiss citizens)

You need:
First you need a registration certificate
The State Administration (in Danish Statsforvaltningen)
will issue your registration certificate

Get the registration certificate by bringing these

things to the Regional State Administration office (or
International Citizen Service in your city):
Yourletter of admissionto university in Denmark
Yourpassport
Twocolour photocopies of your original passport(photo For non-EU students
has to be visible) You need:
A photograph that fulfills the passport photo require- Visa: You need to apply for/receive your visa BEFORE
ments your arrival
A completed Application For EU Residence form Residence permit: You need to apply for/receive your
residence permit BEFORE your arrival
The Citizen Service Office (in Danish Borgerservice)
will issue your CPR-number. Then bring this to the International Citizen Service to
Bring these things to the International Citizen Service get your CPR-number:
to get it: Yourpassport
Yourpassport A completed Arrival From Foreign Countriesform
A completed Arrival From Foreign Countriesform Validresidence permit
Validregistration certification Proof ofaddressfor the place you are staying in Den-
Proof of youraddress in Denmark (e.g. rental contract) mark(e.g. rental contract)

13
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

VISA/residence permit for NON-EU/EAA citizens:

Before coming to Denmark you need to find out whether Where to file your application:
you need a VISA or a residence permit: You can apply for a visa at any authorised Danish mission
in your home country. These includethe Danish Embas-
See whichnationalities need a visa to enter Denmark sies and certain consulates abroad.

If your country of residence requires a visa for you to If you need more information about the Danish immi-
enter Denmark and you plan to stay here for more than gration rules, visit the website of theDanish Immigra-
3 months, youmust apply for aresidence permitprior to tion Service.You can also contactthe nearest Danish
arriving in Denmark. embassy or consulate.

!
Info

https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/visa/need_visa/who_needs_visa.htm
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/permits-visas-red-tape/residence-permits-for-non-eu-citizens

EU/EEA or Swiss citizens

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can legally How to get a registration certificate:
stay in Denmark for up to three months without having a You get both the registration certificate and residence
residence permit. card at the Regional State Administration(Statsforvalt-
ningen) within three months of arriving in Denmark.
If you want to stay longer, whether it is for school or Remember to bring your passport, two passport photos
work, you will need either a registration certificate and your Letter of Admission to your university.
(for EU/EEA citizens) or a residence card (for Swiss
nationals). Please remember that it can take up to three weeks to
get the permit.
Nordic citizens (Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland)
do not need visas or registration certificates for living, You need the permit in order to be able to get a CPR-
studying and working in Denmark but they do need a number, so get this done early on and everything will be
CPR-number. easier.

!
Info

www.statsforvaltning.dk/site.aspx?p=6394
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/permits-visas-red-tape/useful-steps-when-coming-to-denmark
www.studycph.dk/settling/visa-residency-permit

No Corruption
Denmark is one of the least corrupt countries in the world according to studies. The lack of corruption means
that you can generally trust the information given to you by public servants, as well as the information available
on the various public offices websites. However, the process can still be time consuming.

14
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

OPENING A
BANK ACCOUNT
IN DENMARK
IT IS A GOOD IDEA to open a Danish bank account if
you have to study here. If you want to have a job or even
get SU, you will definitely need one.

To open a back account you need a CPR-number, so start

by getting that sorted out.

If you are wondering about which bank to choose, its

a good idea to ask your fellow students for recommen-
dations. They will know where the good deals are for
students and which banks have great service and good
online banking options.

Opening an account is pretty simple. Just bring your

passport and national health insurance card to the branch
of the bank you wish to open an account with.

You will still have to bring enough cash or a credit card

for the first few weeks of your stay in Denmark. You
might need it for the deposit on your accommodation
and other start-up expenses.

Make sure your credit card works in Denmark, it will be

easiest if you have a card with a chip and a pincode, as
those are the common type here, and check your cash
withdrawal limit, so you dont get any annoying surprises.

Nemkonto the public payment system

You need to register your Danish bank account with the
Danish tax authority as your Nemkonto(translated: easy
account).

This will make it possible for the public authorities to

make direct payments to you like wages, tax rebates or
maintenance payments. It is mandatory for all foreigners
with a CPR-number to have a NemKonto, so remember
to talk to your bank about it when setting up the account.

Once it has been set up, it can be managed online as well.

Follow the link www.nemkonto.dk/da/Servicemenu/Engelsk.

15
SU
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

SU IS THE DANISH STUDENTS GRANT. All Danish Eligible for SU

students at a recognized university are eligible to receive You are eligible if you are:
SU. an EU or EEA citizen
work at least 10-12 hours a week
Besides Danish students, it is only possible for EU/EEA are studying at a Danish university for a full degree
and Nordic citizens to receive SU. As an EU or Nordic (that is, not through an exchange programme)
citizen receiving SU you are required to fulfill a list of cri-
teria. One requirement, for example, is that you have to Not Eligible for SU
have a paid (legal) job for 10-12 hours per week. You are not eligible if you are:
a non-EU or non-EEA citizen
If you fulfill the criteria, you still need to apply for the do not have a job of 10-12 hours a week
SU to get it. Go to the SU office at your school or check are an exchange student at a Danish university while
SU.dk. doing a full degree at your home university

If you receive SU, there is a limit to how much you can The present SU rate is DKK 5.941 (approximately EUR
earn per year while getting the grant. If you earn more 800) per month (before tax) for students who do not live
than that limit, you have to pay back some of your SU, so with their parents. Extra support is available for those
plan your working hours accordingly. who are also supporting their own children.

!
Info

www.su.dk/english
www.studyindenmark.dk/study-options/tuition-fees-scholarships/tuition-fees-and-scholarships
www.universitypost.dk/article/su-grant-can-you-get-it
www.sdu.dk/en/information_til/studerende_ved_sdu/su
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/working-in-denmark/student-jobs

16
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

!
Info

Read more about getting mobile phone plans here:

www.forbrugseksperten.dk/english/mobile/exchange-student
www.justlanded.com/english/Denmark/Denmark-Guide/Telephone-Internet/Mobile-phone

PHONES
Denmark uses these
NOW YOU HAVE a CPR-number and a bank account,
which will make it easier to get practical issues like your
phone plan and Internet sorted.

Mobile phones
It is very common for Danish university students to use
frequencies for mobile signals:
mobile phones in their everyday lives.
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G)
UMTS and HDSPA (3G and Turbo 3G) Most of the cheapest options will be online-based phone
LTE (4G) plans, where you pay either a fixed amount per month or
pay-as-you-go for the services. The price will depend on how
The frequencies are the same much you talk and how much traffic you want on your phone.
standard as in the rest of Europe:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 900/1800 MHz If you come from a European country, your phone will
UMTS/HSPA+: 900/2100 MHz most likely work here. The majority of phones that are sold
LTE: 800/1800/2600 MHz around the world will also work in Denmark.

How to get a mobile phone

If you need a new phone, most companies has discounted
phone deals when you sign up.

This is a great topic to ask the Danish students from your

classes about. Ask them what company they use, and if
they would recommend it. It is a good idea to ask a local
Dane about their phone coverage, especially since their
answer will be a lot more honest than that of a phone sales
person. Choose according to your needs and budget.

A good tip is to get a plan that comes with affordable

international use. Though we would recommend Skype or
similar online communication platforms for long distance
calls and daily communication with people back home, the
mobile plans without an extra travelling fee are useful for
when you explore countries outside of Denmark.

If you have to make a lot of international calls, it is also worth

looking into the phone companies that specialize in this.

The country calling code for Denmark is +45.

Remember this when calling Danish numbers
from a non-Danish phone provider or network.

17
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

INTERNET
MOST UNIVERSITIES, libraries, and residential halls/
dorms already have free Internet for students and/or resi-
If you are living in a private flat without Internet, talk to
your landlord before ordering a cable line. The building
dents. As a student, you will have access to the Eduroam might have a deal with a provider, and you dont want to
network if this is provided at your school. spend more money on this than you should.

Read more about Eduroam here: If in doubt, the personal USB-modem is a cheap and easy
www.eduroam.org/index.php?p=faq solution and you are normally not bound for a long period
of time. You might even be able to get a combined deal
If you need another Wi-Fi option, there are many phone when you order your phone plan.
and internet suppliers that sell USB-modems, which are a
cheap and portable solution. Read more about good Internet solutions here:
www.bredbaandsmatch.dk/english/exchange
www.isicdanmark.dk/en/benefits/isic-bredbaand

18
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

TRANSPORTATION

THE EASIEST WAY to get around most Danish cities If you use bus, local trains or metro only on occasion,
is on bike, by foot or by public transportation. Cars are check out how the ticket system works in your city. Is it
expensive both to buy, insure, fuel, and park in the bigger a digital solution like the Rejsekort? Maybe an app like
cities, so consider whether or not you really need one, Mobilbilletter for Copenhagen? Or are you required to
especially if youre on a budget. carry cash around (and do they give change)? It makes it
easier to travel every day when you know the answers to
Cabs are expensive, but it is a good idea to have the these questions.
number of a local reliable taxi-service saved in your
phone in the event that you should need it. Ask other You might also want to figure out the Rejsekort (travel
students what taxi-service they prefer. card) system. You sign up for a card, which then func-
tions as a digital ticket, either as a pay-per-travel or a
Public transportation functions well in all university cities. monthly plan. Go to the central station in your new city
If you have a longer commute, you might be eligible for a and ask them whether this is worth considering.
student commuter card.
Read more about it here: www.rejsekort.dk/en
Go to your nearest DSB station, bring documentation
proving that you are a student (especially if you get SU)
and talk to the DSB officers about the cheapest options for Check if you live in an area that uses Rejsekort:
your transportation needs. They are normally very helpful. www.rejsekort.dk/brug-rejsekort/her-kan-du-bruge-rejsekort

DSB: www.dsb.dk/en

19
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

EMERGENCY
IN CASE OF Police
EMERGENCY
Danish culture
The two phone numbers you need to remember are:
and everyday
life is based on
Emergency 1 1 2 a high degree
of mutual trust
Police 1 1 4 and tolerance.
The crime rates
Should you need emergency assistance imme- in Denmark are
diately dial 112. If you need police assistance or low, but it is of
have to report something dial 114. course still wise
to use common
If youre calling from a Danish network and sense to stay safe
number, you dont need the +45 to call 112. and to look after
your valuables.
The Danish police
are normally

Emergency services helpful and ser-

vice-minded, so
If you have an emergency situation call 112 for
do not be afraid
ambulance, police, and fire service. The emer-
to contact them if
gency call centre will ask for your name, address,
needed.
and the phone number you are calling from. They
will then make sure that the appropriate help is
immediately sent.
!
Info
Do not use this number unless it is an emergency
and you need the aforementioned services, clut-
Find your local police station
tering the line prevents a quick response to peo-
and get more info at:
ple in real need. www.politi.dk/en/servicemenu/home

HOWEVER, IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY: DIAL 112

20
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

HEALTHCARE
THE DANISH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ensures universal access for all res-
idents.As an international student and a resident of Denmark, you will have OFF-HOURS
access to free medical treatments except for a few things like dental care and
physiotherapy.
MEDICAL HELP
The Doctors on Call-service
Doctors and prescriptions (Lgevagten) is free and
If you need to see your general practitioner you should arrange an appoint- open from 4pm to 8am on
ment by telephone. The phone number is on your yellow health card. This can weekdays and 24 hours on
be done a few days in advance or on the same day if your illness requires Saturdays, Sundays, and
more immediate attention. Most GPs also offer a consultation service online holidays. Remember to have
or by telephone, often available for about an hour every day. your CPR-number ready
when calling.
Your GP will provide you with preventive and general treatment. They can also
refer you to a hospital or specialist clinic for further treatment. Your GP is also
Here are the phone
the doctor you contact to get prescriptions for medication or if you need to
numbers of the Doctors
renew your existing prescriptions. on Call in your area:

Danish prescriptions can be done as a paper-in-hand version or (more often) as Copenhagen Region
(except Trnby and Dragr)
a digital registration that the pharmacies can access through your CPR-number.

