STUDENTERSAMFUNDETS
STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019
Dear new students! Welcome to Aalborg University You are now a part of the pack as a university student. The next few years will probably be the hardest, funniest and wildest years in your life - but it is all worth it! This is where you build the knowledge, friendships and memories that are essential later in life. With the Student Handbook in hand, you are equipped to enter the communities and opportunities the university, the people and the city have to offer. Find your community and begin your lifestyle as a student! See you at the student scene! Best regards
Dianna Korshøj Chief editor, Student Handbook 2019
Editor
Text
Proofreading
Dianna Korshøj redaktor@agenda.aau.dk
Dianna Korshøj Heidi Gram Wallin Jacob Blasius Thomsen Katrine Dethlefsen Martin Ingversen Phillip Sperling Stine Funder Poulsen Stine Leemann
Katrine Dethlefsen Nanna Daugaard Weiss
Lina Mancini
Layout Emil Kongsgaard Guldager emil.kongsgaard@agenda. aau.dk
Photo Phillip Sperling
Advertising sales and distribution Erhvervsgruppen salg@s-et.aau.dk
Rosendahls
The Student Handbook is created in collaboration with the editorial team at Agenda
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Welcome to Aalborg University
6-7 Welcome by the Rector, Per Michael Johansen 8-11 The different layers of AAU 12-13 University life - A part of you 14-17 PBL - How to solve problems in real life 18-19 Campus with green growth 20-21 Welcome by the student-political spokesman 22-23 Influence your education! 24-25 AAU Apps
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Study life
28-29 Welcome by the chairman of the student society 30-31 Commencement of study party 2019 32-33 Take a breath and count to 5 34-35 Useful numbers 36-37 From high school student to university student 38-39 What is the best method for you to learn? 40-41 UniRun '19 42-43 When the others are alike 44-49 Cool communities 50-51 Agenda - University magazine at AAU
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9000 Aalborg
56-57 58-59 60-63 64-67
Welcome by mayor, Thomas Kastrup-Larsen Coming to Denmark New to Aalborg? Map
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AALBORG UNIVERSITY
WELCOME TO
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
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AALBORG UNIVERSITY
Per Michael Johansen Rector
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Welcome to Aalborg University I am happy and proud to welcome you as a student at Aalborg University. We will do our best to make AAU a pleasant home for your studies! The Student Handbook can be a helpful tool, so that you quickly feel at home at the university and can make the most of your new life as a student. The start-of-term period may seem overwhelming but remember, that Aalborg University has around 23,000 students spread out on campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg and Copenhagen. This means that there are many people you can ask for advice or share your experiences with. On behalf of the entire university, I hope that you will find yourself at home as a student at AAU. Our study method, known as Problem-Based Learning (PBL), means that you will soon be part of a study group. Through the study group, you will connect whith your fellow students, which means that you can help each other manage and structure your daily studies. The study group not only supports you in terms of your studies but can also contribute to making you feel at home at the university and – if you have moved here – in your new city. The daily work in the study groups takes place in close contact with a supervisor, who offers both academic supervision and guidance on how to make the most of the group-work-based method of studying. One of AAU’s goals is to offer you and your fellow students an education of a high academic standard and at the same time provide you with the necessary tools for being able to collaborate as part of a well-functioning team. Among other things, this happens when you solve projects in collaboration with companies or organizations outside the university. In our experience, solving problems that ’real’ companies and organizations are struggling with is highly motivating and engaging for both students and researchers. The Student Handbook gives you a shortcut to an active and rewarding life as a student at Aalborg University. It is written by students and for students, and on these pages, they share their experiences with you, to quickly give you insight into how the university is organized and works, both academically and socially. I dearly recommend that you use the Handbook to quickly get a good start at AAU. For many people, their student years are an eventful and defining time in their lives. During these years, you set the course for your life after your studies, and I urge you to engage both academically, socially and in all the activities going on at and around the university. I experienced my own student years as some of the best years of my life, and it is my hope that in the future, you will be able to look back at your student years at AAU as some of the best years of your life. Once again welcome to Aalborg University.
Per Michael Johansen Rector
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The different layers of AAU
TEXT Phillip Sperling
As you may have noticed, the university is huge. You have probably wondered how big it really is, how everything is structured and who decides what. On the next pages we will try to give you an insight into what your home looks like for the next few years. First, the university is a large organization, really big. In recent years, we have grown a lot. Over the past 8 years, AAU has grown by 93%. In the chart you can see how many students there are at each faculty and how many we are in total.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT AAU 10.477
YEAR
8
2000
12.673
YEAR
2010
20.211
YEAR
2018
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON EACH FACULTY IN 2018 1.815
SUND
The faculty of medicine
SAMF
The faculty of social sciences
HUM
The faculty of humanities
6.107
4.295
3.430 ENGINEERING
Faculty of engineering and science
4.564 TECH
Technical faculty of IT and design
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The university is a bit like an onion - it has many layers, and each layer carry out various tasks. One of the tasks, for example, is deciding what to teach and research, and to set the direction for the development of the university. In our day to day life, we meet the volunteers. In association with the university, the Student Society and other collaborators, the volunteers provide presentations, parties, workshops and so on, which make student life more alive. The closest to the students are the study boards. They decide what to teach at the individual studies and ensure that you get a high quality of teaching.
Each study board belongs to an institute, which provides all the framework for the education. So, it is the institutes who make sure that you have the right rooms available, and that you are taught by skilled researchers who know much about your particular subject. Each institute then belongs to a faculty, who have the overall responsibility for a subject area. At the faculty, they work with budgets, strategies and visions, all of which are in order to develop the faculty's subject area. At the top of the university is the rectorate and the board. Here, the big decisions about the university's future, which the university's total budgets and strategies have been taken.
THE RECTORATE AND THE BOARD FACULTY INSTITUTE STUDY BOARDS VOLUNTEERS
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INSTITUTES AND FACULTIES AT AAU SAMF
HUM
TECH
ENG
Department of Sociology and Social Work
Department of Communication and Psychology
Department of Planning
Department of Business and Management
Department of Culture and Learning
Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology
Department of Energy Technology
Department of Political Science
Department of Electronic Systems
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Department of Law
Department of Computer Science
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience
SUND
Department of Department of Health Science Civil Engineering and Technology Department of Clinical Science
Department of Materials and Production
Danish Building Research Institute
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University life TEXT Dianna Korshøj
The years at the university are the years many people remember with joy. It is years of mistakes, stupidity, friendships, experiences and much more. This is where you create the memories you can laugh at when your hairs turn gray. Unfortunately, however, it does not come with your letter of admission, so the question is: what do you want to remember?
