AARHUS UNIVERSITY 2011-2012
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STUDENT GUIDE
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STUDENT GUIDE AARHUS UNIVERSITY 2011-2012
foreword Dear fellow students! First, welcome to Aarhus University and to your new life as a student. These days you are walking towards unique years that will influence your whole life. I hope that you will experience a city and a University that welcomes you with open arms. This student handbook is an attempt to present you to the city and the University, in a way so that the confusing and overwhelming beginning of your studies quickly is replaced by a challenging and exciting time. In the handbook you will find interviews, information, weird stories and guided tours. You can read about everything from small cafĂŠs, cool concert places and the green areas of the city, to possibilities for student job, the different canteens and last but not least the Friday Bars. Furthermore the handbook is spiced with some interviews that emphasize the possibilities you got as a student. First accordingly to the official rules for studying and second to the different options for you to involve yourself in the city and at the University. I think that to get involved is the best advice I can give you. Engage yourself fully in your studies. Though your courses are important, so are your study committees, the student magazine and your partycom4
mittee. Surveys of the student environment shows, that the better attachment you got to your study, the greater are the chances of a good time. In the back of the handbook you will find descriptions of how the University is build and in the end a description of the Student Council. We are the ones that publish this Handbook and I’m proud of that. Because that shows what we as students can accomplish, when we work together. The student handbook is, together with the student calendar, the study fair and Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar, made by students for students to make your entrance at the University easier. But the Student Council is much more than that. We are the voice of the students when facing the University, the Municipality and the Danish parliament (folketinget). If there are any problems during your education, I therefore invite you to contact the Student Council. Because we are here for you and your fellow students and we believe that we stand the strongest together! Good luck with the studies, Thea P. Frederiksen Head of the Student Council
VIND EN T U NEW YORRK TIL FOR 2 PER SONER*
BLIV GRATIS MEDLEM AF IDA HELE STUDIETIDEN OG NYD FORDELENE: • ET ENESTÅENDE NETVÆRK • ARRANGEMENTER PÅ DIT STUDIESTED • FAGLIGE NYHEDER LEVERET TIL DØREN
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KUN FOR OG INGEN STUD.SCIENT.ER IØRSTUDE RENDE
table of
content aarhus
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Culture 47 Music
Aarhus – Much more than the city of smiles 10 Get to know your city
51 Museums
14 The green Aarhus...
51 Outdoors
15 The green joys of nature 17 Insider tips for a cheaper life in Aarhus 18 Interview: A perpetual student confesses
Eating
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21 At the university 21 In Aarhus 21 Cafes 21 Canteens at the university 24 Restaurants 28 Specialist retailers
Going out 29
49 Art 50 Theatre
12 Getting from A to B
student life
48 Movies
In Aarhus
32 At University 33 Tour de Friday bar
Sports and Recreation 36 Aarhus Universitetssport 38 Exercise in Aarhus 41 Sports Events 42 Interview: The voluntary association Himmelhaven
Shopping 44 Vintage and second hand 44 Guldsmedegade
51 What else 52 Article: For a good cause
GOOD ADVICE
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Accommodation 55 5 tips for finding accommodation 56 Housing allowance 56 Online housing hunting 56 Three types of residence – pros and cons 57 Need help? 58 Roomservice - make the most of your space
information and media 59 At Aarhus university 60 At your faculty 60 At your institute 60 In Aarhus
Student jobs 62 6 tips on writing cover letters and CVs 62 Need extra guidance? 62 3 good tips for your job interview 63 Volunteer work 64 Recommended websites 66 Interview: Why not just do it?
45 Studsgade
Reading tips
45 Flea markets and clothing events
68 Reading rooms
45 Hip and happening
68 Study books
46 Furniture and handicrafts
69 Guide to the best reading rooms
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THE STUDENT GUIDE 2011-2012 Editors-in-chief Camilla Damsbo Andersen Mathias Kusk Contributing Editors Thea Puggard Frederiksen
70 Libraries in Aarhus 70 Five steps towards good reading habits 71 Study books online 71 Used books 74 Interview: What about children?
Aspects of life in Aarhus 76 Studying in Aarhus 77 Going out in Aarhus 78 Aarhus Festuge 79 Denmark for everyone
82 Information centre 82 Guidance and support centre
Graphic Designer Thomas Illemann
82 Help and guidance
Aarhus University
Photographers Henriette Klausen Sofie Amalie Klougart Jesper Rais/AU foto Søren Kjeldgaard/AU-foto Henrik Stenberg Anita Graversen Translated from Danish by Maybritt Andersen Sanne Greve
A helping hand
the university
Authors Camilla Damsbo Andersen Karina Pedersen Lea Pasgaard Magnus Bak Marianna Winther Mathias Kusk Niels Dyrholm Jensen Tanja Flach Hansen
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85 What is a university? 85 Political and administrative framework 86 Organisational structure 86 Programmes at the university
Sales Associate Tom Poulsen Publisher Scanprint A/S Circulation 8.000 ISBN 978-87-87019-49-1
Influence 89 On your course 90 At your faculty 91 At your university
The Student Council 92 The student council is a political actor 92 Your path to the student council 93 Denmark’s largest friday bar 94 The student council’s focus areas 94 The student council offers services
The Student Council (Studenterrådet) at Aarhus University The Students’ House (Studenternes Hus) 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
AARHUS
Aarhus - Much more than the city of smiles Out of a population of about 300,000, more than 40,000 are students, making Aarhus the country’s youngest city. The city has adapted to the high concentration of students with many cafés, bars and a rich cultural life. Aarhus is often called the world’s smallest big city; it has the many different opportunities that characterize a big city, but the size means you can quickly and easily get around town. Aarhus is also known as ”The City of Smiles” and there is much to smile about in this vibrant, charming and
beautiful city with its friendly residents and the forest and beaches as its closest neighbours. On the following pages we provide you with the inside scoop on the city and include you in the things that make us smile extra widely in Aarhus. We will reveal some of the best spots and also some of the less known places, and tell you where to remember to flash your student card. Throw yourself into it - the city is just waiting for you to discover it.
Students engaged in reading Aarhus
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Get to know your city This is a guided tour that gives you a good overview of the geography of your new city. The guide is spiced up with the Student Council’s insider information about some of the roads and buildings, you will pass.
6 Start at the station (1) and cross over Banegårdspladsen (the station square) to enter Strøget (the main walking street). Continue down the street and over the Clemensbro (Clemen’s Bridge), which crosses the river. On your left you pass Nordea, which is not your average bank building, since Vikingemuseet (the viking museum) is situated in the basement. You enter through the bank, and admission is free. Continue straight on and stop when you arrive at the Cathedral, St. Clemen’s church, located on Store Torv (2) (Large Square). The church dates back to the 1100s and is the country’s highest and longest church. On the left side of the church is Bispetorv (Bishop’s Square) with the equestrian statue of King Christian X. The square was built in 1882 and is now used for various events, including a skating rink in winter and as concert space during the Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival Week) in August. Cross over the square and you see the impressing Aarhus Theatre from year 1900. Behind the theatre, little Skolegade (3) twists and turns. This street was the most important connection to the river harbor in the 1500 and 1600s. Today it is known for its cosy pubs and music venues. If you continue down through Skolegade, you will end up by Åen (4), which is the centre of the city’s café and restaurant 10
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life. There is always life here, and you can take a break with a cup of coffee at one of the cafés, or you can save the money and relax on the stairs down to the river, where a lot of people always hang out. Then go towards Magasin (a nice department store) and turn right, which will put you at Lille Torv (5) (Small Square). You cross the square and go up Badstuegade. The open square that shows up on your left side is Pustervig. After the square, the
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Badstuegade
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street is called Volden. This part of town is also known as the Latin Quarter, the oldest preserved part of Aarhus. The houses are well restored and with its many small courtyards and narrow cobbled streets, the Latin Quarter is a cosy and very popular neighbourhood. In the neighbourhood you will find cosy cafĂŠs and specialty shops. Do not forget to look into the backyards and side streets and enjoy the mood! Now turn right at the first crossing and go out on Klostergade. Here, you continue on a bit until you take the first road on your left hand, which is Studsgade. Walk along the street, until you reach the narrow
For just 10 Danish Kroner you can come up into the tower of the Cathedral
passage Snevringen (6), located by the store Skavank. Walk along this passage, which is from the 1700s, and you end up in Mejlgade (7). Mejlgade is known for its creative environment. Mejlgade for Mangfoldighed (Mejlgade for Diversity), a great creative street party, is held here every year in May, where music, art and theatre merge. You will also find a bunch of good and not least cheap places to eat, listen to bands and party. Gyngen, Musikcafeen, Oli Nico, St. Oluf and Ris Ras, just to name a few. If you continue along Mejlgade, you will return to Bispetorvet and the Cathedral. Aarhus
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Getting from A to B
City busses on Park AllĂŠ
Since Aarhus is not larger, walking around can be recommended. Especially in the inner city, walking is the easiest way to get around, and flat shoes will be your friends on the cobblestones. The bike is easy and convenient, and since distances are short, you have easy access around town by bicycle. Also, it is popular! Aarhus Municipality wants to make the city into a cycling city, which means that there are good conditions for cyclists. If you do not have your own bike, you can borrow one of the many city bikes that are placed around the city from April to October. Just remember to have a 20 on you to unlock the bike. You will get the money back when the bike is put back into one of the many established city bike racks. The long climbs that characterize the city, which are particularly noted by cyclists who bike north or south from downtown, make the city bus another great pos12
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sibility. Day and night, the bus network is well developed and an overview and schedules can be found at www.midttrafik.dk. There is money to save by buying a Titurskort (10-trips card) for the bus, which costs 120Dkk, while one ticket costs 20Dkk. 10-trips cards are available in most drug stores. In Aarhus you do not buy a ticket from the driver, but from the machine inside the bus. This makes many people �freeride�, but beware, there are inspectors in the buses now and then, checking for tickets.
>> city busses In the yellow city busses you enter in the back of the bus, where you also buy your ticket or stamp your card. You get out in the front.
Bicycle racks at the train station
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The green Aarhus... ...is a collective name for the green and sustainable part of the city and the green areas in town, like the parks and beaches. If you want to know about the green places in Aarhus, where to find them and perhaps even become a little greener yourself, then keep reading.
With a Go Green map in your hands, you can very easily find your way to the sustainable businesses in Aarhus. The map is printed on paper stone - the most sustainable paper on the market right now, which is a good starting point. At the organic café Stardust in Klostergade, you can get the map for free, but let us unfold it for you right here and point you to some of our favourite places. Besides from Stardust, Café Drudenfuss in the Latin Quarter is a must. The organic café will not compromise about good taste, and the results speak for themselves. Their food is really delicious and the service is top notch. Try for example their brunch or burgers, which are also made in a vegetarian version. When you prepare food, the quality of the ingredients must be in order. You
>> GO GREEN The map showing you the way to green and sustainable Aarhus can be found at: www.gogreenaarhus.dk
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can buy them at Markedsdag (Market Day) on Ingerslev Boulevard, where farmers and traders from the smaller towns gather. It is so cosy and a wonderful place to spend your Saturday or Wednesday. Otherwise you can buy a bag of organic fruit and vegetables, grown by local farmers, through Himmelhaven (an organic food community). You can order it by showing up on Wednesdays between 5pm and 8pm at Frontløberne in Mejlgade 35. The vegetables can be supplemented with groceries from Ren Kost (Pure Diet) located in Jægergårdsgade 43-45. It is an organic grocery store with a huge selection, and here you can do your everyday shopping without having to sell your kidney. The 10% student discount at the environmentally friendly hairdresser Ladefoged|Dahl is worth mentioning. The discount is valid every Tuesday and Wednesday in their stores in Guldsmedgade and Borggade. Just remember to show your student card when you book a time. At Naturskøn in Guldsmedgade, you will find the finest skincare and makeup products, and you can pamper yourself further with different kinds of facials.
Riis Skov
The green joys of nature You will of course find a greener Aarhus by searching outdoors and you have many recreational, green areas to choose from. It is great to get out from your study room or dorm room and be reminded that sunshine, trees and fresh air are not just theoretical. Thoughts are aired and you may be inspired from a stroll through the greenness.
Parks Parks are awesome green oases and there are many of them, also downtown. The Botanical Garden, Marselisborg Memorial Park and the University Park are popular and very crowded - especially during summer. The students use the parks for reading on a blanket, playing ball, barbequing and much more. The Botanical Garden The city’s largest, oldest and most versatile park is located in hilly terrain with everything Aarhus
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The University Park
from large open spaces to cosy oases with shelter and silence. The park might teach you something, since you can read about its plant collections on your trek through the park. A stream runs through the entire garden from northwest to southeast, where it passes 3 little lakes and runs on through the Old Town channels. The Botanical Garden is located just by the Old Town and a tour of the park could be combined with a visit to the town that always gives half price admission to students. Marselisborg Memorial Park Mindeparken as it is known, a beautiful landscaped garden with a reflecting bassin, arranged stones and lots of small beds, is arguably the most magnificent park. It overlooks the water, wide open spaces and Rømerhaven (Rømer’s garden). The park takes its name from the 4,144 South Jutlan-
>> the old town If you arrive out of opening hours in Den Gamle By (The Old Town), you are welcome to take a walk for free through the town streets, where you can feel history blowing past.
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dics, who died during World War I. The park features a monument where the names of the soldiers are engraved. Besides being a memorial park, it is also the Queen’s backyard. Marselisborg castle lies at the end of the park. So maybe you are lucky enough to meet royalty on your walk. The Animal Park Dyrehaven (the Animal Park) lies hidden in the deep and quiet Marselisborg forest. It is not quite as centrally located as the other parks and therefore less visited. Here you can visit Sika and fallow deer during daylight - entirely for free. Bring a couple of apples or carrots with you, which often make animals come right up and eat from your hand. The garden is also ideal for a picnic. The University Park A wonderful oasis consisting of lush green oaks with a lake in the middle of the hilly terrain. Remember it when you want to eat lunch in the green surroundings or need a breather from the study load. It serves as surroundings for several events throughout the year, for example Danmarks Største Fredagsbar (Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar) which in 2011 is held on 9th of Sepember.
Peace and quiet at the cemetery Nordre and Vestre Kirkegård (Northern and Western Cemetery) are also green areas that anyone can benefit from visiting. There is peace and quiet and beautiful and varied scenery. Here you can experience the changing seasons in the garden of reflectiveness and remembrance, which can be a nice contrast to the more active life in a normal park. Beaches Aarhus has several beautiful and popular beaches, including Ballehage at Marselisborg bay. The water here is wonderfully swimable and you will have beautiful views of Mols.Den Permanente by Riis Skov (Riis Forrest) is another good beach and just a stone’s throw north of downtown. It is also the most populated beach in Aarhus, where especially students hang out. Aarhus’ only nudist beach is also part of Den Permanente, but located within an enclosed area.
If time is short, or the thought about organising a picnic basket is too much, then the bakery Emmery’s in Guldsmedgade 24-26 makes an incredibly delicious basket, ready to take with you.
Bike a bit further north, and the beaches are less populated, but no less beautiful. Bellevue beach is more secluded, which means that there is no ice cream shop or other stores, so here the picnic basket is a must. It also means that you will meet fewer people than at the other beaches, and therefore Bellevue is a good place to study. Moesgaard beach is also a stunningly beautiful beach surrounded by dunes and woods, and in the summer, it is one of the most visited beaches. It lies 8 km from downtown and therefore takes a slightly long bike ride. So we like that the busses 6 and 19 also run out there.
>> Insider tips for a cheaper life in Aarhus Find out where the free activities are, and where there is reason to remember to show your student card. Wednesday nights you can get in for free at Kvindemuseet (the Women’s Museum) on Domkirkepladsen. At most museums, there are also student discounts, so always study the map. Come to free Koncertcafé (Concert Café) featuring students from the Music Conservatory. Check www.musikkons.dk for the Fall program. Do you like to laugh, then go for free Stand-Up! There is Open Mic at the following locations: Café Jorden - Mondays. 8pm Smagløs Café - Tuesdays. 8.45pm Cafe Slabberas - Wednesdays. 8pm Thorup’s Kælder - Thursdays. 8pm At the friendly Hairdresser in Trøjborg Centret you get a 10% student discount Copy center Vester Kopi in Østergade provides a 50% discount in study related work and 10% on everything else that you need duplicated. The bookstore Arnold Busck gives you a 10% discount on all study related literature Every week in the local newspaper, Aarhus Onsdag, you will find an overview of what is happening in the city: music, movies, theatre and especially the free experiences.