You can only buy prescription medicine at the pharmacies (apotek), not 44 53 44 00
the drugstore (Matas). Frederiksberg, Trnby
and Dragr

The Danish National Health Insurance Card

70 13 00 41
Northern Zealand
When you register for your CPR-number, you will receive a national
health insurance card (Sygesikringskort). This card is proof that you are
entitled to all public healthcare services in Denmark. Remember to bring
48 25 00 41
it with you to all visits to the doctor, hospitals, and at the pharmacy Bornholm
when collecting prescription drugs.
The card states your name,
56 95 22 33
address, and CPR-number as well Mid-Jutland Region
as the name and address of your
general practitioner (in Denmark 70 11 31 31
referred to as family doctor). North-Jutland Region

70 15 03 00
!
Info Zealand Region

Read more about the Danish Healthcare

70 15 07 00
system and coverage here: South-Denmark Region
www.justlanded.com/english/Denmark/health
70 11 07 07

21
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

DENTISTS AND EXTRA

HEALTHCARE SERVICES
DENTISTRY IN DENMARK is unfortunately dents in Denmark have had sex at least once
not covered by the free health care system, in their life.
nor is physiotherapy or psychological help.
Prevention and sexual health are not taboo
Dentists are private practitioners. Adults topics (though not exactly dinner table
over the age of 18 must find their own conversation either), and youre consid-
private dentist. Dental care in Denmark ered to be responsible for your own health
comes at a subsidised rate and the amount and safety.
paid by the state will be automatically
deducted from your bill. Ask your fellow Condoms are widely available and should
students for a good dependable dentist always be used to prevent the spread of
and remember to ask about the price as sexually transmitted diseases.
well. Most dentists have websites where
you can see their rates. If you need to talk to a doctor about your sex-
ual health, and dont want to go to your GP,
For physiotherapy, psychological help and several hospitals in the bigger cities have clin-
specialist doctors, you can get a referral ics specifically designated for this purpose.
from your GP. This might lower the cost, so However, your GP interactions are covered by
it is advisable to take this route. professional confidentiality and the common
Danish GP will never judge you for being
Sexual health a sexually active university student. It is
More than 90% of all university stu- after all the normal thing in Denmark.

22
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

INSURANCE
YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED to make sure that you have proper insurance while studying in Denmark.
This is the recommended insurance coverage for any student:

Third-party liability insurance Home insurance (indboforsikring)

(ansvarsforsikring) this is the insurance for your personal belongings
which will cover expenses, if you have to pay com- and will protect you if theres a break in or if your
pensation to another person. things are stolen.

Accident insurance (ulykkesforsikring) Car insurance (bilforsikring)

this will cover the financial consequences and if you bring your car, make sure it is properly
related expenses of an accident. insured.

If you want to use the insurance in Denmark we recommend to check out ISIC Care (www.isicdanmark.dk/en/
benefits/buy-isic-care) which is a customized insurance made for students. There might, however, also be good
deals available through your bank or the trade union related to your field of study. Ask your fellow students
what they do.

And please purchase insurance even though it seems expensive. You never know when you might need it.

23
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

FAMILY, CHILDREN,
AND PETS

IF YOU HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT as a student at worth contacting them early in the process, if you plan
a higher educational programme or at a PhD programme to move to Denmark with kids, since you dont want to
in Denmark, you will normally be able to bring your fam- have to rush these things when you arrive.
ily with you to Denmark.Family in this context means
spouse or partner plus kids. Pets
Remember that there are rules for bringing your pet or ser-
Your spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner can vice animal into Denmark. It normally requires permission
get a residence permit, as can your children under 18, before travelling here, so make sure to get this in order.
if they are living with you. To be accepted as cohabiting
partners, you must have lived together for a period of at
least 18-24 months before moving to Denmark. You can read more about it here:
www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/english/ImportExport/
Travelling_with_pet_animals
www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/studies/
accompanying-family-members.htm
Remember to check with your housing contract, landlord,
and potential flatmates whether you are allowed to have
International Citizen Service can help you if you have a pet in your new Danish home. It is better to be pre-
questions regarding daycare for your kids, choosing pared than to have any problems with your accommoda-
schools, and general registration of these things. It is tion once you have already brought your pet.

24
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

NEMID AND DIGITAL

DENMARK
!
NemID (EASY ID) IS THE Danish digital login Info
solution for both public self-service, online banking and
access to the digital portals for SU, SKAT, etc.
Read more here:
www.nemid.nu
NemID consists of a User ID, a password and a code card
with one-time codes. You log on by entering your User ID and
your password first, and then a code from your code card. Once you have a NemID, you can access Borger.dk,
where you will find links to almost all of the Danish public
The code card is a small laminated card, the size of a credit services and authorities.
card, with one-time codes corresponding solely to your user. https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk

The system is secure and reliable when used wisely

(dont save your password, dont use it on public comput-
ers or without a firewall, etc.), but it can be the source of
many frustrations and jokes about how it is not, despite
its name, easy. If you are having problems with NemID,
know that this is not due to you being a foreigner.
You can get a NemID if:
Chances are that your Danish classmates have experi- You have a Danish CPR-number.
enced some of these issues as well.
You are 15 years old or older.
You dont have to be a Danish citizen to get a NemID,
You have a valid and approved ID (as a valid pass-
and having one will allow you to handle a lot of interac-
port and/or drivers license from a EU/EAA country).
tions with the Danish authorities digitally, which is easier
in the long run. So its generally worth the trouble.

25
DISABLED
C H A P T E R 3 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

STUDENTS
INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR POSSIBILITIES
and rights as an international student with a disability is
hard to find. The Danish support system for mentally and
As well as support, you can apply for:
Special conditions during your exams.
Exemption from academic progress requirements.
physically impaired students is called SPS. Exemption from maximum study period requirements
(apply early!).
What isSPS? If youre an exchange or guest student, you can only get
Special Educational Support provides compensatory help from the SPS with funding from your home country.
support for full degree students with physical or psy-
chological disabilities, giving you the opportunity to
!
Info
undertake your studies on equal terms with other stu-
dents.

You are eligible for Special Educational Read more by clicking the relevant link below:
Support (SPS) if: Full Degree students
You are acceptedinto afull degree programme. Exchange and guest students
Your disability is long-term (e.g. hearing or vision
impairment, dyslexia, psychological, or physical We also recommend that you contactHSK - the organi-
disabilities). zation for students and alumni with disabilities. They can
You have formal documentation of your diagnosed help you if you lack information or have additional ques-
disability (e.g.from a specialist physician). tions.
You are an active student.
You have a CPR-number.

26
 G E T T I N G S TA R T E D C H A P T E R 3

INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICES IN

AALBORG AARHUS
ROSKILDE ODENSE
AND
COPENHAGEN
INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE NORTH INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE SOUTH
Slotspladsen 1, Opgang A Dannebrogsgade 3, 1.th
9000 Aalborg 5000 Odense C
P: +4572568920 /north@icitizen.dk P: +4572205420 /south@icitizen.dk

Office hours: Office hours:

Tuesday 8am -12pm and Tuesday 12pm - 4pm and
Thursday 12pm - 4pm Thursday 12pm - 4pm

INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE WEST INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE EAST

Hack Kampmanns Plads 10 (For Copenhagen and Roskilde)
8000 Aarhus C Gyldenlvesgade 11
P: +4572223375 /west@icitizen.dk 1600 Kbenhavn
P: +4533666606/east@icitizen.dk
Office hours:
Thursday 1pm - 5pm and Office hours:
Friday 9am - 1pm Monday to Wednesday 10am -3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

27
CHAPTER 4 STUDENT LIFE

28
 STUDENT LIFE CHAPTER 4

STUDENT LIFE
OKAY. YOU HAVE ARRIVED, you have conquered governmental or non-profit organizations, or by stu-
the paperwork and braved the weather, and now you are dent-run communities.
ready to start your studies.
Being a student is generally seen as a job in Denmark. It is
Even though youre probably already aware that there are something you do for a living, and not as a bubble shielded
great differences between your home countrys univer- from the things you have to deal with in a normal adult life.
sity system and the Danish one, you might still find your-
self surprised by how Danish student life works. As a student you will normally live in residential halls (called
kollegiums), shared flats, or maybe even your own flat. You
Though the Danish universities often have a campus area will cook, clean, pay your bills, and do everything else your-
actual university campuses do not exist. self, and then commute (by bike or public transportation) to
the university where you have your classes. You will study,
Rather than be confined to a campus, the universities prepare, read, and agonize over exams, but what you do in
function as part of the city they are placed in. As a stu- your free time is not based on what you study.
dent you will get to utilize the surrounding city as part of
your university experience. While a lot of Danish students are very social with their
fellow students, the basis of social life and activities for
The universities are mainly concerned with the aca- students are not organized through the university as
demic part of your student life. They aim to ensure your such. You will (hopefully) meet people and make friends
academic development, but generally dont interfere there, but what you choose to fill your life with outside of
with your life outside of class. This means that your your studies is completely up to you, but also dependent
Danish university will probably not offer the same on the available opportunities in your new city.
non-academic services that your university offers back
home. Dont worry! The services are still there; only You are the one who gets to structure your life and stu-
theyre not necessarily run by the universities, but by dies in a way that makes sense to you.

!
Info

If you want tips on how to structure your life as a Danish student, there are useful tips here:
www.studycph.dk/study/study-tips
www.isicdanmark.dk/en/student-life

29
CHAPTER 4 STUDENT LIFE

BEING A STUDENT
MOST DANISH UNIVERSITIES use a mix of lec-
tures and smaller classroom-based sessions. The larger
lectures mainly consist of the professor discussing a
subject, often using slides or examples, whereas the
smaller classroom sessions are more interactive and
place a greater emphasis on student participation and
discussion.

The ethos of Danish universities is to take responsibil-

ity for your own education, meaning that you are rarely
tested on the reading or having your attendance checked.
Do not take this as a reason to skip class or not do the
reading. You will still have exams and assignments that
you need to pass and many subjects might include group
work with other students, who are depending on you to
show up prepared.

As a rule, the Danish education system requires the

students to be independent, inquiring, and responsible.
It is rare to encounter a professor who will tell you
exactly how you should complete an assignment, or
what to write in an exam, and this can be a big adjust-

30
 STUDENT LIFE CHAPTER 4

ment when compared to educational styles from other

countries.

Ask all the questions you need to, but be aware that
most teachers in Denmark would be more inclined to
help you to find the solutions for yourself, than to give
you a straight up answer. Being able to solve the prob-
lems on your own is a large component of the Danish
exams, and imaginative and individual inputs are often
rewarded, as long as they are academically sound and
validly argued.

There is generally not a very strict hierarchy between the

professor and the students at Danish universities, most
professors will ask you to call them by their first name
rather than address them as Mrs. or Mr. The lack of
hierarchy also means that you can discuss various ideas
for exams and assignments with your professor, without
having to follow all of their instructions or ideas on the
Libraries
subject. If your point of view is academically valid, you In Denmark we have public libraries as well as
dont necessarily have to agree with every point your pro- university libraries. The public libraries are open
fessor makes. to everyone and you can register as a user if you
have a CPR-number. Ask your local library how.
A lot of a Danish university students work will be based
The public libraries function more as civic centres
on the assigned reading and on completing assignments
either on your own or in groups. than research facilities and have a diverse selec-
tion of genres and media. Your local library will
Studying on your own is a big part of your education often host events and various social initiatives.
here. You will have to keep yourself motivated throughout
the semester, since there arent quizzes or attendance to The university and royal libraries have more restric-
check if you are actively following the course.
tive user policies ask about or look up the rules
before assuming that you can use them. As a rule,
Even if you dont have required group assignments, hav-
ing a small study group can be beneficial and will both your home university and institutes libraries will
hold you accountable and prevent the studying from get- definitely be open for you. Click the link below to
ting too lonely and boring. find relevant and updated academic materials, read-
ing halls, and librarians who can help your literature
In order to maximize your efficiency, we recommend
search. Also, being a user will often grant you with
that you find other places than your bedroom to read and
access to online databases and materials as well.
work.

!
Info
If you live at a kollegium, there might be common study
halls in the building that you can use. If you live in an
apartment or house, try to go elsewhere. Your university
and faculty will definitely have areas that are suitable Database and reservation
for studying, and both the university and public libraries from all Danish libraries:
have rooms for reading and writing, as well as small www.bibliotek.dk/eng
study rooms where you can discuss assignments and the
literature with your study group. A lot of cafs have wifi
The Royal Library and links
and separate quieter areas that people use for studying.
to university libraries:
There is also your local Studenterhuset (student house)
www.kb.dk/en
which is a failsafe space to meet up with your study
group they even have cheap coffee.