‘‘
University life is something very special: you are still young and studying, but responsibility and pressure from the business community whispering in the distance. It is a time where you can
Although many opportunities lie beneath our
Ignore the inner strain that tells you what to do as a student, and instead use the time to create the experiences YOU want to remember
both immerse yourself in the study program, party with your fellow students and take extra shifts at the study job. The university can do many things but create extra hours in a day is not one of them, so making time for all of it is a state of mind that you yourself are creating. It is a mixture of mystique and desire that produces the extra hours of the day, and it is us as students who must choose how to use them. Ignore the inner strain that tells you what to do as a student, and instead use the time to create the experiences YOU want to remember when the era of old age opens its beautiful door. Aalborg University, together with the Student Society, has an abundance of offers for us students
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so we can evolve both professionally and socially - There are almost no limits to what one can experience or be a part of. The university uses a lot of resources to make sure that we have enticing facilities available, both when we are studying, but also when events, presentations and even big parties are to be held. We as students can book both common rooms and auditoriums for student-relevant activities, so the possibility of creating an exuberant student life are always right beneath our feet.
feet, it does not mean that they automatically jump up in front of us - it requires you choosing it and making an effort. Most of the great events that are held are run by volunteers who can tempt future employers with documented skills provided by the activities. Although study-relevant volunteer work can tempt the business community, it is rarely what participants hears when the working bees are buzzing around. All you hear is laughing, talking and debating when the different volunteer groups meet, because the community is much more than just work. These are communities and friendships that are developed alongside your skill set. Together, you meet up, learn from each other
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- A part of you and create the study environment that you enjoy, think is important to have, or which lies within your areas of interest. It is fun to participate in the events, but synergy really arises when you join the communities. Without the communities, the study environment is not much more than nice surroundings, so we must all help to make it a great experience to study at Aalborg University. When you choose to join a student association, group or committee, it is important to remember that even though we as students can do a lot, we cannot achieve it all. However, we can choose activities which inspires a mixture of desire and dedication to excel in the things we are a part of. We have MANY opportunities to make the study environment greater for all of us by being part of an awesome community, so wherever your interests lie, there is something for you:
So, what are you waiting for? Talk to the older students, contact your studies student association (if they have one), write a message to one of the groups on Facebook, or register directly as a volunteer at the Student Society via the QR code. As a volunteer at Student Society, there is even the benefit that you are invited to a huge annually volunteer party, where you will meet all the many volunteers in the other groups. But be careful! Once you get your foot in, the good company and events sometimes pull stronger than the Earth's magnetic field itself, and it will be even harder to say goodbye to the university again, in a few years' time when you have your diploma in hand.
Friday afternoon bar, debate, politics, coordination, media, podcasts, SoMe, economics, PR, board work and much, much more... University life is your bag of seed, and all it takes to make it bloom is you getting involved. You do not have to be a world champion from the beginning, and not even when you are done. Most groups welcome the interest, so the work can be adapted to your skillset and you can grow from there. It is the place where you can prepare for the job market with working groups, cooperation and deadlines. Here is no requirement that you are perfect from the start, and you are not fired if you make mistakes. No one is perfect, and as long as you comply with agreements, are good company and you can be counted upon, you are most welcome.
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PBL
HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN REAL LIFE
If you are studying AAU, there is a good chance that Problem Based Learning (PBL) are on your schedule this semester or the next. It is a course for 5 ECTS-points, and exams are often during the first project exam. But PBL is much more than just a course to get thru. As a matter of fact, it is a very little part of what PBL is. Problem Based Learning is a part of the DNA at AAU and will be a strong part of your professional profile. But what is it actually? And how are you as a student supposed to act in group and project work?
What is PBL
PBL is an approach for acquiring knowledge and using it for discovering and/or solving problems. Specifically, it means that you, on all or most of your semesters, are going to write a project, usually in groups. The number of projects during your study years and whether group projects are forced, or voluntary depends on your course. Project and group work is therefore an important part of the PBL-approach. PBL is not directly tasks or knowledge. However, it is experience that slowly becomes a part of the way you approach problems. It teaches you to recognize problems and finding the relevant methods and theories plus how to 14
TEXT Stine Funder Poulsen
structure a process to help you solve the problem. PBL is the structure for your professional and academic work. A good project and PBL-course often begin with a wondering, a why or a how: How does journalists respond to politicians who lie? How can we make this product better for the people who are using it? The problems obviously depend of your field. When you have found your group, your topic together with an initial wondering, you will start reading about the topic. The more you know about the topic, the more precise your questions become: Now you can create good research questions. When you have the temporary research question, the work begins finding theory to help you analyzing the research question. Here your classes and your counselors help you with suggestions for relevant theories – however, your group must choose yourself what you would like to focus on. It is likely your research question need editing multiple times. This is inevitable when you acquire new knowledge and discover new angles. With the PBL-approach you consequently learn to look upon the world with an analyzing approach which helps you recognize
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
problems, and you get a new reservoir of knowledge, theories and methods that helps you finding the solutions. Before you graduate from AAU you will have endured numerous projects, conflicts, theories, groups and successes. You will have immersed yourself and both reflected and disagreed with your fellow students. You will learn, how you best participate in groups and the advantages of group work despite frustrating moments.
Writing a project gives you the opportunity to dive into what it is that catches your interest, immerse and maybe even finding something new within a specific topic. Furthermore, project work gives you the opportunity to put the theories that excites you the most in context to reality. You will get to use the theories and thereby get a better understanding of them and the world around you.
Immersion
Collaboration in groupwork
With PBL you will have the opportunity to immerse in topics and angles that interests or makes you wonder. No matter how skilled a student you are and how enthusiastic you are for your study there will always be problems and theories you cannot fully explore.
Now, you may think immersion is great and groupwork might get in the way. It is true that group work can be frustrating; you disagree what to do with the project, you do not think Jens is pulling his weight or Camilla might be too domineering. Newer the less,
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groupwork can also be incredible rewarding. You have professional disagreements, discussing theories, methods and points of views on just that problem you are dealing with. It provides you with the opportunity of developing ideas, to throw it in the air and examine them with the eyes of your fellow students. Different perspectives are discussed and can give strong arguments and new approaches to the problems or theories. It is right here groupwork is the most fun and you and your group will learn the most, though it requires a lot of work, engagement and the acceptance of the critique you will give and receive. Giving and receiving constructive criticism can be hard and time-consuming to learn, but it is crucial for good groupwork. When you work in a group it is crucial that you acknowledge, that your fellow students pos-
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sess the knowledge and skill needed in the project. Receiving critique from people you do not know that well yet can be terrifying and uncomfortable. Therefor it is important to remember that their contribution can push the project on the right path or inspire discussions that leads to a breakthrough for the project and you as academics. On the other hand, it is also important for you to give your fellow students constructive criticism, even though you might feel they are more knowledgeable than you. Remember you have another perspective and maybe new eyes will take the project to another level. Your contribution and your opinions are important to the groups development and result in a positive learning curve. With groupwork you are learning to participate in professional discussions, and you are exercising your constructive communi-
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
cation with your business partners. Furthermore, it is important to remember that it is complex stuff you are working with at the university and everybody struggles once in a while. Here your group can support you and you can help each other understanding the theories and methods. A well-functioning group can also lead to more knowledge and approaches and becomes much more than just the sum of the group’s knowledge, professionalism and competences.
