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Dear fellow student! Welcome to Aarhus University and congratulations on getting accepted to your programme! You can look forward to embarking upon a number of very special years that will change you for life. I hope that you will find that both Aarhus and the University welcome you with open arms. You will soon discover that being a university student isn’t all about reading seemingly endless amounts of text or attending long lectures held by professors in a long monotonous monologue. Being a student also involves a lot of great experiences and social activities. This Student Handbook is an attempt to compile all the various offers that are available to you, both here at the University and also in the city of Aarhus. Over the next few days you will be bombarded with information about different activities you can take part in and it can be difficult to remember it all at once so I hope that this handbook will help to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything. The older students you meet at the beginning of your time at University will have lots of advice on how to get the most out of your time as a student. If I were to give you one piece of advice, I would say that you should get involved. Get involved in your 4
local Friday bar, party committee, academic society or student political organisation. When you join a committee or society you develop a much larger network and meet people from different years and lines of study. You will soon learn that becoming involved in an organisation at University can mean that you spend most of your days and evenings here on campus. In this handbook there is also information about The Student Council. As well as being responsible for producing this handbook we also host the annual Student Fair and Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar and Sports Day. These events are organised for students, by students and aim to make your introduction to university life easier. But The Student Council is much more than this as we also represent the students’ voice at the University, the Council of Aarhus and the Danish Parliament. So if you experience a problem during your time here as a student, I encourage you to contact The Student Council as this is exactly why we are here. We believe that we stand stronger when we stand together. Good luck with your studies, Per Dalbjerg Chairman of The Student Council
Bliv medlem på ida.dk
Make it Easy BLIV MEDLEM AF IDA OG FÅ MASSER AF FORDELE I IDA bliver du en del af et stærkt fællesskab, der hjælper dig godt og grundigt igennem din studietid. Vi tilbyder bl.a. billige studieforsikringer, arrangementer på dit studiested, en attraktiv studiekonto, netværk og rådgivning. Første studieår er gratis – herefter koster det 20 kr. pr. måned.
Welcome to Aarhus, Denmark and Aarhus University! We hope you have had a pleasant journey and that you are looking forward to your stay here. In this booklet you will find essential information regarding your stay as an international students at Aarhus University (AU). Year after year Aarhus University and the International Centre (IC) welcome an increasingly large and diverse group of international students. The University believes in the growing importance of students having an international dimension in their education and is a strong supporter of international mobility, both factors the International Centre is proud to support. The International Centre maintains international partnerships and combines a wide range of services for international students, PhDs and visiting scholars, one aspect of which you are reading now. This Student Handbook, made in cooperation with The Student Council at Aarhus University, caters to both international full-degree students and exchange students and aims to make your transition from home to here as easy and pleasant as possible. With information ranging from getting to know Aarhus and understanding AU to life both at and outside of the university, this Stu-
6
dent Handbook has been produced to help you make the most of your new life in Aarhus! The International Centre is proud to be based in the Dale T. Mortensen Building, a new home dedicated for international students and named after Aarhus University’s 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. The IC acts as the central service point for all incoming international students, where you can get nonacademic guidance throughout your studies at the University. All of us at the International Centre aim to provide you with the best services we can offer and we look forward to assisting you in making this the best experience possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to visit the International Centre or to call/email us.
Sincerely, The International Centre Aarhus University
Where are we located? Aarhus University International Centre Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 4, building 1650 DK-8000 Aarhus C How can you contact us? Phone: +45 8715 0220 Fax: +45 8715 0202 Email: ic@au.dk Web: www.au.dk/ic Opening Hours Office Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 - 14:00
Telephone Hours: Monday – Thursday 09:00 - 15:00 Friday 09:00 - 14:00 Current Students Portal www.students.au.dk Facebook Aarhus University Twitter @IntCentreAU
7
smile - you're in aarhus 11 The world’s smallest big city from A to B 12 Travelling on four wheels 13 Travelling eastwards? 16 Map of the neighbourhoods how to be a real aarhusian 17 Know your Aarhus 17 You know you're from Aarhus when the city of smiles 18 Good reasons to smile about Aarhus
What is university? 22 The political and administrative structure 23 The academic structure 23 Study Methods 24 Teaching systems 24 Examinations and Registration 25 Grading Have your say 26 On your degree programme 28 At your faculty 30 At University 31 The Student Council 8
Eat, 33 36 37 38
Pray, Read Canteens Student Committees Exchange Students Promoting Aarhus New Reading Habits, Study Halls and Study Books
Fun and shenanigans 44 The Kapsejlads 45 Denmark's Largest Friday Bar and Sports Day 46 An Oasis in the Life of Any Student 46 Map 48 A Global Gathering On your own two feet 52 What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Denmark 54 When You Need Help 56 Apps for Your (Student) Life
Workaholic 59 Study Jobs and Career 60 Money and Banking 63 Danish Workplace Culture
Editor-in-Chief Helle Breth Klausen Contributing editor Helene From
Aarhus Outdoors 65 Outdoor Life 67 Green oases in Aarhus 68 Map 69 Eat, dance, drink 72 Vegetarian in Aarhus 74 Sports in Aarhus and Exercise in Aarhus Rethink Aarhus 76 Theatres 77 Museums 78 Movie Theatres 80 Culture calendar 84 Music in Aarhus 86 Student House Aarhus 87 Live Cheap
Authors Sille Kirketerp Berthelsen Sara W. Boas Jeppe Kirketerp Malene Madsen Christensen Emilie Lukman Claus Linddahl Hansen My Maya Tvarnø Thomas Schumann Helle Breth Klausen Helene From Per Dalbjerg Allan Graversen Vesterlund Michael Woodward Allan Meineche Jeppe Hvas Andersen Sigrid Carlsen Kolstrup Niels Søndergård Morten Visby Lars Skovgaard Bodil Tilma Mette Engberg-Sønderskov Laura Rasmussen Translation Mette Lyngsø Hester Callaghan Photographers Camilla Engel AU-foto: Lars Kruse, Søren Kjeldgaard, Jesper Rais, Roar Lava Paaske, Anders Trærup Visit Aarhus: Kim Wyon, Ditte Isager, Anders Hede, Morten Jac, Steffen Christensen, Claes Bach Poulsen Martin Dam Eriksen Peter Svendsen Martin Gravggaard David Overborbek Julian Loeschcke Thorsten Iversen Visit Denmark Christian Jørgensen Graphic design Thomas Illemann Sales associate Tom Poulsen
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The Student Handbook’s A-Z
Publisher Scanprint A/S Circulation 11.000 ISBN 87-87019-20-5
Studenterrådet ved Aarhus Universitet Fredrik Nielsens vej 2-4 8000 Aarhus C Telefon: 89425464 Fax: 89425474 E-mail: sr@sr.au.dk www.sr.au.dk www.facebook.com/studenterraad
10
Smile with Aarhus
The world’s smallest big city Welcome to Aarhus – the capital of Jutland, the city of smiles, the world’s smallest big city – call it what you want. All of these names cover a lot of what you need to know about Aarhus. So here is a short introduction.
tractions and a great number of festivals visit the city. It cannot be done cheaper. The beaches of Aarhus, north and south of the inner city, and all of the parks around town give you easy access to enjoy life outdoors.
The people of Aarhus consider themselves to live in the capital of Jutland because the city is the second largest in Denmark with 319,000 inhabitants. Over 44,000 students are divided among the many different educational institutions in the city. The three biggest are Aarhus University, VIA University College and the Business Academy.
But the city is more than its beaches and festival. The world’s smallest big city stands for the fact that you are surrounded by world-class cultural experiences. On your bike or by bus, you can quickly reach Aarhus Theatre, Musikhuset or Aros, which are the three biggest cultural attractions in Aarhus’ cultural scene. In addition, there are a number of venues, theatres and art galleries.
As a student in Aarhus, you are never bored. The City of Smiles has a lot of things to offer if you want to have fun. During the summer, Tivoli Friheden opens the doors to all its different at-
This introduction has only scratched the surface of what Aarhus has to offer. You can read more about the rest in this book or go out and see for yourself. Smile, you’re in Aarhus!
Smile with Aarhus
11
There are many ways to get around in Aarhus as a student. Many students cycle. There are bike paths in most areas of the city and there are many places to park your twowheeled friend. Cycling is the easiest way to get around Aarhus and most places are reachable within cycling distance. Major supermarkets such as Bilka, Kvickly and Føtex offer new, but cheap, bikes from around DKK 1,000. Alternatively, you can purchase a second-hand bike at the police auction held on the first Wednesday of every month. Another possibility is to look for a secondhand bike in newspapers such as Gul & Gratis (www.guloggratis.dk) and Den Blå Avis (www.dba.dk; in Danish only). Facebook groups and bike shops often offer a third option for finding second-hand bikes, though they are in limited supply and can be hard to come by. The Student House also rents bikes for students at DKK 650 per semester (plus a DKK 600 deposit). It is possible to rent a bicycle for a shorter period of time in Aarhus. Companies such as bikes4rent (www.bikes4rent. dk) offer special rates with student discounts. During the summer, Aarhus provides city bikes which you can use free of charge. You release the bike from the stand by depositing DKK 20, which you get back when you return the bike to one of the 58 designated parking places in the city. For further information, including a city map of 12
Smile with Aarhus
where to find parking places, please visit www.aarhusbycykel.dk. Travelling on four wheels The yellow buses are ubiquitous. The A-Lines (1A, 2A, etc.) are the main lines and leave up to every 10 minutes. Travel by bus within Aarhus is split into 4 zones and single tickets (which you can purchase on the bus for DKK 20) can be used within 2 zones for up to 2 hours. Aarhus is the only city in Denmark where passengers enter through the back door (or in the middle on bendy buses) on yellow buses and exit through the front. Buses that travel further out of the city are regional bus companies in and are usually blue. On these buses, you enter at the front and buy or show your ticket to the driver. You can save money by buying a Multiride ticket (10 rides per card) in one of the city’s many kiosks. This reduces the cost of one trip to DKK 14. If you are going to be travelling by bus everyday however, a “period card” is even cheaper. The new “Off Peak Multiride ticket” is also worth checking out as it gives a 20% discount on trips made outside rush hour. If you travel Monday - Friday between 11 and 13, Monday - Friday between 18 and 7 or on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, you would benefit from investing in an Off Peak Multiride ticket. Night buses operate on Friday and Saturday night with varying hours of operation. They are double the price
of a regular fare, which means that if you are riding with a Multiride ticket, you must stamp it twice. Be sure to check the schedule, as there are fewer bus routes at night. You can check ticket types, timetables, zone maps, etc. at www.midttrafik.dk. Alternatively, you can plan your journey at www.rejseplanen.dk where you can type in your departure location and arrival destination. Rejseplanen has also developed a mobile app, which you can download to your smartphone. If you have to get back from town and are either not in a state to cycle or have missed the night bus, you can call Aarhus Taxi at 89 48 48 48 or DanTaxi at 70 25 25 25. Travelling eastwards? If you are heading to Copenhagen you can take Linie888. It is a bus service that runs between Aarhus and Copenhagen all week. Departing from Aarhus Bus Station, you can ride to Valby in three hours and to Copenhagen Airport in three and a half hours. You can take the bus as a student from Monday – Thursday for just DKK 150. However, during peak travel times (Friday – Sunday), a student ticket is DKK 225 whilst the so-called “red tickets” for student dis-
counts of DKK 150, require travelling at slightly odd or earlier times. Alternatively you can travel by train to the capital (or elsewhere in Denmark). DSB is the Danish railway network that runs to all regions of the country. When you’re a student you can get a DSB Wildcard, which is a highly recommendable discount card available to both students and young adults. If you travel between Monday - Thursday or on Saturday, you get a 50% discount. If you travel on the busiest travel days of the week (Friday and Sunday), you get a 25% discount. A Wildcard costs DKK 185 per year. If you don’t want to invest in a Wildcard, you can keep an eye out for DSB’s cheap discount tickets, called DSB Orange. These offer large discounts but you have to be quick because these tickets become sold out very quickly. For more information about ticket prices and timetables or to book your tickets, please see DSB’s website.