31
CHAPTER 4 STUDENT LIFE

PRACTICAL
UNIVERSITY
INFO
Semesters Grades
The Danish academic year starts by September The Danish School system uses a 7-point grading

1st of each year. Some universities will hold scale. It was introduced in 2007 to make Danish

classes in late August. It is normal for the spring grades easier to compare in an international context.

semester to start around February 1st, after the The top grade is a 12 (an A) and the lowest

winter exams, which are often in January. The passing grade is 02: www.eng.uvm.dk/Educa-

summer break usually takes place from late tion/General/7-point-grading-scale.

June to mid-August.
Most universities and faculties use the Some of your classes might have an attendance

2-semester model, but some schools have requirement for passing, while some courses

a block-structure, where the academic might simply be pass/fail, in which case it will be

year is divided into 4 smaller blocks with determined at the end of the semester.

exams after each one. Summer break The type of grading normally depends on what

and start-of-year dates are usually kind of exam you take for the course and what

the same throughout the differ- kind of curriculum is required and used.

ent universities. When you start a new course, remember to

Remember to check up on check the form of the curriculum, the method of

when your semester starts, so exam, and what kind of grading system your pro-

you will have enough time to get fessor plans to use.

settled before you have to be in Your professor should know the above and be

class. Account for time for pre-seme- able to tell you. If not, your institutes student

ster activities and courses. counsellor can help you.

Your stay here will be far more enjoy-

able if you dont have to get a CPR-num-
ber, find an apartment, AND start class
on the same day.

32
 STUDENT LIFE CHAPTER 4

Counselling and ECTS

where to go: Your courses are measured by the ECTS system,
There are various places you can go to which determine how much of a full time study the
get answers to your questions and help for course constitutes. One year of full time studies is 60
the issues you might have as a student in ECTS points. The system is used to compare courses
Denmark. If you have questions about across universities and countries in Europe, and is
being an international student your valuable when you need to transfer your merits
universitys Internationale kontor (Inter- from one university to another. A bachelors degree
national office) is the place to go. If in Denmark is normally 180 ECTS points and a mas-
you are a full degree student at CBS, ters degree is 120.
contact the Student Hub. If your ques- www.studyineurope.eu/ects-system
tions are of a more course and study
based nature your institutes Studie-
vejleder (students guidance counsellor)
is your go-to person. If you have issues
with a professor or are having administrative
Your local student council
problems you can also start by talking to Studenterrd
your studievejleder. They can advise you on At all Danish universities there is a student organisation
where to take your complaints and how to that works for the interests of all students.
solve your problem. Some universities Your local Studenterrd (Student Council) is open
have a student ambassador that to all students who want to improve student living
can help with such things as well. conditions, the curriculum, the study environment,
Remember that if you feel like youve been and many other things. Activities and membership
treated unfairly or incorrectly, you will always have is usually free. Most of the Studenterrd dont have a lot
an opportunity to appeal. There are processes set of information about the groups in English yet, but they
in place for filing complaints and appeals, and you are really nice people, and will try to help you in
shouldnt be persecuted for doing this, as long as anyway that they can. Contact them by mail,
you follow the correct procedures. The incor- Facebook, etc. or set up a meeting.
rupt and generally unbiased nature of the
Danish university system allows all voices to University of Copenhagen:

be heard, even if the decision doesnt end http://www.srku.dk

up in your favour. Technical University of Denmark:

If you feel like there are things about your http://www.en.pf.dk

student environment or structure that youd IT University:

like to change, you can get involved in your www.stup.it

local student council. Copenhagen Business School:

www.cbsstudents.dk
Roskilde University:
www.studenterradet.dk
University of Southern Denmark:
www.syddanskestuderende.dk
National Union of
University of Aarhus:
Students in Denmark www.sr.au.dk
All the local student councils are working for University of Aalborg:
the interests of students on a national level www.studentersamfundet.aau.dk
through the umbrella organization National
Union of Students in Denmark - DSF. For
more information check out: www.dsfnet.dk.

33
CHAPTER 4 STUDENT LIFE

LIFE OUTSIDE UNI

Student jobs
A lot of Danish students have jobs along-
side their studies. These can be either
part-time jobs in the service sector or pri-
vate childcare. It can also be jobs relevant
to their studies; either at the university
as student employees or in the field of
employment that they wish to work in
after university.

Getting a student job is of course a

great way to fund your life as a student,
and it can be a wonderful way to meet
people, makes friends, and learn about
the Danish work culture. It can how-
ever be complicated for international
students to find a student job, which is
why we have written an entire chapter
about this later in this book.

Student Houses
All of the big university cities have a student house, all
of which are called Studenterhus or Studenterhuset.
These are volunteer-run student organisations with a
Social life and student-run initiatives
caf/bar/concert venue that host a lot of social and stu-
Not having a campus life as such means that your
dent-related activities. You can either join their events or
social life as a student will depend on how much you
choose to engage in social activities. sign up as volunteer.

Copenhagen:
Though not run directly by the university, there are a
www.studenterhuset.com/en
bunch of social activities at the universities, often run
by students either from your own field of study or www.facebook.com/studenterhusetkbh
from the university as a whole. Roskilde:
www.studenterhusetruc.dk
Some of the most common social initiatives at the
www.facebook.com/StudenterhusetRUC
Danish universities are the Friday bars. This is where
you can go to hang out with your fellow students Odense:
each Friday, wind down with a drink and have fun.
www.studenterhus.dk
Some of the bars function as volunteer cafs during
www.facebook.com/StudenterhusOdense
the week, which can give you a social meeting point
Monday to Friday. Often there will be a party commit- Aarhus:
tee related to the Friday bar as well, that will organize www.studenterhusaarhus.dk
bigger parties for either their own field of study or
www.facebook.com/StudenterhusAarhus
the entire institute or faculty. If you want to meet
students from other programs than your own, doing a Aalborg:
Friday bar pubcrawl can be a fun way to do so. www.studenterhuset.dk/index.php?id=index_en
www.facebook.com/studenterhuset.aalborg

34
 STUDENT LIFE CHAPTER 4

Meeting people
Most universities have social immersion programs
designed specifically for international students. These
can be referred to as mentor, tutor, or buddy pro- Hobbies & interests
grams, the names differing from university to univer-
Since Danish students often have social lives
sity.
that take place outside of the university, you
They are essentially programs pairing Danish (or should also try to find activities off campus.
already established international students) with newly Get involved in the city enjoy the cultural
arrived students in order to give them a fun and safe opportunities or the outdoors, volunteer for
introduction to their new life as a student in Denmark. an organization that is not necessarily related
In most cases, you can sign up as soon as you have
to the university or seek out your own inter-
been admitted to your university, so remember to
ests. Most of Danish civil life is organized in
check if this is a possibility for you once you have
received your admittance letter. the form known as foreninger and there is
almost something for every interest on the
A lot of the activities that you are used to having planet, so if you are looking for something
offered at your home institution might also be available specific in terms of sports or hobbies, just
here. There are student or university-run sport clubs, Google it. Chances are that your new city
choirs, societies for various interests, and charities.
will have a forening for whatever it is that
Often you just have to ask around or keep an eye out
you are look for, and joining that club or
for the posters hanging around campus to see what
activities are available. activity will be a great way of meeting new
people.
Most universities also have a yearly party or event for
all of their students. For more tips on how to get involved socially
and meet new friends jump to meeting
the Danes.

35
CHAPTER 5 HOUSING

HOUSING
CUE THE HORROR MUSIC If you havent been able to find anything prior to coming,
make sure that you have the funds to cover the worst
Now we come to the really complicated part about being case scenario; such as staying at a hostel or a hotel for a
a student in Denmark: Finding a place to live. long period of time. Airbnb and other private temporary
sublet services are also an option here, but are often
House hunting is never a particularly fun thing to do, but more expensive than traditional student housing.
here are some tips to help you navigate the jungle of flat
shares, dorms, sublets, and dodgy landlords. Universities in Denmark usually have a very limited num-
ber of student residences at their disposal. However,
First of all: Start early. Preferably, you should begin look- some universities do offer assistance in finding accom-
ing as soon as you are accepted into a Danish university, modation, so ask your university before trying to find
but at least a month or more before you arrive in Den- accommodation on your own. Note that CBS does not
mark, as it can take quite a while to find a place. have the possibility of assisting their full degree students
with accomodation.
In the months leading up to the start of a semester, there
is normally a rush of people looking for student-friendly In regards to budgeting, remember that different cities
accommodation, particularly in the bigger cities. This is have different price tags. Aarhus is the most expen-
especially a problem in July and August, leading up to the sive housing-wise, but Copenhagen is hot on its tails.
start of the academic year in September. Odense, Roskilde and Aalborg are less expensive, but

36
 HOUSING CHAPTER 5

!
Info

www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/housing-1/how-to-find-housing

no one in their right mind would call living in a Danish

university town cheap.

If you are okay with living outside the city centre/right Make a budget
next to the university, you can save on rent. Remember
to check bus/train access, commute time and bike-to-
Here are a few links with information on suggest-
city-and-university times before signing a contract, so
that you are sure it is possible to get to university on ed budgets so as to give you an idea about living
time in the morning expenses in Denmark, including rent:

Student housing is somewhat different in Denmark than

it is in other countries. Rather than apply through the uni- www.dtu.dk/english/Education/Internation-
versity, you must apply directly to the residence hall (kol- al-Student-Guide/For-admitted-students/Liv-
legium) or sign up on a waiting list. It can be difficult to ing-expenses
get a room in a Danish kollegium due to the high levels
of competition, so we advice you to start applying before www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/
you arrive in Denmark. bank-budget

As this kind of housing not always is readily available in

Denmark, we therefore encourage you to look at other
housing options as well. By living off-campus, you will be
exposed to more of the city and be more likely to experi-
ence life in Denmark outside of the university bubble.

Good luck with your house hunting!

37
CHAPTER 5 HOUSING

HOW TO FIND A
PLACE TO LIVE
Official channels
This is where most people start. It is not
Temporary Student
good for short-term solutions, but if you get
in you will have a secure housing situation as
to Student Housing
long as you are a student. You simply contact If your house hunting has been unsuccesful and you
the various providers of kollegiums and stu- are finding yourself with no place to stay when you
dent flats and sign up for the waiting list. If arrive check out the housing platform CouchShare.
you are lucky, they have something for you on
short notice, but its not something we would Couchshare is a new initiative by the Cooperative of
recommend that you count on. However, if Danish Student Unions where students help each
you plan to stay in Denmark for more than other finding a place to stay for a few nights until
one semester, join a waiting list or complete something more permanent pops up. Couchshare is
an application for one or several dorms. That only meant to be temporarily and is of course offered
way you might have better prospects for for free.
semesters to come, instead of a long string
of sublets and temporary solutions.