Structuring a process
Before you and your group begin the work, it is important that you balance your expectations: What do you want to accomplice, how much work are you willing to put in and so on. There will probably still be conflicts, but you can meet a part of them. A project demands a lot of organizing and preparation. You have a fixed number of pages and a deadline that must be sustained. This makes limitations and precision a great part of the work, but it can also be a strength. It forces you to limit and choose your theory and case with care. This makes you and your group reach greater precision in expressing and answering on the research question. While creating a time schedule, choosing material, delegating tasks and so on, is a big part of
the project work it will also give you an advantage on the work field.
PBL makes you attractive on the work field
Did you know that graduates from Aalborg University is generally more attractive on the work field? We learn to participate in collaboration with others, can acquire knowledge independently and systematically with a defined problem area that needs to be solved and learn to choose relevant theories and methods together with structuring a process - Just like in a real job. This means that when we graduate, we can offer employers an employee who are prepared for what the industry offers. This way PBL becomes an important part of your study life and professional profile.
Most importantly
Remember to have fun during project work. It can be hard and frustrating, but it can also be fun, and you can find friends for life if you create a positive group environment. Make room for enjoyment and remember that the joyful moments are just as important as the professional ones. It is these moments that will make you survive study life, and this will be the moments you will remember for the rest of your life.
PBL - ALL INCLUSIVE Do you want an inside peak of the student’s own experiences both good and bad? On Agendas site you can read the submitted stories and get a taste on the PBL work.
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WITH
gversen
artin In
TEXT M
As we know, we are facing a new era where sustainability has taken the focus of the world, with an emergency cry for responsibility - a responsibility we also try accommodating at AAU.
Aalborg University follows suit
AAU is undergoing a green development as well as many other institutions all around Denmark. A movement that has been initiated to accommodate the enormous strain that, up to now, have been on the environment. Replacement of light, greener kitchen and relatively simple initiatives. In addition, many studies are getting ready for digital exams to reduce the huge amount of paper waste, transport and indifferent administration. All these initiatives help AAU onto a greener discourse.
Wild at will
AAU has implemented a new concept called intentionally wild. This concept aims to extend, shaping and create more biodiversity at campus. This invites humility and love of Mother Earth. The grass is allowed to grow, flowers sprout, and love blows far about. In late summer, common gardens with a bonfire site and several outdoor spaces will also be established to meet a more natural study environment where you can study while enjoying the surroundings. 18
AALBORG UNIVERSITY
The struggle of the volunteers
There are various organizations that work with sustainable initiatives to become a greener campus. For example, there is a committee within the Student Society, which is working to implement the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) as a binding part of education. In addition, they also educate students and employees on campus about sustainability and the world goals.
Groundbreaking projects
As a new initiative the university just launched “megaprojects� where students are invited to base their semester projects on something even bigger. The overall problem is based on the 17 Global Goals, which is broken down to smaller parts and materialized in student projects. Across disciplines and several semesters, the subprojects build upon each other's results to reach groundbreaking results.
The responsibility lies with the individual
The green era we are facing is a shared responsibility for which we all must be responsible. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we make a difference together. Some kind of sustaining thinking during education will not only enrich you with the natural love for Mother Earth, but also a bigger job guarantee. Businesses, NGOs and public institutions are now searching, like never before, to find professionals with greener mindsets. So, get a competitive advantage in the business community by being conscious of the Global Goals and the state of nature while studying - It benefits both you and Mother Earth.
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P O ST AALBO S TRUGDU Y NLIIVFEER S I T Y
...AND
First, I want to welUniversity. This university the practical and theoretical university I want to tell you about the university through student politics.
IS H T D REA
come you to Aalborg is solidly grounded in both world. However, it is not the but the opportunity you have, to influence
Student politics through Student forum is a monthly opportunity to debate some of the issues with general education. Over the last years we have debated some of the following issues: 2% budget cutbacks, cutbacks in acceptance of international students, and the 17 World Goals. All of this does not have any impact without action and dissemination. This is a part of why your opinions should be debated and further handled, so that I or one of our many communities are able to continue these decrees and put them to actual use in both interviews, general opinion and work plans. But when is this epic opportunity to share your opinion and influence the future of student politics? Well, I am opening the doors for Student forum first Monday of each month at 4:45 pm. Kick of is at 5 pm so that you can get acquainted with the other students present. This also allows you to get some refreshments and to order some dinner. Yes, it is true. You can be a part of student politics while getting a free dinner from the Student Society. Furthermore, through the Student Society, you can be a part of our many communities or get elected as a student representative at the Danish student collegial board. Here you can be a part of student politics on a national plan and join in meetings, thereby extend your network throughout the country. To recap, Student forum brings you the opportunity to get your voice heard in the student political specter. This is an important part of student life because, sadly, it is not always a walk in the park, but we need your help to make it a little better with every passing semester by sharing your thoughts about student life. To hear more or if you have a suggestion to the agenda of Student forum, you are welcome to contact me at kenneth.frosig@studentersamfundet.aau.dk . I hope you will enjoy your time here at AAU.
Kind regards
Kenneth D. Frøsig
Student-political spokesman at the Student Society
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STUDY LIFE
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AALBORG UNIVERSITY
INFLUENCE YOUR EDUCATION! TEXT
Phillip Sperling
Why am I being taught this?
I could teach this study much better than my professor!
Why don't they just do it like this?
Do some of these phrases resonate with you yet? You may have been part of a student council in high school and could spend months working on something you were not allowed changing anyway. So, I understand if you are now thinking "can I actually change something about this education? What's the use? � I will spend the next few minutes of your life trying to convince you that influence is actually something you can get here at the university. Where to get influence? Well, you can actually get it almost anywhere! On page 8-11 we have introduced you to an outline of how the university is structured, and in fact, as a student you can actually be elected into almost all of the university bodies. We can and have influenced politicians to change the law because we, as students, join in unison.
overwhelming as it sounds) in November.
What was the various bodies? We have 4 elective bodies at the university: Study Board, institute council, academic council (which is the faculties body) and the university board. Here, as a student, we have a voice when deciding which subjects to teach, which researchers should teach, even when hiring a principal. In order to influence all this, you must be chosen at the university election (don't worry, it's not as
What difference are this actually making? We can actually change quite a lot as students. It can be anything from little things on the individual field of study to big changes in national legislation. Recently students convinced the university to provide printers available for an exam, so they didn't all have to bring them themselves - indeed, that happened! On the larger scale, students teamed
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Uni-election? Must you be a politician to participate? No, student politics is for everyone! We are not mini politicians but students like everyone else, and everyone can be active in student politics if they have an opinion and a desire to say it aloud.