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interview
A perpetual student confesses For some, it is a desirable situation, but for most students, it is their worst fear. Jon Rostgaard Boies was what you would call a perpetual student. However, he does not regret the many years he spent studying and finds the government’s fast-through-studies-policy destructive to the learning environment. by tanja flach hansen
”It was hard to grasp it all. I was probably too ambitious and expected that it would be a groundbreaking work,” Jon says thinking back. When Jon Rostgaard Boies started studying philosophy back in 1999, he was happy. Studying lived up to his expectations and he felt he had chosen correctly. The first few years of Jon’s education went well and he was only half a year late, as he began to write his thesis. A degree in philosophy usually takes 6 years, but for Jon it ended up taking considerably more time. He just graduated in September 2010. It was the thesis that made the difference. It was standardised to a year - for Jon, it took four. Jon’s great expectations for the thesis and his perfectionism prevented the words from flowing, and got the page number to a halt. Spent time on political work Often, Jon would sit a whole day in front of his computer without getting so much as a word down on paper. The frustration made him start spending his time on other things. He involved himself in 18
Aarhus
political activities, became a member of Enhedslisten (a political party), chairman of a lecture association and editor of the student paper, DOKSA. ”Some of it was procrastination, because I had writing periods where nothing happened at all. But it was also nice to get away from the writing, and then come back with new energy.” Slowly, students from Jon’s year finished and, following them, the year after Jon’s. Old students disappeared, new came in and there were suddenly less familiar faces in Unibaren (the University bar). Financial problems arose. Jon could no longer get SU, and was forced to work alongside his studies. Days, weeks and months went by, and eventually Jon started doubting, whether he would ever finish. Almost expelled One day Jon received a letter from the central administration. It said that because it was such a long time since Jon had been at an exam, he would be expelled after 14 days. ”It was so horrible. I didn’t sleep all night, and when I got to school, I had to have the student administrator say that
Jon Rostgaard Boiesen
I was still a student and working on my thesis. Although it had taken so long, I still wanted it freakin’ finished,” Jon says about the episode. The letter was a bit of a wake-up call for Jon, who finally got into the writing. He became better at prioritising his engagements and focused on the thesis. As he got his material together, it turned out that he was actually not too far from the goal. ”I got over the idea of how a thesis should be, looked at my actual text, and had to say: this is good enough. I had to lower my ambitions and didn’t think that the thesis was completely finished, but now it just had to be handed in.” No regrets Jon has an ambivalent feeling about the many years he spent writing the thesis. ”The extra time studying has meant that I have a wide knowledge academically, and I feel more qualified. It took time to find out what I really wanted. I involved myself in things I thought were right at the time, but compared to being finished, it was not the best idea.” Jon thinks that the government’s current education policies and constrains are a
shame. He believes that there should be time for student jobs, travelling abroad and diving deeply into the studying. Also, he believes that many initiatives will be lost if the students solely focus on being done as soon as possible. ”I would not recommend that you spend as much time getting your degree as I did. However, I do not think you should rush through the studying either, because I believe that may be destructive to student politics and other initiatives. Those things take up time, but I think it would be sad if they were not there,” he says. Therefore, Jon’s advice to new students is: ”You have to engage yourself during your education and make sure there are lecture associations, student politics, etc. I think it improves your time studying, if you’re a part of something. There is the risk that it delays you slightly, but I think it’s worth it.” Right now Jon is unemployed, but he would like to teach. He has also sent in an application to write a PhD, which he hopes to get approved.
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STUDENT LIFE 20
Student life
Eating When you live alone, creativity and energy to cook might very well be lacking. Often it is just pasta with ketchup or rye bread with a slice of cheese that ends up on the plate for dinner. When you want a little break from everyday life, look to the Student Handbook which gives you an overview of good cafés and restaurants, where you can vary your diet. If you eat food on campus or cook it yourself, we also have some useful advice for you.
At the university
In Aarhus
If you eat your food on campus, you have many options. However, you will not regret a visit to the Mathematics Canteen, which is known for its delicious food. In Chemistry’s Canteen, you can enjoy the pretty view while you eat. Below is an overview of the university canteens:
Cafes Once you’re tired of sitting in the university study hall or at home, Aarhus is packed full of cozy cafes and the nearest café latte is never far away.
>> canteens at the UNIVERSITy Stakladen Frederik Nielsens vej 4 Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am 3pm, Fri 8am - 2.30pm
IT-Huset Åbogade 15 Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am – 3pm, Fri 8am - 2.30pm
The University Bar Frederik Nielsens vej 4 Hours: Mon-Wed 12pm - 2am, Thurs-Fri 12pm 3am, Sat 8pm - 3am
Mathematical Canteen Ny Munkegade, building 535 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 4pm
Nobelparken Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4 Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am – 3pm, Fri 8am – 2.30pm
Chemistry’s Canteen Langelandsgade 140 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am 3.30pm
Social Sciences’ Canteen Bartholins Allé 8, building 1321 Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am – 4pm,Fri 8am - 3.30pm Aarhus School of Business (ASB) Fuglsangs Allé 4, the R-building Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am - 5.30pm
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Lynfabrikken* is a good choice if you need to do some school work or meet up with your study group. The cafe has power outlets at every table, so your laptop will never run out of battery, and you can sit by the window and look out while you work. When you need a break, you can play a game of foosball, or sit up on the roof terrace and gaze out over the rooftops. Ziggy Original
Stardust
Løves bog og vincafé
Løves bog og vincafé* (Løve’s Book and Wine café) on Nørre Allé is the perfect place to be if you prefer reading with your coffee. Immerse yourself in a soft armchair and discover the huge range of books that the café holds. The atmosphere is relaxed and the place often has author events, poetry readings and songwriter evenings. On Trøjborg lies Ziggy Original* which is worth a visit if you’re in the area. The cafe has been voted the best of the city in 2010 and is almost always crowded. A favorite is the Ziggy burger or the weekend brunch including a smoothie for 95 kroners. Fridays and Saturdays between 9 and 11.30pm there are cocktails for 45 kroners, so it is a cheap place to warm up before a night out. Mo & fro* is an ideal place to enjoy your breakfast or lunch. The small café serves, among other things, something as ordinary as a homemade bun with cheese or a bowl of yoghurt with muesli. Everything is homemade and the philosophy is to cook as you would do, if only you had the time. At Juicestop in Badstuegade you can quench your thirst and fill up your vitamin need, with their large supply of freshly squeezed juices and blended smoothies. You can choose one of the many options or even compose your own juice and have supplements added.
Lynfabrikken
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Student life
Sigfreds Kaffebar in Ryesgade * The little star by the name means that the café has free internet.
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* Studierabat gælder gælder alle ordinære forestillinger. 2 for 1 pris omfatter ikke iskaffe og i forvejen rabatterede tilbud. Mod forevisning af gyldigt studiekort og gyldig biografbillet.
BioCity & Metropol Aarhus
15,-
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Få 2 kaffe – betal for én! Gælder alle typer kaffe eller te i caféen*
Skt. Knuds Torv · Aarhus C
Tordenskjoldsgade 21 · Aarhus N
Find film og bestil billetter på biocity.dk eller tlf. 70 13 12 11
Sigfreds Kaffebar
makes the absolute best coffee in Aarhus. The place has a proud tradition of coffee brewing and employs the Danish baristo champion. You can buy the gorgeous coffee and enjoy it over one of the hundreds of books from the shelves. If the books are just your taste, you can buy them in Vangsgaards Boghus, a bookshop which shares space with the café. Do you love listening to old records? Then visit café Stardust in Klostergade. The combined café and record store has a huge selection of both new and old vinyl records. Here you can enjoy your beer or coffee in the comfort of the couch, while listening to David Bowie or Tom Waits through the wireless headphones. The store also has a large selection of music books and subscribes fx to Soundvenue and Rolling Stones.
Restaurants Cheap Want to eat cheap but without compromising on taste? Then you should visit Sct. Oluf in Mejlgade. The 24
Student life
French-inspired restaurant is not that big, but the atmosphere is cosy and the food is excellent. There is no fixed menu, instead a daily menu is written on a blackboard outside the restaurant. It’s a good idea to book a table in advance, as it is often packed.
Also try: Mekong, Lodos, Kowloon, Suppestegogis. Raw Råbar is Aarhus’ first and only rawfood café. Råbar is 100% organic, and the menu consists of dehy-
>> Start-ofthe-week dining It pays to eat out early in the week. At Cafe Zui on Nørre Allé, you can kick-start your week with a Monday burger for only 59 kr. Every Tuesday you can head to Le Coq in Graven and get a pint and a portion of food for a 50. The place is always filled with hungry students, so come early if you want a seat.
Studenterhusfonden driver din kantine på Aarhus Universitet! Kokkene i Studenterhusfonden er altid behjælpelige med at sammensætte spændende og også gerne utraditionelle menuforslag til studenterarrangementer til fornuftige studenterpriser.
Du finder os i følgende kantiner: • • • • • • • • • •
Teologi Trøjborg Stakladen DALE’s café Nobelparken Samfundsfag Tandlægeskolen Gustav Wieds Vej ASB – bygning ”R” It-byen - Åbogade - It-hjørnet
Tjenerjobs Da Studenterhusfonden ofte servicerer til møder, receptioner, fester m.v. på Aarhus Universitet søges der løbende nye medarbejder hertil. Helst personer med erfaring fra servering. Send din ansøgning til fondens administration.
Fredrik Nielsens Vej 4 • 8000 Aarhus C • Telefon 89 42 11 70 • E-mail: studenterhusfonden@au.dk www.studenterhusfonden.dk
The cake buffet at Café Globen Flakket
drated bread, seaweed salad, freshly squeezed juices, raw sandwiches and cakes etc. So if you want to try something different, Råbar is it, and you will be surprised how good raw food can taste. Fast If you want your food fast, Byens Burger is always a good choice. Here you can get everything from pizza to a salad, but their burgers are the real favourite – you can even choose whether you want a 100, 200 or 300 gram steak.
Also try: D’s sandwich, Frede’s Flyvende Tallerken, Café Glad. Sweet The Langenæs bakery has the ambition to make Denmark’s best breads and pastries. A lot suggests that their target is met. Bakery chef Palle won the 2011 Danish championship in chocolate, so it is a golden opportunity to visit the bakery and evaluate his abilities yourself. The goods are 26
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pampered for and quality is essential, whether we’re talking about a freshly baked rye bread or a delicious raspberry cake.
> Bonus: Globen Flakket on Åboulevarden has a cake buffet and fresh fruit all day, where you can satisfy your sugar cravings for only 28 kr. Choices change from day to day, but there are always 5-7 home baked cakes to throw yourself at.
>> Ekstra bonus: Already now keep an eye on the date of the State Library’s annual “Heavy cake table.” Last year on the day, the library served over 100 different cakes and the whole thing weighed 1.2 tons! Sushi There are many good sushi places in Aarhus, but one of the best is Sota Sushi in Vestergade. The restaurant has a giant selection of sushi that is served to perfection and what is placed on your table resembles a small work of art.
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-Fredag 7.30-22.00 Lørdag 10.00-14.00 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 gældende t.o.m. 15.oktober
Bazar Vest
A more budget-friendly version is MitsuMizu in Guldsmedgade, where you at lunchtime can get 2 maki’s for 10kr. The place is small, but you can have your sushi to-go and eat outdoors.
Specialist Retailer Arabic: Bazar Vest Brabrand is a cultural experience in itself. Here you will find exotic restaurants, Arab bakeries, Oriental merchants and more than 1000 square meters of fruit and vegetables. All at a reasonable price.
Himmelmaven at Frontløberne in Mejlgade 35: When you want to eat healthy, organic and for free in a creative environment. Ecology and health food: Ganefryd in Klostergade has a great selection of organic and gluten-free products. The 28
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shop has a wide mix of products and sells everything from Paraben-free lotions and nutritional supplements, to soy milk, gluten free pasta and organic avocado. The goods have that in common that they must be as natural and toxic free as possible. Asian: Far East Trading in Ny Banegårdsgade has everything you could wish for in Asian specialties. Whether it is homemade sushi or Indian tikka masala, you are buying ingredients for, the store has what you need, and often at a cheaper price than supermarkets.
>> TIP Downtown.dk and Sweetdeal.dk are two good websites to know if you like to save money. Register for their newsletter, and every day you will receive great offers on food and other experiences with at least a 50% discount. The service is free and you can always unsubscribe.
Going out
In Aarhus In Aarhus, there are many options for a great night out, whether you are into clubs, bars, pubs or anything else. Here, you get a brief introduction to some of the best places for hanging out or dancing with your friends. There are several streets where the bars and discos are practically lined up; most of the city’s major clubs are placed in Klostergade, while places like Mejlgade, Skolegade and Jægergårdsgade feature a bunch of charming pubs and smaller venues. Café Ris Ras (filliongongong) lies in Mejlgade, and must be mentioned for its friendly and informal greatness. The informality shows itself for example in that you’re welcome to eat your packed lunches in the café. Prices are reasonable and you get a 10% student discount on drinks, but not daily specials and the like. You can enjoy your beer with Ris Ras’ hookah and if you are into games, then their fabulous French football table in the basement is worth a visit.
The cozy Rar Bar in Jægergårdsgade offers a lounge atmosphere, soft morocco cushions on the floor and colorful cocktails, and on Thursdays ‘Happy Hour at Rar Bar’ is strongly recommended. On this night, they offer two drinks for the price of one from 10pm. Are you into delicious drinks, you should visit Sidebar in Skolegade. With more than 120 different drinks on the menu, you get the opportunity to taste the unknown - maybe you will find your new favorite. In the trendy New Yorker style bar, you can sit back in the comfy leather sofas, while your bartender serves a Marmalade Martini or Frozen Grasshopper. It must be tested! The river or Åen is another hip area to visit on your night out in Aarhus. It is very popular especially in summer time with Student life
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Café Jorden at Pustervig Torv
people sitting outside. The river’s popularity unfortunately means that prices at many of the venues are of the slightly more expensive variety. But as they say, if there is a party, might as well make it one to remember. Or forget. At Bodegaen by the river, the party might last somewhat longer, because here the price level is student budget friendly, with large draft beers at 20 kr. all days except Friday and Saturday after 10 o’clock, when you pay 35 kr. Here, many students party old-fashioned pub style, and there is room for raffling, card games, darts and probably Aarhus’ only bob table, where you can play for free. If you like to combine going out with playing, stay down by the river and visit the bar Shen Mao located under Clemens Bro. Here you can play table tennis - entirely for free and anyone can join a game around the table. The decor is raw, with bare walls and a relatively simple bar, which serves canned beer, shots in pipes and drinks in plastic cups. The place is as uncomplicated as they come, which is probably one of the reasons why it is so popular.
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If you’d rather play golf with a beer in your hand, you do not have to walk far along the river to find Aarhus Mini Golf & City Club. Besides golf, you can have fun with SingStar and foosball for only 60 kr. Move away from the river and visit the charming Irish pub Tir na Noq in Frederiksgade. There is often live music and great beer at student friendly prices before 10pm. If you want to combine your night out with charity, then Fair Bar in Nørre Allé is worth a visit. Here, all the profits go to humanitarian projects and the place is run by volunteers, who by the way are beer knowledgeable. The bar’s beer tasting events is beer heaven for taste buds.
>> worth visiting On www.mangospot.dk, aoa.dk and overspring.dk, you can find reviews of the spots in Aarhus worth visiting.
Social Club
CafĂŠ Ris Ras
At University Partying at Uni is awesome, also because it is much easier on the wallet than partying downtown. Parties fortunately abound at Uni. Many of them are theme parties and are usually held in Stakladen where different educations take turn organising. Watch out for posters in the dining halls and on bulletin boards. Celebrations are usually announced in good time, and often it is possible to buy tickets in presale. You find Baren in the basement of Studenterhuset, and it probably has the largest selection of specialty beers in town. The bar has even received an award from Danske Ă˜lentusiaster (Danish Beer Enthusiasts). The atmosphere is good, even on school days, and you can have a say in the soundtrack of the night, since the bartenders always listen to your music wishes. Going out at Uni especially includes going to Fredagsbar (Friday bar), which is excellent, both because it helps your student social life and because prices are particularly budget friendly. Most places, 32
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a large draft beer costs between 15 and 20 kroner. The bars are all different in their selection of drinks, theme inclination, locations and sizes, but they all share the students, and if there is something students know about, it’s partying. Here is an overview of many of the Friday bars, you will find at Uni. This overview is also an idea for how a Tour de Friday bar might look like. One of those is always appropriate and a really great starting point for a rocking Friday.