Read more at CouchShare.dk

38
 HOUSING CHAPTER 5

Private/
public Facebook, social media,
postings and network
It is pretty self-ex-
There are a bunch of housing groups on Facebook and some of them are
planatory. You check
even specifically for international students. Find the ones relevant to your
for postings either
city and join them. Be aware that most postings will get a ton of replies
on social media,
and quickly be gone. Use caution in regards to deposits and contract.
poster walls, in
forums, and on
There is always the risk that the posting may be a scam. In these groups,
services for these
people might also warn each other about frauds, so they are great places
postings. Contact
to keep yourself updated.
the person renting
out a room or an
You can also use Facebook and other social media platforms to let your
apartment and take
network know that you are currently looking for a place to stay. Let your
it from there.
classmates, friends, and co-workers know that you are looking for housing,
so that in the event that they hear of something they will be sure to let
It is common to go
you know. Danish students often use Facebook to find a place to live, so
see the apartment
you might as well join the party.
before you agree to
move in. Do not pay
Make a post stating that you are looking for housing, remember to men-
any deposit or hand
tion your city, preferred area, and your budget for rent and ask people to
over any money
contact you if they hear about anything. If you make your post public, your
without having
friends can even share it for you, resulting in a larger network of people
signed a contract
who will see it.
beforehand or been
given a key. Bring
a friend with you
when you go to see University services
the apartment, that
way you wont be All of the major universities in Denmark have some kind of housing office or

as vulnerable to a service as well. What they can offer differs from city to city, but it is worth con-

landlord pressuring tacting them. Some of the big universities are listed here - otherwise ask at your

you into accepting schools international office:

terms you dont

want to. Copenhagen:
www.housingfoundation.ku.dk

Aarhus:
www.studenterhusaarhus.dk/Projekter/Startup-Housing

Aalborg:
www.en.aau.dk/education/apply/international-accommodation-office

Odense:
www.sdu.dk/en/Information_til/Internationale_studerende/Accommodation/Cam-
pus+Odense

39
CHAPTER 5 HOUSING

HOUSING OPTIONS

Kollegium (Residential halls and dorms)

Kollegiums are the Danish form of student residences. The kolle-
giums in Denmark house students from a variety of different uni-
versities and education levels and are are often located throughout
the city. Many of the kollegiums have their own traditions, and will
encourage an active social participation. This is a good way to meet
students outside your own field of studies.
In these facilities, students stay in a single room and usually
share a big kitchen with 3-25 other people. The kitchens have com-
mon areas where students hang out with other residents. Living in
this type of kollegium is often a very social experience and a great
way to meet new people.
Some kollegiums are designed as apartments, either with your
own kitchen and bathroom, or as big apartments where you share a
kitchen, bathroom, and common area with 2-5 other people. These kol-
legiums offer a bit more privacy, but dont have the same social envi-
ronment as the kollegiums with large, shared kitchens.
Admittance to a kollegium is usually determined by a
waiting list, but somekollegiums accept new residents
based on motivated or creative personal applications.
Danish students living in kollegiums often sublet their rooms to
other students when they go abroad for a semester. Ask people
living in kollegiums if they know of anyone who will be subletting
their room, or keep an eye out for relevant Facebook posts in the
kollegium groups. You can also check outHousing Anywhere.

CIU the centralized Kollegium and Student Flat Service:

www.findbolig.nu/Common/Help/English.aspx

Housing Anywhere (subletting)

www.housinganywhere.com

Kollegiernes Kontor (for Copenhagen)

www.kollegierneskontor.dk/default.aspx?lang=GB

40
 HOUSING CHAPTER 5

Tip!

CULTURAL TIP: Danes normally consider it a given that

you take your shoes off when you enter a persons flat.

Student flats
Most cities in Denmark have
a number of rental flats set
aside for students and young
people. These are normally great
Shared flats, rent- deals, but require you to fulfill various
ing, sublets, rooms criteria and the waiting list is often
Most of the Danish students who dont live long, even for Danes.
in kollegiums or student flats choose to live in www.findbolig.nu is a great place to
privately rented or shared flats, often sublets or search for these as this website
flats owned by private landlords. covers most of these apartments.
There are a lot of websites that you can
search to find housing advertisements from
private landlords. Some of them are free,
but the majority of sites will charge a fee to
reveal the owners contact information. If you
have other friends who are also looking for a
place to stay, it might be a good idea to split
What to expect
the fee and only make one shared profile. The harsh truth is that housing is very

If your university has an online bulletin difficult to come by, even for Danes. It is

board or pin boards at campus these can also very unlikely that you will be able to find

be good places to look for private postings a place in which you may live on your

for rooms and flats. Another good resource own that is also considered affordable.

for finding people who are subletting or Most live in kollegiums or share

renting rooms is Facebook groups. a flat with other people. Expect the

When searching online beware of same to be the case for you.

scammers. See our tips to avoid scams on If you get a room in a flat with

the housing market later in this chapter. access to a shower and kitchen,

When sharing a flat (or a kollegium kitchen) or a room at a kollegium and its

make sure to talk about rules for cleaning, within 30-40 minutes (bus or

noise levels, and having parties in the flat. This bike) from your university, youre living

is normally issues in which people disagree, under the same conditions as your

which can lead to bad atmosphere between Danish co-students.

flatmates. Its better to set out the rules before You can often save money by mov-

any problems occur so that youre not dealing ing further away from the city, but

with angry housemates. remember to factor in the money you

will need for transportation.

41
CHAPTER 5 HOUSING

FURNITURE
IF YOU ARE SUBLETTING or renting a private room or
flat, it is often already furnished, which will make your life
a lot easier. However, there might come a time when you
available at shops such as Jysk, Tiger, Sstrene Grene,
and many of the large supermarkets.

need furniture or other things, so here are some tips on Secondhand furniture is another way to go. Most cities
how to pick up the things you need, without breaking the have a Red Cross and other charity stores, which sell
bank. both affordable and more expensive secondhand furni-
ture. The furniture from these stores should have already
IKEA is big in Denmark, as it is in the rest of the world. been cleaned by the time of purchase.
Sometimes they even have student discounts so remem-
ber to check for those before going. Some universities do Online postings like dba.dk are also a great place to
IKEA drives by bus from the campus during the start look for cheap furniture. It is a good idea to go and see
of the semester, which makes transportation so much the object in person to check that the quality is as you
easier. Keep an eye out for postings about this or ask believed it to be before you purchase it.
your fellow students if they want to join you on an IKEA
adventure. A dinner of IKEAs famous Swedish meatballs Finally, you can also check out the student to student
is a cheap price to pay for help with carrying and assem- site Studyshare.dk which is a new online market place
bling your new furniture. where you can buy or sell furniture and any other article
that is vital for a good student life in Denmark. The site is
Though Denmark is known for its expensive designer owned by the Student Unions in Denmark and operated
furniture, there are cheap furniture alternatives, which are as a non-profit venture.

42
 HOUSING CHAPTER 5

HOW TO AVOID
HOUSING SCAMS
AS IN ALL CITIES with a competitive rental market, If you dont get the rental agreement in writing or if you
housing scams do occur when it comes to student pay money under the table to get the flat, and it turns
accommodation in the Danish university towns. Stu- out to be a scam, you have no legal claim. So get a con-
dents, and international students in particular, are often in tract stating how much the rent is, how long you can
urgent need of housing and are unfortunately therefore live there and what the terms are for giving notice, being
more likely to fall victim to dishonest people. asked to move out, etc. You can avoid a lot of unpleasant
experiences by doing this.
Make sure you set time aside to look at housing ads and
ask your friends and classmates, so that you have a solid If you do encounter unpleasant experiences or are
understanding of prices and housing standards. The key scammed, the organization Lejernes LO offers advice
elements here are to never pay without getting anything and legal counselling to people who have problems with
in writing and remember that if it seems shady or too their landlords. They can advise you on your rights and
good to be true, it probably is. possibilities.

!
Info

www.lejerneslo.dk/Om-LLO/Internationalt.aspx

DOs DONTs

Check who owns the rental property Never pay by cash

Always view the rental property Never pay via a foreign bank account or money
Check the rent level transfer service
Get everything in writing Dont accept landlord pressure
Document any defects (photos are a good idea) Dont be too critical about location
When subletting note what the rules are for the Never pay money under the table
specific subletting deal Dont pay too much in deposit and prepaid rent
Make sure that the property is consistent with Be aware of non-Danish speaking landlords
the rental contract
Make sure to go through the property
Double-check the legality of the arrangement if
you are told not to have your postal address there

43
CHAPTER 5 HOUSING

DANISH APARTMENTS
AND ADDRESSES
Danish housing calls the ground floor 0 (or st. for stuen), the floor above that is the
1st floor and so forth.
In Denmark, the number of rooms determines the apartment size. This num-
ber created by combining the bedrooms and living room but does not include the
kitchen, bathroom, or hallways.
In regards to apartment blocks, apartment addresses are written as street name,
house number, floor number (st., 1st, 2nd, etc) followed by apartment placement
th., mf., and tv. This means to the right, the middle and to the left.
Remember to include your postal code and city name (as in 1150 Kbenhavn K)
when writing your address.

PRACTICAL INFO
Tap water is drinkable all over Denmark and often of a better quality than expensive
bottled water.
Danish houses are normally very well insulated double (or even triple) glazed
windows and double walls will keep the cold out during the winter.
Most Danish apartments are heated with radiators that use hot water. Turn them
on when it starts to get cold. Normally the 3 setting will ensure a nice and cosy
room. As the radiators run via thermostats, remember to turn off the radiator when
you have opened windows - that way youll avoid expensive heating bills.
Its normal for kollegiums and apartment buildings to have a common laundry
room for all of the tenants, so dont be surprised if there isnt a washing machine in
your apartment. Ask for info about the vaskeklder when moving in.

LET THE HOUSE HUNTING BEGIN

here are some links to get you started
www.boligsurf.dk: Flats, shared apartments, and rooms for rent.
www.boligdeal.dk:Site coordinating communication between tenants,
buyers, and landlords of private housing.
www.findroommate.dk:Students and others looking for roommates.
www.lejerbo.dk:Lejerbo administers apartments across Denmark,
including youth housing.
www.dba.dk: Ebay affiliate. List of flats and rooms for rent. Some ads are free to view.
en.lejebolig.dk: Flats, shared apartments, and rooms for rent.
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/housing-1/how-to-find-housing
www.findbolig.nu

44
HOUSING CHAPTER 5

45
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

MEETING
THE DANES
DANES. Theyre everywhere and yet they can seem like It can seem like an insurmountable task, and maybe
an elusive rarity in your life as an international student. its easier to just hang out with the other international
students and joke about the antisocial Danes, but if
Naturally they are there physically, but how do you meet you want a local network as a student (the shortcut to
them? Let alone, how do you get to know or befriend jobs, housing, and an all-around fun time in Denmark),
them and maybe even (drumroll) date them? befriending the Danes is a must.

46
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

Cultural differences
First of all: The Danes arent antisocial or hate hanging
out with international students such as your self. Yes,
there are antisocial and dismissive people amongst us,
but its not the rule. We just socialize and form friend-
ships in slightly different ways compared to what you
might be used to in your home country.
Hygge
Denmark has been a culturally homogenous country for
We have to cover it, right? The elusive
centuries, so your Danish classmates might not even
and alluring Danish concept of hygge
realize that other cultures dont do friendships and
hanging out similar to how they do them. Google translate will tell you it means fun,
cosiness or comfort, but you cant really
In the same way, you might misinterpret the Danish grasp the idea until you have experienced it.
behaviour as a lack of interest or as them being weird, Hygge is both hanging out with friends, cosying
because its different from what youre used to.
up on your own, being outside in the summer or
inside by candlelight in the winter. Try asking your
Use the cultural differences to your advantage by being
curious and interested in your fellow Danish students and Danish classmates to explain it, and you will get
talk about their culture compared to yours. Most people at least 5 different ideas about what hygge is.
love to talk about their background and appreciate people
who are genuinely interested.

Most Danes learn to form social bonds through school,

hobbies, sport, and work. This means that were not used
to socializing with strangers, and many Danish students
who havent developed friendships within those tradi-
tional categories also struggle with being lonely at times.

The ones who arent lonely might still be interested in Humour

new friends too, but they probably already have a fully
Another thing that you might find weird
packed life with old friends, family, jobs, and hobbies, so
about your Danish friends could very well be their
they might not be as active in looking for new friends as
you are, leaving you to believe that they arent interested senses of humour. The Danish humour is dry,
in hanging out. sarcastic (irony is BIG here) and irreverent. You
can make fun of all authority figures and are not
The thing you need to remember is that even if your new expected to spare people in leadership positions
Danish classmates dont say so, they might be interested
or religious figureheads. It is also very popular to
in getting to know you. You just have to approach them
be self-deprecating (often called selvironi) in your
in the right way and maybe take a bit more initiative than
youre used to doing in your home country. jokes. Research shows that the Danes generally
dont have a problem looking foolish or laughing
Generally speaking, many expats will say that Danes at their own mistakes.
only talk/hang out with people they know, which of The emphasis on cringe-worthy situations and
course can become a problem if youre interested in stories might seem weird to you, but try to watch
meeting new people and forming a network in a new
a Danish comedy show or Danish stand-up with
city. However, there are ways around this and we will
subtitles to get an idea regarding what the
cover those as well as certain quirks of social interaction
that are culturally typical for Danish students. Danes currently find funny.
Remember that its okay not to find Danish
As with all people, regardless of culture, your fellow humour funny or not to participate in the joke telling,
students have individual personalities, so unfortunately but try not taking the sarcastic and irreverent jokes
we can only offer tips and tricks, not an one-size-fits-all
too personally. They are rarely meant as an insult.
solution.