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up with students from other universities, and got the legal requirement extended for the master's programs. This means that it is now possibly to take a sabbatical after your bachelor's degree and still be sure to get accepted to your master's program.
How do I get started? You can always contact the Student Society’s political spokesman at politik@studentersamfundet.dk. Otherwise you can use the flowchart to find out what to do.
Where do i need to be
Wa stu nt an dy env awes om ir Vo lun onme e tee nt? r!
Student politics Do you have an attitude to being a student? YES
NO
TURN THE PAGE
Do you want to change the teaching on your study?
NO
YES
STUDY BOARD
Do you want influence within a certain field?
YES NO
YES
Do you want influence on the big strategies?
NO
DEPARTMENT COUNCIL
What about the physical settings of your study?
NO
YES
FACULTY COUNCIL
UNIVERSITY BOARD
NO
LOCAL STUDY ASSOCIATION
You just want to see if student politics is something for you?
YES
STUDENT FORUM
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AALBORG UNIVERSITY
AAU Student is the easy way of getting an overview of your study life. You log on to the app with your AAU-mail and receives access to your schedule, courses, cantina menu, study techniques and much more.
AAU Map is AAU’s mapapp, which will guide you to the rooms at AAU. Type the room number into the app and get directions to the room.
Remember, that you as a student have access to Office 360 and several other programs
Find all of it here
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AALBORG UNIVERSITY
AAU-1-DAY is AAU’s guest network with changing one-daypasses. By signing on with your AAU-mail you will receive access to that days’ and the three following day’s codes.
With AAU Building Support you can easily and quickly report errors and shortcomings on buildings and equipment at AAU.
All AAU’s apps can be downloaded in App Store and Google Play. You can read more about our apps on our website at ww.app.aau.dk
If you love design and app-development, you can become a member of our App Panel on Facebook and receive an invite to the upcoming app-development at AAU. Sign up for the group ’AAU App Panel’ if this sounds like something for you.
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STUDY LIFE
WELCOME
BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STUDENT SOCIETY
MICHAEL VEDEL Dear follow students. It is my greatest pleasure as president of the Student Society to welcome you to a new chapter of your life. Yes, your higher education here at AAU may acutely be the most important chapter of your life. It is in fact, during the next five years you will create your life’s network, your opinions and gain a broader understanding of how society works. You will be a part of a school with cool students whom in many ways look like you. Therefore, I will sincerely recommend joining diverse and meaningful networks. Whatever this may be; across classes, studies or faculties – one possibility could be engaging in Student Society.
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STUDY LIFE
What is Student Society Student Society is the students' organization at Aalborg University – run by students for students. We are the largest student organization with about 10.000 members and therefore, of course, a wide activity portfolio which means something for everyone! You can be a part of everything, from Friday-bar to larger parties and events, and even putting your stamp on the university through student policy. Kick-start student life right now! I am inviting you to the greatest and most awesome party: THE STUDY START PARTY! We offer delicious food followed by great music and, naturally, prices that even a live-at-home-SU can cover! It is an obvious possibility for meeting the people who, just like you, are new at Aalborg University, and you might even create networks with older students. The study start party is also an obvious possibility to join Student Society. Namely because you can save 100,- on the ticket to the greatest party of the year, if you buy a membership with your ticket, which furthermore opens a bunch of benefits. Examples include; discount on entry fees for almost every Student Society event with entry fees, 40% discount on swim and wellness at Gigantium and Nr. Sundby Svømmeland and 1½ hour of free beer from tab the last Friday of the month. You will get all this for the decent total of 250,- and your membership will last for all of your time at university. Lastly, all there is to say is that I look forward to seeing your smiling face Monday the 2nd of September for a cosy round of breakfast rolls in the dawning glow where you will meet your fellow students for the first time too. And as a good friend once said: “Always remember to have a good time”. On behalf of the Student Society
Michael Falk Vedel President
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t e k c i t r ! u t o s y u Buy id-Aug m m f ro
commencement of study party
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We look forward to seing YOU!
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STUDY LIFE
TEXT Stine Leemann
Welcome to Uni; Perhaps the most confusing, frightening, frustrating and unmanageable school time you have ever met! It will be fantastic! Your schooling so far has only scratched the surface of what you are about to study and now the doors are opening. Uni can be great, but it will also be tough. You are going to change the school rhythm you have learned since you started in first grade and it takes time. I am still trying, so my personal experience can tell you, that it is not yet done after my second semester… Sorry… My first year was tormented by several ghosts: the grade 7 I got in the first semester, the fear of the next exam, the large amount of literature and perhaps the worst of all: If I flunked! How embarrassing would it be, if I had to retake the exam?
Try it out
There is no clear checklist on how to do it all, because take a guess, it is YOUR responsibility that YOU learn something now! Part of being a university student, is that you must learn how to best acquire information yourself. There are 117+ different ways to learn, so you must try and try again until you find what works for you. My strategy, like so many others, was to reuse the attitude I have always had: 32
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”I MUST read the entire curriculum. I MUST attend all lectures. I MUST be able to memorize it all” I spent my entire second semester on stressing about everything: that I missed this lecture, that I could not remember a specific theory, that I did not read that text. My only solution was read, read, READ! But the more I stressed, the less I remembered. A little advice: You have, since you started school, been told how important it is to always get your homework done and have a perfect attendance, I am right? Do me a favour and set it aside. It is slowly getting clearer to me, how much I understand from my study, when I do not think that I MUST remember everything, because if I first start talking about this theory or that study, then I can talk for days!
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"Hey, you! So, what if I actually forget? What if I actually flunk?�. I knew you would ask, and here is my wise answer: If you don't remember, then you do not remember, and if you flunk, you have both the second and third exam attempt. It really cannot be made simpler than that. An oral exam is probably the only time (not just in your study, but in YOUR LIFE), where you should be able to respond immediately. Even for the written exams, you can always go back into the literature and read it again (or for the first time).
If your study gets difficult, you can benefit from all the different study communities! There are older students who can give you advice. There are students from your own semester who share at least one of your study frustrations. Sometimes, you may even find yourself amongst fellow students who like to "geek out" to the fullest, and there may even be food and drink of some sort. So dear freshman, I have gathered five tips for surviving Uni, so that you might be a little more prepared than I was.
GRADES Don't chase the highest grade! After all, it is just a number on a piece of paper. The hunt for the highest grade is vicious spiral which only damages yourself, so remove your focus from the numbers already. Search for knowledge instead. Do you really understand everything that is being taught? and how can you learn what you did not understand? Remember, it is your knowledge that allows you to dispute the job, not a number on a piece of paper!