>> venues In Aarhus there you also have the opportunity to go out to larger venues. Train is the largest music venue in town, and they often have live bands to play. If you are into live music, Voxhall is also an option. Here you can hear the quirky and experimental bands. If you are just up for a fun time out, Social Club is the obvious choice.
Baren in the basement of Studenterhuset
Tour de Fredagsbar You start out gently in Nobelparken and can begin with visiting English’ friendly bar Anglia and Co (build. 1463, room 216). On to another language bar, LeboNbar (build. 1451, room 515), where parties often have different themes. Psychology’s Kein Cortex (build. 1481, room 132) is perhaps particularly worth a visit for the boys, because of the
truckload of ladies, while the blended and shaken drinks make it worth it for the girls as well. Later, head of to Den Sociale, (build. 1483), where the social worker students offer round-table coziness. Often you will find good deals on beer, for example you can play dice on price. On to the Friday bar of Philosophy and History of ideas, called HIK aka. Hjernekar (room 515), which offers cheap Vestfyen-beer in small, intimate
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Friday bar
surroundings and has a fantastic view from the 5th floor in Nobelparken. Beware of snoozing in one of their comfy armchairs, and let us leave Nobelparken for this time and move on. Walking along Nordre Ringgade, you find Theology and Theo’s bar (build. 1441, room 21 + 25), which offers cheap ‘gold’ beers. The bar for European and International Studies, ESIS (build. 1422, room 329), is found a little further along the street, and here you can satisfy your stomach with sausage bread. On the opposite side of Ringgaden, in the atmospheric hall by Aulaen, you will find History’s Friday bar, FRED (build. 1410), which often parties in different themes and is the bar with the longest hours, since it is open to at least at 7pm. The artistic angle of the day could be found
>> whats happening this friday? At which Friday bar is something really great happening this Friday? Find out at www.studiebar.dk/aarhus
in Aesthetics’ bar, Kassernebaren (build. 1586, room Den gamle ridehal), where there is art on the walls and almost always live music. Do you feel like getting out of the city for a while? You can hop on bus 6 to Moesgaard, where Anthropology and Ethnography have their Friday bar in beautiful surroundings. 90% of the students here are girls, so this is a great choice if you’re single and male. Barbaren is open roughly every other Friday and is located in Studenterkælderen where they for instance offer Aarhus-beer at 6 kr. To visit the Friday bar of Computer Science you must also move away from the central University, more specifically towards Storcenter Nord. Fredagscaféen (build. Bush, room 223) offers specialty beers, including Belgian beers both bottled and draft. Not far away, at Åbogade 34, is Fredagsbar.dk, which is a bar slightly to the girls’ benefit. Media and information scientists often party in fun themes, and they have the Tuborg Golden Lady on the menu for just 15 kroner. Go down to the University Park and visit
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Samfundsvidenskabelig fredagsbar (build. 1320, Foyer) with Law, Political Science and Economics behind it. This is the biggest Friday bar at Uni and has a party guarantee. You should also drop by Natural Sciences’ Friday bars, perhaps especially you girls, as only the natural science faculty has a predominance of men among the new students. At the Chemistry Friday bar, @lkymia (build. 1516, Chemistry’s canteen), they have Arnbitter in abundance. The mathematical Kalkulerbar (build. 1530, room 202 + 226) offers endless, challenging drinking games. And at the Physics Friday bar, FFB (build. 1520, room 731), you will find a spectacular view from the 7th floor, often accompanied by foosball tournaments. Swing by the biologists in Fredagsbaren TM (build. 1220, room 111), and taste their cheap Thy-beers. Afterwards visit Molecular Biology and their Die Rote Zone (build. 3120, room 126), the last communist bastion and experience the fabulous lounge atmosphere with comfortable sofas and a wide selection. Medicine’s bar, Umbilicus (build. 1161, room 115), is always at it, and if the tour has been too rough on you, the many medicine students are ready to help. Otherwise, we suggest that the Tour de Friday bar finds its completion in Eforen,
which is the bar for the student houses in the University Park. On Fridays, it is open from 6pm until late into the night. Prices are low, including drinks and draft beer for just 20 kroner, and there is a wide selection on the bar menu. Hungry at Uni? If you suddenly feel hungry during the tour, or if you just want to try something other than food from the canteens, help is closer than you think. At Uni, you find Baren, located in the basement near the large canteen at Stakladen, and apart from drinks it serves delicious warm soup, ‘toast’ and nachos – this should keep you going a little while longer. Do you need more than that, then Jerry’s Pizza is not far. Just go up Langelandsgade from Ringgaden and the pizzeria is located on your left. If you prefer salad or sandwiches, the take-away spot Sandwich Rico is located up Randersvej on Stjernepladsen. The friendly employees sell you tasty food, especially their pasta salad at 35 kroner is worth a try - here is value-for-money. They already close at 6pm, so remember to stock up before that. Otherwise, you can take a little trip to the Løvbjerg supermarket in the Trøjborg Center or go to Rema 1000 opposite of that, which is open until 9pm.
>> BIOGAS If we mention the term ”Biogas”, it will most likely make you think about: Alternative Energy, slurry tanks and other things like that - but BIOGAS is also the name of the biologists’ and molecular biologists’ party association at Aarhus University. With more than 30 years behind us, we have long experience in organising celebrations for the party and beer happy students at Aarhus University. The 30 years may be taken with a certain grain of salt, since the memory of when exactly the association took its first small steps towards becoming an actual party association has been lost
in the mists of alcohol - nevertheless Biogas is celebrating its 32nd year as an official party organization at the University. Earlier this year, BIOGAS expanded its operational area to include all students in the molecular biology department and we look forward to seeing what it can bring to both the association and the festivities. 4 parties are held annually; divided with one party each quarter of the academic year. Visit us on facebook under BIOGAS Aarhus.
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Sports and Recreation In Aarhus, there are plenty of opportunities for those who want to be active in their spare time and get a well deserved break from the books. The Student Council will give you an overview of some of the special and different sports and recreational activities you can find in town.
Aarhus Universitetssport As a student, you have the opportunity to enjoy many different sports through Aarhus University Sport (AUS) at student friendly prices. AUS is an umbrella organization with 14 independent member clubs and a range of activities run by the AUS Secretariat. In this way, AUS provides a wide range of sporting activities - including aerobics, badminton, basketball, bridge, football, fencing, gymnastics, handball, hunting, rowing, chess, tennis, weight training, squash, shooting, swimming, water polo, volleyball, ultimate, karate and classical Japanese martial arts.
A game of chess in the University Park
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Common to AUS clubs is that they have roots in the student environment, and therefore a large proportion of club members are also students. The clubs offer their different sports at different levels, so no matter how high or low the level of sporting and ambitions, you could find a team that suits you. Social life plays a huge role in the clubs, and thus you have the opportunity to combine sports with a lot of fun, social events and parties in AUS. Additionally, through the AUS activity association, you can gather a bunch of college buddies to a weekly game of football, badminton, basketball or whatever you want. AUS provides gymnasiums and halls in which to practice the sports. Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar and Sports Day The University Park hums with activity and the atmosphere is electric when the AUS, in cooperation with the Student Council, organizes Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar and Sports Day on September 9th. On the Sports Day you can, amongst other things meet all AUS-clubs and play tournaments in soccer, volleyball, handball,
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With our online vouchers Clip’n’Fit you pay easily and only for the times you actually use. With your card from Studenterhus Århus you get an additional free clip with the purchase of 10 clips. Online you can easily sign up for: Spinning, fitness, badminton, climbing, yoga and much more. Get something delicious and healthy to eat after workout. Fill in an order form at the café before you exercise. Dinner will be ready after your workout. You can either eat in DGI-huset or take away.
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Denmark’s Biggest Friday Bar and Sports Day
basketball and Ultimate. Additionally, you can experience the hunting club, which usually roasts a stag, challenge experienced players from the chess club of 1968 or your mates in a game of chess, a fencing duel and lots more. A great day in the University Park with lots of sports, a good atmosphere, cold beers and music to end the party. In short, a day you do not want to miss, so mark your calendar now. Skiing This year, AUS has decided to offer an explosive trip to those of you, who like to ski. During the last 10 years, skiing has become a national sport and AUS has decided to increase the standards. You can go skiing with AUS, for instance ride off-piste perhaps with a trained guide and sleep over in the mountains, run telemark or maybe you just enjoy skiing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skiier, you are welcome to join in. This, too, is a trip for those of you who want to go skiing for the first time.
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Exercise center AUS has its own exercise center where all the students in Aarhus have the opportunity to become a member. The exercise center is located on Otte Ruds Gade 67. The gym is 275 square meters and there are separate bathing facilities for men and women. The workout tools are aimed at both sexes. The price for a full year membership is 950 Danish kroner (June 2011).
Exercise in Aarhus If you need a well earned break from the studies or if you need some exercise after spending hours on a chair, Aarhus has plenty to offer. Forests and beaches are quite close to the city, so do make use of nature’s free pleasures. Outdoor Sporting Joys Running is a great and inexpensive way of getting exercise, while enjoying nature. So just get out there. These are suggestions on where you can go
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Fitness spot in Riis Skov
without getting lost. In several forests there are marked routes for you to follow:
definitely the best located gym - and it’s free.
Hasle Bakker / Skjoldhøjkilen Green running route around 3 km, Yellow running route around 5 km, Red running route around 7 km, black running route around 10 km. Mollerup Skov Yellow running route 2,680 km, Red running route 3,480 km. Riis Skov Red running route around 3.3 km, Yellow running route around 4.7 km.
You probably know Bruuns Galleri already, but did you know that at the top of the building you can play Mini Golf during spring and summer?
In Riis Skov you will also find a fitness spot with 17 tools that can be used by anyone at any level. The fitness spot is in the southern end of Riis Forest where Dronning Margrethes Vej begins. Overlooking the bay of Aarhus, this is
>> routes On www.solstråler.dk you can find more on walking, cycling and running routes in Aarhus. If you have a mountain bike, you can find routes on www.ckaarhus. dk / mtb_i_skovene.asp
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Winter Swimming in Aarhus Bay is an outdoor opportunity that really boosts your blood circulation and clears the brain. Viking Club Jomsborg, housed at Den Permanente, allows you to winter swim from September to May. A seasonal membership costs 400 Danish kroner and enrolment must take place before the end of October. Learn more at: www. vinterbadning.dk
Indoor Sports When it gets cold and the wind increases, exercise in the forest becomes less attractive. Fitness In Fitness World will find good and cheap indoor workouts, and with centers scattered at six locations in and around
town, you can certainly find a center near you. It costs the tidy sum of 229 Danish kroner a month, including free team training and access to the machines in the center. Unions If you prefer to join a sports club, Aarhus has a lot of associations. So do not despair if you have moved from a club where you were happy. Find your new club on the list, where you will also find religious and political associations: http://foreningsaktiv.dk/aws/aauf.html Swimming and Wellness If you need a swim, go to Badeanstalten Spanien, which is located at Spanien 1. The baths are situated in a beautiful, preserved building from 1933. Apart from the swimming, it is also a Spa. It is every day luxury and a really good opportunity to treat yourself, and experience the calm for just 65 kroner.
Sports Events Are you into sports, but prefer the role of the spectator to sore muscles, Aarhus and its surroundings have plenty of adventure in store for you. Jysk Væddeløbsbane Racing at Jysk Racecourse is really good fun and can create the frame of a good day. The historic course offers both trotting and horse races. Just the location in the beech forest makes it
worth a visit. Hop on the bus 1 or 18, they take you right to the tracks. Bring a picnic basket, a few beers and enjoy the weather and the special atmosphere you will find here. Do not forget to print the daily program at home, so you can follow the races and get today’s game tips. The day will only be really perfect when you bet on the winning horse and can collect the gain. Find programs and read more at www.jvb-aarhus.dk AGF – the city’s team Whether you like football or not, you should go watch an AGF-game. It is nothing less than amazing to sit in the sun and enjoy a cold beer, surrounded by the unique atmosphere of a football match. The home stadium of AGF, called NRGi Park, is situated at the Marselisborg Forests and students can save money on the ticket. A single ticket costs 85 kroner and seasonal tickets are also sold with discounts. The stadium is within walking or biking distance from downtown, but the busses 4,8,9,10,18 and 24 all go to the stadium area. Sports Bars Is there anything better than watching Danish as well as international football on the big screen, along with a bunch of other fans? I don´t think so. So visit the English Pub Bridgewater on Åboulevarden. You can watch English and Spanish football, Champions League and the Danish League. They have a lot of TV screens, which means that you will almost always find a good seat.
NRGI Park - the home stadium of AGF
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interview
The voluntary association Himmelhaven More green in the city, please! In Himmelhaven (Heaven Garden) they dream of a greener and more sustainable city and of how to connect people, nature and city. The dreams are put into action in the backyard of Mejlgade 35, where they experiment with urban ecology, permaculture, rooftop gardens and a food community. I met passionate soul and chairman Jonatan Marcussen for a chat about what Himmelhaven comprises. He talked about the association’s many emerging projects and about being a part of the community in the association. Himmelhaven is one of the creative and sustainable associations in Aarhus, which does its best to make the city better and greener to live in. This is partly done through the association’s green action group that will make the city greener through vertical greening in the form of living plant walls and roof gardens, where vegetables are grown on city rooftops. Another way that the association makes the city greener is through the social initiative Fødevarefællesskab (Food Community). ”Every Wednesday when we meet, you can order a bag of organic vegetables for either 50 or 100 kroner every week and it is fresh, locally grown stuff. It is actually cheaper than buying it at the market or anywhere else, because when you team 42
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up together, you get pretty good advantages,” Jonathan Marcussen says. Students with Himmelmave? On Wednesdays, the members meet up to hang out, exchange ideas and talk about what has happened in the association lately. This is also where the vegetables are handed out in reusable cloth bags and here, a meal is prepared and served, so anyone can go home with Himmelmave (Heaven stomach). The food is of course made from locally grown, organic vegetables that are donated by nice farmers who have something left over from their sales on Torvet (the market square). Jonathan invites all interested and perhaps hungry students to come by Frontløberne in the backyard of Mejlgade 35 between 5 and 8pm on Wednesdays and get a healthy, free meal. As he says: ”If you study a lot, you need some vitamins and some decent food to keep up with a busy lifestyle.” And also it is always nice to eat together. The green taking over the city Jonathan talks about the wall out to Mejlgade. He needs to water it today, so it can look nice and green for the street party Mejlgade for Diversity in May. The wall is painted with a mixture of moss and yogurt and voila, a green wall was created. But an even more comprehensive green wall inside the backyard of Mejlgade 35 is on
Market in the backyard
Plant wall in Mejlgade
the drawing board, called a plant wall - the country’s first, and one of those holds many climatic advantages. The wall helps insulate the house, transforms CO2, captures pollution particles from the air and even catches rainwater. That is one of the many projects Himmelhaven includes. Another one is a publicly accessible rooftop garden, in which fruit and vegetables will be grown, which members of the association can look after on Wednesdays, in cooperation with a gardener. Dreams are plenty, but it is clear that Himmelhaven does not just dream, things happen here. The association is growing and is involved in many green and sustainable projects in the city. Among other things, it helps Aarhus to hopefully be able to call itself a green European Capital of Culture in 2017. Take the shovel into you own hands Do you want to help create a greener city, follow the development of rooftop gardens, the plant wall and the food community
and meet a lot of committed people, then there is room for your good ideas and new initiatives. You can always show up on Wednesdays between the 5 and 8pm at Frontløberne in Mejlgade 35 or you can join the association by writing to Jonatan Marcussen at jonatan_marcussen@hotmail.com. A membership costs a one-off fee of 100 kroner and the money is used for projects to be decided in the association.
>> Bureau Detours Jonathan from Himmelhaven recommends a visit to Bureau Detours by Godsbanen, Skovgaardsgade 3, which is an exciting and creative environment where art and architecture in the public sphere is challenged and tested.
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Shopping When you shop in Aarhus, you have plenty to choose from. You will quickly get to know the most common stores, when you meet up with your fellow students or go for a walk around your new city. The Student Council highlights the special places, though – the ones that you do not see on your walk down Strøget.