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
linie888.dk dsb.dk/wildcard dsb.dk/orange aarhus-taxa.dk dantaxi.dk gomore.dk rødbillet.dk
Smile with Aarhus
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14
Smile with Aarhus
Smile with Aarhus
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1. Universitetsparken 2. Isbjerget 3. Den Gamle By 4. Mølleparken, Hovedbiblioteket 5. Godsbanen 6. ARoS 7. Rådhusparken 8. Navitas, Ingeniørhøjskolen (fra 2014) 9. Grønttorvet på Ingerslevs Boulevard 10. Tivoli Friheden
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16
Smile with Aarhus
Marselisskovene Moesgård Strand Moesgård Museum bus 18, 31
As a newcomer, you will soon come to realise that Aarhus and the people of Aarhus are special. Though it may not be realistic as a foreigner to imitate the Aarhusian dialect when you learn Danish, knowing the places and things that make Aarhus unique can sometimes be half the battle of making your new city feel like home. With this small, but important, fingertip knowledge, people will believe that you have lived here all your life!
You know you are from Aarhus when… • • • • •
You go in through the back door of the bus You know that Kurts Mor (Kurt’s mom) is an outstanding bodega You root for AGF You say ”prøliåhørhærægår” when you’re trying to make a point You think jokes about people from Aarhus are bad
4Aarhus-set = A Ceres Top Beer and an Arnbitter 4The Bazar = Bazar Vest by Gellerupparken in Brabrand 4The Spanish Stairs = The formation of stairs by Åen 4Den Permanente (The Permanent) = A beach at Riis Skov 4Spain = Can either the mean the street called “Spanien” or the public pools on the street by the same name 4Tangkrogen = A green area close to the inner city 4Åen (Aarhus River) = The boulevard by the river (Åboulevarden) Smile with Aarhus
17
”The people in Aarhus smile a whole lot more than they do in the rest of Denmark” Maybe you have just moved here and you’re only just getting to know the city. And maybe you have noticed that the people here generally smile more often than the average Danish person. Here are some reasons why people in Aarhus smile just a little bit more than in other places.
1
As something special, Aarhus has its own festival held every year in the last week of August where the city celebrates for one week. The festival has a specific theme and there are events and fun elements in every street. This is certain to bring a smile on your face – no matter if you live in Aarhus or if you have just moved here.
Foreign exchange student from Iran on her impressions of Aarhus without knowing that the city is known as “The City of Smiles”.
2
Aarhus has everything. By being positioned on the coast and with the green areas and parks, Aarhus can offer everything from a fresh sea breeze and the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees to great shopping possibilities. Everything is within biking distance and with the hilly surroundings, you are guaranteed to go downhill at least one way.
3
About a fifth of the city’s inhabitants are between the ages of 20 to 29 and the young student environment is seen everywhere. The University’s over 40,000 students also contribute to a fresh and vibrant environment that shows in the city’s cafés, bars and parks.
4
Last but not least, Aarhus Railway Station has a special feature that should be mentioned. When you arrive in Aarhus by train having dozed off and haven’t gotten off the train in time, you quickly learn – the hard way – that the train continues its journey in the opposite direction, away from the railway station. A pleasant way to indicate that you have missed your stop.
18
Smile with Aarhus
Try I T out ! www.i t-sum mer unive rsity .dk
>_gå nye veje... Når du vælger cand.it. efter din bachelor, tager du et innovativt valg. Du kan komme til at udvikle og udnytte it-teknologi inden for det område, du brænder for, hvad enten det er ledelse, kommunikation, design eller noget helt fjerde.
www.cand-it-vest.dk
It can be difficult to make heads or tails out of what a university actually is and how it differs from a high school. This section attempts to provide an overview of the characteristics of a university and the various educational programmes that it offers to help you understand your new school. The university as the institution we see today is very old indeed. Its role as society’s educational centre has roots all the way back to the 1200s. Back then, it was mainly the clergy that attended university and the main focus was on interpreting and comparing the works of Aristotle with Christian texts. The first universities were found in Bologna, Paris and later in Oxford but they have since
spread all over the globe. Today the main aims of universities are education and research. Aarhus University performs both of these tasks and has recently, with the implementation of a new strategy, added another two tasks: knowledge exchange and talent development. Today, Aarhus University comprises around 40,000 students after a number of fusions with the Engineering College of Aarhus, Aarhus School of Business, Herning Institute of Business Administration and Technology and the School of Education. The educational programmes offered by the University span over many aspects of society, from theology and molecular biology to management and engineering studies.
Aarhus University
21
The political and administrative structure As a student it can be very useful to know a little about the University’s structure and know who makes what decisions so you know where to contact if you encounter problems or want to exercise some influence!. The University Board is the highest authority at the University. The University Board consists of 11 members. There are six external members and five employees of the University. There are two spaces for students in The University Board. Heidi Klokker Andersen and Benjamin Bilde Boelsman from the Student Council were voted into these spaces by students in the Autumn 2012 election. The student members maintain their positions for one year and it is their task to represent the students’ interests and fight for their cause. The University Board’s job is to manage the University’s interests within education and research as well as establish guidelines for the organisation, long-term running and development of the University. In addition to this, it is The Board’s responsibility to decide how the University’s funds should be distributed among the various faculties and to approve the University’s budgets. Underneath The University Board
4 Arts 4 Science and Technology 4 Health 4 Business and Social Sciences
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Aarhus University
in the administrative hierarchy is the Rectorate, which consists of the University Rector, Brian Bech Nielsen, Vice Rektor, Søren E. Frandsen and the University Director, Jørgen Jørgensen. The Rectorate is in charge of the day-today running of the University, the framework of which is established by The University Board. The Rectorate, along with the Deans of the four faculties, comprises the Senior Management Team at Aarhus University. Each faculty has a Dean as its senior authority figure. The Dean is employed by the Rector and is responsible for ensuring the quality of the education, teaching and research in his or her faculty. On top of this, it is the Dean’s task to approve the curricula, which describe and define the faculty’s various educational programmes. At the institute level, the senior authority is the Institute Leader. The Institute Leader is employed by the Dean and is responsible for the daily management of the Institute. The Institute Leader must, just like the Dean, ensure the cohesion between the Institute’s teaching and research. Each education or group of educations also has a Board of Studies and a Director of Studies. The Director of Studies is a member of the Board of Studies, which is a committee consisting of an equal number of students and employees of the University. The Board of Studies is responsible for organising and developing the educational programmes. The Board of Studies is in charge of following up on evaluations and suggestions for changes to the curriculum and approving the lesson plans. It is the Board of Studies that you should write to if you wish to apply for dispensation to take an exam under different conditions or if you wish to lodge a complaint over a grade you have been given.
The academic structure Aarhus University is made up of four faculties representing their subject areas. Aarhus University is made up of the following four faculties: •
Arts
•
Science & Technology
•
Health
•
Business and Social Sciences
Each faculty contains a number of
departments, which are smaller units responsible for specific lines of study. There are twenty-seven departments and various centres of research that may be of interest to you. Teaching at Aarhus University is generally structured around lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Students are expected to take active part in the academic discussions during class. Many professors require students to make one or two oral presentations during the semester. As these presentations are prepared in groups, it is a good idea to join a study group as soon as the semester Aarhus University
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begins. As interaction and dialogue between professors and students are highly encouraged, the academic atmosphere may appear relaxed and informal for many international students. Just like any other university, Aarhus University has high academic standards and requires that international students keep up with these standards. There are number of different teaching systems found in the different faculties at Aarhus University, including AULA, CampusNet, FirstClass and Blackboard. Different faculties use different systems and it’s important that you know how to use the one relevant to you, as most communication between you and both your professor and classmates will happen within the system. Check with your programme coordinator and/or faculty to learn how to set up and use the relevant system. Danish is the primary language of instruction, but there are also a number of courses taught in English. In this case, textbooks are written in English. You should be aware that you are expected to be proficient in both oral and written English at a sufficient level for academic studies. A high level of responsibility and active participation is expected of the student. Danish university education is not a guided tour. It is up to the individual student to get the most out of what is offered.
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Aarhus University
The examination system at the Danish universities is unlike most other systems in Europe. Your final grade depends only on the official exams you complete during the semester – you are not graded for oral presentations during class, papers you submit for class, attendance and participation, or other small projects (individual or group-based). Most courses will have a single final examination. Some courses may require you to attend 75 % of all course lessons and participate actively in class. There are two different types of examinations. In the first type of examination, you sign up for a class and the lecturer will distribute a list of the books and articles you are expected to read during the semester. This will be the basis for the exam at the end of the semester. In the second type, you are expected to make your own examination syllabus and find books and articles, which are related to the academic subject in your class. The exams will be written or oral. There are five frequently used examination methods at Aarhus University. How frequently each examination form is used varies from faculty to faculty: •
Oral examination on the examination syllabus
•
Oral examination on a set subject plus the examination syllabus
•
Written examination on a topic from the examination syllabus
•
Assignment on a fixed subject (take-home exams)
•
Assignment on an optional subject (take-home exams)
Examinations may be offered in English and sometimes in German or French if students request this. This is, however, subject to the consent of the examiners involved. It is very important to register for exams in advance (or make sure that you are registered for the right examinations). In most departments, students must sign up for exams about a month after the beginning of the semester. You may not be allowed to take your exams if you fail to sign-up in due time. Check with your department for
Danish Grade
ECTS Grade
12 A 10 B 7 C 4 D 02 E 00 Fx -3 F
the examination sign-up deadline! You can sign up via the Self-service system (mit.au.dk). The examination signup procedure varies from department to department. At some departments you register automatically when you register for a course. At other departments you have to fill out a form online for each course. We encourage you to ask your coordinator, mentor or student counsellor about it to make sure you know the right procedure. The Danish grading system can be confusing to those not used to how it works. The grading system in Denmark applies to all educational institutions. This seven-point scale allows you to easily convert your Danish grades to ECTS credits according to the EU’s European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.
Definition For an excellent performance dis- playing a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. For a very good performance dis- playing a high level of command of most aspects of the relevant mate- rial, with only minor weaknesses. For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant ma- terial but also some weaknesses. For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant material but also some major weaknesses. For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance. For a performance which does not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance. For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects. Aarhus University
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At university you can make your opinions known and get involved in student life in many different ways. The Student Council has provided an overview of some of the many opportunities that you have to make a difference.