STUDY TECHNIQUE Uni offers lectures, literature and exercise lessons (plus older students you can seek help from), but most are voluntary and without obligation to attend. Find out how you learn best what your line of study expects of you. It is difficult, so there is absolutely no shame in getting tips and tricks from others - The student guidance, for example, are particularly experienced in handling the workload of your line of study.
REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME OFF! This one is so important, that it should be shouted loudly through the streets of the university! No, there is nothing you MUST do! As students, we sometimes feel so much pressure which is not healthy. You MUST therefore remember to take time off once in a while! What is the purpose of reading 100 pages if you are so tired that you only remember 2 lines?
HOLD HUMORET OPPE Did you make a mistake? Great! Then you've learned something new! Did you get up late? Awesome! Then you got more sleep! Do you have a bad hair day? Then it is probably your only flaw today! So, what if there is something you do not know, that is why you go to Uni! You missed a lecture? It can (and will) happen to everyone! Entering Uni is a huge change in your everyday life, and it may seem scary, but do not let it affect your self-confidence or your mood!
ENGAGE IN STUDENT LIFE’S COMMUNITIES Now, this may sound like a bad advertisement for student activities, but it is really not. You, with your title as a student, have become part of a huge community. The communities can help you with the feeling of standing alone in a workload that may seem incomprehensible at times, and give you great experiences and friends - What are you waiting for?
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USEFUL TEAM ØST fsto@adm.aau.dk
FACILITY SUPPORT (9940) 3333
For activating your student card and much more contact Facility support via phone or directly at your local Facility Support Teams office.
Fredrik Bajers Vej 7A, room A1-101 Monday to Thursday at 8.00-15.30, Friday at 8.00-15.00 (see '6a' on the map page 66)
Selma Lagerlöfs Vej 300, room 0.1.91 at 8.00-9.00 and 12.00-13.00 (see '6b' on the map page 66)
IT SUPPORT
Support@its.aau.dk On their website is various guides to get you up to date on print and copy, mail, Wi-Fi, Software and much more.
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AAU INTERNATIONAL As a new international student at Aalborg University, you must seek out and obtain a lot of new information regarding your arrival in Denmark and your first days of study. This website will help you find the relevant and practical information you need to get started. It contains the essentials for a smooth beginning to your stay and studies in Denmark.
NEED TO TALK?
praesten@adm.aau.dk Religious or not, this is a place of more than what it seems. Here you can have a chat about everything under the sun. Aalborg University Fibigerstræde 15, room 2.233 9220 Aalborg Øst (see '7a' on the map page 66)
Studenterhuset Gl. Torv 10, room 221 9000 Aalborg (see '7b' on the map page 64)
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NUMBERS TEAM CITY fstc@adm.aau.dk
TEAM VEST fstv@adm.aau.dk
Rendsburggade 14, room 3.155 Office hours at 12-13
Fibigerstræde 4, room 35 Monday to Thursday at 8.00-15.30, friday at 8.00-15.00
(see '4a' on the map page 64)
Strandvejen 12-14, room A200 Office hours at 12-13
Nee d inte more? rnat Dow io n surv ival nal stud load guid ents Den et ’ mar k rig o life in ht h ere
(see '5' on the map page 66)
(see '4b' on the map page 64)
STUDENT GUIDANCE
studievejledning@aau.dk It is always possible to find general guidance on the student guidance website. Here you can book a personal meeting. Though after your first days of study, for more specific questions, it is your study-specific student guidance you must contact.
Fibigerstræde 10, room 2.04 9220 Aalborg Øst
(see '8' on the map page 66)
THE STUDENT SOCIETY
AGENDA redaktor@agenda.aau.dk
at Aalborg University
info@studentersamfundet.aau.dk The place that breathes life to the student years. Participate in events, communities or contribute to an awesome study environment as one of the many volunteers. Read more on the website and follow them on Facebook - to give your student years an extra spark. (see '9' on the map page 66)
The students’ magazine at AAU
Follow stories and news both from AAU and the community or get some entertainment right on your phone. The magazine is for the students and by the students. Find it in one of the stands or online and keep up to date on the Facebook page.
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FROM TO TEXT Stine Leemann
Congratulations! You have earnt the desirable student diploma, two/three years are now over, and the next step on the educational staircase is the title of university student. Or I assume that you want to study at the university, more specifically Aalborg University, when reading this Student Handbook right now *insert wink emoji*
FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO UNIVERSITY STUDENT The leap from high school to university is overwhelming, as the university is very different from high school; you are responsible for appearing at your lectures, as the teachers rarely keep an eye on your attendance or call you for conversation due to excessive absence, there are many hours of self-studying and a lot of exams. For short, you need to keep a tight rein on yourself, because you are solely responsible for your learning 36
curve. Another difference in high school and university is the difference between grades. Now you do not have to stress over a particular average in order to get into your dream education. The grade hunt must now be replaced with the desire to learn. ANYTHING ABOVE 02 IS A WASTE OF TIME It is frequently debated whether grades in the university mean something or not, because now there is no grade average you need to reach to get into an education, and there are no jobs - what I know off - that require a minimum grade to be considered as an employee. But what then? What to believe in? Does this mean that anything above 02 at the university is a waste of time? GOOD GRADES = GOOD JOB? You are taking this specific line of study because you are passionate about and interested in your subject, and hopefully you can see yourself in the profession that your education qualifies for until you retire. I would even dare to say that the grades at the Bachelors’ program have no relevance, where the grades of your Masters - if you want to study further - may have greater importance. However, not so great again, that the final grade is crucial for a good job once you graduate.
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THEORY USED IN PRACTICE The grades at the university does not reflect what opportunities you get afterwards. Instead, they reflect how well you know the material right now. At the university, you are learning the theory that you will need in practice. However, I dare say that most employers would rather see a potential employee with relevant work experience from a student job and an appropriate personality who has touched almost all grades on the scale, than an employee who has fluctuated between 10 and 12 but without previous relevant study jobs, and with personalities between employer and employee like fire and water.
BRINKMANN ON THE SIDE So, to you with the desirable student diploma. You have been released from high school’s grade-oriented iron grip. Now is the time to immerse yourself. The grades are sent out to the outskirts and all that is left behind is your own desire for knowledge. Whether you eat Goffman for breakfast and Brinkmann for dessert or just the student favorite, pasta with ketchup, then give the grade race a timeout. This is your time!
T
FAS
R FO
AK RE
B
N N FOR A M AN F F MRITE O K G P, T N VO U I EA A F U RUDENT ETCH YO B ER D H N A ST K ET .
WH
OR
HE T O T UT
G
R U O Y GIVE S I S I TH S
PA
E M TI G
H BIN T B I U R G W RADETA E
H TT
JUS
T
ER
SS DE
O A TIME
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TEXT Dianna Korshøj
WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD FOR
YOU TO LEARN?