VINTAGE AND SECOND HAND As a student, charity shops can be a creative way to save money while achieving a unique and personal style. Filigran In a backyard of Volden 24, you will find a small, hidden gem of a vintage shop that offers hand-picked clothes, shoes and accessories. Here you can even get your impulse purchases on commission or trip over a unique handbag or dress at studentfriendly prices. Filigran is only open Friday and Saturday. So ein Ding So ein Ding - not to be confused with the gadget program on DR2 - is one of the first Aarhus vintage clothing stores of its kind. When you step into the jam-packed basement on Nørre Allé 17, you will meet a wonderful atmosphere and an explosion of colors from the countless feminine dresses. In the back room, you will also find a selection of clothes and shoes for guys. Prices are not exactly cheap, but you get a very personal style for your money. Inges Tøjtempel In Inge’s Tøjtempel at Mejlgade 57, cosiness is paramount. Here, you meet 44
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collector Inge, who for many decades, has built up an enormous selection of vintage dresses, shoes and hats. Much of the clothes are costumes which have previously been used to rent, so here you can find pirate costumes and other crazy stuff that comes straight out of Lady Gaga’s wardrobe. This is where the popular charity shops in Copenhagen come to look for unique dresses - so hurry over before your new favourite dress flees the city.
GULDSMEDGADE Guldsmedgade is packed with cool designer stores for the picky and fashionable. Pede & Stoffer Are you looking for the latest clothes from brands such as WonHundred or Stine Goya, then Pede & Stoffer is the way forward for the fashionable girls and boys. Works Unltd. One of the few shops in Aarhus, which sells WoodWood and Henrik Vibskov. The price level may hit the penthouse, but if you like places where special brands are mixed with vintage pocket watches, Works Unltd. has something for you. The store stands out with its edge and creativity.
STUDSGADE In Studsgade you find a handful of the best clothing stores for girls and boys. Sieben In Sieben you get classic style with a twist of innovation for fashionable guys. Filippa K, Tiger of Sweden and Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair are some of the brands that crowd the hangers. Here you get a good service with honest advice for what suits you. Prices are in the slightly more expensive end. Junk de Luxe If you have a plus on your bank account, do not miss a visit to Junk de Luxe, which is one of the classic Aarhus stores. Here luxury junkies get a fix of Marc Jacobs, Gestuz, Isabel Marant, Diane von Furstenberg and other high end brands. The lower floor is for the boys, and the first floor is tastefully decorated for the girls.
FLEA MARKETS AND CLOTHING EVENTS The Aarhus flea markets and clothing events are worth exploring. Here, you can make some great, money saving finds. Remember to bring cash and patience. Ingerslevs Boulevard Flea market with high quality goods. In the summer months, you can take a quick trip to Ingerslev’s Boulevard, where you will find a rich array of such diverse things as comic books, old jewelry, designer furniture, clothes and fine antiquities. The small stalls are open from 10am to 4pm every other Sunday from April 20th to September 21st. Studenterhus Aarhus The first weekend of every month, Studenterhus Aarhus opens its doors for shopping addicts with a large Secondhand Bazar in Stakladen at the University.
Seconhand Bazar in Stakladen
If hiding a tradesman inside, you have the opportunity to have your own booth and sell clothes and other fun stuff. Visit Studenterhus Aarhus’ website for more information on the Secondhand Bazar. Kup! Make a bargain or two at the luxury clothing event, where both normal people and shops can rent a booth. Kup will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 8.30pm at Train. Entrance is 25 kroner.
HIP AND HAPPENING Do you want to raise your street credibility, then these cool shops are worth knowing. Støy Munkholm Fashion centre of the young and hip on Store Torv, with leading brands like Whyred, Acne and American Apparel and fashion books, CDs, hats and more. Prices are high, but in return, the selection is wide and special. Surface Local shop in a backyard in Guldsmedgade, which is definitely the place if you’re into quirky and innovative fashion.
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For the eternal hipster with an inclination towards big sunglasses, tight pants and a colourful shirt, you will not go in vain at Surface. When winter is upon us, Surface is known for their range of snowboards and knowledge. Højkant Højkant is a bit of a gem, which you can find on Skt. Pauls Kirkeplads 1. Like a Kinder Egg, Højkant is more than just sale of unique clothes and designs, but also functions as a gallery and open work space. Their labels are both by established and upcoming designers. It is a vibrant shop where the designers themselves stand behind the counter. Their selection ranges from clothing and jewelry to interior and graphic designs.
Furniture and handicrafts When no more clothes can be squeezed into your overflowing wardrobe, indulge your home with new and trendy design instead. RUM.station At RUM.station, you find quirky furniture designed by talented Aarhusians. Go by the old warehouse over Skumhuset
Tables by RUM.station
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>> STAY UPDATED www.aoa.dk Are you hungry for more, then stay updated on aoa.dk that delivers everything about Aarhus including the newest places to shop, and current events. www.overspring.dk At Overspring, you can see reviews of the latest clothes, inspiration and the like. It is all aimed directly at students at Aarhus University.
by Pustervig Torv and invest in a piece of modern Danish furniture or go inside, if you want to look at different furniture and smile. Designertorvet You take a few steps down into a colorful world of handicraft and funky designs. At Designertorvet on Åboulevarden, there are fun decorative objects in bright colors, classical art such as the tree birds from Kristian Vedel, key chains, jewelry, doormats, and much more. As a special treat, you can mix your own bag of Jelly Beans in the back of the store.
Culture Aarhus has a lot to offer when it comes to artistic diversity. Culture reflects its creators and spectators alike, and the possibilities for a good time are vast. From the large, expensive concerts in Musikhuset, to the noisy halls of the back-ally-located V58. Or from Aarhus Theatre’s main stage with seats for 700 spectators or to Grønnegade where Entrescenen is located at a closed down factory building - Aarhus has something for everyone.
Music When the subject is music in Aarhus, you have to mention Train and Voxhall. Over the years, these two venues have provided a place for memorable concerts with both up-coming Danish bands and big acts from both home and abroad. Among others acts, Train has Rick Astley booked for a gig in October. At Musikhuset there is often stardust in the air. With stage facilities, which leave nothing to be desired, you are invited to the opera with Den Jyske Opera and their professional opera choir, to symphony concerts by the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra (by the way in a recently built hall with excellent acoustics), and much more. Prices are not always student friendly, but you often get discounts if you flash your student card. Gyngen in Mejlgade is a low key venue with a cafe vibe, ideal for acoustic concerts, lectures, comedy and spoken word events! And since we are in Mejlgade, Musikcafeen lies close by. Here, new talent plays, both Danish and international acts in almost every genre, and more established artists in various niche genres - see more at musikcafeen.dk V58 is back at the level of the 70s and 80s. In the backyard of Vestergade 58
Voxhall
V58
all sorts of musical genres populate the stage and in the basement is Analog Bar – where all the music is played from cassette tapes or LPs. Oldschool! Program, info and more online. Atlas is situated right next to Voxhall in Vester Allé. It is a brand new venue; Atlas opened its doors for the first time in August 2010 with the ambition to present the best within jazz, folk, and world. Student life
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Danish and international organizers. The festival takes place around downtown and there is a guarantee of new, good music. Visit the festival online at spotfestival.dk
>> websites for venues www.train.dk, www.voxhall.dk, www.musikhusetaarhus.dk, www.gyngen.dk, www.musikcafeen. dk, www.vestergade58.dk, www. atlasaarhus.dk, www.jazzfest.dk, www.aarhustookit.dk and www. spotfestival.dk
There is no student discounts, but prices at the door are affordable (depending on the concert ...). Present Aarhus is one of Aarhus’ most tireless festival organizers. They have several festivals each year, some longer than others, but all with the artists in place and a young profile. They both have dance, club and dub, often in the halls of Ridehuset. Here, Trentemøller, Spleen United and Ministry of Sound all have been on the poster. Especially keep an eye on Present Aarhus during the Festival Week. Every summer Aarhus Jazz Festival comes to life. The name says it all: it’s jazz and it is in Aarhus. During a week’s time, about 30 concerts are arranged at Klostertorv - but more than 20 cafés, venues and other good people contribute with even more. It is a week where you, during a short walk downtown, meet jazz sessions on every street corner! Took-it is also a recurring event in Aarhus’ music landscape over the past 10 years. It is a festival where hip-hop is at the center, both Danish and international. A selection from the catalog: Den Gale Pose, Malk de Koijn and Redman. Many big Danish rappers took their first baby steps at Tookit, among others Jøden, U$O and L.O.C - more at aarhustookit.dk Since 1995, SPOT festival has focused on the upcoming Danish bands. With support from established names, the festival is to promote awareness of Danish music for 48
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Movies The two large cinemas in Aarhus are BioCity and Cinemaxx. In Cinemaxx’ largest room, 550 people can comfortably sit in front of a 20x8 meter wide screen. Actually, six of the city’s largest screens are located in six of the eight cinema rooms. Together with BioCity Hollywood’s presence in Aarhus is guaranteed. Of course in 3D. See the program for Cinemaxx and BioCity through Kino.dk At Metropol on Trøjborg, we are talking about something entirely different. Here, it is not the size but what you do with it. They primarily feature productions from Hollywood but also Danish movies. Do you want to get far away from the big blockbusters, then go to Øst for Paradis. With that being said, they do show American movies, they just have certain artistic requirements. In Øst for Paradis, you can watch small movie gems that do not get time on the big screens, and it has been like that since 1978! Since 2007, the cinema has slowly been updated, both picture and sound wise, and the cinema in Paradisgade is certainly worth a visit. Online, it is paradisbio.dk. In a basement in Mejlgade lies Slagtehal3. Here the 42 lucky ones, who get a chair, can enjoy themes like ‘redneck horror’, ‘VHS evening’ or ‘dwarf movies’ - in other words, any obscure subgenre within the world of film. Films are shown every Thursday, and this year’s program is definite. Århus Studenternes Filmklub (Aarhus Student Film Club) is for people who love movies or just want to put the books on the shelf for awhile. During the spring and autumn season, movies from around the world are featured in the auditorium at the Mathematical Institute twice a week. The cinema shows everything from silent movies and French film art to the great clas-
Foto: Lars Aarø
ARoS - Your rainbow panorama
sics and contemporary stars. Ticket prices vary between 20 and 35 kr for members, and membership can be purchased for 70 kroner annually. ÅSF is one of those special experiences that you have to allow yourself.
>> cinemas online www.cinemaxx.dk, www.kino.dk (both for Metropol and BioCity), www.paradisbio.dk and www. slagtehal3.dk
art ARoS opened in 2004 in the heart of the city. With its over 17,000 square meters, it is one of Northern Europe’s largest art museums, which annually organizes three major international art exhibitions in beautiful surroundings. As a student you can get in cheaper than usual. Visit aros. dk for more info. Vestergade is THE gallery street. Here you can find the galleries Machwerket, Møllerwitt, Galleri Image, and close by also gallery Charlotte Fogh. Machwerket is unpretentious, unestablished young art, conveniently located opposite the Aarhus Art Academy. In Vestergade are galleries like pearls on a string, and window-peeping is allowed. Student life
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foto: per victor
Streetart found in Aarhus
The website gadentaler.dk features a large and growing guide to street art, both in Aarhus and other cities. When there is no space at the city’s museums and galleries, art hits the public space – it is all about keeping your eyes open for the little details.
Theatre Aarhus Theatre has been the city’s largest and widest-ranging theatre for 110 years. The aim is that there must be something for everyone. And with 5 scenes, café Hack (with its own radio show: Café Hack, every Sunday morning on DR P4) and 20 permanently employed actors, the aim will surely be met. For example you can go and see a theatre concert, a new
>> Find theatre, show and tickets on: www.aarhusteater.dk, www.svalegangen.dk , www.entrescenen.dk and www.granhoj.dk. By the way also on www.katapult.dk and www.opgang2.dk
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Granhøj Dans
concept that is very much invested in, after the successes with its Nick Cave and Bob Dylan theatre concerts. Here roars musical, theatre and concert together in a mix, which must be experienced. As with most of the city’s other theatres, they offer student tickets at half price on weekdays. In Rosenkrantzgade lies Svalegangen. The theatre produces six of its own shows a year of extremely high quality and tours the country with many of the performances. This means that the network is in order, and therefore they also feature shows from outside of Aarhus. Since 2007, the theater has received no less than 4 Reumert awards for acting. Read more at svalegangen.dk Entrescenen is found on the top of Grønnegade. It is the place for new, young, domestic and foreign performing arts. Here, the opera converges with electronic music, Greenlandic drum dancing and modern break dance. And what that has to do with theatre, you have to see, to find answers. See more on entrescenen.dk Granhøj Dans is Aarhus’ very own internationally recognized dance company. Palle Granhøj has choreographed since 1989, but it is a long time since the Company only danced in Aarhus. Now they tour the whole world. Start on granhøj.dk
Museums Moesgård knows about ancient times as Den Gamle By (the Old Town) knows about recent history (although still old). A thorough walk through both museums gives you a really good historical insight into Jutland but also into the rest of Denmark. At Moesgård lies Grauballe manden, they have built authentic medieval houses and the Vikings meet every summer for a big event with activities, fighting and pig roast over an open fire. In Den Gamle By, you can hike from the 1500s to 1900s and see historical buildings from around the country. In 2010 the first stage of a town anno 1974 opened, where the Danish Poster Museum and the jazz bar Bent J is situated.
Outdoors Botanisk Have (Botanical Garden) offers both a large grass area for sunbathing, an amphitheater, winding paths between shrubs and flower beds and a large greenhouse, for the plants that do not tolerate the Danish climate. Here, a lot of Aarhusians spend the summer. At Tangkrogen between the marina and Strandvejen, many of the city’s major events take place: concerts, circuses, etc. But even on a casual summer day, the area is worth a visit and a hike along the mansions and the beach with the woods in the horizon.
what else Between August 26th and September 4th the entire city collaborates about Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival Week). Each year is the frame for a new theme for a week’s festivities. This year, it is called “Wonderful mistakes... and other lucky strikes”. “We will allow ourselves to periodically search for the favor of coincidence, and extract the opportunities and the beauty found in mistakes. The world is not perfect - but full of lucky strikes.
From Aarhus Festival Week 2010 - CODY
And we collect those at the Festival Week 2011.” Keep an eye on the program when the days are approaching, there is definitely an event or two that are worth a visit! Tivoli Friheden is idyllically situated inside a forest but still at the center of Aarhus. Here are both new and old rides, flowers and cotton candy. Throughout the summer, there are concerts every Friday, this year with bands such as Alphabeat, Outlandish and Savage Rose. If you are missing a workshop, creative feedback, or just inspiration, then Huset on Vesterbro Torv is the answer. Armed with all sorts of skills in wood, metal, graphics and much else, the possibilities for creative expression is limited only by imagination. It is all very SU-friendly. See huset-aarhus.dk for more information.
>> Useful websites: www.moesmus.dk , www. dengamleby.dk, www.aarhusfestuge.dk, www.friheden.dk, www.husetaarhus.dk
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article
For a good cause
There are more opportunities for higher education students than the opportunities you have in high school. Fair enough, maybe you have less time for partying, but the possibility of combining studying with pleasure grows. You are supposed to become better and wiser within your field of study, and there are many places you might be able to turn what you learn in school into practice. Naturhistorisk Museum, Ree Park and others employ a good deal of biology and geology students. The Steno Museum claims physics, chemistry and other natural science students. Den Gamle By (The Old Town) wants the history students. Just to communicate what you can do and what you learn at the university means that this plants itself better in
>> tusindfryd Besides from a very rewarding job and a lot of fun, the association also offers courses in homework and other exciting things.
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There are several tutoring centers in Aarhus. Find one near you and try it out. You will not regret it.
your brain, and may even become more fun. Do you want to combine this opportunity with a little volunteer work, which undoubtedly helps on your karma, volunteering as a homework tutor is exactly what you have been waiting for. The job interview is very short, however, the gratitude is great. After hearing about Tusindfryd during a scarcely interesting calculus lecture, the idea to try tutoring had simmered in my mind for some time. At the library in Gjellerup parken, a bunch of enthusiastic young and older people hang out. I went there to see what actually is going on there. I do not know what I had expected, but my surprise was significant when I met the homework tutors of Tusindfryd. A joyous mix of retirees and uni-girls sat and enjoyed themselves, while the young people from the area came and humbly
The library in Gellerup
asked for help. If you are looking for integration, this is where it exists. A lady above the pension age helps three young, scarf-wearing girls with German verbs. A kid with seriously baggy pants and a tilted cap listens attentively to a geography tutor. The atmosphere is very down to earth while the young people come and go and tutors switch between verbs and tables. A young boy comes up to me and asks, if I would help him with some mathematics. We begin, and it turns out to be a test and appears to be an introduction to decimals. We have to find out what a thermometer shows. Well, I have just finished my calculus2, but this is not easy. How do you explain that there are more numbers between the whole ones? That there is always more figures hiding? That it never stops? It took an hour and a half, and I actually think both of us understood it a little better afterwards.