On your degree programme Student council If you want to influence anything from the physical framework to the academic content of your programme, you can get involved in your local student council. Your local student council is made up of a group of students from your degree programme that work to promote the students’ interests. This is a unique opportunity to express what elements of your degree work well and to air any frustrations you might have with your education. You are able to make a real difference working alongside other students in your programme. Your student council gives you a unique opportunity to improve your studies and to create a more pleasant study environment whilst at the same time meeting students from other stages of the degree. The Board of Studies Decisions made by The Board of Studies have great relevance for your studies. The representatives sitting on the board assess teaching evalu26
Aarhus University
ations, the programme’s overall quality as well as process applications for dispensation, merit transfer, etc. In other words, The Board of Studies is responsible for everything that goes on with your programme. The Board consists of an equal number of representatives for students and teachers/researchers so there is a great opportunity for direct influence as a student. The representatives for the students in the Board of Studies are usually elected by the Student Council and the Academic Committee as the people engaged in these student bodies usually have their finger on the pulse in terms of which matters are of importance to students. If you wish you be elected as a representative in your Board of Studies, you are expected to participate in approximately 3-5 meetings per semester. You can also be elected as a substitute, which gives you the right to join meetings and get an insight into the work that they carry out but without having the right to vote on matters. Friday bar and the Party Society Do you want to be responsible for making sure that the students on your programme have a cool and fun place to meet up each week? Or would you like to meet lots of students from different stages of your programme or also get to know some Danes? Then you should consider getting involved in your local Friday bar and influence how your Friday bars should be! You can, for example, decide which
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beers you should sell, how the Friday bar should be decorated and which events you should hold. As a member you can decide for yourself how many bar shifts you want to have. Students, who, Friday after Friday are able to enjoy lovely cold beers in good company, appreciate your efforts. Just like the Friday bar, the Party Society is an important part of the social life on campus. The extracurricular lecture societies Quite a large part of the academic life at university takes part outside of the compulsory reading and scheduled lectures. Some examples are the various extracurricular lecture societies that give you many opportunities to learn more about the topics that interest you and also give you a taste of the many other exciting subject areas that are found at the University. Most degree programmes have their own extracurricular lecture society. You can be part of ensuring that the lectures are of a high standard, making the lectures interesting for as
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Aarhus University
many students as possible, inviting guest speakers and sorting out practical things on the day.
At your faculty Academic Council The Academic Council is an advisory body for the Dean. The Academic Council processes and discusses important subjects such as the distribution of funds, the academic structure, research and education. The Academic Council consists of representatives from the research staff (professors and PhD students) as well as student representatives, all democratically elected. If you wish to influence the Dean’s decision making, which impacts the way your education and lessons are executed, you can do so through your student council by running for election to the Academic Council. There are approximately three meetings per semester.
25-ĂĽrs jubilĂŚum
studie messe den 2.-4. september kl. 10-16 aulaen, aarhus universitet
Aarhus University
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At University The Student Council The Student Council is a political student organisation that works independently of party political interests to promote the students’ conditions and interests. The Student Council is a union comprised of all students at Aarhus University and each individual student is represented in The Joint Council. The Joint Council consists of democratically elected representatives from all the institutes at Aarhus University. In The Joint Council you can work to ensure the students’ rights and general conditions at Aarhus University and at a national level. The Student Council is your connection to all of the levels where education and research are dealt with: • • •
•
On each degree programme in the form of the local student council. At University level where two student representatives sit in the University Board At the local government level where they try to influence the political agenda in the City Council especially in areas such as housing and student jobs. At the national level where they cooperate with the other Danish universities and further educations to influence the politicians in government
If you want to be involved in influencing the management of Aarhus University and in improving the conditions and rights for all students, the Student Council is the place to focus your efforts. Political student societies At the University there are many different political student societies for you to join. In these societies you can discuss politics from a party political angle, or attend talks on various societal issues. The societies 30
Aarhus University
are: Denmark’s Liberal Students, the Conservative Students and Frit Forum, which is a student organisation founded on social democratic values. On top of these three societies, Green AU participates actively in the political debates at the University and strives to make Aarhus University more environmentally sustainable. Do it yourself If you have a great idea for a project to carry out at the University you don’t necessarily have to go through one of the above-mentioned channels. If you are up for it, you can take the initiative and do it yourself. To get started you can track down the many possibilities for financial and technical support available to students at the University. You can, for example, apply for financial support at the Student Council’s Activities Fund, which aims to support academic, social or political events and societies. The party societies HUMBUG, ØF and the now traditional Kapsejlads (Regatta) in the University Park are examples of initiatives started by students. Don’t limit yourself by anything but your own imagination!
The Student Council is the students’ voice at the University and represents the various levels of the University to ensure students as much influence as possible. From the student councils at each degree programme, the Board of Studies and the Academic
Council to the Board at Aarhus University and the Danish Students’ Association, which works with student conditions on a national level, The Student Council is involved in it all.
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Eat at the University The canteens at the University are great alternatives to your packed lunch and it is often cheaper to buy food here than downtown. You might be more inclined to go to the nearest canteen but there is a difference in the price, quality and atmosphere in the different locations. Here are the ones that we suggest are worth having a visit: The Gathering Place Most students know where the Student House is and that is why Stakladen is an easy and neutral place to meet up when you have lunch plans with students from other departments at the University. A lot of employees
eat here, students work in groups here and, for a lot of people, the place exudes great memories from the different events and concerts that have taken place there. The Inexpensive One Mathematics Canteen (the cake canteen) is known for its good and solid food (and cake) and large selection at a low cost. You can get a canteencard that gives you a 10% discount on everything, which can also be used in the canteens at Physics and Chemistry. The canteen at Mathematics is also open in the evening and offers a big and delicious all-youcan-eat buffet.
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Studenterhusfonden Studenterhusfonden driver din CAFÉ på Aarhus Universitet! driver din kantine på Aarhus Universitet!
DALE’s Café Kokkene i Studenterhus-
fonden er altid behjælpe-
lige med at sammensætte
Velkommen tilogså Dale’s Café, spændende og gerne en café med plads til alle. utraditionelle menuforslag til Her serveres lækre økologiske studenterarrangementer til fornuftige kaffer, studenterpriser. fairtrade økologiske sodavand og smoothies samt flere forskellige slags specialøl. Du finder os i følgende Dukantiner: kan også få lune frisklavede sandwich eller dejlige muffins • Teologi og cookies til priser selv • Moesgaard studerende • Trøjborg har råd til. • Stakladen • DALE’s café Åbningstider: • Nobelparken Mandag-Onsdag 9.00-17.00 • Samfundsfag Torsdag-Fredag • Tandlægeskolen 9.00-24.00 • Gustav Wieds Vej 10.00-15.00 Lørdag • It-byen Åbogade Kom --og oplev universitetsstemningen It-hjørnet
i hyggelige omgivelser, i den nye Dale T. Mortensen Bygning Tjenerjobs Aarhus Universitet Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 4 Da Studenterhusfonden ofte servicerer til møder, receptioner, fester m.v. på Aarhus Universitet søges INTRO-RABAT der løbende nye medarbejder hertil. Helst personer En Café Latte, med erfaring fra servering. Cappucino eller Send din ansøgning til Varm Kakao fondens administration.
Kun 15 kr.*
Fredrik Nielsens Vej 4 •with 8000 C • Telefon 87er 15 gældende 39 10 • E-mail: studenterhusfonden@au.dk t.o.m. 15.oktober 34 Studies life Aarhus*Tilbuddet www.studenterhusfonden.dk
Studenterhusfonden driver din CAFÉ på Aarhus Universitet!
DALE’s Café Velkommen til Dale’s Café, en café med plads til alle. Her serveres lækre økologiske fairtrade kaffer, økologiske sodavand og smoothies samt flere forskellige slags specialøl. Du kan også få lune frisklavede sandwich eller dejlige muffins og cookies til priser selv studerende har råd til. Åbningstider: Mandag-Onsdag 9.00-17.00 Torsdag-Fredag 9.00-24.00 Lørdag 10.00-15.00 Kom og oplev universitetsstemningen i hyggelige omgivelser, i den nye Dale T. Mortensen Bygning Aarhus Universitet Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 4 INTRO-RABAT En Café Latte, Cappucino eller Varm Kakao
Kun 15 kr.*
*Tilbuddet er gældendeStudies t.o.m. with15.oktober life 35
Out of the ordinary The canteen at Physics has the most amazing view in all of Aarhus! The canteen at Chemistry is known for its extraordinarily delicate and beautifully served food (but it is a bit more expensive). Last but not least, you should visit the new canteen at the School of Business and Social Sciences, the Caf’inn, which has big, open rooms with modern decor.
Student Committees Reasons why you should consider joining a student committee: you meet students other than the ones at your department and it gives you a break from theories and books. You can tend to your interests while at the same time add some points to your résumé. There are a number of committees for every interest and study, small and big; some relevant to your education and some not. Keep an eye on the notice boards, flyers and the University’s conferences to find the committees and events that are relevant to you. The big student committees First of all, there are the big and broad student committees. These are committees that improve the general conditions for students and are therefore worthy of your support.
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Besides Student House Aarhus, SAMS and Studenterlauget, one of the biggest committees is The Student Council. They work hard to give the students political influence, both at Aarhus University and on a national plane. Besides that, they also offer activities like study fairs and courses. The Student Council has actually already done something for you, if you are reading this. They are the makers of The Study Calendar, the student magazine Delfinen (The Dolphin) and, along with the International Centre, this Student Handbook. Along with Aarhus University Sport, the Student Council is also behind Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar and Sports Day. The smaller student committees Aarhus University Sport, or AUS, is the official athletic association at Aarhus University. They make it easier for students to play sports and exercise. AUS is granted money from Aarhus University, which they share with independent sport clubs in Aarhus within different sports. On their homepage, you can see the different clubs they collaborate with. There are also different lecture committees like Studenterkredsen and Kakofoni. Studenterkredsen focuses on theology, philosophy, aesthetics and politics, while Kakofoni focuses more on the literary aspects. For example, they have had visits from the famous writer
The Student Council: sr.au.dk VIA DSR: viauc.dk/om-via/raad-og-udvalg/Sider/dsr.aspx Aarhus University Sport: aus.dk Aarhus Student Radio: aasr.dk Commerciel Magazine: studenterlauget.dk/index.php?id=48 The student magazine Delfinen: delfinen-magasin.dk
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Søren Ulrik Thomsen and the word juggler and rapper Per Vers. Another place where you can volunteer is at Aarhus Student Radio. You can listen on 98.7 FM where many students from Arts, Health and BSS work together to create a different kind of radio channel. They call themselves a grassroots radio station that challenges the conventions of radio. Another place where students can learn and participate actively is for the many journals and magazines. Almost every department or faculty has some sort of paper or magazine where the students are the readers as well as the writers. There are magazines such as Kandestøberen, Kontekst, UNIvers and Delfinen.
Exchange Students Promoting Aarhus Written by: Ida Hammerich Nielson; univers@au.dk Aarhus is a fantastic place to study – a message that is worth passing on to new students as well as the students of the future. A group of international AU students have a
great idea about how to brand the city – and their project has won a competition. The jury broke out in spontaneous applause when a group of international AU students presented their project in a competition about how to brand Aarhus as a student city. The group from AU won over other students from the University of Copenhagen, Aalborg University, the Technical University of Denmark and the Copenhagen Business School. Iulia Ursa from Romania reports that the victory wasn’t totally unexpected, because the group knew they had put together a really good project. The project is an idea for a new website called “InterACT with AarhUS,” which is designed for new and future students in Aarhus. The website is a virtual guide to Aarhus, pointing out the best places to have a party, go for a walk, find a good place to study and get a good cup of coffee – along with much, much more. What the students have produced is the kind of guide they needed themselves when they first arrived in Aarhus. Katharina Frick from Germany explains that when you arrive in Aarhus you get a lot of practical information about Studies with life
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your civil registration number and that kind of thing. But you don’t learn much about the city itself. The group want to help other students by sharing their own experiences. The website is also designed for international students who are wondering whether they should come and study in Aarhus – it brands Aarhus as a lively city for students from all over the world. Ambassadors for Aarhus The five students from Aarhus University took part in the competition because they are Youth Goodwill Ambassadors. Youth Goodwill Ambassadors are chosen from all over Denmark to promote both the country as a whole and the city in which they are studying. Over the course of a year the ambassadors are presented with a variety of information about Denmark. Among other things, they use social media to promote their own university cities. Iulia Ursa uses Facebook in particular. Whenever she experiences something of special interest in Aarhus, she writes about it on Facebook and as well publishes her photos of the city. This gives her network an idea of what Aarhus is like for students, she
explains. The job of Youth Goodwill Ambassador is voluntary. So why do students choose to spend their time and energy on promoting their university city? Juraj Pal from Slovakia explains that there are a variety of factors involved. The ambassadors get to hear a number of interesting presentations and meet a lot of interesting people – including business executives. And they get a large network including other international students, which can be useful not only in their studies but also in terms of their social life. The group’s website is a prototype. Read more about the project on the group’s Facebook site: InterACT with AarhUS Read more about Youth Goodwill Ambassadors at: youth.ambassadornet.dk
New Reading Habits Now that you have started at university, there is a great possibility that the amount of reading you have to do will be greater and more intense. Therefore, it is a good idea to acquire some good reading habits.
