Info Package 1 – I got in, so now what?

Like the title suggests, after getting that wonderful letter that you got in to ASB, some questions might arise.

There are a couple that I can think of that are of immediate importance, I will try to answer them one-by-one:

1. What documents do I need to take with me?

It is important that you have a passport and/or an ID card with you when you arrive. Look at these and if they are fairly old and will expire in the next 2-3 years, then just change them to new ones. You never know how much you will stay here, or if you are thinking of going on an exchange in your 3rd semester (for master’s students) to a country that requires a visa, you might need to change your passport then. And it is a lot easier to change it at home, than it is here!

Other documents that you should have with you are you bachelor diploma (if you have one), or a diploma placeholder, if it is not ready yet. You do not need to bring the original one, just a copy. A copy of your transcripts, copy of all your relevant diplomas that you might have: Cambridge, TOEFL, ….

And, of course, start seriously updating your CV.

There might be some special requirements, so please make sure you also read the www.asb.dk website before coming.

2. Where do I search for housing?

Housing is a tough one; make sure you apply as soon as you can, and apply to many options, many many many.

And reapply often – preferably DAILY.

you can apply for housing at www.ungdomsboligaarhus.dk

You actually submit your application at: http://studenthousingaarhus.com/

and you also reapply there, but your standing on the waiting lists will be shown on the first site.

Don’t be discouraged, you will probably start out as 500-600th person on the lists, but you have a chance to get in!

Another option is: www.boligportal.dk     -paid service

I would recommend starting with the first option and if all fails, move on to the second one.

3. If I get a contract offer for housing, should I accept it?

YES YES YES, if you get a contract offer, accept it. The system is set up that if you refuse 3 offers, you will be placed on the end of the waiting list again. But you might not get a second offer anyway, because there will be no time for it. So i would recommend accepting the first option, and then it is somewhat easier to find something new, once you’re here. Although, in the first couple of months it will be impossible, because there are a lot of people who come here without housing and they have to be taken care of first. Once everything settles down, it’s possible to find something new, just don’t expect for it to happen overnight.

4. How long does it take to get an offer?

It might take pretty long. In my case it was about 3-4 months, and I think we got lucky too. So expect for it to take a long time.

5. What are the general prices for housing?

Prices for housing offered on ‘studenthousingaarhus’ are not that different, in most cases, 1 room in a shared dorm costs around 2400 DKK and a 2-room apartment with own kitchenette and bathroom costs around 4800 DKK. These prices are regulated by law, so there is not much wiggle-room. The shared dorms are cool, you will have your own room with bathroom (shower+toilet), and there are 12 rooms and all of you share a big kitchen and a big common room with tv, hi-fi, sometimes pool table, fusball table, etc. If you are 2 friends coming here, for example, you could go for the 2-room apartment.

You might be tempted to live more people in 1 room to cut costs; it can be done, lot of people do this, but it depends on how your neighbors are. If they suck, then in a week or two, you might get a letter from the administrator that they’re terminating your contract. The best thing if you want to do this is to talk to your neighbors from the start, even if you don’t live in a common room dorm. Your name tags must be out next to the entrance, because the postman will not deliver mails otherwise, even though your official address might be that. – so your neighbors will find out anyway that you’re not living alone.

6. What are the areas that are OK to live in?

Basically, any area is good that is not too far – other small cities next to Aarhus.

Brabrand is regarded as a bad area, but I would say only the parts next to City Vest are bad, the rest is ok. So try to avoid kollegiums that are next to Bazar Vest or on Hejredalsvej, Emmasvej, Dortesvej, Sigridsvej, Gudrunsvej, Lenesvej.

Skjodhøjkollegiet is also in Brabrand, but it is full with international students, and it is acceptable. The only thing is that it’s 30 minutes from school. But it’s an OK choice. Other good places are Viby, Hasle, Åbyhoj, Aarhus C -of course , etc.

7. Is Denmark expensive?

Denmark is generally expensive. Housing is around 350 EUR per month, and expect to spend another 350 EUR if you keep things at an acceptable level. If you want to go to lots of parties, shop a lot, have an iPhone contract, ect, the sky is the limit.

If you can think of any other initial questions, please address them in a comment and I’ll answer as soon as I can.

The next info package will be about  the initial things after arriving here.

Info packages

Next week i will start putting up the info packages for newcomers, so stay tuned.

the first day of school…

Today is the first day of “school”, to be more exact, the first day of teaching of my MSc Program (other than the 6-hour brush-up course in econometrics that we already had last week).
Like a small child with his backpack standing in front of the school’s gates, trembling, excited, filled with enthusiasm but afraid at the same time, with many-many questions in mind,… this is how i am going to school in the morning.
Saturday night we had the ‘great’ party; it is a little frustrating to see these big differences in the musical culture and habits of people, residents of two different countries on the same continent.
at home, the parties usually start at 12 at night, here they start at 6-8 in the afternoon, at 12 we were already exhausted and then….. surprisingly, we left.
anyways, the first day of school, how could it start better than with a cost-benefit analysis course and an econometrics course… )

ok, it’s kind of late, so i’ll let you know tomorrow how it was.

oh, and i’ll upload some pictures from the party later on….

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well, school was interesting, shocking actually, not because it was bad, but because of the differences between home and here, but i’ll tell you later soon.

so, the pictures, as promised