And well... volunteer work is not bad for the resume either.
>> for more info, see: www.aakb.dk/biblioteker/ facilitet/lektiehjaelp www.mark-blomst.dk www.tusindfryd.com www.lektier-online.dk
Tusindfryd is an association of volunteers under Dansk Flygtningehjælp (Danish Refugee Council). On a weekly basis, they manage to help up to 150 pupils between 1st grade and 3rd year of the ‘gymnasium’ with everything from German verbs, multiplying tables and political science. In its present form, it has existed for over 10 years and its popularity amongst the locals seems to continue to thrive. The only drawback is the lack of helpers. If you want to try yourself as a voluntary homework helper, there is undoubtedly room for you, and there are many people who will appreciate your help. And, yes, you will come up short. It is actually astoundingly challenging.
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GOOD ADVICE 54
Good advice
Accommodation Having a nice home is important for you being able to concentrate on your studies. If you are not already settled in, here are some tips on how to find your new home. Once you have found your new home, the Student Council’s tips on how to make the most of a small space will come in handy.
5 tips for finding accommodation
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Search everywhere Sign up for accommodation wherever you can. Increase your chances by using several accommodation services. Remember that on some portals, there are limits on how many places you are allowed to turn down. See more on the next page.
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too much time on transportation every day.
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Finding the right type of residence Consider the pros and cons of various types of residence. All people are different, therefore, living in a room in the residence halls might be right for some people, while it might be wrong for someone else. See more on the next page.
Sharpen your elbows! At the beginning of a semester many students are looking for a home, so you need to be prepared to either fight for the good places or to go easy on your demands at first. Once everything has calmed down, you will calmly be able to find your perfect home.
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Get a tenancy contract Always be sure to get a tenancy contract and remember to read it closely to avoid errors in the agreement or paying too much rent.
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Check transportation opportunities It is important to be able to get easily to and from your home and the university. It is annoying having to spend
Residence halls at the University Park
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>> 3 types of residence – pros and cons Residence halls Pros: While studying, your personal finances are often quite strained; this is why a cheap room in the residence halls might be a great way to cut down on your expenses. In the residence halls you will always be able to find someone to talk to and someone with whom you can share the frustrations and joys of your life as a student. Your neighbours will probably be more understanding than your own family to the fact that you might be in the middle of an examination race or that you have to eat pasta and ketchup for dinner to save money. Furthermore, it is common to share some expenses – for instance newspapers. Cons: In the residence halls you usually share quite a few things – sometimes even your bathroom and toilet. You cannot invite a large group of guests into your kitchen and then expect your neighbours to stay out. Also, more often than not, one of your neighbours might find it difficult to clean up after himself. Thus, the intimacy has its price.
Shared flat Pros: You usually have more room when living in a joint flat rather than in the residence halls. You will not have to share your space with too many people, and you
Housing allowance You will soon discover that receiving the monthly SU will not make you prosperous. For this reason, seeking housing allowance might be a good supplement to your income. You seek housing allowance by sending an application to your local authorities in which you inform them of both your financial situation and your housing situation. They will then decide upon what you are entitled to. You should notice that you will need to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the housing allowance. One demand is living in a rented flat or room that has its own kitchen. If you live in a joint flat the official 56
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usually have an influence on who you are going to live with. You can share some of your expenses such as the media licence and the internet bill. Cons: Since you still live with another person, you cannot control everything yourself. Your monthly expenses will probably be higher than if you lived in the residence halls because you do not share these expenses with more than a few others.
Your own place Pros: When you live in your own flat you will have plenty of space. You will not have to pay attention to others and you have the fridge all to yourself. Also, you will have peace and quiet when you need it the most, for instance, when studying for an exam. Cons: Living in a flat on your own is the most expensive solution. In most cases you will have to work quite a bit to be able to afford it next to your SU. Also, you might risk getting lonely when you do not have anyone to share your good and bad times with. You ought to have this in mind when looking for your new home, since many studies have few lessons, so you might not meet your fellow students daily.
tenant is allowed to seek housing allowance or you can seek together. For more information visit aarhuskommune.dk and click on “selvbetjening” in the menu. Here, you can calculate how much allowance you are eligible for. The average housing allowance ranges from 500 to 600 kroner a month, so it might be worth investigating whether or not you are entitled to some extra money.
Online housing hunting www.ungdomsboligaarhus.dk This website allows you to search among more than 8,000 different rooms out of the
The residence hall ‘Børglumkollegiet’
around 9,000 rooms in the residence halls in Aarhus making it the best place to start when searching for a room. The site is very user friendly and shows you both images and maps. www.sr.au.dk You can find flats for rent on the Student Council website. You will find an array of flats and you can put up your own ad in the hope that someone will see it and respond. Inserting an ad on the Student Council website is free. www.boligportal.dk This is a great place to start when looking for privately let flats. On this website you can search among thousands of flats. Gaining access to the contact information of the landlords for two months costs 350 kroner, but if you can keep your cool, you will gain access for free once the ads have been online for about three weeks. www.aarhusbolig.dk Aarhusbolig is a co-operation between some of the largest housing associations in Aarhus. You can search among more than 23,000 flats in most parts of the city. However, many of the flats have a long waiting list, so it might be a good idea to rent one of the less popular flats in the outskirts of the city and then move to one of the nicer flats after a year. Many students have taken advantage of this opportunity.
www.koll.au.dk Unlike other residence halls in Aarhus, the ones in the University Park have their own admission rules. In order to be eligible for renting a room in the University Park, you have to be a matriculated student of Aarhus University. Due to their good location and low rent, the rooms are very popular.
Need help? If you are having any problems with your place or your landlord, several authorities can help you: The Student Council Legal Aid (Studenterrådets Retshjælp) offers free legal advice if you have any problems. You will find the office hours and contact information on sr.au.dk under “Studenterrådet tilbyder” – “Retshjælpen”. The Student Council also recommends you to join the Danish Tenant Union (LLO – Lejernes Landsorganisation), an organization that works for the rights of tenants in cases against landlords, official authorities and politicians. If you suspect that you are paying too much rent, you can ask Huslejenævnet i Århus (the rent control board) to investigate the matter. Read more about the control board at borger.dk. Good advice
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>> ROOM SERVICE – make the most of your space Most student rooms or flats are relatively smaller than you could wish for, which makes it rather difficult to fit everything in. The Student Council gives you a few tips for making the most of your small space. Buy a loft bed. IKEA sells loft beds with a width of 90 or 140 centimetres. Having a loft bed leaves you with plenty of space underneath your bed to place a desk or a sofa. Shelves below the ceiling. Put up shelves just below the ceiling. This will give you plenty of storage space and the shelves will not dominate the room as they are placed so high up.
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The balcony can be used throughout the year. If you are lucky enough to have a balcony in your flat, you will be able to store all sorts of things out there. You could, for instance, buy a plastic laundry basket with a closefitting lid and place it on your balcony. That way you will not have to deal with the sour smell if you do not do your laundry that often.
also remember: •
Hang up small pictures on your walls – it will make the room appear larger.
•
Put a mirror across from the window – it will add light to the room.
•
Avoid placing large objects on your window sill – they will steal the light.
Make the most of your wardrobe space. This goes for both the bottom and top half of your wardrobe. You can usually fit in an extra shelf and maybe you even have extra space on top of your wardrobe.
IKEA has everything for your home - and even at student friendly prices.
Use mom and dad. Store your winter clothes or other seasonal things at your parents’ house during the summer. They probably have a bit of space you can borrow.
IKEA Århus Graham Bells Vej 9-11 8200 Århus N Bus number 3 will take you straight to the door.
Good advice
INFORMATION and MEDIa Many exciting things take place at the university and in the city that are worth staying informed about. The Student Council presents you with a guide on how to keep yourself posted.
at AARHUS UNIVERSITET UNIvers Aarhus University publishes its own newspaper, UNIvers, approximately 20 times a year. In the paper you can read about what is happening around the university. It is written by the Communications Department at the university and contains news from the management as well as articles and debate material for both students and employees. You will find the newspaper in the stands located around the university. If you want to read the online version you can visit www.au.dk/univers. Here you can also sign up for the UNIvers newsletter which gives you the chance to be among the first to read selected articles.
Delfinen Delfinen is a magazine published by the Student Council for students at Aarhus University. It is published 8 times a year. The magazine features anything from reports on cultural and educational events, both on and off campus, to articles on student politics, book reviews, and debates. Apart from five pages by the Student Council, Delfinen is written and edited by an independent group of
>> Volunteering for Delfinen? If you love to write, take pictures or draw, and take an interest in what goes on around you at the university there is always room for you at Delfinen. Once a month the editors meet to discuss new ideas. If you want to join you can write them at delfinen@sr.au.dk or visit www. delfinen-magasin.dk for more information.
editors made up of volunteering students studying in various departments of the university. Besides being responsible for the editing of the magazine the students also take part in the more practical tasks such as designing the layout and taking pictures. The editors Good advice
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AT YOUR INSTITUTE Apart from the official communication channels you can also find student run periodicals and magazines at most institutes. These are published four times each semester and are supported by the individual institutes. The magazines usually focus on themes, but they also provide information on relevant social and educational events. Keep an eye on the many notice boards you will find on campus – here you can also find information on events and offers at your faculty, at the university and in the city.
In AARHUS The State and University Library
are open to suggestions for articles, debates and press releases on events: delfinen@sr.au.dk. studerende.au.dk The university has gathered all relevant information for the students at studerende.au.dk. It is worth a visit as you will find information on everything from events and newsletters to the SU, student ID cards and counselling. You will also find a guide that will help you when you are looking for a certain room or person at the university.
AT YOUR FACULTY If you are interested in finding out what is happening at your faculty you can visit its AU website and sign up for the newsletter which is frequently published throughout the year. The website will also keep you updated on news, upcoming events and information on all the lines of study at your faculty. If, for instance, you are studying at the Arts faculty the address is art.au.dk, while students in the Health programmes should visit health.au.dk. 60
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Local newspapers Newspaper-wise the two large players Jyllands-Posten and Aarhus Stiftstidende dominate the field. Aarhus Stiftstidende is run by Midtjyske Medier, which apart from publishing ”Stiften”, as the paper is often called, also publishes the free weekly paper Aarhus Onsdag. Aarhus Onsdag is deeply rooted in its local community and introduces music, film, concerts, theatre and other events going on in the city. The paper has an air of pleasant peculiarity about it which is mainly found in the doublesided personal ads entitled “Lykken er”, in English “Happiness is”. As part of the edition for the central section of the city Lokalavisen Aarhus publishes a supplement about student life around the educational
institutions in Aarhus. If you live in the centre of the city you will receive the paper in your mailbox, but you can also read it online at www.studieliv. lokalavisen.dk. Student radio Aarhus Studenterradio is run and presented by students for students. The purpose of the channel is to present a good-humoured and relevant radio for students. The morning radio is aired weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., while the evening radio airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 p.m. to 10p.m. If you are interested in programmes about art, politics, media and culture then tune in to Studenterradioen on frequency 98,7 fm. Cultural guides Kultunaut.dk is Denmark’s largest online cultural calendar with news on music, theatre, films, exhibitions and books. In addition you can browse Kulturnaut’s cultural calendar for places and organisations as well as create your own calen-
dar and check list. If you are looking for inspiration for everything from concerts and vernissages to financial advice for students you have to visit overspring.dk. If you need inspiration for where to enjoy dinner Mangospot.dk might come in handy. The website features reviews of restaurants, cafés, takeaway restaurants and catering in Aarhus. www.mangospot.dk. New groups updating you on what is taking place in Aarhus are frequently created on Facebook. Not all groups are updated on a regular basis, but if you search for “Aarhus” on Facebook you will always be able to find various groups updating you on what is going on in the city. Examples of groups are I know this great little place in Aarhus and Hvad kan du i denne uge Aarhus? This student guide also has its own group on Facebook. On Studenterhåndbogen – AU you will find great tips on life as a student in Aarhus and you can share your own ideas with your many new fellow students.
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Student jobs If the SU does not cover your expenses it might be necessary to look for a student job. This guide lets you know where and how to can find a student job in Aarhus.
6 tips on writing cover letters and CVs
You have decided to look for a job and now you have to write the application. But where do you start? We have asked Studiejob Aarhus to give you 6 good tips on how to write an application.
1
Research It is always important to find as much information about the job and company as possible no matter if you are responding to a job advertisement or if you have decided to write an unsolicited appli-
cation. The more background information you have about a job and/ or a company the better and more precisely you will be able to target your application on the job.
2
Carefully work through your CV The CV is your application’s most important appendix. It describes your past jobs and your educational background.
3
Carefully work through your cover letter It is important to clearly state what
>> 3 tips for your job interview: Now you have sent your application and you have of course been invited for an interview because you followed the good advice provided by this student guide. Below you will find three tips on how to tackle a job interview in the best possible way.
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1) Prepare questions. It shows interest and motivation, and last but not least it could help fight nervousness. 2) Be proactive. Tell them about yourself, but also remember to listen. 3) Honesty sells. Point out your strengths, but do not try to hide your weaknesses.
the purpose of the application is and in particular it is important to aim the cover letter specifically at the job and the company. The company should get an idea of what you have to offer and the decisionmaker should want to invite you for an interview. While a CV describes your past experience and results, the cover letter states what you can offer the company in the future.
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Let your personality show Show who you are, but not through postulates. Let part of your personality shine through your use of language, examples and pictures. Come up with examples instead of clichés like: “I am thorough, flexible, good at working in teams and working alone”. Put simply: “show it – don’t tell it!”
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Remember the connecting thread A “connecting thread” throughout the application will make it seem reliable. You should also make sure there is a logic connection between the introduction and ending of the cover letter.
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Send out an unsolicited application The advice mentioned above also goes for unsolicited applications. Since you cannot aim the application at a specific job position it is even more important that you gather a lot of background information about the company. The information will help you let the company know in which areas your competences could be of interest to them.
Need extra guidance? Then send an e-mail to Studiejob Aarhus at kontakt@studiejobaarhus. dk. The organisation guides stu-
>> recommended websites The internet is always a good place to start when you are on a job hunt. The following websites are directed at students and university graduates: www.studiejobaarhus.dk On this site you will find jobs in and around Aarhus and you can find information on how to write cover letters and a good CV. www.so.dk A great website that is also very easy to use. Apart from job openings you will also find information on student discounts, grants, flats and rooms for rent, tips on how to write job applications and CVs as well as career inspiration and company profiles. www.jobjunction.dk Here you will find student jobs and internship openings. You can search by interests and geography. The website is easy to use. www.go.dk A user friendly website on which you will find student jobs and internship openings. You will also find company profiles and tips on how to survive as a poor student. www.jobbank.dk A job database primarily for university students and graduates. You will find student jobs relevant to your field and interviews with people of various occupations. The site has a job agent which will notify you when there is a vacancy matching your profile.
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dents in their job search. You will be advised by students who know what it is like to be in your shoes. Moreover they work in close contact with the companies and can tell you what you should do to get a job.
Volunteer work Working without making a penny might not sound interesting, but doing volunteer work will give you so many other things in return. You will meet new people, make a difference to others and have something new to add to your CV. If it sounds like something for you, why not get started right away? Aarhus offers a lot of possibilities for volunteers. Where to find a volunteer job? If working as a volunteer facer sounds boring to you then have a look here. There are many different ways of volunteering. Fairbar is a non-profit café in which you can work as a bartender, or give a concert if you have any talent in the musical department. www.fairbar.dk. GAM3 is the quintessence of urban culture. The programme is a fusion of street basket ball, dance, urban culture and an effort to integrate minority youth in the community. www.gam3.dk. Café Kloden is a place for children from ethnic minority backgrounds to receive help for their homework. This meeting place is an initiative by Dansk Flygtningehjælp (the Danish Refugee Council). www.cafekloden.wordpress.com. Ungdommens Røde Kors (The Danish Red Cross Youth) helps vulnerable children in Denmark. 64
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Help children with their homework, work on the telephone hotline or go camping with the children during the summer. www.urk.dk. Red Barnet Ungdom (Save the Children Youth). Volunteer in one of the homework cafés or youth clubs. You can also take part in the antibullying programme, MobSQUAD, and visit schools to inform the pupils about anti-bullying. www.redbarnetungdom.dk.