47
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

MEETING PEOPLE
The first step to finding new Danish friends is
knowing where to meet your fellow students. Certain
circumstances make for excellent time windows during
which you can meet and make Danish friends, even if
you dont know anyone yet.

Some of the ones youll encounter as a student are:

Mentor/buddy programs
The universities have various mentor and buddy programs that provide a safety
net, practical contacts, and a social network for new international students. If
you get a chance to join one, its a great way to meet other people from both
Denmark and the rest of the world, and the people signing up to be mentors or
buddies are most likely interested in getting an international network.
Even if you havent been in one of the programs yourself, and are a long-
term international student in Denmark, ask your local international office if its
possible for you to become a mentor or buddy in the future. This is a great way
to use your experiences to help new international students and to meet new
people in the process. Please note that CBS does not have an actual mentor/
buddy programme but international ambassadors available to your assistance in
the Student Hub.

University clubs and activities

Most schools have a wide variety of clubs, activities, and foreninger (see explanation below) that you can join as a stu-
dent. Are you interested in music? Join the choir, the glee club, or the yearly revue. Like your local Friday bar? Join
the group organising it! Do you like sports? Most institutes have their own football team. If not, the universities
should have bigger central sports organisations that you can join. Each institute will often have academic clubs and an
alumni organization, both of which have members who will plan social and academic events for their members.

48
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

Become a
volunteer
Student volunteers
run most of these
aforementioned

Friday bars and parties at your activities either

partly or completely.
course/institute: Getting involved in
Theyre cheap, local, and jam-packed with other students from your own area of edu- a volunteer activity
cation. This means, that you will definitely have something to talk about while drinking is a great way to
cheap beer, drinks or soda, playing board games and complaining about exams together. meet Danes and
Often the institutes or the universities have a cheap student-run caf, where you provides an oppor-
can hangout after classes and chat to fellow students. tunity to bond over
If you have any initiatives like this at your school, go there! It is a great way to mutual interests and
meet Danish students, especially at the beginning of the semester, when everyone projects. People will
will be looking for new friends and is very social and more open-minded. usually be happy to
hire you or have you
join their organisa-
tion if you offer your
time and dedication
as a volunteer, so
Studenterhuset aka ask around if you are
the Student House interested in joining
All the major university cities in Denmark have their an activity at your
own Studenterhus aka Student house. They are university or local
volunteer-run non-profit organisations that organise student house.
social activities for the entire university (or all the There are many
universities if there are more than one in the city), other ways to vol-
and provide a social space for all students. unteer and these
The prices are student friendly and the Student are covered in the
Houses function as cafs, bars, concert venues, and specific volunteer-
event spaces, while providing a host of activities for ing section in this
the student community. chapter
Additionally, the student houses often offer valu-
able activities for students besides the cheap beers
it could be job fairs, housing events, networking
events, and current affairs debates.
Since the student houses are mainly volunteer-run,
you can either participate in the activities offered as
a guest or sign up to help as a volunteer. The latter
will definitely ensure that you meet a lot of new
friends and maybe even get some useful job experi-
ence on top of that.

49
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

HOW
TO GET
INVOLVED
Foreningskultur
A thing that is unique to Danish culture and socialising is many people form a network outside work and school.
the emphasis on FORENINGER. This is relatively compli- Around 90% of all Danes are a member of at least one
cated to translate, as it is a Danish/Scandinavian concept forening, chances are theres a relevant one for you as
that has been a pillar in these countries civil societies for well out there.
almost 150 years. A forening is a democratic, member-
ship-based organisation with a common theme, goal, or Getting involved in a forening is not only a good way
activity. A board, consisting of members from the organi- to meet new people; it is also a great way to see one
sation, runs the forening and every member has the right of the culturally specific very Danish institutions at
to vote and participate in the activities, given that you work.
pay the membership fee. So essentially those members
participating are also the people running the activities If you join a forening to play sports (instead of the local
voluntarily. pay&go gym), not only do you get to do the sports,
but there are normally also a host of other activities con-
This is how almost all sports clubs, leisure activities, nected to it, like parties, fundraisers, committees to join
interest based clubs and societies, and many of the vol- within the club, etc. Therefore, it is a great way to get to
unteer organisations work in Denmark and it is where meet many Danes and form a network.

50
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

Volunteer organisations
A lot of students in Denmark do volunteer work, either forening, there are normally many opportunities to get
on a regular basis or for special events in their city, com- involved here as well.
munity, or within their fields of interest.
Many Danish students also volunteer on a more event
If youre interested in regular (weekly or monthly) volun- based volunteering too. This is normally done at music
teer work, your local Studenterhus is a great place to start. festivals and other cultural events (film festivals, fashion
They normally have a big community of volunteer students week, and historical celebrations are all based on volun-
and do activities related to your life as a student, whether teer work as well), and can be a great way to meet new
it is bartending at their caf, organizing events, or doing people, have fun, and get new experiences without hav-
social activities for other students. If you want to join con- ing to commit on a weekly basis.
tact your local Studenterhus (links below).
Google the events youre interest in several months
The various non-profit cafs and charity organisations in before the event, normally they do posts about looking
your city can also be a great place to volunteer, especially if for volunteers on their websites.
youre in Denmark for more than a few months. The volun-
teer opportunities here are many and diverse. A lot of these For big music festivals like Roskilde Festival, you can
jobs are visible on frivilligjob.dk, but you can also ask your also sign up to volunteer alongside some of your
fellow students about volunteer opportunities in your city. friends and fellow students by which it becomes a
social event in itself. This is how many Danish students
Remember that a lot of volunteer work is done within the finance their festivals, as it is otherwise expensive on
various foreninger, so if youre interested in a particular an SU budget.

51
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

DANISH FRIENDS
(IT IS A PROCESS, NOT A MAGIC FIX)

MANY DANES ARE still friends with people they go more exclusive way than the English term and you might
far back with; they might have friends from their primary even hear a Dane say, yeah, we hang out and its fun,
school, high school, or from their junior football team and but were not venner (yet) about people they know. This
scout patrols back when they were 10. Even though they does not mean that the person doesnt appreciate hang-
might not tell you, many Danes think forming new friend- ing out with you, but that they arent close enough to
ships as grown-ups is just as complicated as you might qualify you as one of their exclusive venner.
find it. This is because we are primarily used to forming
friendships in certain ways. So how to befriend the Danes?
(Like a Dane)
Its worth remembering that Danes often distinguish Most Danish students have met their friends through
between FRIENDS, who are understood to be the few school, work, volunteering, sports, and hobbies.
youre really close to, and then friends/acquaintances/ Even though they have met through a common activity,
classmates/colleagues, who are the people whom they it is however rare to consider yourself friends right from
know and are social with, but dont hang out with just the start. You do that activity alongside each other for
the two of them/dont plan things exclusively with. The a time; probably chatting casually and realizing you click
Danish word for friends venner tends to be used in a and have fun together.

Tip!

Friendship tips
Be patient. Social relations with Danes tend to take a little a more time to form.
Join some clubs/projects/hobbies that you find fun and engaging. Doing things together is a great way to meet people.
Talk to people and go to the social gatherings of the things youre involved with.
If the Danes seem closed off, remember that they might be trying to respect your private space or simply are shy
or unsure. Approach them and see what happens.
Danes can also be shy and might find it just as hard to make friends as you do.
Dont expect to jump straight to best friend territory immediately.
Take initiative and suggest doing stuff together.

52
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

The awkward art of the Danish invitation:

If its bigger social events like a Friday bar or a class party, everyone in that context is considered invited. This
means that you might not get an official invitation to these events, but you are still invited. If you are unsure
about going by yourself, ask your fellow students if youll see them there and make plans to meet up at the event.
For more private social events, youll normally be invited. If its a private party, its common courtesy to RSVP
no matter if you are able to attend or not.
When attending private parties or hanging out with an already established group of friends, its considered
polite behaviour to ask before you bring someone outside the group along with you.

Maybe that leads to casual socialising, which still

relates to the thing you do together, talking while bik-
ing home from sports, eating lunch together at school, Scheduling, punctuality, and
etc.
spontaneous hanging outs
Then you go on to do something social but not just Some things you might discover when being
the two of you, since you are still getting to know each
friends with the Danes is that the average Danish
other. These social things can be a party for your class,
student like to schedule most things in their life
a trip for the sports club or with your hobby, a dinner
for the entire volunteer crew. These are good ways to including their social time.
be social while still in the safe context of what you do Since this is the norm, punctuality is valued,
together, which will make the Dane feel like the friend- and you will be expected to at least let your
ship is developing naturally and not something that they friends know in advance when you are run-
are being trapped into.
ning late or have to cancel. Text messages are
acceptable here and cancelling in good time
If alcohol is involved, that might speed up the process
(sad but true), but its not a necessity. is considered to be polite if you realize you cant
meet up.
After this social activity (or several of these), you can The scheduling also means that it can be a bit
safely ask to do something social together that is sepa- complicated to find time to make plans with your
rate from the activity which you initially met doing. Danish friends on a short notice. Dont take this
as an insult or a dismissal of seeing you try
A word of warning though: Danes rarely say, lets
instead to suggest a date further into the future,
have coffee to people that they arent already good
friends with. Having coffee in a caf is often used so both of you can make it.
as a way to catch up with people you already know. So: while the individual Danish student might
However, if you feel like having coffee with your new be fine with spontaneous visits, your success rate
friends try to invite them they might very well say for spontaneous plans are probably better if they
yes if they feel like they know you from your common
are in the form of a wanna do something later
activity.
today text, rather than you simply turning up on

Now you are entering the good friends territory and its their doorstep because you were in the neigh-
perfectly normal to do things together without having to bourhood.
make up excuses to justify being around them.

53
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

DO THE
DANES
EVEN
DATE?
(CUE: NOT REALLY)
IN ALL HONESTY, Danes dont really date not in the Also remember that though many Danes are sexually
way you might be used to dating at least. experienced you have every right to enforce your own
personal boundaries, and say yes and no to intimate
There is no formalized dating structure in Denmark, activities depending on what you want.
no unwritten rules about who-calls-who or who-pays-on-
the-date. The arrival of various dating apps might have No matter what, sexual intercourse requires consent from
changed how often the Danes go on dates with people both involved parties so always make sure to have that!
they dont already know, but the word date is still used
just as often about an already established couple who If you experience sexual assault, there are clinics in all of
have been together for awhile. the major Danish hospitals that are designed specifically
for this purpose. You are safe to report it to the police.
80% of all 19-year-old Danes have had sex so please Please note that consumption of alcohol neither negates
dont expect your Danish date to be a virgin. Sex is a nat- nor constitutes consent in a Danish legal context.
ural thing for young people to have experienced in Den-
mark. We have sex-ed all through primary and high school Most people meet their romantic partners through
and its normal for Danish parents to let their teenagers friends, school, work, or the clubs and organisations that
boyfriends/girlfriends sleep over as well. they are a part of, meaning that theyve often gotten to
know that person before getting involved or starting to
One thing we teach in sex-ed is of course to use protec- date.
tion. Condoms are the only thing that protects you against
both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted dis- The Danish word krester is considered more serious
eases. Condoms are easily accesible in supermarkets or and committed than just dating, and can mean both
pharmacies all over Denmark. It is recommended to use boyfriend and girlfriend as well as live in partner in
them with new partners at least until you both have been many instances.
tested for STIs. And its not embarrassing to tell your sex-
ual partner to use protection though we admit it can be
awkward for everyone, also for the Danes.

54
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

EXPLORE YOUR
CITY
MEETING THE DANES is also about doing activities
like the Danes with your friends.