The shift from “just” going to school to being a student at a university where big lecture halls and extensive curricula often dominate your everyday life can be a radical change. Read this article and get a little better prepared for this different way to study. Showing up for lectures and handing in a couple of minor assignments over the course of the year is no longer enough. At Aalborg University, you will encounter many different teaching methods across the different study programmes, but the responsibility for YOUR learning is now to a higher degree YOURS. There are many different ways to approach each teaching method, and even though good intentions do not always equal reality from the start-of-study period until the exams at the end of the semester, it is important to know that your time at university is not necessarily a matter of either/or. If you have already found out what the best method for you to learn is and know how to structure your time: Awesome! You should get a medal, because for most of us it takes a very long time to figure out, if we ever manage it. It may not always be possible to find the perfect solution, but it is possible to find a solution that is realistic and which 38
works for you. A report filled with As, a study-related spare-time job which paves the way for your future career, and a busy social calendar may be the dream scenario, but in the real world prioritizing is crucial. No matter how much you wish you had more time, there will never be more than 24 hours a day. The question may not be what is most important, but rather how you can achieve what you want in a satisfactory way and accept that you cannot achieve perfection. Your friends will probably not disappear because you need to spend a little extra time on your studies, and you will probably not fail if you do not manage to read the whole curriculum; it will all be okay! Assess what you have time to do. For instance, spend extra time reading up on those things that are hard for you and just skim-read those texts that are easy. You can also assess whether it is necessary to read everything before each lecture or whether it will be okay to just
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read it all thoroughly right before your exam. There are many different ways to do it, and it is important to find the method that works best for you. Some people go to extremes and opt out of everything that is not related to their studies, while others are only interested in Friday afternoon beer events and communities. But the question is whether these extremes are a choice or a lack of making a choice. On our behalf, we advise you to make an effort. A human being needs social contact and time off in order to work optimally, but if these two things are your main priority, you might want to ask yourself whether you are satisfied with your work effort during your studies, and whether you will be okay with having to repeat classes for a semester because you have failed your exams.
life that suits you. Make an effort, and remember that when you are at group work or even at your spare-time job, you are collaborating with other people, which means that it is no longer just you who can assess how much time and effort things will take; everyone needs to be satisfied. Practice makes perfect, they say, but you cannot be perfect in every regard, so make sure to prioritize and reevaluate things along the way. It can be hard, but fortunately you can often talk with your fellow students or student counseling, and the student chaplains are also good for a talk about how you can make everything come together ‌ time-wise! Any religious matters need only be found in your satisfied smile over a job well done.
I wish you all the best with your new So when you can soon call yourself a status as a university student at Aalborg university student, do it with pride. Try University. different methods and find the study 39
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UNIRUN
2019
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WE RUN FAST
WE RUN SLOW
THE RACE IS DIFFICULT
THE RACE IS EASY
WE RUN TOGETHER
WE RUN ALONE
SEE YOU. WHEN: 27/09, 2 PM WHERE: KROGHSTRÆDE 3, AALBORG
SIGN UP:
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When
the others are
alike...
TEXT Heidi Gram Wallin
”I am not like anybody, I am the odd one out”. These are lyrics from an old Danish song and the feeling is probably something we all know. We are all unique individuals who, in one way or another, set us apart. Or maybe not?
ing up alone. When I was sitting there, looking around my new fellow students, I saw that I stood out in several aspects. Almost everybody was in their start 20’s – I were 33 and with that, more than 10 years older than the average of the group. Almost all the girls had long hair and normal build – I have short hair and a few extra kilos. Furthermore, I knew I stood out concerning my lifestyle. Many of my fellow students live in student housing, some have just moved away from home – I have been living on my own for 17
“
Now i know; mostly we were all just TERRIFIED of winding up alone.
On September 3th of last year, I was looking around at the other 150 students or so in the auditorium. I felt different and noticed that I stood out from the crowd. It was my first day as a student at Aalborg University and everybody seemed to be a mix of humble and outspoken people. Now I know; mostly we were all just TERRIFIED of wind42
“
STUDY LIFE
years and now lives on a disused farm. Many were single or in fairly new relationships – I have been in a committed relationship for 5½ years and am even married. This meant, that already the first day, I could determine that the others seemed incredible alike and I seemed incredible different from them. But I tried to remember that we all were there because we loved the line of study. Now, two years later, I know that though I am different from my fellow students on the outside, I have a lot in common with each and every one of them.
“
I have realized, that my fellow students have a lot of different uses to me. Some I share professional commitment with and others I share humor. Some I share interests within our line of study and others I share hobbies. Some have become my close friends and some I still have not yet talked to. Some are so different to me that I consider it a chal-
lenge, but that is okay, for similarities are always to find, if you open up your eyes. We as students, are all part of large classes with various types of people, who coincidentally are at the same place at the same time. We must make it work, to create the best possible study environment for our time at the university. So dear new students: Face this with open arms and eyes. Face the diversity among your new fellow students with the same open mind as when you meet similarities. Be curious in your approach to the people who have just become your colleagues for the next few years. Be curious to what you can be to each other. To me, all the other students were once alike, but today I can see that I was wrong. We are all different – and with that we are alike.
We are all different – and with that we are alike. 43
COOL
STUDY LIFE
COMMU NITIES
UNI ARS
THE B
At the bars there is always fun and play. You can join the tender-community if you sign up as a bartender at one of the bars. Perfect for those who like to have a good time amongst party people. Find your local bar on Facebook: BasisBaren, Bajers Bar, Barbarian, MĂŚrkbar, Aalbar, DE-Klubben or go exploring in your study area.
STUDE N
T POL
Do you want to help assure the quality of your education? Be a part of a community where employees and students are equal and together put education as the priority.
M FORU T N E STUD Regardless of your political or personal beliefs, as a student at AAU you have the opportunity to get direct influence on what we as students stand for, in the Student Society. Show up for the Student Forum the first Monday of each month and let your opinion be heard. 44
ITICS
STUDY LIFE
UN
UNIR
Sign up a team and run 5 or 10 km alongside with fellow students at the end om September. Get your heartrate up, get something to talk about and compete for awesome prices!
EVENT CO MM
ITTEE
If you want to get your hands dirty where the magic happens, this is the place to be. Together with other creative students, YOU can create the coolest student events with the entire Student Society supporting you.
DA AGEN
Help create the news flow at the university. Your interests and abilities are your way in, and only interest and potential limits what you can be creating. Articles? translation? jokes? Pictures? sound? Grammar? - How do you want to influence the media flow?
FREE
DRAF
Almost every month, your ‘Student Society’ proof of membership allows you to attempt to empty a beer tap in ‘Gaden’. Meet new exciting people or join your study group when the Student Society invites members to one and a half hour of FREE beer.