>> more volunteer work On frivilligjob.dk you will find many different types of volunteer work.
dm.dk/studerende
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. 6 ud af 10 studentermedlemmer benytter sig allerede af det gode tilbud. Det koster op til 146 kroner om måneden at føle sig både sikker og tryg med en:
• Indbo- og ansvarsforsikring • Rejseforsikring • Ulykkesforsikring
Bliv medlem inden 01.11.2011 og vind et års studieforsikring dm.dk/studerende
LÆRERSTANDENS BRANDFORSIKRING G/S
DM (Dansk Magisterforening) er en fagforening for 38.000 kandidater og studerende inden for humaniora, naturvidenskab, samfundsfag og sundhedsvidenskab. Det koster kun 22 kroner om måneden for landets mest begavede studiemedlemskab.
INTERVIEW
Why not just do it? by marianna winther
If you dream of becoming an entrepreneur, or think that you have a great idea that needs to be put into action, but are not sure how to proceed with it or lack inspiration, then keep on reading. I talked with Jarle Kondrup who does not think starting your own company has to be difficult even though you are a student. He actually thinks it can be an advantage. Jarle, who is studying the 2nd semester of Experience Economy, launched the company drinksservice.dk a year and a half ago together with his twin brother and a good friend. What does your company sell? We sell cocktail events to both companies and private people when they are having a party. How did you come up with that idea? Altogether we have more than 25 years of experience within the business – both nationally and internationally – and it is something we are very passionate about. Through the years we have been hired for various occasions, and been involved with many different events. After arranging some events ourselves, and being in charge of everything, we realised that 66
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to be able to vouch for the quality of the event we had to do the preparations and the planning ourselves as well as being present on the day of the event. What should you do if you have an idea, but no experience? I think you should use your idea as a starting point and ask people in your social circle if they want to join you. And then just get started. You make it sound so easy… Actually it is. I mean, before we began we looked into the different aspects of opening up your own business. Then we set up a website and started spreading the message.
>> websites Studentervæksthus Aarhus: www.studentervæksthus.au.dk Aarhus Entrepreneurship Centre: www.aec.au.dk www.skat.dk (here you will find links to the various lectures they offer entrepreneurs)
Jarle Fink Kondrup and Thorlak Fink
Was it easy finding the information on what is required? There are a ton of good offers that can help you on your way. For instance StudentervĂŚksthus and Aarhus Entrepreneur Centre will give you free guidance, have a look at your business plan and be your mentors. We have made use of these offers in connection with our company. What thoughts did you have about the practical part of becoming an entrepreneur? Personally I was a little worried about things like taxes. It can seem confusing before you get started, but we found out that SKAT (the Danish Tax Administration) offers courses and guidance to entrepreneurs. They will familiarise you with the processes in a way that is easy to understand. What is the advantage of running your own business compared to having an ordinary student job? I think the freedom is the most important part. When you are your own boss you get to decide how big or how small you want it to be. All three of us are students and during exam periods we can put the company on standby for a while. At the same time we can also choose which jobs
we want to accept. It sounds like you really enjoy it. Is it all fun and games? Yes and no! The fact that we are doing something that combines our interest with our job might make it sound like it is all about having fun. On the other hand we work hard and invest a lot of energy and time in it. Because it is our own company we want to do a good job and have happy costumers. I think that before getting started you have to realise that setting up a business takes a lot of time and energy. But then again, if you are dealing with something that interests you then you are bound to have the motivation, and that is important. Do you think being an entrepreneur takes a certain kind of personality? No, I think anyone can be an entrepreneur. No matter if you are an extrovert or more of an introvert you will have useful competences, but at the same time you cannot be afraid of failing. You will gain experience from everything and it is always a good thing to add some healthy interests to your CV. And I guess having your own company is a healthy interest.
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Reading tips Reading and studying on your own is a big part of life as a university student. The sometimes enormous amount of reading can be approached in many ways. Nobody has the same style of studying so do not be afraid to try out various methods. The Student Council provides you with a few tips on how to get through your reading in the best possible way.
reading rooms Not everyone is able to study at home. Perhaps your roommates are too noisy; perhaps you procrastinate by watching TV or doing the dishes. The reading rooms present you with the opportunity to get some work done in surroundings designed for that specific purpose. You should not underestimate the motivational factor of being surrounded by people who are also reading and studying. Every day hundreds of students study in the reading rooms around campus. You can use any of the reading rooms on campus, and not just the ones in your institute. If you need 24-hour access to the reading rooms of other institutes you will need to activate your student ID card at these institutes. Upon activation your student ID card will work as a key card and you will gain
With your key card you are able to access all of the reading rooms at the university. Take advantage of this and try out the different rooms. If nothing else, you will find out where they are situated.
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24-hour access. However, the reading room at the State and University Library (Statsbiblioteket) may only be used during the opening hours of the library. You are free to choose whichever reading room meets your needs.
STUDY BOOKS Each semester you must work your way through a copious curriculum and for this you need a lot of new study books. In Aarhus you can find plenty of opportunities to borrow books or buy cheap ones. The library at Aarhus University lets you take out a wide selection of books. The State and University Library with its distinctive book tower would be a great place to start. The library differs from other libraries in that the books are not freely accessible, but are stored in the book tower and below the ground. The shelves are closed and books should always be reserved through the website. The library also has a wide selection of journals and newspapers. On the website you can become a registered user. As well as having the opportunity to take out books you will also gain access to several databases of electronic journals, e-books, encyclopaedias and dictionaries. In short, The State
>> GUIDE TO THE BEST READING ROOMS AT AARHUS UNIVERSITY State and University Library Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 2 pm. Large, quiet reading room with 70 study desks. You are not allowed to bring your bags into the reading room, but you can store them in a locker. However, many of the study desks are reserved for students writing their master’s thesis. This reading room is the best for accessing computers, magazines, books and guidance from the library employees. The staff watches over the noise level of the room and it is rumoured that a student was once kicked out for having coughed too loudly. Biology, building 1223. You will find study desks and group rooms in the House of Biology (Biologiens Hus) which forms the centre of life as a student of biology. You are never alone here, and if you feel like taking a study break and to dip into the association activities of the department you will have plenty of chances to do so in the House of Biology. Medicine, building 1161 You will find a total of 119 study desks divided between medicine and anatomy. The reading rooms are newly furnished and cool and all of the desks have their own power outlet. The screens separating the desks can be used as a notice board giving you a unique opportunity to tailor your own study space.
Nobelparken, build. 1461 and 1463 The library has 64 semi-quiet study desks in the basement and in the building next to it you will find both a quiet reading room with 74 study desks and one on the ground floor that has 48 desks. All study desks are equipped with a power outlet and screens. The canteen, which is close by, has plenty of room for working in groups or for taking a break from studying along with your fellow students. Aarhus School of Business (ASB) The reading room at ASB is advanced and interesting. The new reading room has 50-60 study desks while the old room has about 30 quiet study desks where you are not allowed to bring your computer. There are also plenty of open spaces for working in groups. From the reading room you will have a view of the duck-pond and will always have coffee at hand. Social Sciences, building 1351 The Library of Social Sciences has an array of study desks which are used by students studying law, economics and political science. You will find the study desks on the first and second floor of the library and in the old law reading rooms behind the library. In the back of the library you will find spaces for working in groups and newspapers for everyone to use. At the Library of Social Sciences you may book a librarian if you need help with finding the right books for you examinations paper.
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>> Five steps towards good reading habits By instructor – Jens Birkmose, Master in Law
You will need to know more than your ABC’s in order to benefit from your reading. A good strategy for reading and learning requires you to focus, concentrate, have a good memory and energy, and for you to be able to learn without getting stressed in order for you to obtain the right body chemistry and long-term memory. Typically, the brain can only concentrate properly for 20 to 30 minutes after which it will need a quick break before carrying on. Flow or absorbing yourself in the task might prolong this period of concentration, but you should never push yourself too hard. Taking short breaks is key to improving concentration. Five steps for optimising your reading: 1. Divide your reading into short but efficient periods and prioritise. 2. Relax both physically and mentally before beginning your reading, and look forward to it. 3. Start by making a note of the aim of the chapter you are to read. 4. Form a general view before reading. Using the index, the summary and a cursory reading of the chapter you will be able to decode the unifying principle and find the most important parts of the chapter. During this process you should make a note of 5 to 10 keywords to fasten your
memory and reading upon. You will often find the best keywords in the index. 5. Now read. You should start by skimming and reading the chapter rapidly without analysing in debt or reading critically. The reading aims at you learning to reflect on the words that will aid your comprehension without actually saying all of the conjunctions to yourself. By following these steps you will increase your reading speed and thereby quickly be able to form a general overview of the text. Having gained this understanding of the text you are now able to consider, analyse and go deeply into the elements you need to learn. During this process you might find it helpful to construct notes that will support you in revisions and presentations. Since you have now formed a comprehensive view of your text, taking notes at this stage will help you get the right notes free from superfluous words. You should use the keywords you wrote down in stage 4. Remember: During autumn and spring The Student Council offers a course in the above-mentioned strategy as well as a course in how to improve your memory, for instance, when cramming for an exam. Jens Birkmose will teach both courses. For more information on courses offered by the Student Council visit sr.au.dk.
and University Library has all a student could wish for including friendly and qualified librarians. In addition to the State and University Library, Aarhus University has a number of institute libraries specialising in their own particular field. You can find more information on the institute libraries and where they are situated on http://bibliotek.au.dk/bibliotekaudk/.
braries. You can search for a book, choose which library the book is to be sent to and then you can go and collect it.
Libraries in Aarhus In Aarhus you will find the Central Library (Hovedbiblioteket) at the address Møllegade 1, 8000 Aarhus C. You can also visit the 18 public libraries. You will find the library closest to your home on aakb.dk/ biblioteker. Bibliotek.dk is a database of what you can find at the Danish public li-
Pay attention to the date of delivery when ordering your new books online. Students have a tendency to order last minute and, as a consequence, there are often big delays.
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Study books at the university Stakbogladen, situated below the Students’ House, is the academic bookshop of Aarhus University carrying a wide selection
of both Danish and international literature within any subject area you can imagine. All prescribed books and compendiums are usually in stock so that you can always find the books that you need for yvour classes. They offer a 10 percent student discount, so do not forget to bring your student ID card. Stakbogladen also has a few small outlets e.g. at the department of mathematical sciences. Study books online You can usually save a bit by buying your books online. Many online bookshops offer a student discount and sell their books cheaper than the academic bookshops. If you are looking for international literature you should try amazon.co.uk and play. com. These are large sites carrying an enormous selection of books in English. You should notice that you can buy from other sellers, sometimes even cheaper, by choosing the “used and new” function. Here you can also find cheap used books, but remember to make sure that it is the correct edition. Using an older edition is rarely a problem, but the publishers do sometimes change the numbers of the exercises or the page numbers. All students ought to know Pensum.dk. The site compares the prices of a number of publishers while also letting you sell and buy used books online. This way, practically unused books are sold far below their initial price and buyers and sellers alike make a profit. Another great way of saving money is by making use of online freebies. Ventus.dk offers free compendiums for a number of subject areas, particularly in the areas of science and economics. Used books You can quite often find cheap used study books in excellent condition. Keep an eye on the notice boards at your institute, here you will often find used books for sale. The second-hand bookshops around the city sell books you will not be able to find anywhere else and they are quite cheap. Thus, it might be worth it to browse through the dusty books. Many charity shops also sell incredible cheap books. If the thought of driving around the city on your bike look-
Keep an eye on the notice board at your faculty. Used books are often much cheaper and the important parts might already be highlighted by the previous owner. If you ask your professor he or she is often willing to upload the old curriculums that match your edition. ing for a book exhausts you, antikvariat. net is to be recommended. Second-hand bookshops from all over Scandinavia have collaborated on creating a large catalogue that has a great search engine. Here you will find both old first editions for the price of thousands of kroner as well as cheap paperbacks, so there is something for all. If you are looking for used international literature bookfinder.com would be a good place to start. The website has an incredible selection; however, it is not very easy to use.
Depending on what you study, you might be able to buy your books from the book service at your institute or faculty which also sells study books. Politologisk Bogformidling (Politological Book Service), building 1350 www.pol-bog.dk Juridisk Bogformidling (Legal Book Service), building 1350 www.juridisk-bogformidling.dk Økonomisk bogformidling (Economic Book Service), building 1324 www.bogformidling.dk Historisk bogformidling (History Book Service), Kancelliet www.bogformidling.dk/historie HVB, Aarhus School of Business (ASB) Book Shop Fuglesangs Allé 120, 8210 Aarhus V www.hvbog.dk Good advice
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Stakbogladen stocks a wide varity of • Academic and educational books • Course textbooks • Dictionaries • Fiction • Paperbacks • Teach-Yourself language courses • Book holders • Student planners • Ring binders • Flap elasticated files • Block notes • Notebooks and writing pads • Staplers and punches • Calculators • Pens, pencils and writing supplies • Printer paper • Print cartridges
A We A R offer H U Sa U N I
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INTERVIEW
What about children? For many being a student and a parent at the same time might sound like a contradiction. Nevertheless, there is a group of students who choose to combine the two. According to the Danish Educational Support Agency, in 2009 13.9 percent of all students were parents. by marianna winther
Anna Jagusch, 27, is the mother of Evind who is 15 months old. She is originally from Germany, but now lives in Odense. Six years ago she went to Denmark as an exchange student, fell in love and decided to stay. What is your academic background? ”I began studying Scandinavian Studies, Economics and Media Studies in Berlin. After a year I chose to study in Denmark for six months. Subsequently, I decided to work for half a year, and then I did my bachelor’s degree in International Corporate Communication in English and Media, and in that connection I studied six months in England.” Alongside this, Anna has worked on a number of cultural events during her spare time in both Germany and Denmark. Among other things she was responsible for Sommerdans (“Summer Dance”) in Odense. This is one of the reasons why she chose to study her master’s in Experience Economy. ”I wanted to add some theory to my 74
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practical experience. I studied Culture and Communication in Odense, but in my opinion the theoretical part overshadowed the practical part. That is why I thought Experience Economy sounded like an exciting alternative.” How do you combine an ambitious life with being a parent? Was it planned or….? It was not planned at all. Actually, I couldn’t make it to the last exams of the first semester before giving birth, but I still managed to complete them thanks to my wonderful study group. When I came back from my maternity leave I thought that it was possible to study and have a child because the structure of a master’s degree programme is usually flexible. Usually? Yes, well in this programme 90 percent of attendance is compulsory and in addition we do a lot of group work. I think it is okay, but unexpected papers and extra events can make it difficult to make things work. I think that I am very flexible and I will show up when I have to. On the other hand I will have to know in advance so I can plan it.
But do you have time for a social life and for your boyfriend? Well…as to my social life it is in no way the same as before. I have always been very active and had a large network, but at the moment I do not have the time to engage in it, and I do miss it at times. But because I have a family and my network that I have build up during the last six years I do not have the same need to be social with my current fellow students. It gives me peace and quiet to concentrate on my studies. The relationship between my boyfriend and me is based on planning. We have calendar meetings to figure out who does what, but also to find out when we have time to be together as a couple. However, we both fully agree that we have to live by these terms until I graduate. Have you ever considered studying something else that would make your life easier? Either something less time-consuming, or closer to your home? No! I have always known that I can never compromise what I do. I have a clear goal which I am determined to follow. This also means that I do not expect to get special treatment “just
because I am a mother”. I work just as hard as my fellow students and we all have commitments. I have a child others have time-consuming student jobs. Finally, I would like to ask if you have any good advice for people who are considering having children while they are still studying? As far as study groups go I think it is best to be the only one with a child. This way there will not be times there half of the group is absent because of their children. Furthermore, you should talk about your expectations in the group as soon as possible and let the others know when you will be able to work. You also have to realise that your social life will be downgraded for a while. If you, unlike me, are in the lucky position to be able to plan your pregnancy then do it after finishing your bachelor’s degree. That way, if it takes longer than expected to return to your studies, at least you have completed something.