During the (short but sweet) summer, most university

cities in Denmark have a great outdoor life.
can be various festivals (music, film, art, food), cultural
happenings, carnivals, or big block parties. Sometimes all
of these are combined into big city-celebrations like Aar-
hus festuge or Golden Days in Copenhagen. Bring your
friends, go out, explore what your local city has to offer,
and discover new experiences. Often these activities are
People take disposable grills out into the parks and have for free or have student discounts on tickets. If not, its
a low-key, social barbecue, bring wine and beer to the often possible to volunteer as well.
beach, go to outdoor movie screenings (often for free) in
parks, and play ballgames on the nearest patch of grass. Even in the biggest cities in Denmark, there are rarely
neighbourhoods that are actually dangerous for anyone
If there are outdoor sports facilities in your area, these to visit. Of course its a good idea to keep updated on
are often also used for social purposes. whether there are tensions in your local area, but other
than that you can safely assume that your city is safe.
During the colder seasons you can still go for a walk You should feel safe to explore the various neighbour-
outside (remember your raincoat and a warm sweater) or hoods in your city and we recommend that you do so
even go to the skating rinks that most cities have during to ensure that you see and experience things outside of
winter. your university and home.

All through the year there is a ton of cultural and social Maybe youll find beautiful street art, a hidden park, or
events in all of the major Danish cities. These events your new favourite pizza place?

55
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

BIKE CULTURE
WHEN IT COMES to exploring your new Danish home- Keep the number of your bike and lock in a safe place. If
town, there is one tip that is more valuable than anything your bike gets stolen, you will need this number for the
else: police and the insurance.

GET A BIKE! Its cheaper and more flexible than busses, And since it gets cold in Denmark: Buy some lock anti-
often quicker too, and gives you exercise and fresh air on freeze from a gas station. It will save you many tears
top of that. And its what all your fellow Danish students once the temperatures get below zero and your lock sud-
will also be riding, so it makes hanging out with them denly wont open.
much easier.
If you or your friends can fix things on your bike, great!
The biking the same way home from class is a time- Otherwise the secondhand bike shops normally do cheap
tested classic when it comes to getting to know your repairs, or you might be lucky and theres a volunteer run
classmates. bike repair shop in your city. Ask around or google it.

We suggest that you buy a used yet reliable bike from

an official bike shop - its often cheaper than renting it. If
youre only here for a short while, you can rent your bike Secure locks will be sold wearing this mark:
from specialized businesses that often exist solely to rent
bikes to exchange students at a favourable rate. Google
it.

How to get a bike

Cheap bikes can be found at secondhand bike shops,
through dba.dk, studyshare.dk, and similar pages or
through some of the Facebook groups for international
students in your city. Many international students
sell their bikes when they go back home and you can
probably buy their bike for a cheap
price if you keep an eye out for
posts like this.

Get one thats not too fancy

(eliminates the risk of theft),
but not too worn out (elim-
inates massive repair bills)
and get a secure lock for it.

56
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

NIGHTLIFE AS A
DANISH STUDENT
STUDENTS GO OUT. It is one of the fundamental Be aware that Danes tend to eat dinner a little earlier
facts of life, and its no different in Denmark. than you might be used to; dinner is most often eaten
between 18-20.
Whether you drink alcohol or not, a lot of the social life of
a university student is focused around going out to bars It is however quite normal to go out after dinnertime,
and cafs or attending parties. meaning that people will have eaten from home.

The concept of going out to dinner is not as widely used Alternatively, you can gather friends at your home
in Denmark as it is in many other cultures probably and cook dinner together if you have a kitchen that
given the price tag on restaurant food. Bigger cities will allows for this. Most student dorms have at least one
also have cheaper options like buffet style restaurants, evening per week reserved for common dinner, which
cafs with good food, non-profit restaurants, and of is a cheap way to have a social meal together with
course ethnic food places with great affordable food. friends.

57
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

Be aware that it is normally expected for all dinner guests Many clubs and bars in Denmark tend to be open late (until
to chip in and cover some of the cost for the meal you 4 or 5 in the morning) and as a result of these late hours
have cooked together. This way no one is stuck with the and the eat at home before we go out concept, your Dan-
main part of the costs. ish friends might go out a tad later than youre used to.

When you go out there are of course the various bars, We cannot talk about parties and bars without talking
cafs and pubs. For the student community, the local alcohol culture.
Studenterhus is a great place to start, and the same goes
for the various student bars at the university. A lot of stu- And yes, the Danish student life can sometimes look like
dents will probably also favour the local bodega (Dan- its revolving solely around alcohol. This doesnt mean you
ish equivalent of the old-school British pub for locals), cant go out with your Danish friends if you choose not
where the drinks will be substantially cheaper than at the to consume alcohol. All bars and cafs will normally have
fancy bars in the area. non-alcoholic alternatives and though they might offer
you a beer at first, your individual choice should and will
Alcohol is normally served to everyone who is over the be respected.
age of eighteen, but you should be aware that some
clubs might have a 21+ rule and maybe even a dress And if you do drink alcohol, remember how to get home
code. In general, the Danes dress stylishly but casually and that driving a car while intoxicated is illegal in Denmark.
when they go out. There are a lot of places that will let
you in if youre wearing sneakers and jeans, but again, be In general, its a good thing to know your alcohol limits
sure to check before you go out. and have your bus route and the number for a cab service
written down alongside your address (if you havent gotten
Another social option is the party at someones home. your national health insurance card yet). This way you can
Please be aware that if you get invited to one of these always make your way home safely. Denmark is a very
by a friend or classmate, its considered a must to RSVP safe country but please do use common sense and exert
and to avoid arriving too fashionably late. It is normal and caution when going out in a new city while under the
often expected that you bring your own drink, be it alco- influence of alcohol. Keep an eye on your belongings and
holic or non-alcoholic, unless specified otherwise in the your drink, and let your friends know when you are leaving
event description. the party and with whom. This way no one has to worry.

58
DO MORE
M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

SPEND LESS
the smart students guide to a good life in Denmark

Living in Denmark can be DAMN (pardon us) expensive if youre not used to being a little budget or
money savvy. Here are some tips on how to save money, but still have a fun and social student life:

Bikes
Get one. Use it. Use it
wisely so you dont get fined

Make a budget for riding dirty.

This way you dont end up spending all of your

money before the end of the month. Remember
that you need to eat, buy books and boring things
like toilet paper and light bulbs as well. Drinks
Dont spend all your money on expensive drinks
in fancy bars. Student houses and the Friday bars
!
Info are where its at.
Danish students often meet up privately to pre-
Tips on budgeting and how to game before going out, which can also help to
properly do so can be found here: make your partying a tad more budget-friendly.
www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/ Remember to check how the busses and trains
bank-budget
run at night. Biking while intoxicated is dangerous
and illegal and taxis are expensive.

59
C H A P T E R 6 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S

Facebook
is a great place
to find info on new Clothes
events and fun things If you would like to
to do in your new buy new, affordable
town. clothing, one of the
high street larger
chain shops would
normally be your
best bet. The big
supermarkets in
Denmark also often
have special offers
on well-known
sports brands and
Student discounts other apparel, so
keep an eye out for
Remember to check for student discounts
this, if that is your
both on services, events and when shopping.
thing.
Your university ID-card should cover it. We can
vouch for the ISIC Card (www.isicdanmark. dk/ Flea markets and
online markets like
en) but in general be wary of schemes trying
trendsales.dk are
to sell special additional student cards for you
also great ways to
to get discount. Ask your friends and co-
buy new wardrobe
students where they get their discounts.
items and to get rid
of things you are
not using anymore.

Dinner at home with friends

A budget-friendly and fun way to share a meal with your friends. You can take
turns cooking or cook together.
If there are communal kitchens in your city, those can be a great and cheap
solution for dining out with friends as well and even to meet new people.

Shopping
Be aware of the various price tags on supermarkets in Denmark.
The budget-friendly options like Netto, Fakta, Lidl, and other discount shops have a
great variety of goods, without the hefty price tag of the more upscale shops.
If you have room for storing goods, it can also be a good solution to buy larger amounts
of groceries when the shops have special offers and bargains. Just dont buy too
many perishable goods, as you then risk that they go bad before you can consume it.

60
 M E E T I N G T H E DA N E S C H A P T E R 6

Packed lunch
Buying lunch at university or in
the city might lead to empty pock-
ets very quickly. Start bringing a
packed lunch instead.
Danish kids grow up eating packed
lunches throughout their educa- Volunteer for experiences
tional upbringings and there is One way to experience fun and interesting things while being a
nothing socially awkward in bring- student is to volunteer at festivals, cultural events, and local
ing your own food. Homemade volunteer-run concert venues. This way you dont have to pay
sandwiches, salads (get some the entry fee, you will get a diverse amount of work experience
sturdy plastic boxes for this), and and meet new friends, all while getting to attend events that
leftover dinner all make for great would otherwise be outside of your budget. Often at times,
options. there are goodie bags, after parties, drink vouchers, food or
other benefits for being a volunteer, so its a big win for the
financially-challenged student who still wants to have fun!

Books
Books for your classes can prove to be a substantial cut into the Danish univer-
sity students finances. Always check out whether students who have already
taken the class might be selling their old books. It is often still the same edition
- at of course a lower price. You should also consider selling your textbook once
you have passed the course to recover some, if not all, of the initial cost.
Also check if the books you need are available via online shops or for an
e-reader if you have one. Remember to factor in the p&p costs and to buy the
books within the EU region, so you dont risk high tax and toll costs when pay-
ing for shipping or upon the books arrival.

Free events
There are usually a wide and interesting variety
of free cultural and social events in all of the big
university cities in Denmark. Keep an eye on
your local newspaper, posters and flyers at the
university and local student house, and follow the
various groups that share and post links to free
events in your area.

61
STUDYSHARE.DK
Student to student online market
ARE YOU LOOKING for a one-stop page, where you can buy all the things you
need during your stay in Denmark?

Studyshare is a new online market place where all students can buy or sell books,
bicycles, furniture, travel guides, and any other article that is vital for a good student
life in Denmark!

This means you can forget all about the sometimes chaotic and time-consuming
Facebook groups and join the other students at studyshare.dk. Who knows; you
might even befriend a Dane in the process!

Studyshare is owned by the Student Unions in Denmark and operated as a non-

profit venture leading a potential profit back to the students. Its clearly a win-win
situation compared to the commercial online markets out there!

!
Info

www.studyshare.dk
CHAPTER 7 STUDENT JOB

GETTING A
STUDENT JOB
CAN I WORK IN DENMARK?
Work in
Denmark Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizens are allowed to work in Denmark under EU
A great percentage rules regarding the free movement of people and services. There is no minimum
of Danish university or maximum number of hours that you can work. If you are an EU citizen working
students have stu- in Denmark, you might be able to apply for SU.
dent jobs. Though it You have to work a certain minimum amount of hours at your job to be eligible
might not be your
to receive SU. If you do get SU, then there is a limit to how much you are allowed
first task to get one
to earn per year.
immediately upon
arrival, if you plan to
stay here for more Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are allowed to workup to 20 hours a week and full-
than one semester, time during June, July and August.
its a good idea to However, you must first secure a work permit. You can apply for a work permit
consider getting a when you apply for your residence permit, or you can apply at the Danish Immigra-
student job.
tion Service later. You will receive your work permit as a sticker in your passport.
In either case, talk to your local International Citizen Service if you have any
However, it can be
questions and follow their instructions. When it comes to following the rules for
difficult to find a job
employment as an international, its always better to be safe than sorry.
if you do not speak
Danish. Many people
find jobs through
their personal net-
Please note:If you work illegally in Denmark - for example by working
works, so making
more than 20 hours a week as a non-EU/EEA student the Danish Immi-
Danish and interna-
gration Service can revoke your residence permit or refuse to extend it.
tional friends in Den-
This puts you at risk for deportation.
mark could already
Both you and your employer also run the risk of a prison sentence or sub-
be a huge first step.
stantial fines if you are caught working illegally. So make sure that you have
As the competition
your affairs in order before accepting a job.
for student jobs in
Copenhagen is quite
!
Info
tough, its best to
plan your finances so
that you will be able
to support yourself www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/work/work.htm
without a job for the
first semester.