The group who won the branding competition. From the left: Maëlle Cattiaux (France), Juraj Pal (Slovakia), Jan-Cayo Fiebig (Germany), Katharina Frick (Germany), Iulia Ursa (Romania). Photo: Lars Kruse 38
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From homework to self-discipline If you just graduated high school (or an equivalent to this), you are probably used to doing homework, consisting of a certain amount of papers, exercises or reading that you know exactly when to hand in or when to have finished. At the university, there is far less structure and it is your own responsibility to read relevant materials and practice solving problems. Most teachers have a minimum amount of reading that you have to do, i.e. the curriculum. The curriculum is often divided into different themes that will be taught in class. Thus, a type of schedule with homework for the individual classes will occur automatically. Still, it is a very good idea that you structure your own reading by acquiring the relevant material as quickly as possible and also make your own elaborate reading schedule. If possible, you can even make a timetable where you determine when it is time to study and when you have time for other activities. It is highly recommended that you join study groups or establish your own. Study groups are good, not only when you are preparing for exams
The Student Council offers courses on study techniques, speed-reading and on how to improve your memory when studying. These courses are in the daytime and are offered both in spring and autumn. The International Centre also offers workshops on exam preparation, study techniques, internships and more.
but also in your everyday life. It is nice to share ideas and find support in study groups and, at the same time, your obligations to the group can help you keep your spirit up and strengthen your self-discipline. Use the study halls You are not alone. Everyone can have difficulties concentrating while reading. At home, time flies with procrastination and interruptions, so you should definitely try to use the study halls at the university. In the study halls you will find absolute silence and a common understanding that the most important thing right now is to read. This can help you focus and concentrate.
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You have access to the study halls at your own institute at all times and you can also use all the other study halls at the other institutes. Furthermore, you can use the large study hall at the State and University Library. It is open during their official opening hours. If you fall in love with a study hall outside your own institute, you need to have your study card activated as a key card at the institute in question. This allows you around-the-clock access. Study Books As a student at the University you have to go through an immense amount of reading and most of the time you have the responsibility of gaining access to the curriculum. You can buy your books new, but if you are willing to spend a little more time, there are great possibilities of acquiring the material in another way. Buying Books New Books Stakbogladen is an academic bookstore at Aarhus University. There is 40
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At scholar.google.com, you can find a lot of academic articles and some textbooks that have been uploaded for everyone to use.
always a lot of material there and it covers almost all subject areas. Stakbogladen’s main location is at the Student House but the Maths Institute has a location for scientific books. Remember your study card because there is a 10% student discount. Furthermore there are distributors at the individual institutes where it is possible to find books for your subject area. Used books The Internet is a mecca for finding used books! Pensum.dk is the most important. Here you can compare prices from the different publishers and buy used books from other students or sell books yourself. You can avoid paying the delivery fee and the wait if you go directly to the seller’s home address and pick up the books. To find study books in
other languages, Amazon.co.uk or play.com are great and have a large selection. At bookboon.com. you can, among other things, download compendiums and guidelines for free. Remember to keep an eye out for notices about books from other students at the different noticeboards in the common areas of your institute. If you do not find it necessary to own the books yourself, you can try and charm your way into borrowing the books from an older student. Be aware of which edition of the book you are to buy. Often, there is not much difference in the content, but it could be difficult to follow the curriculum because the page numbers and paragraphs are changed in the new editions. Borrowing Books Libraries As a student, it is a must to register as a borrower at the State and
University Library’s website. Once you have done this, you can order all sorts of material over the Internet that can be picked up at the library. The books are not accessible like in regular libraries but are found by the librarians in the book tower that is the landmark of the library in the middle of campus. When you are registered, you also have access to online databases of academic articles and journals, e-books, encyclopaedias and dictionaries that you can download and use. In the centre of Aarhus you will find the large, common library Hovedbiblioteket (the main library) and there are also a lot of smaller local libraries. These can be found at aakb.dk/ biblioteker. You can choose to have material sent to a local library closer to your home to make it even easier to pick it up.
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The Battle for the Golden Bedpan Every year at the end of April/beginning of May, about 15,000 students gather around the University Lake for the annual battle: The Kapsejlads (Regatta)! Already during the morning hours, the University Park looks like a festival site. Dedicated students spend the night in tents to make sure they have the best seats. There are breakfast gatherings with homemade buns, schnaps and bitters. Beer, banners and bad cell-reception are also recurring parts of the event.
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The Kapsejlads is a battle between the different party societies in the most important and significant joust of the year! It is an expanded beerbaton, including a lake, canoes and several heats, where societies like Umbilicus, Svederen and TĂ…GEKAMMERET dedicatedly fight for the trophy “The Golden Bedpanâ€?. The societies invest time, blood, sweat, tears and livers in the months preceding the battle. It is possible to spot members from the different societies practicing their techniques in the lake already in February.
Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar and Sports day It’s going DOWN in September. Down in the UNIVERSITY PARK! Friday the 13th September 2013 – yes, it sounds like a very ill-fated date but nevertheless, The Student Council at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Sports have decided to arrange a party in keeping with recent tradition! The various party committees, sports clubs and Friday bars are all participating to ensure a great atmosphere in the park and to create a day filled with sports and partying for all higher educations in Aarhus. During the day the park will be a sports mecca with tournaments, sweatbands, competitions, DJs, beers and good times. Later in the day, it’s time for the annual beer bowl-
ing tournament where the various party committees compete against each other in an intense battle of the titans. When darkness falls the music will be turned up in the big tent, the DJs in the party tent will get their vinyls out and the groovy upcoming bands will take up their positions on the smaller stage. This is a day dedicated to hanging out with old friends, new classmates, fellow competitors and study buddies. It is a day of ice cold drinks and tasty hot food, so regardless of whether the sun is shining or you have to bring your rain boots with you, it will be a true party. See you at Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar and Sports Day 2013!
Read more about Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar and Sports day at www.storfredag.dk or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/storfredag
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An Oasis in the Life of Any Student Written by UNIvers and International Centre The concept? Every Friday around midday, each department will set up a small bar in a canteen or a classroom where beer, soft drinks andmore will be served. Some bars also feature live music or incorporate themes. This concept is known at the
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Friday bar (“fredagsbar”) and it has become a major part of university life for almost all students at AU. The Friday bar Within the space of the first few days (or even the first few hours) of their careers at the University of Aarhus, students are introduced to the phenomenon of the Friday bar. For many students, the Friday bar is the focal point of student life and experience shows that you don’t need soft,
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white easy chairs or expensive and trendy lighting to create the kind of ambience that students love. All you need is a bare room like a canteen or classroom, some neon lighting, a long row of battered, mass-produced tables and some hard wooden chairs – as long as there are enough students in the room, a bit of music, and plenty of cheap beer! An idea that was simply meant to be Today Friday bars seem like an entirely Studies with life
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natural feature of the study environment at the University of Aarhus, but this was not always the case. Friday bars are actually a relatively recent phenomenon that probably originated in the 1980s. According to CAMPUS’s information, the first Friday bar was held at the Department of Economics. H.P. Myrup, a former professor and pro-rector at the University of Aarhus, was once the chairman of the canteen committee at the Department of Economics. And in this capacity he often heard students complaining that they lacked a place to meet and hold parties. H.P. Myrup couldn’t really take such complaints seriously – as a student in the late 1940s and 1950s, he was one of the pioneers of the great University parties that once attracted young people from all over the city. “I knew what it took to make a good party back in those days, and I felt that the students ought to simply sit down and find the kind of party that suited them in the 1980s. But I did give them the chance to buy cheap beer via the canteen – providing that they paid for their own live music”, explains H.P. Myrup. The result was a Friday bar for students of Economics, and the concept has been a huge success – you could almost call it an idea that was simply meant to be. The Friday bar spread like wildfire to other departments throughout the University. 48
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Finding your oasis Nowadays, Friday bars can be found all around the different Aarhus University campuses and within the different faculties. “At Friday bars you get the chance to meet your fellow students and perhaps a few teachers as well. You start to feel that you belong at the department – something that would never happen if you simply met up with a few friends at a café in town. In other words, the Friday bar is a vital aspect of any good study environment,” said Mikkel Krogsholm, former “student life spokesperson” for the Student Council. With over 20 different Friday bars to choose from, taking part will surely help make your experience at Aarhus University unique and unforgettable.
A Global Gathering Written by David Vranicar; univers@au.dk With a little imagination, a Tuesday at the Student House can feel like a bit like a gathering of the United Nations. Sure, people are hunched over beers instead of microphones, and there is far more laid-back chitchat than political banter. But as international students make their weekly trek to the Student House, with representatives from Switzerland, the United
States, Australia, Brazil and elsewhere in attendance, there is a worldly air to the proceedings. And that’s exactly the point. “I think it’s really important to have an international night here – to have a place where the internationals can go,” said Lea Kristensen, a Dane and Aarhus University grad who worked at International Night. “You can always go downtown on Saturday with four or five friends. But if you really want to meet people from all over the world, you should come here.” A midweek break International Night, which amounts to a beer-filled gathering of students from around the globe, has been going on for more than a decade. The weekly event offers a reprieve from the hassles of organising a night out (it starts at 20:00 every Tuesday) and the wallet-busting prices of a downtown bar (drinks start at around DKK 20). In addition, the International Centre organises occasional events for the weekly party – a DJ evening, for instance, or a Halloween party or St. Patrick’s Day shindig. So no, it’s not the United Nations. But it’s still a place where different nations unite. “Everyone comes here,” said Jane Mulhall, a 21-year-old exchange student from Ireland sitting at a table surrounded by students from Australia and the U.S. “You’re guaranteed people are going to be here on Tuesday, so you come.
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But at home, on a Saturday or whatever, you have to arrange to go out with people. But everyone just comes here.” A place to get together While International Night officially starts in the upstairs bar of the Student House, students tend to migrate to the downstairs bar by night’s end. That’s where Conradin Coviezel, a quad-lingual Swiss student, found himself. “For me, I just come to see the other guys on a regular basis,” said Coviezel, who was celebrating his birthday with a handful of Germans and Australians. “You have some chill-out time, hang out a bit. Nothing spectacular, you know. After class everybody has an appointment, and you have to be somewhere. And we all study different subjects, so we can’t meet at class. But we can always meet here.”
Who: Both international and Danish students What: A place to meet and socialise When: 8 pm every Tuesday Where Student House Aarhus, Nrd. Ringgade 3 Additional information about International Night and other events can be found at the Student House website www.studenterhusaarhus.dk
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What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Denmark Written by Ruben Engrob Nielsen; univers@au.dk In August 2013, more than 1000 new international students will be arriving at Aarhus University. But the city, their degree programmes and the Danes will all be new to them. So to help them feel more at home here, UNIvers has asked a couple of international students who have now grown accustomed to the city to give the newcomers a few tips: what to do in the city, life at the university, and what the Danes are really like behind their occasionally reserved exterior.