T BEE
R
LSE... E G N I TH EVERY There are so many more cool communities in your study life, the only thing you need to do is to take the first step! 45
STUDY LIFE
AAlborg
COOL
COMMU NITIES
STUDEN T
ERHUS
The place that (almost) got it all. Here you can chill on the sofa with friends during a board game, take a cheap cup of coffee with the family in the cafĂŠ, experience a bold concert, or study for the next exam in the reading room.
SITETET
ER FOLKEUNIV
As a student at AAU, you can participate free of charge in both courses and presentations at Folkeuniversitet (you only pay for food, etc.). Become wiser or just get well entertained while saving thousands of dollars as students.
BOX TOW N Step into a creative environment and help promote food culture and sustainability in everyday life, with special focus on locally produced organic food products. BoxTown is a learning institution and event site where you can throw an event tailored to your ideas along with project managers, filmmakers, food enthusiasts and many more.
(see '15' on the map page 64)
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ET
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AND SECOND-H PILEGAARD D COINS BOOKS AN
Local bookstore for those who can be absorbed by books. The price is fair and maybe they even have your next textbook or the book you never knew that you always have been missing. Go hunting through the narrow corridors in the scent of old books as you look for hidden gems. (see '16' on the map page 64)
THE BO ARD GA Need to game or pre-party-hang? Throw the dice or shuffle the cards, because here you can be a nerd with the game you like, with something to drink or some snacks in good company.
ME CAF
É
(see '17' on the map page 64)
RE NATU Although you have moved to a big city, there are still scenic sanctuaries to find. Take a walk along the boat harbor, take a picnic in ‘Lundby krat’, a dip in the harbor pool or fire up the grill ‘Østre Anlæg’. Explore the area and find your own personal sanctuaries. (see '18', '19', '20a' & '20b' on the map page 64)
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online
COOL
COMMU NITIES FACEBOO K
‘International Aalborg’, ‘International House North Denmark', ‘Aalborg Universitet’ and ‘Studentersamfundet’ are just a few of the cool Facebook groups and pages you, as an international student, can benefit from following.
JODEL Are you Jodeler? Help resuscitate the channel @AAU, so we all can take advantage of the anonymous community, where you easily find fun, info and small talk with fellow students.
IN
LINKED
If you don't already have an account, it's time to create one. Networks create business opportunities. Connect to your fellow students and get a head start when looking for jobs. If you are not a LinkedIn shark, keep your eyes open for the next event here at AAU - There you can also learn more about what YOU can offer as a student from AAU.
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STUD IZ If you need a good student discount, do not hesitate to download Studiz. Here you can search for any type of discount, and you can find both online and local offers to make your SU coins stretch a little further.
ATE M M OO
R
FIND
If you are looking for a place to live or in need of a roommate, this site is for you. Here are available rooms and various guides to what is important to remember, when you are packed up and ready to move.
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Find us on campus September, but fol us today on Faceb through the QR-co
BREAK...
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s this llow book ode.
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HUSET I HASSERISGADE
NORDKRAFT
REBERBANSGADE
STUDENTERHUSET
JOMFRU ANE GADE
AALBORG THEATER
THE MAIN LIBRARY ØSTRE ANLÆG
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WATERFRONT
KILDEPARKEN
AALBORG
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A BIG AND WARM WELCOME THANK YOU... Thank you for choosing Aalborg as your study city. It means a lot to me to warmly welcome you. Your university experience is amazing, it is both fun, serious, cool and beautiful all at once. The university is, in a lot of ways, the best in the world and the city buzz with life, no matter if you are into culture or nature. So, look forward to getting both a strong professional profile and being part of a great community. As mayor, I work hard to make Aalborg be the best study city in Denmark. Right now, Aalborg is booming with more than 44.000 students and one in five citizens are students. That is why I dare assure you, that as well as knowledge you will find a lot of new friends. As a thanks for many students choosing Aalborg as your study city, I am proud to announce that new youth apartments are sprouting up, companies burst with now faces and the cultural life is blooming. Acutely we are the city in Denmark who builds most youth apartments, because we know the importance of good and safe accommodation during your education. I invite you to use some of the many opportunities the city has to offer you. I myself am a big fan of the many tracks to run and bike, and I enjoy being part of the many experiences the city offers. In Aalborg, we believe that everyone can do something. That is why we have a close collaboration with the business community and the university, to develop the skills of tomorrow. We have created a unique framework for starting up new businesses, and I just love meeting students from AAU, who has created an idea from a student projects to a product which can be used all over the world. Pop in at our new Startup CafĂŠ, GrowAAL, in the western part of the city, and we will help you get started.
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We are also working closely to create student jobs and internships, so that you can test your knowledge and plant the first seeds of your carrier. I hope that you get an awesome student time and enjoy living in Aalborg. We have set the framework, and you can build it up and put your touch on the city. If you want to know more about the municipality, you are welcome to visit us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Aalborg.dk/ english Best regards
Thomas Kastrup-Larsen
Mayor
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Coming to
Denmark
BY Majken Ravnkilde
Coming to Denmark as an international student can be a challenging experience to many. It is therefore a good idea to socialize and create a network with other students. Here are three international students best advice: Daniela: “My best advice would be to embrace the culture. It’s fun being an international student because we live all these adventures together. Have people who are going through the same adventure around you and have Danes wanting to be a part of that adventure as well.” Guilherme: “What helped a lot for me was going out with my friends and possibly starting to eat bacon because then I feel like a real Dane.” Anna: “What helped me was the first buddy program. Any questions I had I could just ask my buddy, so I wouldn’t get stressed of not knowing something.”
The Intercambio programme: The Intercambio Programme celebrates languages, cultures and bringing people together from across borders. The people at Intercambio believes that mastering languages is an important skill when living in a modern global society. Therefore, they host culturally themed events to give you the opportunity to practice language and make connections. Anyone can join free of charge, join at: https:// 58
www.facebook.com/groups/theintercambio/about/
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in order to meet both Here are some suggestions to where to go ts. Danish and other international studen The Buddy program: Being in a foreign country can be overwhelming in the beginning. The buddy programme can help international students settle in by teaming them up with current AAU students. Your assigned buddy will introduce you to Danish culture, provide practical information about studying and living in Aalborg as well as being your first contact person and friend. For more information contact: buddy@adm.aau.dk
Dine with a Dane: If you want to experience Danish culture ‘Dine with a Dane’ is a great event. You will get the opportunity to visit Danes and enjoy a free dinner and company in their own homes. This has given many a unique experience of local Danish culture and lasting friendships. ‘Dine with a Dane’ is organized by The University Chaplains. For more information see: www.chaplains.aau.dk or mail: praesten@adm. aau.dk.