64
 STUDENT JOB CHAPTER 7

WHAT KIND OF
JOBS CAN YOU
GET AS A STUDENT?
RESTAURANTS, CAFS, BARS,AND HOTELSwill If you like to write, you might be able to get a job at
often be open to employing international students who anEnglish speaking newspaperor online media outlet.
dont speak Danish. Someretail storeswill also employ
international students. We know that you would probably prefer to find a
jobrelated to your field of studyor previous experiences,
You might be able to find a job with a company that but please remember that this can be difficult even for
needs someone with your nativelanguage skillsor Danish students. Getting Danish work experience in
insider knowledge of your home culture. This could be a other fields first might make it easier to get the more
job in the tourist industry, or with a company that caters attractive student jobs in the future.
to people from your background. It could also be with a
Danish company conducting business with companies Campus jobsare difficult to find and many of them require
from your country or someone about to launch a product Danish language skills. You could be lucky and find a posi-
in your home country. Translating assignments can also tion as a research assistant, instructor, or administrative
be a good option for employment. assistant within an international program. The universities
will post job openings on their online jobbanks.

65
CHAPTER 7 STUDENT JOB

For all kinds of job applications Modify your CV so that it is relevant for the job that you
You need a CV (aka a rsum) and a cover letter. are applying for. For example, rather than mention your
first prize in a high school math competition in your appli-
Whatever job you apply to, remember to read and sup- cation for a job at a caf, highlight your past experience
ply the info they want, in the form they want it. If they as a barista for a non-profit caf.
request that you send your application to a specific email
address, do this and only this. If theres an online form, Cover letter
use that one and dont send an email. Keep this targeted, relevant, and easy to read. Try
to keep it to one page if possible.
This is the first step to ensure that your appli-
cation actually gets considered. This is where you contextualize your
CV experiences in relation to the cri-
CV teria mentioned in the job posting.
It is common to add a photo to your CV in Explain why you would be a good
Denmark. Choose one thats neutral, rec- match for the job and how the com-
ognisable, and not a blurry Facebook selfie. pany could benefit from hiring you.
Stay away from clichs and standard
Keep the CV short and relevant 2 pages is phrases, but keep it easy to understand
plenty. Organise your CV in chronological order, by using short sentences and straightfor-
with the most recent work experience at ward wording.
the top. You can separate school achieve-
ments, work experience, and other
credentials to make it easier to
read.

DOs DONTs

Figure out how the workplace could benefit from Send out the same letter to everyone.
hiring you - Focus on that! Talk about how awesome you are without relat-
Remember to do a spell check or get someone to ing it to the job youre applying for.
read and correct your CV and cover letter for you. Write several pages.
Make it personal so that they remember you. Write about your personal life too much.
Forget to put in contact details.

66
 STUDENT JOB CHAPTER 7

WHERE DO YOU
FIND A JOB?
There are several different strategies you can follow when looking
Ask
people you know
for a job. Try to use a combination of these methods rather
than solely relying on one way to do it. Many jobs are never posted as a job ad.
More than often people find jobs through
their own personal network, so ask your friends,
Hand out your CV your classmates, or other students if they know
in stores and cafs/ of any places that are hiring. Let people know

bars/restaurants what kind of experience you have, so that they

will keep you in mind if something opens
Many international students choose
up. You can also let your network know
to print out their CV and pass it out
through social media that you
in stores and bars/cafs in the city in
are looking for a job.
which they live. However, before you
hand a random staff member your CV,
make sure to ask them how to apply
for a job. Many brand stores or cafs
have an online system for job applica-
tions, and a CV on paper handed to Check the companies websites
the staff might not reach the people Positions in retail, bars, and hotels are not always posted
in online job banks, but might be posted on the company
in charge of hiring.
website. Larger chains in particular will usually have
postings listed on their websites as well as information
on whether they accept unsolicited applications.
You can also send unsolicited applications to smaller
companies; include a short description of how you could
help the company if hired.
Social media
LinkedIn is very popular in
Denmark. Make sure that you
have an updated profile to pro-
vide potential employers with a Online job banks
good sense of your background Jobbank.dkand itsuniversity specific sub-sites.
and skills. Make sure to check At jobbank.dk you can find student jobs, internships, and
for spelling mistakes and typos. full-time positions; there are also many ways to specify your
You can find many groups search. On the bottom of the page, you will find a link to your
for internationals looking for universitys job bank. Universities usually post campus jobs
here. If you speak Danish, use the Danish sites first because
jobs on Facebook. These will
they will have more openings.
often have job postings from
Moment.dk is one of several job-pages that post student jobs
smaller work places.
and short time employment opportunities, often as temps or for
event work.

67
CHAPTER 7 STUDENT JOB

TAXES
(S K AT)
IF YOU HAVE a paid job, you have to pay taxes. Simple If you have any questions regarding your taxes, you can
as that. It is a crime not to pay your taxes, both for you find the address of your nearest tax office at www.skat.dk.
and for your work place.
What is a tax card?
Most work places report the salary directly to SKAT, so
it will be automatically deducted from your salary each
month. Most jobs in Denmark will pay you by the end of Source:
each month, but it might vary. Remember to ask how it www.studyindenmark.dk/live-in-denmark/working-in-den-
works at your job and if they report the taxes. mark/taxes

If they dont, you have to report it yourself and pay what

SKAT has calculated that you owe them. You do this If you have a salaried job in Denmark you must apply for
online via skat.dk in the form called rsopgrelse. a tax card from your local tax office. A tax card is the
official document that tells you how much tax you have
You pay around 40-45% in various taxes even as a stu- to pay.
dent, so remember to include the taxes in your budget
100 dkk per hour is not 100 dkk for you to spend. Once you have gotten your CPR-number you can contact
SKAT and inform them how much you expect to earn in
The taxes go towards paying for free education, health- the coming year. Then theyll help you to get a tax card.
care, etc. in Denmark, so its considered a very good Your employer will get your tax card digitally from SKAT
thing, even though it can feel annoying to see your pay once they have reported your income.
cheque cut in half.

68
 STUDENT JOB CHAPTER 7

UNIONS
A TRADE UNION provides you with the support and There is not any law regarding minimum wages in
guidance you may need and negotiates collectively to Denmark, so the collective agreements are important.
secure the best possible working conditions. This means
that being a member of a trade union is common in Den- If your work place does not follow the collective agree-
mark and can help you with any needed services. ment (either by joining it or by following the guidelines
in them), they can pay you as little or as much as they
Your general terms of employment are in many cases want.
regulated by collective agreements made by the trade
unions and employer associations. Make sure your hourly wage is specified in the contract,
and ask your union or google what the hourly rate nor-
The trade union offers you guidance and legal support mally is for the job in question.
on important issues such as your individualemployment
contract, your salary, and matters like work-related inju-
ries or rehabilitation. Source:
www.workindenmark.dk/Working-in-DK/Trade-unions
If you are starting an on-going job, always get a contract. At www.workindenmark.dk/Working-in-DK/Employment-contract
the very least, you should get something in writing regard-
ing specific aspects of your job such as the expected tasks,
your terms of employment, and your salary. It is very cheap or sometimes even free to be a student
member of a union. Pick the union most relevant to your
This shows that both you and your place of employment field of study or your current work. Unions usually offer
are committed. Furthermore, the document provides you discounts on insurance and more, and they can even
with something to show the union if there are problems. help you to write a CV and cover letter.

Tip!

TIPS ON TIPS:
Denmark doesnt have a tipping culture, so though employees in service jobs might receive them, tips should never
constitute the basis of the salary or be used as a legitimate supplement to a low hourly wage.
Most service area employees will share their tips or have a tipping jar, so be sure to check the tipping culture at
your place of employment before pocketing the money for yourself.

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CHAPTER 7 STUDENT JOB

DANISH WORK CULTURE

DANISH WORK CULTURE is often pretty relaxed and
informal. Its normal to call your superiors by first name, !
especially if they introduce themselves to you using their Info
first name. Collaboration and teamwork is the norm, and
it is not seen as a good quality to step on others to get
Links to more info
ahead. The work-life balance is valued in Denmark, so
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/work/
you will rarely get extra points for working extra or over-
work.htm
time. Its a work smarter, not harder culture, and even
www.workindenmark.dk/en
your boss might call in sick, leave work early to pick up
their kids or take a few days off once in a while.
Jobportals in English:
If you are in doubt about anything, its perfectly okay to
www.jobbank.dk/en
ask a colleague you trust for tips.
www.jobindex.dk/cgi/user/english.cgi
Ask about sick leave, work hours, and vacation policies
when you start the job, so youre sure to follow your
Guide on how to start up your
workplaces protocol.
own business in Denmark
www.investindk.com/~/media/Files/Sheets/Frame-
How to dress for a job:
work%20conditions/step_by_step_guide_WEB.ashx
Most Danish workplaces (where you dont wear a uni-
form) dont have a specific dress code. In general, the
Danes dress smart but casual, so jeans are normally
accepted and ties and suits are not required.
If you are in doubt, watch and take a cue from how
your Danish colleagues dress.

HOW TO ASK YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT JOBS?

Dont expect them to GET you a job, but its completely acceptable to ask your friends for advice, tips, and information.

Good questions to ask:

If yo
u se
can ea
you student Have you heard
Wh let m job,
abo e kn
fin ere d ut it ow about places hirin
g
dy i ?
ou d you at the moment?
r jo
b?

get
id you Do
d s?
How dent job plac you kno
stu es th w an
your for s a
tude t are loo
y
nt e king
mpl
oyee
s?
If your friends job sounds interesting and the workplace is looking for
more people, its okay to ask your friend how to apply. If there arent any
openings, you can also ask them to tell you if something turns up.
Dont expect them to be able to secure you a job just because youre friends.

70
HISTORY
STUDENT JOB CHAPTER 7

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK is one of the oldest back to the Viking age and is carved on the famous Jelling
unified countries in the world. The word Denmark dates Stone from around 900 AD.

!
Info

Read more about the history of Denmark here:

www.denmark.dk/en/society/history
www.denmark.dk/en/~/media/Denmark/Documents/Society/History-2003-en.pdf

THE DANISH SOCIETY !

Info

Read more about the topics at

www.denmark.dk/en/society

DENMARK IS KNOWN internationally for our welfare many other countries. However, if you factor in that
state and the social system build around this. healthcare, education, and social security services are
all free, it somewhat levels out the costs related to
The basic principle of the Danish welfare system, this.
often also referred to as the Scandinavian welfare
model, is that all citizens have equal right to social The equal access to health and social security services
security. Within the Danish welfare system a number as well as both primary and secondary education has
of services are available to citizens free of charge. The resulted in an equal and relatively socially mobile society,
Danish welfare model is subsidised by the state, and where the majority of the population can be defined as
as a result, Denmark has high tax rates compared to middle class.

DANISH MODEL AND FLEXICURITY

WHEN PEOPLE TALK about the Danish labour mar- The aim of this system is to promote employment secu-
ket they often use the term flexicurity to describe rity over job security, which means that in Denmark,
the model. Flexicurity is a word made out of flexibility people are less afraid of losing their jobs and are not con-
and security, describing the compounds of the con- stantly looking for new or other employment, as is the
cept. case in many other countries.

One side is flexible rules in regards to hiring and firing The Danish model for the labour market is built on a cen-
staff, which make it easier for the employers to scale tury-long tradition of negotiations between the various
down during slow times and hire new staff when partners. The trade unions and the employers associa-
things improve. The second part is the unemployment tions negotiate the collective agreements for each field of
security, in the form of guaranteed unemployment work, ensuring workers rights while also taking produc-
benefits. tion and market conditions into account.

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C H A P T E R 8 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Folketinget 1849 sets the framework for Danish democracy. The law
www.thedanishparliament.dk outlines the citizens and human rights such as freedom
of expression and freedom of assembly.
The political landscape in Denmark is a multi-party
system, where several parties are represented in the Folketinget is the legislative assembly in Denmark, which
parliament, which is called Folketinget (the Peoples means thatit passes the laws that apply in Denmark.
Assembly). Folketinget resides at Christiansborg, the par- Folketinget is also responsible for adopting the states budg-
liament building in central Copenhagen. ets, approving the states accounts, exercising control of the
Government, and taking part in international cooperation.
Danish governments often represent a minority coalition,
aided by one or more supporting parties. This means that There are 179 Members of Parliament (MPs), 175 are
Danish politics are based on consensus-driven decisions elected in Denmark, two are elected in the Faeroe
and negotiations with all parties in Folketinget. Since Islands and two in Greenland. Together with Denmark,
1909, no single party has solely held or monopolised the the Faeroes and Greenland constitute the Unity of the
majority. Realm. Both territories have extensive home-rule and
their own flags, languages and culture, but are still repre-
The Constitution (Grundloven aka the Founding Law) from sented by Folketinget.