Henry Eddins, Kansas City, Cognitive Semiotics Has been in Aarhus since August 2012 and thinks it’s a bit hard to find your way around European cities. What do you wish you had known before starting at Aarhus University? “It’s an interesting environment here at the university. The education system in the States is a bit different. In essence, only the exams count toward the final grade. As a result of that the importance students give to their projects throughout the semester can vary. I’m very used to having homework assignments every night, quizzes every week, tests every month and so on. It was a strange change to get used to and now I have to be a lot more accountable to myself rather than to the courses. As long as you do use your free time for some studying you will be alright. I’ve come to enjoy it. It creates a different breed of student, meaning they succeed because they are putting an effort into studying, and not because someone is watching over them. A little push is always good, but I’m definitely seeing the merits of the Danish system.” … about the cultural life of Aarhus?
Henry Eddins. Photo: Anders Trærup 52
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“I wish I’d had some sort of guide to cheap culture here. You can’t really go out and go to a restaurant like you would in the States. Here it’s exponentially more expensive than eating
at home. I know there are some neat spots here and there, but even just getting used to the layout of the city was a total pain. It would be nice to have some way of finding the cheap spots to go and do something other than study, sleep and drink.” … about the Danes? “Danes are very reserved in public, but very open in private. I’ve not had a bad interaction with a Dane when I’ve been talking with them one on one. Even if we are arguing it’s still a very pleasant interaction and I love that about the Danes. But there’s almost no eye contact in public from what I’m used to, there’s no small talk or pleasantries when you’re on the bus or waiting in line. Everyone is in their own private mode. I would recommend that any international student get to know some Danish people. If you don’t try a little you end up just hanging out in your international club and you miss the chance of exploring the city with some people who actually know it. To get a taste of the culture here and the holidays – whatever that holiday was recently where someone hid in a flock of geese and on that day you eat a duck for some reason – you need to learn that from Danes. To get to know the Danes you have to find the crack in their armour and open it up. Find the path of least resistance; find the Danish people in your life that you interact with on a regular basis and pick their brains, though it can be really difficult.” … about campus? “There are some nice places around campus. Dale’s Café and the student bar are really nice. Also I would advise international students to go and explore different canteens to eat at. Even just for the remote possibility that you’ll meet somebody new. Exploring the campus as well as the city are two things I can’t recommend highly enough.”
Vera Stelkins. Photo: Jesper Rais
Vera Stelkins, Munich, Consumer Affairs Has been in Aarhus since August 2012 and hasn’t had a bad experience with any Danes. What do you wish you had known before starting at Aarhus University? “I was actually really satisfied with the information I got from the university. I’ve done an exchange before in Canada and the information was horrible. This time everything from housing to classes and exams was organised.” … about the Danes? “We have a joke among exchange students that you must make Danes drunk to make them talk. It’s quite funny to see that after just a few beers the Danes, who don’t talk to you under normal circumstances, really start talking. Their behaviour changes totally. I kind of like that the Danes are not that into small talk, though. People are a bit more serious here, but also more honest.” … about studying in Denmark? “At Aarhus University it seems more acceptable to have your own Studies with life
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Dos: 4 Go to the Friday bars – you will get to know many Danes. 4 Learn to play their games – Danes love to play Bezzerwizzer, table tennis, football and all their drinking games. 4 Get out and participate as much as you can in the culture. 4 Get used to the kroner. 4 Get a bike. Otherwise you’re at the mercy of the late night bus. 4 Challenge Danes to speak to you. Don’ts: 4 Don’t small talk – it won’t work. 4 Don’t miss the introduction week or the parties at your hall of residence. 4 Don’t expect to get to know Danes without making an effort. 4 Don’t complain about the rain.
thoughts about the theories you study and you don’t just learn by heart. You can really contradict the professors if you think you have something to contribute. I think it would be nice for new students to know that there can be big differences in teaching and examination styles from what you’re used to. We always apply the theory to cases here, whereas in Germany it’s pure theory and I really like the style here. If you want more out of your stay than just the social life you need to show up in class, be active and go into discussions with the professors.” … about places in Aarhus? “There are some nice places around Mejlgade and Graven. I also really like Løve’s Bog- og VinCafé and the rainbow on top of Aros. It’s cool. I can also recommend walking on the beach and round the harbour.” 54
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In Need of Help? Sometimes, studying at university can be tough. Many students experience having problems with motivation, loneliness, their own well-being, fear of exams or academic doubts during their time of study. But there are a lot of other things that can affect your studying; it could be illness, mental issues, bullying, heartbreak, a death in the family or other personal issues that can take up space and remove focus from your studying. Perhaps you are considering changing your major, dropping out or taking leave. If you are having problems, you can start by going to the study counsellors affiliated with your faculty. You can also go to the University’s common guidance centre, the Information Centre. Here, you can receive overall help with practical things, but also guidance and, if necessary, they can refer you to a place where you can get the help you need. On the other side you will find information on some of the many possibilities you have as a student for free and anonymous help.
4 The Information Centre, building 1448, Phone 8715 0720. 4 The Student Chaplains, The Student House, Phone 6020 2640. 4 The Student Council’s Legal Aid, The Student House, Phone 8715 3878. 4 Student counselling, Ryesgade 23, Phone 7026 7500. At www.trivsel.au.dk you can book a conversation or chat anonymously and also find information and links on in-house and external places of aid.
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► AU F ind “Oh no. Building 1312, R – What? oom 732 ” AU Fin d helps your wa you find y aroun d A arhus U sity niver-
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Har du en god og billig studieforsikring? – Det har vi Er du medlem af DM, eller overvejer du at blive det? DM tilbyder Danmarks bedste studieforsikring hos Lærerstandens Brandforsikring. BLIV TRYG OG SIKKER MED EN: • Indbo- og ansvarsforsikring
BLIV MEDLEM INDEN 01.11.2013 OG VIND ET ÅRS STUDIEFORSIKRING
DM.DK/STUDERENDE
• Rejseforsikring Verden • Ulykkesforsikring LÆRERSTANDENS BRANDFORSIKRING – en del af LB Forsikring
DM (Dansk Magisterforening) er en fagforening med 43.000 medlemmer inden for humaniora, naturvidenskab, samfundsfag og sundhedsvidenskab. Flere end 12.000 er studerende, og det koster kun 22 kroner om måneden for landets mest begavede studiemedlemskab.
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Study Jobs and Career A lot of students choose to have a job while studying. As a foreign student following a higher educational programme, you are allowed to work 37 hours per week (EU & Nordic citizens) or 15 hours per week (other foreign citizens), as well as full-time during the months of June, July and August. Work authorisation is granted when you apply for a residence permit/ certificate. If you are a Nordic citizen, you can work without a permit. If you want to find a job, you can choose to look for an academically relevant job that offers experience and a network. You can also choose to do something completely different – work as a wait-
er, shop assistant, nursery assistant, etc. No matter what you find, it gives you experience, it looks good on your CV and last but not least, it supplements your financial stability. All residents of Denmark, as well as people staying in Denmark for more than six months, are fully liable to taxation. This means that any income earned in Denmark is subject to taxation in Denmark. Any income earned in another country is subject to tax in that particular country. Denmark has entered into double taxation agreements with a number of countries in order to avoid tax being paid on the same income in both countries. Prior to departure, you should contact the
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local tax authorities in your home country to settle this matter. As soon as you arrive in Denmark and accept employment, you must contact the local tax authorities in your municipality. They will issue an electronic tax card, which your employer needs in order to calculate your taxes. The Danish tax rules are quite complicated to it is important that you talk to the local tax administration before taking up work. If you do not have an electronic tax card, your employer must withhold 60% of your salary. Career Days is a nationwide job fair where different companies meet students and graduates to create a network, offer study jobs and help students find internships. A lot of student societies set up their own Career Fairs where relevant organisations and enterprises visit and talk about their work place. Every year, in the beginning of the Autumn Semester, the Student Council has a Study Fair – this year, it is the 2nd through 4th September. This fair assembles unions, enterprises and organisations and has many offers for students, contests and much more.
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jobs: 4 jobbank.au.dk 4 studiejob.dk 4 moment.dk 4 ungarbejde.dk
If you are interested in working with innovation and entrepreneurship, you have a lot of possibilities. Aarhus University offers, among other things, StudentervĂŚksthus Aarhus and STARTit, which are places for academic sparring and development of ideas for Friday bars. Other initiatives in Aarhus are the KaosPilots, VIDEA and LadiesFirst.
Money and Banking Living expenses for the average student in Aarhus are estimated at DKK 5,000 per month, including travel expenses. However, expenses vary depending on your own spending habits and your living situation. The price of housing, food, transport and leisure activities are relatively high in Denmark in comparison with many other countries. However, salaries are also relatively high, and many services such as medical treatment
Så få dig et spændende studiejob i hjertet af Aarhus. Bliv en del af et ungt salgsteam med et ekstremt stærkt socialt sammenhold. en med Scan kod g mød mobilen o ollegaer dine nye k o! ide på vores v
studiejobiaarhus.dk · telefon 8620 6969
director.dk
trænger du til noget at rive i?
and schools are paid for via taxes and the Danish welfare system. Danish Bank Account All banks require a CPR number to open a bank account. You will need to bring photo ID in order to open a bank account and it is also wise to bring your admission letter along, confirming your student status. Once you have opened a Danish bank account, you will be able to have your rent as well as other similar payments debited from your account automatically – this is called PBS. You can also then handle your finances via Internet banking, which is the most common and cheapest way to bank in Denmark. Debit and Credit Cards Dankort is the most widely used debit card in Denmark, but it is only available for international students once you are working in Denmark. However, all major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Euro Card and Diner’s Club are widely accepted in large stores, international chains and cash machines. Smaller stores, cafés and University canteens may not accept a foreign card so having a Danish bank account will help. However, as you will be initially issued a Danish Visa/Mastercard and not the Dan-
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ish Dankort, these cards will still not be accepted in all stores. Therefore be prepared to pay in cash in some places. International Bank Cards Denmark, like the majority of Europe, issues credit and debit cards with chips. Therefore, in order to use a bank card in Denmark, whether charging to the card directly or withdrawing money from a cash dispenser, you need to have a pincode in order to use it. If your bank card only has the magnetic strip or you usually sign in order to use the card, you will only be able to use it in Denmark if you have a pincode. If you do not, you will not be able to use the card in Denmark, so please make sure you check this before you arrive and contact your bank/credit card company if necessary. Also, be aware of transaction fees if using a foreign card. Travellers Cheques It is really easy to convert travellers cheques in Denmark but it might be an expensive option as there is a substantial fee for cashing them. Most international students only use travellers cheques to open a Danish bank account as personal cheques are not accepted in Denmark.