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Aspects of life in Aarhus Aspects on studying, going out and impressions from Aarhus Festuge from 3 foreign students
Studying in Aarhus When I was getting ready to come to Aarhus I had thought a lot about the difference in culture and language, but I hadn't really thought much about how different the schooling aspect of my exchange would be. My mentor helped me sign up for all the classes I wanted, which was a much more laid back process than back home. It was really nice to only have 3 classes for a full schedule, though there was still plenty to read
>> Study groups No matter what you study you will have the possibility to join a study group. For many – also the Danes – it is a way of social interaction with other students. Study groups do not necessarily consist of best friends and drinking buddies. You will always have something to talk about because the purpose of meeting is discussing academic aspects – and if you end up making new friends that is just a bonus.
and group work to do. But those things turned out to be what I liked the most about the differences between what I was used to and the Danish way of doing things. Having fewer classes, but with each being more intense and comprehensive, gave me a more in-depth understanding of the topics. It let me focus more on each class and not feel like I was just skimming the surface of the issues. The group work was really incredible too; it was unlike anything I had experienced at university before. We would get together for drinks, completely outside of school, just to get to know each other better. We would have a big home cooked dinner while working on projects. The professors really made an effort to encourage participation in class; you really felt like your involvement in the discussions was considered and appreciated. The other big change for me was taking oral exams. Sitting at a table with my professor and discussing topics that we had talked about in class to determine my grade was an incredible experience that I wish I could bring back home. All in all, it was a great way to expand my perspective and learn a new way of learning. Brian, Canada
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A summer night at the cafés by the river
Going out in Aarhus As an exchange student, you are never short of things to do in Aarhus. Between classes, ‘Friday bars’, Studenterhus Aarhus events and socialising with your friends, there is always
>> Oral exams There are many different kinds of oral exams. For some you will have no preparation time: you draw a question, and answer it. Here you have to know the curriculum inside out. For others you will have 20-30 minutes to prepare. The more you know by heart the better, but you will have time to look up things you are uncertain about. Finally, for some exams you will have 24 hours, or more, of preparation time. It is essential to know the curriculum to be able to find the relevant parts. With 24 hours of preparation you are expected to present a certain effort. So prepare for your exam according to which type it is.
something going on. But be warned, going out in Denmark, even for a casual meal, can be quite expensive. I was shocked when I first visited a local restaurant to find that an average main course is about DKK 120! You can, however, find more economical places and you will soon become familiar with your local Shawarma place which sells reasonably priced shawarmas and pizza. While eating out is not as common in Denmark as it might be at home, going out for coffee definitely is and you will probably find it difficult to track down an empty table at the local cafes, particularly on weekends. These cafes, which also serve alcohol, tend to be quite busy at night as well, since this is where most people start their evening with a couple of drinks. There are a number of somewhat expensive cafes and bars lining the canal in the city centre and when the weather is nice, you can sit at one of the outdoor tables and watch people walk by. There are also some cafes around the ‘Latin Quarter’ with slightly lower prices. Some even offer a discount on drinks to students with a valid student card. There are a few dance clubs in the city mainly around the centre of town. The age limit is usually 18 but there are some clubs that raise it to 23 years Good advice
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to attract an older crowd. You should ask your Danish friends to recommend where to go since clubs seem to come and go all the time. Admittance is usually pricey but some places let you in for free if you come before a certain time. Studenterhus Aarhus has some very well organized activities throughout the semester and often plan weekend trips around Denmark. Exchange students are invited to take part in organizing these events serving as ‘hosts’. Their parties every second weekend are usually very popular. Almost every department hosts a ‘Friday Bar’ which usually begins at around 14:00 and is held in the departmental building. This is a great opportunity to socialize with your Danish classmates and unwind after a very busy week of outings and studying. Ann Marie, Ireland
Aarhus Festuge Every year in the first week of September, the Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival) takes place all over the city. I, like many exchange students, had been taking a language course for three weeks, and was ready to unwind before university classes started. During ten fabulous days, international and local artists - and enthusiastic audiences turned the city of Aarhus into a unique cultural melting pot. Dance, music, visual arts and theatre performances took place all over town, in theatres, concert halls, public institutions, and - perhaps most important for moneyconscious foreign students - in the streets of Aarhus. Every night my new friends met near the main cathedral (Domkirke) or at the Spanish Steps on the river to have a few drinks, and a few more laughs. There are hundreds of events to pick from and they occur at all hours of the day. This can be a bit overwhelming, so my advice is to pick up a program at MusikHuset, the tourist bureau or in any
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>> Hint: Often the age limit of 23 in clubs is used as an excuse to refuse “unwanted” people entrance: if the place is full, if you are not dressed properly, or if you look like a troublemaker. However, if you are well-dressed or a girl you will still have a chance to get in even though you have not turned 23 yet.
number of kiosks around town. If you don't want to spend the 30-40 DKK on the program, you can always check out the interactive website of the festival to read about the performers or see reviews of previous performances. Thankfully, this web site is available in English, which is invaluable for those new to Denmark. Since the event is over now, they have replaced the schedule with photo and video clips, which brings my memories of this spectacular show to life. I had tickets for events every second night or so, and in (almost) every case, it was well worth the cost! Some nights we wandered towards the free jazz tent, then to an outdoor plaza to watch the funky Danish disco band Le Freak, to the big open-air tent called Univers to watch some street music from the favelas of Brazil. Another night I went in style to MusikHuset to see Misia, a world-famous Portuguese Fado singer, followed by electronic music on a fake beach beside the street! There is something for everyone at the Aarhus Festuge. The festival changes the atmosphere in Aarhus from a very relaxed place to one where you are usually shoulderto-shoulder with other revelers from all over the country. It was a shock for me to see a real change that comes about in stereotypically Danish character. In the daytime, although Danes are usually friendly, they tend to keep a physical distance from one another. At night and particularly during the festival, Danes lose their inhibitions about getting too close...maybe even to a fault. My new
boots were ruined by people pushing into me and stepping on my feet! But the experience was very memorable, and maybe it is a bit more accurate to say: "I must have had a good time if my new dancing shoes got ruined in 10 days!" Once the festival is over, the city regains its relaxed feeling - and just in time for you to take your classes seriously! Jennifer, Canada
Denmark for everyone On Danish culture, alcohol, how to start a conversation and the Jante Law. The Danes are not the most open people. Maybe the long Scandinavian
winters make us a bit unapproachable. Maybe being from a rich and cosy little country makes us insecure about our place in the big world. Though it is certain that most of the time these traits are only superficial, and underneath you will find both kindness and curiosity. To foreigners it can seem strange that two people who share a seat on the bus do not exchange a single word, but instead almost demonstratively avoid eye contact. In the past you would expect a story - also from “involuntary” fellow travellers. Today we have iPods and mobile phones, and are less interested in the person sitting next to us. So here is a social experiment: start a conversation with someone on the bus. Many are interested and curious, few have left their country to seek new knowledge and horizons like you, but
>> Aarhus Festival (Aarhus festuge) This year Aarhus Festival takes place from 26 August to 4 September 2011. Thus, many students will get their first impressions of the city during the most extraordinary week of the year. Do not despair because of the noise, but instead enjoy the
various events – the next festival is 51 weeks away. This year’s theme is “Beautiful Mistakes”. For more information visit www.aarhusfestuge.dk.
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Friday bar
many would probably like to do so. At least they would like to hear about your experiences, and are interested in knowing what you think of the Danes and their country. The Jante Law (Janteloven) But be aware! Do not let your opinion depend entirely on the successful experiment. In Denmark the “Jante Law” is still present, and moreover an obvious conversational topic for the social experiment. It is a sharp comment on the Danish social interaction, essentially: ”Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us”. The equivalent to the old Japanese proverb “The nail that sticks out is hammered down”. It is about humbleness and a negative description of the wish to succeed and stand out from the rest. The Jante Law is not a valid law, but originates from a 1933 novel. Alcohol culture At the same time Denmark is a relatively liberal country. The age limit for buying alcohol is 18, the same goes for driving a car. The alcohol culture is deeply rooted in the Danes. The monthly parties in the upper secondary school (though few students make do 80
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with one party a month) are replaced by the universities’ weekly Friday bars. So watch out for the drinking games! Many Danes are in an unhealthily good shape, but when a whole week of hard studying is replaced by the relaxing atmosphere of the Friday bars is when our Scandinavian façade is weakest. If you do not drink alcohol you can also buy soda. As long as you know how to say “cheers” what you drink is not important. It should also be mentioned that having good acquaintances leads to more. There will always be people to talk with at the university and your network will naturally expand. How you experience the cultural differences of course depends on where you are from yourself. Obviously Denmark is more than the Jante Law, façades and alcohol. We also consume a lot of coffee, we have hot-dog carts, bacon, green fields and blue skies. Take the first step if you want to make contact and do not be discouraged by what might seem like standoffish behaviour. Just say cheers and be open. Furthermore, you should not trust my or others’ prejudices, but let your own be confirmed or refuted.
ET FEDT STUDIEJOB i UNG ROCK'N ROLL VIRKSOMHED I ÅRHUS ●
Hvis du har evnerne og talentet, har du mulighed for at tjene mere end 200 kr./t.
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Du er sikret en god fast grundløn
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Du får 160 nye venner og kolleger
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Vi giver dig fleksible arbejdstider – som du selv kan planlægge
… og vores kontorer ligger centralt i Aarhus.
Jobbet som salgskonsulent Vi er et telemarketingselskab, der samarbejder med nogle af Danmarks mest kendte og respekterede virksomheder og organisationer. Har du talegaverne i orden, en god situationsfornemmelse og talent for at sælge, og er du god til at komme i kontakt med folk – så har vi et fedt job til dig! Du får mulighed for at arbejde med en bred vifte af projekter, fra fundraising og mødebooking til telefonsalg. Alt sammen i et godt, socialt og pdynamisk miljø.
Vil du have jobbet? Så kig forbi vores HR-kontor på Ryesgade 3, 1. sal, 8000 Aarhus – eller send en ansøgning til job@tmpartner.dk. Læs mere på www.tmpartner.dk. Vi glæder os til at høre fra dig!
A helping hand Life as a student can bring about situations that require a helping hand. Therefore, the Student Council wishes to provide you with an overview of the options available at Aarhus University, if you are in need of help.
You have many options available when you are in need of help and have questions regarding the SU or study abroad programmes, or if you are facing a bigger dilemma such as changing programmes, dealing with a slum landlord, or other personal problems such as stress and anxiety, which many students suffer from.
INFORMATION CENTRE (INFORMATIONSCENTRET) The Information Centre at Aarhus University is your gateway to answers regarding questions you may have about your studies or the SU. Some of the questions they can answer for you include: •
• •
How do I change to a different programme or how can I transfer to another university? How do I apply for a leave of absence? What happens if I fail an exam?
The Information Centre is also the place you go if you have lost your student ID card or need to get a transcript of your grades. 82
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Lastly, you will also find a self service area in the centre where you can log on to “Min SU”, register for exams, make prints and read messages and news from Aarhus University.
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT CENTRE (RÅDGIVNINGS- OG STØTTECENTRET) The Guidance and Support Centre is Aarhus University’s offer to students who require specific advice, guidance and other aids. The Support Centre is aimed at students who have problems academically due to: •
•
• • •
A psychological issue, such as depression, anxiety, phobia, psychosis or personality disorders. A disability, such as blindness and visual impairment, deafness and hearing impairment, or people who are motor impaired. Issues relating to dyslexia or other learning disabilities. A different ethnic background than Danish. Other specific academic difficulties.
At the Support Centre you can receive advice that focuses on your personal and academic situation and your study related problems. Students who have a psychological issue, dyslexia or a disability are by law entitled to special pedagogical support. If you fall into one of these categories you have the possibility of receiving handicap
support (SPS) for your studies or the challenges and possibilities that might arise. All student counsellors have the duty to keep information confidential and are trained to guide you professionally. If they cannot help you themselves they will refer you to people who can.
>> HELP AND GUIDANCE Guidance and Support Centre (Rådgivnings – og Støttecentret) Willemoesgade 15 Building 2113 8200 Aarhus N. Tel.: 8942 2375 E-mail: rsc@dpu.dk www.dpu.dk/uddannelse/raadgivningsogstoettecentret/ International Centre (Internationalt Center) Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 4 8000 Aarhus C. Tel.: 89 42 23 28 E-mail: ic@au.dk www.au.dk/ic Student chaplain (Studenterpræsten) Jens Munk The Students’ House (Studenternes Hus), Nordre Ringgade 3, Room. 122 8000 Aarhus C. Opening hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. E-mail: studenterpraest@au.dk Tel.: 60202640
Elisa Wejse Aarhus School of Business (Handelshøjskolen) Fuglsangs Allé 4, Room C 116 8210 Aarhus V. Opening hours: By appointment. E-mail: studenterpraest@asb.dk Tel.: 21685595 Legal aid counsellors (Retshjælpen) Opening hours: Monday 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Available via telephone Monday 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.: Available in office Tuesday 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Available in office Thursday 3.15 p.m. –5.15 p.m.: Available via telephone Friday 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.: Available via telephone and in office Contact details: The Students’ House (Studenternes Hus), Fredrik Nielsens vej 2-4 8000 Aarhus C. Tel.: 89 42 54 60 E-mail: ret@sr.au.dk
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THE UNIVERSITY
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Aarhus universitY Sometimes it can be hard to make head and tails of trying to understand what a university actually is and how it differentiates from the upper secondary school. Therefore, the Student Council provides an overview of a university’s identifying characteristics and its many different programmes in order to shed some light on your new educational institution.
WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY? Universities, as we know them today, are age-old. Their role as society’s centre for higher learning dates back to approximately the 13th Century. In those days it was primarily the people of the church who attended the universities and focussed on translating and comparing Aristotles’ writings to Christianity’s writings. The first universities were in Bologna, Paris, and later Oxford, with a rapid expansion around the world later on. Today, the task of the universities is to educate and/ or research. Aarhus University does both and with a new strategy they have added two tasks: knowledge exchange and talent development. Nowadays, Aarhus University, following mergers with the Aarhus School of Business, the Herning Institute of Business Administration and Technology and the Danish School of Education, has grown to have approximately 39,000 students. The university covers many aspects of society, from theology to molecular biology to management and engineering.
POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK As a student it is a good idea to know the structure of the university and know who makes which decisions. By doing so you will, in the future, know who to go to if you run into problems, or want to influence a certain matter. The Arhus University Board is the topmost authority at the university; consisting of 11 members. Six of them are external members while the rest either work or study at the university. The students have two seats. Maria JuhlerLarsen og Christian Thyrrestrup from the Student Council were elected at the 2010 university elections to fill these seats. They are elected for a one-year term and their task is to safeguard and fight for the interests of the students. The goal of the board is to safeguard the interests of the university in regards to education and research, and to establish guidelines for the organisation, the long-term business and the university’s development. Besides, it is also the job of the board to decide and approve how the university’s finances should be distributed amongst the different faculties. Below the board is the rectorate, which The university
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is made up of the university’s rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, vice-rector Søren E. Frandsen and director of the university Jørgen Jørgensen. The rectorate is responsible for the university’s daily management, which the board have certain guidelines for. Together with the four deans the rectorate make up the Senior Management Group. Every faculty has a dean as the topmost leader. The dean is hired by the rector and has the job of ensuring the quality of the education, lectures and research. It is also the dean’s job to approve curricula of each of the different programmes. At each institute there is an institute leader, who is hired by the dean and has the responsibility of the daily running of the institute. Just like the dean, the institute leader has to ensure the synergy between the institute’s lectures and its research. Finally, each programme or programmegroup, has a study committee and a study leader. The study leader is a member of the study committee put together of equal members of students and employees. The study committee has the job of organising and developing the programmes, as well as following up on evaluations, suggestions for changes to the curriculum and approval of lesson plans. You should write to your study committee if you, for instance, need to seek dispensation to take an exam under different conditions or wish to complain about your grades.
the Department of Aesthetics and Communication which offers programmes in children’s literature, information and media studies, IT and didactics, linguistics, Nordic semiotics, western European language and culture subjects as well as subjects within aesthetics.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Aarhus University offers Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes in many different fields, all of which provide a lot of knowledge and insight whilst also providing competences in many working areas. The academic fields are presented below along with a description of their functional value and defining characteristics.
Aarhus University consists of four faculties. Each faculty represents its own branch within the sciences. Aarhus University has the following faculties: Arts, Science and Technology, Health as well as Business and Social Sciences. Each faculty is made up of several departments, which are smaller areas that take care of specific programmes. For instance, the Faculty of Arts consists of 86
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When you begin at the university, you start with a bachelor’s degree which typically takes three years. Many programmes require that you, after two years of study, take an elective subject lasting one year, or a subsidiary subject which usually takes two years; following which you can call yourself a Bachelor. Upon completion of their Bachelor’s many students continue with a two-year long Master’s degree at the university. At this point you can either choose to study a Master’s that is closely related to your Bachelor’s studies, or you can choose a Master’s that is of a different subject matter, in order to widen your perspective and knowledge. The vast majority of students do not know what they wish to study at a Master’s level when starting at the university and if this also applies to you, you should not worry. Through the course of your Bachelor’s studies you will be guided by your student counsellors, so that you choose the right elective or subsidiary subjects and later the Master’s programme that is right for you.