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 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E C H A P T E R 8

Municipalities and local government

Denmark is divided into 98 municipalities (kommuner)

and five regions (regioner) that each covers several
municipalities.
Can I vote?
Each municipality (and region) has their own publicly International students from
elected council that governs and administers the individ-
the Nordic and EU-countries
ual municipality. All local councillors are elected for a four-
can vote at the municipal
year period in local government elections.
and regional elections. All
Denmark and EU other international students
must have lived in Denmark
Denmark has been a member of the European Union at least three years before
since 1973. they are eligible to vote at
these elections.
We have four opt-outsfrom European Union policies
Only Danish citizens can
in relation tosecurity and defence,citizenship,police
and justice, and the adoption of theeuro. The Danish vote in the elections for
government has held several referendums on modi- Folketinget and the national
fying its opt-outs, but so far all attempts have been referendums.
unsuccessful.

Elections

There are three types ofelections in Denmark: elections

to the national parliament (Folketinget), local elections to
the municipal and regional councils, and elections to the
European Parliament. Furthermore, there are national ref-
erendums on topics directly related to issues of national
concern.

The monarchy

Yes. Denmark is a monarchy and actually one of the

oldest in the world, dating back to at least 958 AD. Right
now the monarch is Queen Margrethe the 2nd. Her son
Frederik, who will become King Frederik the 10th, will
succeed her.

However, Denmark has been a constitutional monarchy

since 1849, and over the years the political power of the
reigning monarch have been reduced and now they only
have a ritual position in regards to the political decisions.
The prime minister will have to present his or her gov-
ernment and law suggestions for a formal approval, but
these actions are ceremonial and do not have real politi-
cal value.

Even in 2015 more than 80% of the Danes are still sup-
portive of the monarchy, although more and more are
debating how much funding the distant relatives of the
royal family deserve to receive.

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C H A P T E R 8 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E

EDUCATION
School life
in Denmark
Its normal for kids to go
into some kind of daycare
from around the age of 1.
From that age kids are in
daycare, then kindergarten,
and then primary school,
Education which is called folkeskole
for all in Denmark. Folkeskole
Education in Denmark is is made up of one year
compulsory for everyone of pre-school class, nine
between the ages of years of primary and lower
6-7 and 15-16. A public secondary education and
school, private school, or an optional one-year 10th
home school can provide form.
the education. Education After the mandatory 9
that is compulsory, not years, the 9th or 10th
school. More than 50% graders can choose to
of graduating students go
on to a higher level edu-
continue into a high school
level institution such as
School culture
Students at Danish institutions
cation. a gymnasium or trade
are encouraged to play an active
school, or into a vocational
role in their learning process and
school or apprenticeship
take responsibility for carrying out
for various business areas.
projects independently or in small
After 3 years of a gym-
groups. In addition to attending
nasium level education,
classes, students are expected to
you are eligible to apply
participate in discussions and con-
to other educations such
tinuously develop their critical and
as university, professional
analytical skills.
bachelor degrees, techni-
cal and business schools,
etc.

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 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E C H A P T E R 8

DANISH CULTURE
CRASH COURSE
DENMARK HAS BEEN a unified country for more than dents, and for people to treat you equally regardless of
a millennium and had very limited immigration from out- your financial or societal status. This is all rooted in the
side cultures until the latter half of the 20th century. This egalitarian worldview that is the basis for most Danish
means that, culturally speaking, the Danes are a close- social conventions and interactions.
knit tribe with a very homogenous population, sharing a
common culture and similar characteristics. You are not considered more important as an individ-
ual, just because your formal role is more important.
Some of these cultural characteristics might be different
from what you are used to in your home-countrys cul- This means that it is normal for employees on all levels
ture, and it might seem like the Danes are impolite, inef- to give input regarding work situations. If the point is
fective, or simply just weird. valid and presented well, it will be considered, no matter
whether it comes from the manager or the intern. This
One of the things that are noteworthy about the Danish is a result of the Danish culture valuing consensus, and
culture is the lack of formal hierarchy. preferring to base decisions on this. It is not seen as
admirable for a manager or a professor to come up with
You might notice that is common for people in positions solutions based solely on their own opinions. Instead
of authority to introduce themselves by first name, for they will be applauded for including their subordinates or
your professors to be open to discussions with the stu- students in the decision making process.

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C H A P T E R 8 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E

The Danish work culture heralds the concept popularly otherwise, but in general the Danes primarily identify as
known as the work/life balance and having a life outside individuals and mainly feel responsible for their own and
your work or studies is seen as a commendable thing. closest familys matters. You might notice that people
Most Danes are members of various volunteer organisa- dont talk much about belonging to a certain ethnicity,
tions (called foreninger) and time off, whether being after religion or region, or that they are mainly concerned with
the work day, work week or as vacation time, is secured in their own schedules and calendars when planning activi-
most employment contracts. Working way more than the ties. This cultural aspect can also help you to understand
standard 37 hours per week might be perceived as dedi- why your Danish classmates dont approach you if they
cated in other work cultures, but will in most Danish work see you on the bus or in a supermarket. Your (and their)
places be seen as unhealthy or even unproductive, due to individual privacy will be considered important and many
the lack of time to rest and wind down. Danes would rather not impose on people in public if
they dont know them very well.
One of the aspects of this cultural value is seen in how
Danes think about taking sick leave. Yes, of course you The lack of formal hierarchy combined with the individual-
should not call in sick for silly reasons (hangovers being istic worldview often makes the Danes communicate in a
one of those), but if you have the flu or are sick in any very direct way. They dont feel the need to include titles
other way, you are supposed to call in sick and stay or polite introductions when addressing people, and the
home if possible. No one will praise you for passing on respect for peoples individual time and privacy will lead
the flu to the rest of the class or your entire office. Trust to most Danes not engaging in small talk with people
us on this one. they dont already know.

A last cultural aspect that is worth mentioning is that the If youre curious about how to actually talk to your Danish
Danish society is a very individualistically oriented one. classmates, jump to Meeting the Danes.
The concept of the welfare state might make you think

!
Info

www.denmark.dk/en/lifestyle
www.denmark.dk/en/society/history
www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/denmark-guide
www.studyindenmark.dk/why-denmark/quality-of-life-1/the-happiest-place-on-earth

Jantelov
Jantelov, known in English as The Law of Jante, is a cultural concept and a literary reference from Aksel Sande-
moses 1933 novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks.
Jantelov is there used to describe the mentality of the small village people in the novel, but is often also used
to explain the anti-elitist Danish mentality as a whole.
It is primarily used as a negative descriptor of the national mentality, often by people feeling martyred by Dan-
ish societal values.
While it might hold certain amounts of truth (few Danes will praise bragging as an attractive personal trait for
instance), it is important to remember that it is not a codex for behaviour in Denmark.
It is a cultural phenomenon from the past that pops its head up every now and then and that most younger
Danes rarely think about or adhere to.

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 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E C H A P T E R 8

Things Danish tongue twisters:

invented
by Danes:

LEGO

ARTIFICIAL INSULIN
THE CLASSIC:

Rdgrd med flde

(Fruit porridge with cream)

WORST ONE EVER:

Rdden, rdjet, rget rred

(Rotten, red-eyed, smoked trout)
THE LOUDSPEAKER Not even the Danes can say this one without dying a little

OTHER FUN ONES:

Bispens gipsgebis
(the bishops plaster dentures)

Jeg plukker frugt med en brugt frugtplukker

(I pick fruit with a used fruit picker)
CARLSBERG YEAST

Almost all Danes speak a functional English and are willing to do so, so
if in need, just ask.
Strangely enough, the Danish reluctance to speak with strangers

THE BAND AQUA does not include helping someone asking for directions or information.
Just dont try to chat them up or talk about personal matters as well

www.universitypost.dk/article/top-10-strange-danish-expressions

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C H A P T E R 8 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN DENMARK

A lot of these are old Catholic holidays that arent celebrated to a great extent in neither the Danish Church nor civil life.
Easter and Christmas are the big religious holidays, and in the time between Easter and Midsummer there are a long
list of religious and public holidays.

New Years Day January 1st (Nytrsdag) duck, rice and almond pudding called Risalamande, and
Everything is grey and quiet. Shops are closed. Do it like drink Glgg (Danish mulled wine).
a Dane: Eat takeout and watch the ski jumping competi- Learn to make Danish paper decorations like braided
tion on TV. hearts and paper stars and remember to set aside almost
all weekends from late November for the long line of big
Easter: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, traditional Danish Christmas lunches. The Christmas
Easter Monday. (Pske: Skrtorsdag, Lang- lunch (julefrokost) is the traditional work/school celebra-
fredag, Pskedag) tion at the end of the year and is more of an evening
Do it like a Dane: Many people take the entire week lead- party with buffet-style food and plenty of alcohol than a
ing up to Easter off. By taking those three days off from lunch in the actual sense of the word.
work, you end up having a whole week free for vacation.
Other dates to remember:
General Prayer Day (Store Bededag) The Danish version of Mardi Gras is called Fastelavn and
A Friday between Easter and Ascension Day. falls on a Sunday in February. Kids celebrate by dressing
Do it like a Dane: Eat hot wheat buns (varme hveder) on up and playing a bunch of holiday specific games and by
the Thursday evening and enjoy the long weekend. Tradition- going trick-or-treating.
ally the buns were made to be warmed on the prayer day, Do it like a Dane: Dress up (think silly, not sexy or scary)
since you were not supposed to work or cook on this day. and beat the cat off the barrel (sl katten af tnden)
with your friends.
Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag) This is an old tradition where you fill a wooden barrel with
Falls on a Thursday dates vary depending on Easter. sweets and tape a paper cat on in. Whoever breaks out
Do it like a Dane: Take the Friday off too, and enjoy a long the goods inside the barrel is the king/queen of the cats.
weekend before the exams kick in.
May 1st: Labour Day
Constitution Day 5th of June (Grundlovsdag) Do it like a Dane: Most Danish students either dont cel-
Not everyone celebrates this day, which is the date the ebrate it as a political holiday or use it as an excuse for
first constitution was signed. Some political groups cele- daytime drinking. If youre politically active, theres big
brate with gatherings and speeches. meetings and parades in all the larger Danish cities.
Do it like Danish students: This is when the race towards
the exam kicks in, so you probably wont notice. Midsummers eve
called St. Hans evening in Denmark
Whit Monday Pinsedag Do it like a Dane: Celebrate with bonfires, singing and the
A Monday in May/June (again depending on Easter). old-fashioned and somewhat politically incorrect burning of
Do it like a Dane: Either read up for your exams or have a witch made of rags and sticks in the form of a woman.
a party on the Sunday before, stay up late and hope to
see the Whit Monday sun dance. Danish primary schools and high schools have two major
weeklong breaks during the year.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day The Winter Break (most often in Week 7) and the Autumn
In Denmark we celebrate Christmas on the 24th of Break in Week 42. These breaks are not included in the
December in the evening and the two following days academic year as such, but if your professor has kids, they
are public holidays, normally spent with family and good might reschedule classes to spend the vacation with them.
food.
Do it like a Dane: Get a Christmas tree, eat roast pork or www.denmark.dk/en/meet-the-danes/traditions

78
 H I S T O RY A N D C U LT U R E C H A P T E R 8

!
Info

Expat blogs and fun sites

about Danish culture:
www.howtoliveindenmark.com

www.whenyouliveindenmark.tumblr.com

www.youknowyouredanishwhen.com

www.universitypost.dk/article/41-reasons-why-danes-are-so-strange

https://satwcomic.com

www.thelocal.dk/galleries/lifestyle/top-10-signs-youve-been-in-denmark-too-long

Once again welcome to Denmark

and to your new life as a student here
We hope that you found the information you needed in the book. If you didnt or if you have additional info, tips
or updates, that can help make this book even better dont hesitate to contact us at crew@studycph.dk

If you want to contribute to making other international students introduction to Denmark easier get involved in
your local student environment or contact us via studycph.dk for more ideas.

Best of luck, take care, and have fun during your stay here. We hope you will enjoy it.

79
AFSNIT 2

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