NEM ID NemID is a Danish Internet security system that allows you to access Internet banking, public authority and private websites, all using the same Internet ID. Many students first set this up when they register for a Danish bank account, but you will receive a letter through the post once you have a CPR number inviting you to create a NemID. Your NemID is compromised of a user ID, password and code card. For more information check the website www.nemid.nu
Danish Workplace Culture Written by InterResource Understanding the Danish workplace culture is one of the key issues you need to be aware of when you apply for a job, prepare for an interview or start your career in Denmark. Here is an introduction to what working in a Danish organisation is about. Independence is the key In a Danish workplace it is expected that you take initiatives and work independently. The working culture is very open and your boss is not always checking on you, what you
are doing or giving you tasks. You are expected to figure things out for yourself and work independently. Of course, you will always receive sparring from your colleagues and from your boss, but you will always have your own responsibilities and autonomy at the workplace. Open dialogue Most Danish companies have a flat structure where there is short distance between managers and workers. Everyone has the opportunity to share their opinions and offer suggestions. However, your boss still makes all the final decisions but his/her door is open to all employees at any time. Danes are on first name basis with all their colleagues and even their superiors. As a student worker or intern, you are also expected to use first names, just as others will refer to you by your first name. Titles are rarely used. Danish language Even though the majority of Danes are fluent in English, and many organizations have English as a corporate language, the lunch breaks and small talk within the company are always in Danish. You may feel isolated if your colleagues are talking Danish and forgetting to switch to Life outside of studies
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To sign up for tuition at Lærdansk Aarhus you must • Have a permanent address in Denmark • Have a residence permit and a CPR-number • Have a yellow health insurance card (with magnetic stripe) • Referral for Danish classes If you wish to sign up for Danish classes, you must get a referral for Danish Classes (henvisning til danskuddannelse) from Jobcenter Aarhus. •
You can get that by sending an e-mail to Jobcenter Aarhus: jobcenter@aarhus.dk Important: The subject line must read: ”Tove Herlev Wulff Sørensen, Job & Integration.” You can go there in person. Jobcenter Aarhus is situated at Værkmestergade 3-5 (Behind
• •
English. Sometimes they might forget that you are there and you will need to remind them. Learning Danish and being able to understand the basic conversations is very important in order for you to feel more integrated. Moreover, by learning and speaking Danish, you show interest and appreciation for the Danish culture. Social activities in the workplace Danish people are often involved in social activities at work. Most companies have a set calendar of social events to which everyone is invited. Such events could consist of Christmas parties, summer outings, cake on Fridays, etc. and almost everyone participates in these events. As much as Danes prioritise and appreciate social activities at work, they tend to keep their work life and their own social life separate. In many 64
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•
Bruuns Galleri and the Train station). You can also call Jobcenter Aarhus at one of these three numbers:+ 45 2452 5106 or + 45 4185 4774 or + 45 8940 3305
• Jobcenter Aarhus' office hours are: Monday to Friday: 9 - 14 and Thursday: 9 - 17.
When Lærdansk receives the referral from Jobcenter Aarhus you will be contacted in order to start your Danish classes. If you do not live in Aarhus, you should contact a caseworker in your home municipality to get a referral to Lærdansk Aarhus. If you work in Denmark but live in another EU-country you should contact the municipality where you work. See facebook.com/laerdanskaarhus for more.
workplaces, it’s not so common to be close friends with colleagues and to socialize with them outside working hours. Danes tend to leave work and go home to spend time with family and friends. To sum up, here is a list of things you should remember for your first working day in a Danish company: • • • •
•
Informal tone: Everybody is addressed with the informal “you” Discussion and debate: Everybody is expected to participate/ contribute Take part in social activities at work and be part of the team Independency: Show initiative and independent thinking and don’t sit down and wait for tasks Language: Learn Danish
Forests and beaches If you sometimes need to get away from your homework and the noise of the city, you should go looking for some peace and fresh air outdoors. Whether you need somewhere to go for a run, find your next date or make a fire and sleep in a shelter for the weekend, there are a lot of areas of natural beauty right where you live.
inner city. This beach has a popular winter swimming club, if you are into that. If you want to make a little trip out of it, grab your bicycle and go a couple of kilometres outside of town where there are a couple of great beaches. Åkrogen is, among other things, known to be a great place for windsurfing and has been named one of the seven best beaches in the world by a Canadian Newspaper. In
Beaches If you love relaxing with the sun, sand and water, you should bring your new fellow students to one of the lovely beaches in Aarhus. Den Permanente (the permanent) is closest to the 4 Den Permanente – Aarhus C → Bus 17 and 20 4 Åkrogen – Aarhus N (Risskov) → Bus 20 4 Moesgård Strand – Aarhus S (Højbjerg) → Bus 18
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4 Riis Skov – Aarhus C → Bus 17 and 20 4 Brabrand Sø – Aarhus V (Brabrand) → Bus 12 4 Marselisskovene – Aarhus S (Højbjerg) → Bus 18, 19 og 20
the other end of Aarhus you will find Moesgaard Beach, which is very family friendly and surrounded by beautiful nature. Nature If you love getting lost in nature, go to Riis Skov, which is the most visited forest in Europe. Here, it can be very difficult to avoid runners and dogwalkers. On the other hand, the forest is situated along the coast with a gorgeous view of the ocean, making it is possible to not only enjoy the forest and its features, but also go to the beach and go for a swim. There are ideal running conditions and there 66
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are a lot of different outdoor events throughout the year. But be aware; in May, the whole forest stinks of onion because the wild garlic is blossoming! If you need a little exercise, you should go to Brabrand Lake. It is surrounded by Brabrand Stien (the Brabrand path) which is a great route for cycling, skating, running and walking. If you follow the path around the lake, you will get to the banks of the lake; walk through forest and alongside fields. Benches are conveniently placed along the path where you can relax and enjoy the view. It is also possible to go canoeing and spend the night in shelters. The water of the lake is unfortunately not very clean so swimming is not advised. The Marselis Forests consist of many smaller forests that are spread along the coast south of Aarhus.
Closest to Aarhus is Marselisborg Deer Park where you can feed the sika and deer, hear them roar in autumn and look at the wild boars all year. In the Marselis Forests there are also great conditions for mountain biking and sleeping in shelters. Tip: You can find out more about the wonderful spots of nature in Aarhus at FriluftslivAarhus.dk, where there also is a review of shelters, places for bonfire, hiking routes, running routes and more.
Green Oases in Aarhus The sun is shining, the weather is gorgeous and you want to sunbathe, grill and hang out with your friends. In this situation you should feel very lucky that you are living in Aarhus as this city is brimming with lovely parks that are just begging for you to relax and play in them – the botanical gardens, the University Park, Riis Skov and the City Hall park, just to name. The Botanical Gardens is one of the
city’s largest and oldest parks and is especially popular during the summer when citizens of Aarhus flock to its midst to grill and relax. The park is also home to approximately 6,000 different plants, which makes it even more worth a visit for people with green thumbs. The University Park is the green heart of AU’s campus and is the location of many memorable annual events, such as the Kapsejlads and Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar. The park is also a favourite escape for students between classes. Riis Skov is the name of the wooded area just north of the harbour. The hilly terrain and the well-connected system of paths makes Riis Skov a true favourite amongst the many runners of the city. The park near City Hall is in the centre of the city. This small park is surrounded by throng of life on all sides but is still very popular amongst residents who use it for sunbathing, picnics and getting a break from the stresses of city living.
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Cafés, Bars and Nightlife - Eat, Dance, Drink
► Globen Flakket Åboulevarden 18, 8000 Aarhus C Globen Flakket is a cosy café at the corner of the river by Skolegade. The café is especially known for its cake buffet for only DKK 35 every afternoon. So if your grandmother is visiting, it would be a good idea to take her here and have some apple pie and a cup of coffee to end a lovely day – maybe after a trip to “Den Gamle By” (The Old Town). Furthermore, Globen Flakket also serves brunch, lunch and dinner. ► Dale's Cafe
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 4, 8000 Aarhus C If you are meeting up with your study group, Dale’s Café is the perfect
place. The café is situated by the International Centre and has free WiFi. For a small amount, you can buy sandwiches, great cakes and quality coffees. Furthermore, the café has a wide selection of beer.
► Café Stiften Banegårdspladsen 11, 8000 Aarhus C Café Stiften is a healthy café in the heart of Aarhus that offers delicious salads, freshly squeezed juice and tasty smoothies. If you need a break from your shopping spree or need a good time with your friend, Stiften is the perfect place to do so. ► Løve's Bog- og VinCafé Nørregade 32 , 8000 Aarhus C Løve’s is a café for literature lovers and wine appreciators. Along the walls there are bookcases filled with books on everything from philosophy Life outside of studies
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and politics to the classics. The café has a concept called “buy a book and have a free cup of coffee”. Every Sunday they invite you in for an afternoon in the company of a famous Danish writer. Furthermore, they have jazz nights, poetry cafés and other literary events quite often. At Løve’s you can sample more than 50 different kinds of wine. If you want to throw a birthday party, bachelor party or just a celebration, Løve’s gladly sets up lectures on wine and wine tasting.
► Restaurant Soja 2 Vestergade 36, 8000 Aarhus C Soja 2 is a Japanese restaurant with tasty Japanese and Chinese dishes. It is especially known for its top-quality running sushi with fresh products and beautiful details. Furthermore, the menu offers various wok dishes, spring rolls and an amazing chicken dumpling. ► Café Faust Åboulevarden 38, 8000 Aarhus C Faust is a nice café by the river. In the daytime it offers great sandwiches, pasta dishes and the highly recommended Faust Burger. In the evening, the lounge vibe takes over as the beautiful and colourful cocktails are served. Take your friends by the hand and begin your night out with a Strawberry Daiquiri at Faust! ► Cross Café og Restaurant Åboulevarden 66, 8000 Aarhus C Cross Café is in the heart of Aarhus and serves brunch, lunch and a 3-course dinner. The atmosphere is cosy and the mood of the place is great. In the summer, they have tables and chairs outside by the river, much coveted by people of all ages.
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► Sharks Pool Hall & Diner Frederiksgade 25, 8000 Aarhus C (in building above Busgaden) If you are a pool shark or if you are looking for the perfect place to begin a night out with the gang, Sharks is the place. The restaurant serves delicious burgers and milkshakes in American style diner-like surroundings. You should try a New York Hang Over or challenge yourself with a 400-gram beef in a Las Vegas Allin. After your stomach is satisfied, you can retreat to the playing area for a pool tournament or a game of foosball and a couple of beers. ► Bodegaen Åboulevarden 33, 8000 Aarhus C Bodega is a place with cheap beer, a great atmosphere and an authentic pub feel. The place is often filled when the Friday bars close and the students are drawn to Bodega’s big draught beer for DKK 25 or 10 shots for DKK 100. Spend your night out with the dice cups or by the foosball table with a Jägerbomb in your hand! ►Sherlock Holmes
Frederiksgade 76, 8000 Aarhus C Sherlock Holmes is an authentic English pub where the bartenders wear white shirts and bowties. They have live music five nights a week and probably the biggest smoking room in the entire city. On Mondays you can test your trivia knowledge in a pub quiz and on Thursdays you can win a free shot by doing karaoke. If your favourite sports team is playing or if you need a break from the books, stop by for sports night with games on the big screen.
► Herr Bartels
Åboulevarden 46, 8000 Aarhus C. Herr Bartels is a very popular cocktail bar and is known for its tasty cocktails at manageable prices. The drink menu changes every six months so there is always a new cocktail to try. It is a good idea to arrive early because Herr Bartels quickly fills up with young people ready to party. Every Thursday there are two cocktails for the price of one, so you have to hurry to get a table!
► Shen Mao
Sct. Clemenstorv 17 kld., 8000 Aarhus C Shen Mao is a night club situated just below Clemens Bridge. If you are looking for an alternative night out, Shen Mao is the place and is known for being the ping-pong bar. This is the only place in town where you can flirt or enjoy a cold beer in the rough surroundings while beating your friends at a game of table tennis!
► Ris Ras Filliongongong
Mejlgade 24, 8000 Aarhus C In the crooked streets of the Latin Quarter you will find Ris Ras, which can be seen as the living room of Mejlgade. The atmosphere is relaxed and you instantly feel at home in the upholstered sofas and armchairs. Enjoy a nice cup of coffee or an exciting beer from their wide selection while smok-
ing on a hookah.
► Fidel's
Åboulevarden 25, 8000 Aarhus C. Fidel’s is a modern and exclusive cocktail bar by the river, where the Latin music creates a lounge-like feel. The very professional staff comes from all around the world and the bartenders have their hearts in the right place when it comes to cocktails and drinks. They pay a lot of attention to detail and have respect for the different ingredients. At Fidel’s you don’t just get a drink; you get a cocktail with heart!