PROGRAMMES AT THE UNIVERSITY
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE The university offers many different linguistic and literature based degrees, which fall under the Faculty of Arts. Most of these programmes are situated in Nobelparken,
The Main Hall seen from the University Park
where, amongst others, the students of English, German and Nordic studies have their classes. The students learn how to think theoretically and analytically in regards to Danish and foreign literature as well as linguistic and cultural signs. The languages are learnt from the smallest grammatical details to its more practical functions. ART, HISTORY AND RELIGION History is studied with much interest at Aarhus University. At the Faculty of Arts students study world and Danish history, old philosophers and other great thinkers, as well as prehistoric archaeology. The old barracks buildings house the art history and dramaturgy programmes, where students study and perform Shakespeare, just as they perform modern art and theatre. Aarhus University also teach theology and religious sciences, where students learn to read old holy books in their original languages and understand the current religious conflicts around the world. SOCIETY AND ECONOMICS The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences consists of degree programmes which aim to teach students about societal structures. Each year Aarhus University educates many students in the fields of
political science, law, psychology and economics. The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences has its home in the University Park (Universitetsparken) and at Fuglsangs AllÊ. BUSINESS Aarhus University offers a wide array of programmes with focus on the business world. These programmes generally resemble many of the other programmes offered at the university; although the defining difference is that these business programmes, more concretely, target the private and public business communities. For instance, the university offers business law and business administration, as well as various communication programmes, which teach students to understand and execute communication in a corporate context. These programmes belong to the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. IT AND MEDIA The media has a large impact and influence on today’s society, and the rising importance of the internet has made the world of media and its many facets a very important area to study and research. At Aarhus University it is possible to study media and communication, and thereby The university
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Students at a lecture
release one’s creativity in media and IT production, whilst also learning to understand and analyse the world of media and communications. The IT town (IT-byen) in Katrinebjerg in the northern part of Aarhus houses the programmes within media sciences, information sciences, computer sciences and design. SCIENCES At Aarhus University you can study many different forms of sciences, which falls under the Faculty of Science and Technology. In these programmes students research the realms of nature, physics and chemistry, while others focus on agriculture, food and the environment. A large part of these programmes have their home in the University Park, where you can find living snakes and other exotic animals in the laboratories. Here you will also find Denmark’s largest particle accelerator. TECHNICAL SCIENCES In 2006, Aarhus University and the Herning Institute of Business Administration and Technology (HIBAT) merged. This is why the university now offers a number of different engineering programmes focusing on business and management. The students of the engineering programmes are situated in Herning, where all classes are held.
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HEALTH AND THE BODY At Aarhus University there is also focus on the body and on health. The University Park houses many dental and medicinal students. There are many new graduates from the medical programmes, in both summer and winter, since there are two intakes per year. The medical programmes differ from most other programmes as there is a close collaboration with the regional health authority, which makes the programmes very dynamic. In recent years the health of the Danes has become a very relevant and important area. Also at Aarhus University, where you can study degrees in both public health and physical education and sports. . PEDAGOGY In 2007, the Danish School of Education merged with Aarhus University. This means that Aarhus University now offers a number of pedagogical programmes. This goes for both a Bachelor’s programme in education sciences as well as a number of Master’s programmes in sociology, psychology and other sciences with a pedagogical perspective. The pedagogic programmes are housed in the Trøjborg complex, which also contains a canteen, study areas and a café.
Influence At the university there are many ways in which you can have an influence on, or engage yourself in, the student life. The Student Council provides you with an overview of the many possibilities you have for making a difference.
ON YOUR COURSE Course committee If you wish to have an influence on everything from the physical framework to the academic contents of your course then you have the possibility to get engaged in your course committee. The course committee is a collection of students from your course, who work with the students’ interests in mind. Here you have the unique opportunity to express your experiences about what works well and what should be changed. In cooperation with your fellow students, and through the course committee, you can actually make a difference. The course committee gives you a unique opportunity to work towards a better education and a better student environment whilst also getting to know other students from your programme. Study Committee The decisions taken by the study committee have great consequences for your education. The representatives organise the evaluation of lectures, freshers’ events, and the general quality of the programmes as well as cases regarding dispensation, credit and similar issues. The study committees are responsible for everything concerning the programmes.
The study committees are made up of even numbers of representatives from the faculty/researchers and student representatives; so as a student representative you can gain a direct influence. The student representatives on the study committees are usually chosen from the course committees, as they are already engaged in matters that concern the students. If you are nominated to become a representative of the study committee you must attend around three to five meetings per semester. It is also possible to be nominated as a substitute member, which will allow you to sit in on the study committee meetings and gain an insight into the work; although you will have no voting rights. Friday bar committee and party planning committee Do you want to be part of ensuring that the students in your course have a cosy and festive place to meet each and every week? Are you interested in meeting many students from different semesters in your programme? Then you should get involved in the Friday bar committee. Here you will have the chance to leave your mark on the Friday bars by, for instance, deciding which beer to sell, how to decoThe university
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In collaboration with your fellow students you can easily make a difference
rate the bar and which events should be held. As a member you decide how often you want to stand behind the bar. Your effort is always greatly appreciated by the students, who enjoy the bar’s refreshing beer and good company each Friday. Just like the Friday bar, the party planner committee is an important part of the social life at the university. It varies from course to course how many parties are held, but typically the average is around two per semester. Often the party has a theme that encourages dressing up, competitions and other fun activities. As a member of the party planning committee you can be involved in making the parties more fun by adding a personal touch to the posters, themes and activities. You can help by shopping for drinks, decorating or by being a bartender, and through this be a part of a social meeting point for students from different semesters. Lecture societies A part of the academic life at the university happens beyond the boundaries of the obligatory reading and planned lectures. An example of this is the many lecture societies, which offer good opportunities to involve yourself further in a subject that you are passionate about, or to get a feel for the other subject areas that exist at 90
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the university. The majority of the subjects have their own lecture society and is typically one of the things you will be introduced to in the freshers’ week. You can contribute to increasing the academic quality of the lectures, as well as making it a more attractive event for students, by being part of the team that arranges the lectures, invites guest speakers, and carries out the practical details on the day.
AT YOUR FACULTY The Academic Board The Academic Board is an advisory forum for the dean, who is the leader of each faculty. The Academic Board has no decision making power, but handles and discusses important topics regarding the distribution of funds, the structures of programmes, research and education. The Academic Board consists of representatives from both the faculty (researchers and professors) and the students, who are all elected through a democratic vote. If you wish to be able to influence the decisions of the dean, which can have decisive consequences for the way in which your education and lectures are carried out then you can, through your
course committee, run for election to the Academic Board. There are around three meetings each semester.
AT YOUR UNIVERSITY The Student Council The Student Council is an apolitical student organisation consisting of students who work for the students’ common terms and interests. The Student Council is the consolidation of all students at Aarhus University, and each and every student is represented in the course committee. The course committee is made up of democratically chosen representatives from all the institutes at Aarhus University. In the course committee you can be a part of securing the rights of the students and improve their conditions at Aarhus University as well as nationally. The Student Council is your spokesperson on all levels: • •
•
•
•
On each individual programme, in the form of course committees. At university level, where the students have two representatives in the Aarhus University board, as well as in several committees. At a local political level, where The Student Council tries to influence the agenda in the city council, especially in regards to accommodation and relevant student jobs. On a national level, where the Student Council cooperate with other universities and educational institutions in Denmark to influence the politicians at Christiansborg to take regard of, and responsibility for, the students. If you want to be a part of influencing the leaders of Aarhus University and improving the conditions and rights of all students, then you should consider joining the Student Council.
Political student societies At the university there are various political student societies, which you can register with if you wish to discuss politics from a particular party’s political perspective or hear lectures about different societal topics. The societies that exist are Danmarks Liberale Studerende (Liberal Students of Denmark), Konservative Studenter (Conservative Students) and Frit Forum, which is a student organisation with social democratic core values. Green AU Green AU is the “green” network for students at Aarhus University. We wish to make the university more sustainable by focusing on the climate and the environment. We are working on specific things like climate-friendly canteen food and we also arrange events (e.g. trips to sustainable places in the city). Get involved – even if it is just a little. There is always room for new ideas. The more people, the more we can get done. Be a part of shaping the green universities of the future! Find Grønt AU on Facebook. Do it yourself If you have an idea for a cool project at the university that you would like to see carried out then you are not forced to turn to one of the above mentioned societies. If you feel better about driving forward your own initiative then all you have to do is search for the financial, as well as technical support, for the initiative; of which there are plenty. For instance, you can apply for financial support though the Student Council’s Activity Fund (Studenterrådets Aktivitetspulje), which aims at supporting academic and political events and societies. Examples of initiatives taken by students in the past include the party society HUMBUG and the traditional Kapsejlads in the University Park. Only your imagination is the limit! If you are interested in viewing a complete list of all of the student organisations that you can get involved with then visit www.au.dk/ fakulteterinstituttermv/andrenenheder/ studorg/. The university
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The Student Council The Student Council is the students’ spokesperson at the university and is represented at all levels of it in order to ensure that the students have as much influence as possible. From the course committees, the study committees and the Academic Board to the Aarhus University Board and the National Union of Students in Denmark (Danske Studerendes Fællesråd) which works to ensure the students’ interest at a national level.
THE STUDENT COUNCIL IS A POLITICAL ACTOR
>> The Student Council is three things 1.The Student Council is a political actor. This is both internally at the university as well as it being a spokesperson for the students in the public space. 2. The Student Council is the students’ academic spokesperson in all parts of the university. We have students working in everything from the local study committees to the Aarhus University board. 3. The Student Council offers a wide array of services aimed at making life as a student more fun, easier and cheaper. These include, amongst others, Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar, a study fair, a student calendar, courses, legal aid and this student guide.
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As students we have a number of common interests, including the SU, accommodation, a good student environment and a good and free education, all of which we have to fight for through political action. This is why the Student Council works to collaborate with, and put pressure on, politicians and decision makers in order to create the best situation for the students at Aarhus University. The Student Council is your student organisation at the university where students from all programmes work together to ensure the students’ rights and improve their conditions at Aarhus University as well as nationally.
YOUR PATH TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL The course committees can be found on each programme and is where most students get in contact with the Student Council. The common factor of the course committees is that all students are welcome and are allowed to speak their mind at the meetings. This is where you can leave your mark on your programme.
The Blue Van plays at Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar the 9th of September
>> DENMARK’S LARGEST FRIDAY BAR There is one event in 2011 that you must remember: Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar. Every year in September, the Student Council invites all students of Aarhus University to a fantastic party in the university’s “backyard”. Many different party planning societies and Friday bars around the university all help to create the perfect atmosphere in order to attract the many parts of Aarhus University to the party. Denmark’s Largest Friday Bar happens
Secure the students’ rights The most important tasks of the course committees are to secure the students’ rights and affect the development of the individual programmes. At the same time they are also involved in improving the social life by, for instance, affecting everything from the prices of food in the canteen to how many study desks there should be. The course committees can make decisions on their own, but they can also function as an advisory group for the students
to fall on the same day as Aarhus University Sports’ Sports Day. Therefore, during the day the University Park hosts different sporting activities and competitions whilst entertained by DJs. In the evening the park becomes the venue for several great concerts, which in the past has included Danish artists such as TV-2, Nik & Jay, Outlandish, Spleen United and Veto. So there is definitely a great atmosphere and great music.
in the study committees, the committees at each institute, as well as the academic boards. A part of the Student Council All the course committees are part of the Student Council, which gives them the possibility to send their representatives to the course committees’ joint meeting. This is a meeting of the student representatives from other subjects and programmes where we, as students, discuss what we think of different issues that affect the lives The university
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of students; for instance, issues such as the SU, accommodation, lesson environments, lesson and exam structure, and much more. The daily management The Student Council’s board, which is also responsible for the daily management, consists of seven students with different academic backgrounds who are democratically elected by the course committees every March. The board handles the Student Council’s daily work and political work. The student politicians on the board have the task of working towards making sure that the students have the best possible environment at Aarhus University. Their areas of focus are, amongst others, the study environment, lectures, research, the SU and accommodation.
THE STUDENT COUNCIL OFFERS SERVICES The Student Council is more than just politics. It also offers a number of services aimed at making your life as a student easier, cheaper and more fun. The Student Council arranges a study fair at the beginning of the semester in September, where you receive lots of good offers on anything from newspapers to insurances. Furthermore, the Student Council publishes a student calendar and this student guide. The courses on offer, including correct language, rhetorics, study techniques, and exam discussions, are available to strengthen you academically. Finally, the Student Council also offers aid if you are in need of legal counselling. You can read more about the Student Council’s different offers on www.sr.au.dk
THE STUDENT COUNCIL’S FOCUS AREAS The Student Council works actively, all year round, to improve the conditions and environment for the students. The daily management follows the internal and public debates closely and react on the matters 94
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that have the most impact on the students’ daily life. During the last semester the Student Council focussed on, amongst others, the following areas: More student accommodation The amount of students in Aarhus is constantly increasing and for years there has been a huge imbalance between this fact and the number of new-built student accommodation. Every year around the beginning of the freshmen semester we see students commuting from faraway for months, sleeping in cars, on sofas or on the floors of kind friends and family members. This year the Student Council is cooperating with, among others, the university and the tenant’s association LLO to improve the housing situation for students. Our aim is that the rector and mayor Nicolai Wammen include student accommodation in their plans for the campus, the municipal hospital ground and the building activities by the port. The Rent Control Board (Huslejenævnet) is also in need of some improvements. The Student Council plans to interfere in the elections to the board next autumn in order to ensure that they have the resources they need to perform their tasks. IInfluence on the future of the university In March 2010 the Aarhus University Board decided on a new structure for the university. The idea was to cut down on the number of faculties and institutes in order to develop and strengthen the university. The headline was The academic development process (Den faglige udviklingsproces), but as a new student more often you will probably meet the slogan Search for the deeper connections (Søg de dybere sammenhænge). During this process both students and employees have made loud protests against the lack of influence. Therefore, the Student Council has written letters, held public meetings between the Aarhus University board and the students and put pressure on them in order to gain more influence.
Considering the starting point it has been a success. For instance, we have made sure that the study committees, boards at the institutes and the academic boards will have the greatest possible influence. Moreover, we have ensured that students are part of all relevant working parties. Furthermore, the Student Council has secured a greater priority to the study environment. Put more accurate 8 million kroner have been set aside for the study environment. But the battle continues and you have every reason to join! We work for the study environment 2011 will be all about implementing the academic development process. The most important implementation is the relocations that will affect many students at the university. Relocating study and research environments has a great impact on the everyday life of the students and on the many organisations which do a lot of work for the study environment for each subject area. The Student Council will supervise the relocations, identify problems and come up with good solutions. Due to the insecurity among the students one of the tasks will be to fight rumours and spread general information regarding the academic
development process. The Student Council will also make sure that the Study Environment Fund of 8 million kroner, set up by the university at our request, will be distributed to the entire university. Also we want to let people know that it was the Student Council which provided them with this help. An SU you can live on Last year the Student Council took part in the campaign initiative “Unge t’ar ansvar” (“The youth takes responsibility”) which worked to eliminate poor youth policy and come up with actual solutions regarding, for instance, youth unemployment. The initiative gathered 22 youth organisations from the student movement, the tradeunion movement and various disability and children’s rights organisations The campaign ended with a demonstration on the opening day of the Danish Parliament with 40,000 children and young people, from all over the country, participating. We succeeded in closing the public debate on worsening the SU conditions, however, the discussion continues behind closed doors at Christiansborg. The Student Council will continue to protect the SU and work towards putting the youth on the agenda in the next parliamentary elections.
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>> What did they write about in the student guide books in the olden days? The Student Council has existed since 1932. Here is a peculiar flashback to some of the historic events at Aarhus University.
- In order to raise money for a reunion party in 1953 the students sold lottery tickets. The first prize was a 1953 Volkswagen.
- In 1936 the students held a protest because they wanted a German professor removed as he was supposedly a Nazi.
- In 1962 the average rent for a student was 80 to 130 kroner a month.
- In 1938, the Student Council completed a collaboration with Aarhus Municipal Hospital regarding a tuberculosis examination. It was said that “each student must feel it their obligation towards their fellow students to be put through this examination.” - In 1950 a total of 1,605 students were enrolled at Aarhus University.
- In 1967 housing shortage was a problem for students. In the media there were talk of using ships and camping cabins as alternatives. - In 1982 a group of students considered occupying the Marselisborg Palace in their fight to receive a higher SU. In the report the students stated “It is empty most of the year anyway.”
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