International Night: International Night at Studenterhuset is your opportunity to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and connect with people from all over the world. At Studenterhuset they host events throughout the year, such as karaoke night. The events are hosted once a week on Wednesdays at 8PM and everyone is always welcome to join. Stay tuned by checking out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/studenterhuset.aalborg/ 59
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NEW TO AALBORG? TEXT Katrine Dethlefsen
You are not alone! Having to start a new school, moving to another city - maybe even a bigger city than the one you come from, can be a big change. BUT just calm down! Many of the people who live in Aalborg, and the students of the various studies, are some really lovely and helpful people, so it should probably work out fine. I come from a small town in Southern Jutland, where it is common to greet and talk to your neighbors. Therefore, I was worried if I would ever feel comfortable, and whether I would ever find as good friends as the ones I had back at home. Now I have lived in Aalborg for almost 3 years, and luckily the concern is turned into a great feeling of having come to a city and an institution, where you can feel right at home. Already, the first day of school I talked to a girl in my class, who now has become one of my best 60
friends. Moving to another and new city can be difficult; I thought it would be easy to keep in touch with my friends and old classmates in South Jutland, but when I finally came to Aalborg and got started with the study, I realized how difficult it actually was. The others had also started new studies, some in other cities, and some had taken sabbatical years and gone traveling. Suddenly, I stood alone and felt that everything was unmanageable. Fortunately, Aalborg University and Aalborg as a study town, are places where everything is happening. It actually made me forget how difficult it was and quickly I found new friends and other things to think about. In my experience, you can get through the whole emotional register and experience sides of yourself that you did not know existed.
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Of course, all this does not mean that you lose contact with the people back home, or that you just forget each other, but it helps being aware that it is not always as easy as you might think. The friendships you have from home can be important and rewarding when you move to a new city - they are a gift and a respite, that you will appreciate if student life becomes too overwhelming. Most studies have an abundance of social events at the start of the RUS period to bring people together. Although much happens in a short period of time, it is important to make room and be open. It may be difficult at times, but as time goes by and university life becomes everyday life, most people forget about the worries that took so much headspace in the beginning.
There are many facilities to make use of when we, as migrants, must be a part of a new city like Aalborg. One of the best advices I can give you, that you can take with you and hopefully pass on to others is: Take time to get to know the city. It's not just knowing where Jomfru Ane Gade is located, or where the awesome parties are. It is just as much about finding a place for relaxation and peace, the place you can go to be yourself. BUT at the same time, it is also a good idea finding good places to meet new people, acquire new and exciting knowledge – for instance through the Student Society's many events at the university. Let yourself be inspired by the surroundings and take the time to feel at home. Aalborg is a city with many facets and with room for all types of people.
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1. Hovedbiblioteket - The Main Library
The Main Library is located in Rendsburggade. The Main Library provides a great setting for learning, which is why many students use it for studying or doing group work, but you need to be fast, because the library quickly fills up. The library contains more than just books; it also offers old arcade games, table football, a piano and a room allocated to gaming only!
2. Nordkraft
Nordkraft is located at Kjellerups Torv, and back in the day it provided electricity for the city. Now it houses a multitude of cultural offers. Visit the Skråen music venue, which presents a wide range of stand-up, concerts and lectures, or Biffen, Nordkraft’s small cinema that shows many critically acclaimed movies. In addition to concerts and movies, Nordkraft also houses the DGI-huset sports center where you can play badminton or use the fitness center. On top of this, Nordkraft regularly hosts flea markets, food markets, free movie showings in summer and a wealth of other cool events.
3. Studenterhuset - The Student House
The Student House is located at Gammeltorv and is run by volunteers. It houses a bar, table football and an upstairs study room with space for 130 students. The Student House hosts a lot of concerts with Danish and international artists, as well as events for international students. The Student House also lends its premises to talks and presentations, and one of the University Chaplains’ offices is in this building as well.
4. The Waterfront
Within recent years, the formerly unimpressive harbor front has received a facelift, and it is now teeming with cultural offers including playgrounds, an open-air harbor bath, restaurants and comfortable seats. When the summer sun is high in the sky, it is crowded with people fishing, enjoying the view over the Limfjord, eating ice cream and taking runs. The harbor front also hosts the annual Aalborg Regatta with a wealth of beautiful ships, various concerts and other activities on land as well as on water. Aalborg Regatta is by far one of the most popular summer events – and it is free! 62
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5. Kildeparken
On your first day of study, you will be going to Aalborg Congress & Culture Center (AKKC). This is located right next to the park Kildeparken (or “Kilden”), where you will find a small pond, beautiful iron sculptures and musical trees where loudspeakers play songs by the artists who have planted them. During the last weekend of May every year, the Aalborg Carnival takes place in Kildeparken and presents an amazing line-up of artists playing concerts in this lovely park. Also note that a large number of the citizens of Aalborg celebrate Labor Day in Kildeparken on May 1, where the agenda includes various talks by select politicians, musical entertainment from a series of skilled artists, as well as proper Danish “hygge” with beer in the (hopefully) lovely spring weather.
6. Østre Anlæg
This city park is located in Ø-gadekvarteret and consists of green lawns, pretty flowerbeds and a big lake. From Østre Anlæg you will have a nice view of the bell tower of the church Sankt Markus Kirke, and the park offers you a nice oasis from the busy city life where you can enjoy nature in quiet and peaceful surroundings. As a continuation of the description of Kildeparken, it should be noted that Østre Anlæg is also a highly popular destination for many students, who take advantage of the city parks’ wonderful nature – during summer months, you will be lucky to find a vacant spot.
7. Jomfru Ane Gade
This street, also known as “the street”, branches off the pedestrian street and contains several pubs, bars and discotheques with widely different concepts in terms of décor, atmosphere and music. During weekend nights, the street is completely packed with people moving from one place to the next. It is a great place to get acquainted with your new fellow students, because it has something for everyone. Even if you just want to experience the atmosphere. Jomfru Ane Gade/“Gaden” (“The Street”)/ “Byen” (“The City”) (it goes by many names) is the most famous street in Aalborg, and if you are equipped with a slightly stronger heart for partying, this (in)famous street is the perfect spot.
8. Reberbansgade (Reberbanen)
This street has a central location and offers a wealth of eating places where you can get anything from sandwiches to Thai food and falafel. Due to the nearby location of Aalborg University Hospital Section North, as well as the many restaurants, driving in the narrow street is quite difficult. We recommend that you park your car elsewhere and walk there on foot if you want to avoid the annoying traffic.
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Vestbyen
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Centrum 21a
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Campus 1 Centre 2 West 3 East
Facility Support 4 Team City 5 Team Vest 6 Team Øst
Useful places
7 Student chaplains 8 Student counseling 9 The Student Society 10 International house North Denmark
Study facilities
11 AUB 12 Nordkraft 13 The Main Library 14 The Student House
Cool communities
15 Folkeuniversitetet 16 BoxTown 17 Pilegaard Second-hand books and coins 18 The Board Game Café
Nature
19 The Boat Harbor 20 Østre anlæg 21 City-pool 65
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