► ZenZa
Åboulevarden 30, 8000 Aarhus C Neon lights, cocktails and DJs. At Zenza the scene is set for partying! Zenza is decorated in a unique, feminine style and offers a variety of cocktails. People flirt in the corners and dance on the floors in the sassiest nightclub in Aarhus!
► Slap Af
Studsgade 8, 8000 Aarhus C. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, you will find Slap Af (meaning “relax” in Danish). The very cosy café in the daytime is transformed in the evening into a nightclub with DJs and exotic drinks. Have a Blackberry Daiquiri or a Raspberry Mojito while you enjoy the nice and relaxed lounge atmosphere. Life outside of studies
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► Bernhardt
Store Torv 3, kld., 8000 Aarhus C. Bernhardt is a sizzling nightclub in the heart of the “City of Smiles” and anyone who loves to party also loves this place! The large rooms create a very special atmosphere. Let yourself go on the dance floor to the loud music or enjoy a drink in good company on the many lounge sofas. As they say: “The atmosphere is an experience in itself!”
Vegetarian in Aarhus Whether you are a declared vegetarian or just occasionally enjoy eating vegetarian food, there are great possibilities for having a delicious meal in Aarhus. Café Gaya is a vegetarian cafe in Vestergade with very cosy surroundings and shares space with Filosiske Boghandel (philosophical bookstore). The café is known for its large weekend brunch buffet but it also offers an exciting choice of food and drinks. Aarhus’ other 100 percent vegetarian café is called Råbar and it is situated just behind Voxhall. At Råbar, all the dishes are vegan, raw food and very healthy. The two cafés serve organic food only. Additionally, a lot of restaurants serve delicious vegetarian dishes. Mo &
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Fro makes really tasty vegetarian sandwiches and salads (and soups in winter). The two Indian restaurants in Aarhus, Pearl India and Indian Curry House also have a great selection of vegetarian food. Café Kaffegal and Restaurant Gyngen also have several “green” dishes on their menu. If you feel like having a more untraditional food experience, Folkekøkkenet på Trøjborg is highly recommended. Volunteers cook a delicious – and free – vegetarian meal every Sunday. It is expected that everyone helps out during the event where there also will be entertainment of different varieties. Check out the website for additional information: trojborg-beboerhus.dk/folkekokken
4 Café Gaya, Vestergade 43, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Råbar, Vester Allé 15, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Mo & Fro, Borggade 16, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Pearl India, Fredensgade 46, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Indian Curry House, Vester Allé 18, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Café Kaffegal, Nørregade 40, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Restaurant Gyngen, Mejlgade 53, 8000 Aarhus C 4 Folkekøkkenet på Trøjborg, Trøjborg Beboerhus, Tordenskjoldsgade 31, 8200 Aarhus N
the best basketball team in Denmark these days and they are also from Aarhus. They play at the VejlbyRisskov sports centre, which can hold a crowd of 1,800. Here, it is even cheaper to buy a ticket costing as low as DKK 30 depending on the match. Prices and popularity are connected in the sports world of Aarhus, which also has Jydsk Væddeløbsbane (The Racing Track of Jutland), where it is possible to legally bet on animals.
Sports in Aarhus The main sports team in Aarhus is the football club AGF. Even though the team’s results may vary, it has always been the rallying point for sports in Aarhus. The club is often referred to as GF or the Whites because of their white shirts. They play at NRGI Park, which can hold a crowd of 20,000, meaning it should be possible to get a ticket for their home matches. Tickets cost around DKK 80 with a student discount. Another sports team is Århus Handball, which resides next to NRGI Park at the NRGI Arena. The Arena can hold a crowd of 2,500. The club was formed in 2001 by several handball clubs in Aarhus who joined forces to have a team at the elite level. As a student, you only have to pay DKK 50 for a home match. Bakken Bears is, without a doubt,
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Exercise in Aarhus It is not enough only to exercise your brain, you also need to keep your body up to speed! You have great options for this in Aarhus where the offers line up. There is, of course, the classic option of going to a gym like fitness dk or Fitness World, but there are also alternatives to this. If you are looking for a gym, Aarhus University Sport is a great place. For only DKK 950 a year you can exercise in their well-equipped gym whenever you want. Another option is a new trend in exercising: Crossfit, which improves your strength and physical condition. Aarhus Crossfit, located at the harbour, is a place where there are both beginner and advanced classes. There are also outdoor places for exercise in the different parks and forests, which are open to the public. There are simple machines and equipment where you can keep in shape before indulging in unhealthy activities. There are ten in total, found in places like Riis Skov, Mindeparken, Tangkrogen and by Læssøesgade. An alternative to the gyms could be the public swimming pool “Spanien”, which was recently renovated. They also have a wellness bath along with a swimming pool. For the swimming enthusiasts, there are also several winter bathing clubs in Aarhus.
CULTURAL MECCA AAHUS Aarhus is a city with many possibilities for spending a night at the thea-
tre or an afternoon in the museum. Even if you are on a tight budget there are a lot of different offers at reasonable prices.
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As a student, you can get cheap tickets at most of the theatres in Aarhus. Here are four examples of theatres with favourable prices.
Svalegangen
DKK 95 (DKK 40)
At Svalegangen you can see both the theatre’s own plays and also shows on tour. The theatre is also home to the small stage Off The Record where there is a show, live music or other events every Thursday for only DKK 40.
Gruppe 38
DKK 50
Even though the shows are for children, they can be fun for adults. The style here is quirky and humorous. Good stories are told in way that carries you away.
Aarhus Theatre
DKK 142,50 – DKK 405
Aarhus Theatre is known for their big productions of musicals, theatre concerts, etc. As a student, you can experience the theatre’s shows at half price Monday to Thursday.
Katapult
DKK 75
Katapult is located at Godsbanen in Aarhus and offers everything from theatre to stand up.
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When you are a student, the ticket prices at many of the museums in Aarhus are quite cheap. It is also a good idea to buy a season ticket most places, which would allow you to bring a guest for free.
Women’s Museum
DKK 35
This museum shows the life of women from the beginning of civilisation to now. The museum has permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions that change.
ARoS
DKK 80
Experience Olafur Eliason’s Your Rainbow Panorama, The 9 Rooms, Boy, the collection of modern art and much more. For DKK 200, you can be a member of Aros27 and bring a guest for free for a year.
The Old Town
DKK 30 – DKK 68
A trip through a piece of Danish history. Buy bread at the baker, visit the ironmonger, the bookstore or the town’s new ‘60s department. A season ticket, with the possibility of bringing a guest for free, costs only DKK 160 if you are younger than 27 years old.
Natural History Museum
DKK 50
This museum is the biggest of its kind in Denmark. Here you can visit exhibitions of, for example, the animals of Denmark and the savannah of Africa.
The Viking Museum
Free
The museum is situated below the Nordea Bank on Store Torv. Here, you can learn more about the Viking Era and the history of Aarhus. Life outside of studies
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Øst for paradis
DKK 60 – 100 (Student discount: DKK 10)
This movie theatre is known for showing both niche movies and blockbusters. Furthermore, the theatre often offers events, such as talks, readings and town walks.
BioCity
DKK 65 – 100 (Student discount: DKK 15)
A cosy, medium-sized movie theatre at the start of the main shopping street.
CinemaxX
DKK 70 – 100 (Student discount: DKK 15)
One of the biggest movie theatres in Aarhus and it is situated in Bruun’s Galleri.
Metropol
DKK 65 – 100 (Student discount: DKK 15)
This movie theatre is situated in Trøjborg and collaborates with BioCity.
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Studierabat BioCity og Metropol – de studerendes biografer i Aarhus
15,-
* Studierabat gælder alle ordinære forestillinger. 2 for 1 pris omfatter ikke iskaffe og i forvejen rabatterede tilbud. Mod forevisning af gyldigt studiekort og gyldig biografbillet.
Spar på billetten hele ugen!*
Skt. Knuds Torv · Aarhus C
Få 2 kaffe* og betal for én! Gælder alle typer kaffe eller te i caféen*
Tordenskjoldsgade 21 · Aarhus N Life outside of studies
Se program og bestil billetter på nfbio.dk eller tlf. 70 13 12 11
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It is not without reason that Aarhus brands itself as a capital of culture. Aarhus hosts a number of festivals and events during the year. Here is a brief overview of the most important ones. Aarhus Festival // From 30th August to 8th September, Aarhus transforms itself into a mecca for culture vultures – a carnival of many dimensions. All art forms are represented at Aarhus Festival with different events being held all over town. Aarhus Festival isn’t just reserved for theatres, museums and music venues. The Festival
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is also held in the streets where artists are given free reign of the city centre. aarhusfestuge.dk Grimfest // Danmarks Grimmeste Festival (Denmark’s Ugliest Festival) is held each year in Aarhus at Grimhøjvej in Brabrand. The rebellious festival differs from the larger Danish festivals like Smukfest and Roskilde Festival by keeping ticket prices down and letting the musical focus be on upcoming bands. grimfest.dk
Sommer.Chillout.Aarhus // If you enjoy chilling, grilling, music and festive crowds, then this Culture Works event is the place to be. The centre of Summer.Chillout.Aarhus is a combination of talented Aarhus-based DJs providing sweet, sweet tunes for your sunbathing session and ice-cold beer. Come and chill. facebook.com/sommer.chillout.aarhus, facebook.com/culture.works Oppenheimer’s Afternoon // Every year (since 2009) Oppenheimer’s Afternoon chooses six upcoming and interesting Danish bands to play at their event. The event intends to reduce the distance between the music industry and new musicians. There is a significantly low entrance fee, cold drinks on sale and exciting music to listen to. So regardless of whether you consider yourself a music connois-
seur or just want a bit of inspiration, there are good times to be had at Oppenhaimer’s Afternoon. facebook.com/OppenheimersEftermiddag Student Fair // Whilst living on a student budget, it can be difficult to make the pennies stretch - but fear not! At the beginning of each academic year in September, The Student Council organises a student fair and this year it is the 25th anniversary! There are great deals to be had on everything from insurance to cinema tickets when a sea of businesses take over the Aula with their stands. sr.au.dk/sr/da/ events/studiemesse Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar and Sports Day // The Student Council at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Sports transform the UniLife outside of studies
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versity Park into a huge Friday bar every September and bid all students welcome. The day starts with sports games, cold drinks and a big beer bowling tournament and slowly moves into concerts and relaxing with other students. storfredag.dk Culture Night // Culture Night is designed to shine a light on the cultural life in your city. Culture Night is held in Aarhus in October and the whole city is involved in the project. Cultural institutions, private individuals, clubs, businesses, societies, etc. open up their doors and invite people in for an exciting variety of experiences. kulturnataarhus.dk J-day // The snow falls on J-Day (the day when Tuborg’s Christmas beer is released) and that is a day to celebrate in Denmark! Santa’s sexy helpers sell the special Christmas brew and all the University bars are decorated in fancy blue glitter. Blue and white spotted Santa’s hats are everywhere and everyone starts to look forward to a glorious Christmas. facebook.com/tuborg.jdag
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Glögglich // Christmas is the time for love when you reunite with old friends. The music venue Train sets the scene for a great homecoming party each year on the 22nd December where you can give your friends a hug and wish everyone a very merry Christmas. train.dk Music Aarhus Festival // In January, the Music Aarhus Festival will be held at Voxhall, Train, Atlas and RADAR for the second time. There are six days of free and exciting music to spice up your January and warm your wintery soul. musikaarhus.com facebook.com/musikaarhusfestival Spot Festival // This festival is dedicated to upcoming Danish bands. In May, these bands let rip in the middle of the city. Kashmir and Mew, two successful Danish bands, have once played at Spot Festival. spotfestival.dk Mejlgade For Diversity // This one-day street festival transforms the street of Mejlgade
into a celebration of diversity. The festival started in 2005 as a demonstration against racism but has now evolved into a culture and music festival for 30,000 visitors. The festival is run solely by volunteers. mejlgadeformangfoldighed.dk Kapsejlads (Regatta) // The party society at the Medicine faculty, Umbilicus, invites everyone to the highly publicised and ritual Kapsejlads (Regatta) in May where the various party societies at the University battle each other on the University lake. This is a day of partying for all students in Aarhus where beer starts to flow at 8am and famous Danish radio hosts provide a running commentary to the day’s proceedings. facebook.com/kapsejladsen Pop Revo // Pop Revo Festival introduces you to great indie music in May. Voxhall and Atlas are the venues that “dig up alternative legends and introduce you to your new favourite bands.” The festival started in 2004 and is definitely worth a listen and a visit! poprevo.dk
Northside Festival // Northside is one of the youngest but biggest festivals in Aarhus. It takes place in the middle of June in the beautiful surroundings at Ådalen, just outside the southern ring road in Aarhus. The festival has previously boasted big Danish names like Nephew, The Streets, Trentemøller, Justice and many others. northside.dk Sculpture by the Sea // This outdoor art exhibition was introduced by the Crown Prince couple and inspired by a similar concept in Australia. The sculptures are displayed along the coast at Marselisborg during the whole month of June. Various artists from all over the world are given free reign of the bay area and give Aarhus a free and artistic experience. sculpturebythesea.dk
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Aarhus offers a variety of music experiences ranging from the biggest names to the smaller and experimental bands. There are venues that draw big, international artists to the music scene of Aarhus. There are intimate venues that make room for the underground music. There is music that only a few people want to listen to. To put it simply, in this city it is possible to experience everything from Snoop Dogg to an evening of Schubert symphonies. The big ones A venue that often has well established names on the menu is Train. There is a lot of pop, rock and hiphop at Train and it is situated near the harbour. Train has room for 850 standing guests. Some of the biggest international artists that have played at Train are Snoop Dogg, Bloodhound Gang, Gavin DeGraw, and some Danish artists such as L.O.C, Medina and Kashmir. Another venue, which is almost as big as Train, is Voxhall, which can hold 700 guests. Voxhall introduces music especially from the genres rock, heavy metal, hip-hop and electronica. Some of the artists that have played there are Veto, The Floor Is Made Of Lava, Vinnie Who and OrgiE. It has a central location close to Aros and Mølleparken. A stone’s throw from there is Musikhuset (The Concert Hall), that offers a wide variety of musical experiences from 84
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classical music to popular artists such as Tina Dickow, Lukas Graham and Mads Langer. This is a good alternative for those who want to enjoy the concerts sitting down. Musikhuset has eight halls that can hold up to 1600 guests sitting down and 1000 standing. The smaller ones If you are not into the large, mainstream concerts, there are a lot of smaller venues in Aarhus. Being smaller in size does not mean that they are insignificant – on the contrary! They are the backbone of the music history of Aarhus. Besides being venues they are also clubs or bars, so you don’t have to go home when the music stops! A legendary venue is Fatter Eskil on Skolegade, located among many other places to go out. Fatter Eskil is both a venue and a bar, or as it is called, a music pub. It can hold between 150 - 200 guests depending on what is going down at the unceremonious location. The music varies between pop, rock, blues, metal, hiphop and soul. In 2013, they celebrated their 40th anniversary. Backstage is a venue and club on Mejlgade. Backstage is a newly launched venue that was formerly known as the Music Café. They celebrated their first anniversary in 2013 and offer a wide range in the rhythmical scene, from upcoming bands to
well-established artists. The experimental ones If you are into the quirky, the different and what you don’t find everywhere, you can actually find it in Aarhus! The experimental venues are more than just music. They are also stage art, where music meets theatre, dance and other art forms. If these venues were a character in Friends, they would be Phoebe… only edgier. One of these venues is Ambassaden. It is only a block away from Aarhus Cathedral. Ambassaden is only a couple years old but they won an award in 2012 for the best music venue in Aarhus. With over 400 events during their first years with music, theatre, new-circus and comedy, Ambasseden is very active and innovative. They make room for the things that are not yet out, letting artists try out new material. Their motto is “Artistic immunity for everyone”. Ambassaden is also one of the leading jazz venues in Aarhus with a Jazz Jam every Friday with free entrance. At the cultural centre, Godsbanen (The Freight Yard), there is another experimental venue called Radar. Godsbanen is just behind the Scandinavian Congress Center by Aros. Radar is a new venue that introduces a lot of different genres, such as
4 Train: www.train.dk 4 Voxhall/Atlas: www.fondenvoxhall.dk 4 Musikhuset Aarhus: www.musikhusetaarhus.dk 4 HeadQuarters: www.hqhq.dk
rock, pop, jazz, noise rock and electronica. There are upcoming bands but also well-established artists in the quirky genre that play on the big stage. They are interested in “the mix between music and other art forms”. A third place where the unpredictable can happen is HeadQuarters. It is an underground venue, literally and figuratively. It is situated in a basement and offers all kinds of music. The interior is very cosy with a lot of sofas and tables and acts as a café and bar in the daytime and a nightclub and venue in the evening. As they say, HeadQuarters is your living room downtown. The music is very local and the entrance is free, which makes HeadQuarters very recommendable.
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The Student House Aarhus (Studenterhus Aarhus) is an association for all students at the further and higher educations in the city. Volunteers run the house and a lot of the cultural and academic events take place here. Furthermore, the house is used as a meeting place for many foreign exchange students, which makes it the ideal place to meet new people across different programmes, faculties, educations and nationalities. The Student House resides in The Students’ House by Ringgaden, close to the State and University Library. Here you will also find The Student Bar, formerly known as the Unibar, which offers a “cave-like” feel, no matter what time of day. In the bar you can have a good time playing games, trying one of the 50 different types of beer or entering the traditional Pub
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Quiz. On the floor just above is The Café, which has light rooms and great spaces for working in study groups and a weekly Friday bar. The Student House also has a lot of events like soccer matches on the big screen, Sunday Salsa, International Night and different concerts in Stakladen. Besides being a place where you can relax and meet new people, The Student House also has a strong connection to the business community. Because of this, the society is a great place for students to connect and network with different businesses, for instance through the “Studiejob- og praktikbørs” (Study job and practice placement Market) at studenterhusaarhus.dk, where you can read more about the activities and become a volunteer.
It doesn’t have to be like that. In Aarhus, there are a lot of alternatives to the expensive shops and supermarkets and thereby a lot of possibilities to live well without overspending. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, The Grønttorv (vegetable market) at Ingerslevs Boulevard is a good place to go. Here you will find one of the country’s biggest selections of fruit and vegetables – organic included. At the Grønttorv, you will find that most prices are lower than in the supermarkets and that you can buy fruits and vegetables in smaller amounts, which is great if you live by yourself. The market is open Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00 - 14:00 It is also a good idea to look for everyday necessities at Bazar Vest. The supermarkets at the bazar have a wide selection of beans, lentils and rice. If you like, they also have a lot of substitutes for meat, like tofu and soy protein. Furthermore, there are a lot of inexpensive restaurants. The fronts might look a bit shabby but the food is delicious. The bazar is at Edwin Rahrs Vej 32 in Brabrand, about 5 kilometres from the inner city. Increasingly more students also go dumpster diving to save money. This means that they go through the supermarkets’ trash containers after closing hours. You can find vegetables, bread, cakes, cans, candy etc. in good condition, which the supermarkets for some reason can’t sell anymore. The super-
markets downtown often have locks on their trash containers, so if you want to go dumpster diving, it is better to look outside of the inner city. Storskrald i Århus kan du finde her! is a group on Facebook and the purpose is to promote the whereabouts of bulky refuse. The members of the group upload pictures of bulky refuse that they have seen on the streets or something that they want to give away themselves. If you are fast, this group can help you get a new couch or something better. Last but not least, you can save a lot of money by planning your consumption. Draw up a budget where you plan how much money you can spend on fun, clothes, food, etc. It is no problem to live for less than DKK 200 a week if you plan your spending!
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Academic quarter: A quarter of an hour that was introduced in the academic world to allow students and professors to be 15 minutes “late.” So even if it says that you have to show up at 10:00 for classes, the class will not start before 10:15. This comes from a time when the students had to use the church bells to tell time and so they often had to use 15 minutes to get to the university. AU Intro Week: The introduction week for the new exchange and full degree students. Arranged by the International Centre to help students find their feet when first coming to Aarhus and beginning at AU. AU Self-service: At mit. au.dk, you have access to your personal information and exam results plus relevant systems. AULA: An intranet, where the students and professors can share information/documents and discuss study-related subjects. Bachelor’s Degree: An academic degree that is given to a student after having completed the 3-year basic education at the University. It corresponds to 180 ECTS.
Course Catalogue: A portal at au.dk that grants you access to descriptions of all the subjects at AU. Find it online at www. coursecatalogue.au.dk Dean and Associate Dean: Every faculty at Aarhus University is led by a Dean, who is hired by the Rector. The Dean chooses 3 or 4 Associate Deans who assist in the day-to-day management of the faculty. Associate Deans have to be approved by the Rector. ECTS-point: During every semester, you obtain 30 ECTS-points. ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and is an international point system that indicates the overall work load for the individual subjects. It is said that every ECTS-point corresponds to an average effort of 27 - 28 hours of work for a student. Erasmus programme: A European exchange arrangement that supports and arranges visits abroad and international collaborations. Faculty: Aarhus University has 4 faculties: Arts, Health, Science & Technology and Business and Social Science.
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FirstClass: A communication platform where students and professors can share information/ documents and discuss study-related subjects. Job Bank: Arranges job announcements for students and newly qualified graduates from Aarhus University. Read more at jobbank.au.dk. Lecturer: Teacher at the University. Often has time-limited employment but has the possibility to become senior lecturer. Master’s Degree: In Scandinavia it as called a Candidate Degree. This is a 2-year education which corresponds to 120 ECTS-points. Merit (qualification): The word merit comes from Latin and originally meant “a deserving deed”. Merit is a term for the student’s possibilities to transfer test results from on education to another. It is a way to avoid doing double work and follow-
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ing classes and taking exams on a subject you already have the necessary qualifications for. Ph.D.: An (around) 3-year long education that is possible to obtain after getting a Master’s Degree. This academic degree is given after having defended a thesis. Professor: Teacher and researcher of the highest degree at university. Below professors there are, for instance, senior lecturers and lecturers. Rector: The head of the University. The current Rector at AU is Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen. Registration for courses and exams: Every semester you are responsible for registering the courses you want to take the following semester. The registration takes place at mit.au.dk.
Semester: The word semester comes from Latin and refers to a period of six months. It is used at the university to divide the year into two academic periods. Senior lecturer: A person with a Ph.D. who is employed by the university mainly to do research and teach. STADS: The student self-service where you can register for exams, make an exam transcript, see how far you are with your studies, print out your enrolment confirmation, etc.
structure of the courses and what you can expect to get out of each course. Tutor: A person who introduces new students to the life at the university. The word comes from Latin and means protector and helper. A tutor is responsible for your class/ year getting to know one another and arranging different social activities during the first period of your study time. Some programmes also have what is called a Mentor or Buddy programme in place of a Tutor.
Study regulations: Your programme is described in an official document, also called the study regulations. Here you will find the official requirements for your programme, descriptions of the exams, The Student Handbook’s A-Z
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