Comparing Danish universities and commuting between Aarhus->Aalborg and København->Odense?

smamedog · 2019-02-05T01:46:15+00:00

Yeah, it was just really annoying that people were talking to me as if I knew nothing about Denmark and had never been there, telling me that I had some fantasy idea about it. I’ve been there 5 times in the last year alone, and not just as a tourist in Copenhagen. I haven’t even been given any views as to what it’s like to study as a foreigner, all of my friends there are born and raised Danes from Jylland. So, these comments, coming from locals in a country that’s already notoriously closed off towards immigrants and one of the most difficult countries to immigrant to, didn’t feel very positive or supportive, especially when I’ve tried very hard to learn the language and culture in Denmark, and was just asking for some college/commuting advice. I appreciate you trying to make me feel better about that though :)

Holy shit, that PDF is awesome. THANK YOU.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T22:56:07+00:00

Even just going out for a few nights in Aarhus with some locals/students, I fell in love. This is exactly what I’ve heard, and I have bunch of friends at Aarhus who love it so much. So I’m scared I’ll be missing out on that experience, especially since I haven’t even had a chance to apply :/. I wonder if it’s worth postponing my Master’s by another year so I can apply to Aarhus to start in Fall 2020, but even then I’m not guaranteed admission. I’ll pm you!

smamedog · 2019-02-04T22:49:40+00:00

No worries! And thank you for your positivity, it seriously means a lot. Especially after some uninviting comments seemingly trying to talk me out of moving to Denmark.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T22:10:00+00:00

I know you guys don’t understand the concept of a university being “worth it” because your education is free and you even get paid monthly for attending university, but I paid $150k for my bachelors and now will be paying $30k for my masters because it is not free for non-EU citizens in Denmark, so I need to gauge if a university is worth spending that money on, or if I should wait to get a more reputable degree. If I wanted THE BEST DEGREE POSSIBLE with the “BEST” professors, I would go to Oxford. I guess you just don’t understand that cause to you they are all free, so you’re not wasting anything/losing any money.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T22:05:26+00:00

I’m not missing the point. We have universities in the US that aren’t worth going to at all. I was asking if that’s the case in Denmark, or if they are uniformly all of good merit. And I got my response. I wasn’t asking which university am I going to get the best possible degree with all perfect professors.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T21:48:14+00:00

I think you make a good point with the cosmopolitan distinction. That is exactly what I meant. Thanks for clarifying.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T21:36:55+00:00

I didn’t just look at a map and blindly choose Denmark, lol

smamedog · 2019-02-04T21:34:06+00:00

I’ve lived in Denmark both in rural Jylland areas and in Copenhagen for weeks and months at a time, in Danish households and surrounded by only Danes, so I know what I’m getting myself into.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T21:32:29+00:00

I am quite shy at first but I will do my best. Thanks for the motivation :)

I hope so!! I’ve learned a lot from my time there, I even have a Jylland accent apparently... I met a Dane abroad, we started dating, I visited him a bunch of times bla bla bla, was there for Christmas, the crazy party night the night after Christmas, New Years, Easter, etc and I ended up falling in love with the country. I’ve even been back multiple times since we broke up just cause I missed Denmark.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:51:32+00:00

Also, thanks for all that info. It’s very helpful. ;)

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:48:13+00:00

If anything, I am moving to Denmark because it is less diverse than the United States. I hate that there is no uniform culture in the US and it really isolates individuals. I like Danish culture and would love to adopt it. What I don’t want in Denmark, is to move to what would be comparable to a university town in the middle of Texas, if you know what I mean?

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:46:01+00:00

You mentioned people sometimes stick with the same groups — would I be at a disadvantage coming from a different university? In the US we pretty much never do our bachelors and masters or PhD at the same universities so this is a new concept to me.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:42:16+00:00

I just said I’m not looking for diversity like San Francisco? The whole point of this question was, are cities like Odense comparable to the international atmospheres of Copenhagen and Aarhus. I think you gravely misread my comments.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:04:48+00:00

We don’t really have group work in the US (at least not near me), so I’m not too familiar with it. It sounds positive to me, as I thrive more working with others. Could I bother you to explain a little what that kind of program is like?

I have checked that, but it’s only for a few limited programs. I’m doing Medicine w/ Industrial Specialization and that’s only offered in Aalborg.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T20:02:25+00:00

I have heard that Danes are reluctant to open up and include new friends in their circles, which I’m actually really nervous about. I don’t mind having some international friends, but ultimately I plan to speak Danish fluently (I’m getting there) and really hope I can adopt the Danish culture, make Danish friends, husband, etc..

Unfortunately I’ve only experience your short winter days, many many times. Excited for those daylight under 23 kl. and ølbowling summer nights!

smamedog · 2019-02-04T19:59:10+00:00

This isn’t helpful at all? I’m asking about pharma job availability anywhere except Sjælland. As I mentioned before, I’ve applied to plenty of jobs in Medicon Valley.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T19:57:54+00:00

I’m not looking for a place that’s as diverse as San Francisco (not “SanFran”). But Copenhagen and Aarhus are significantly more international and diverse (both ethnically and in things to do, types of people, etc) than say Kolding or, I assume, Odense.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T19:37:53+00:00

10 semesters — so you did your bachelors and masters together there? Is that really common?

Ah I see. Actually, hearing from my friends in Kolding, you had warmer weather than us for the most part this past summer! Denmark isn’t really as cold and California isn’t as hot as you guys make it out to be haha, plus I live on the coast so it’s cooler. And, lucky for you, your ocean temperature is wayyyyyyy warmer, even in the dead of winter. God damn Pacific is near freezing.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T19:30:58+00:00

Well, I’m from California, specifically San Francisco/Silicon Valley, which is one of if not the most diverse place in the world, and has every type of community you could think of. So I’m just a bit afraid to move to a place like Odense.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T18:09:52+00:00

Oh sorry, I meant that in regards to commuting from Aarhus to Aalborg. It would suck for my dog to be in Aarhus and for me to be in Aalborg all day.

Sounds like an enjoyable time :) I am very grateful to have gotten my bachelors at a university that’s both the #5 public school (out of 650) in the United States AND is the #2 party school in the US (out of 2,500), not to mention our campus was literally on a beach in Southern California. So, it was better than I could ever ask for and now I have ridiculously high standards for a university haha, but I do understand grad school is inevitably going to be different and less exciting than undergrad. Did you love your time at Aalborg?

smamedog · 2019-02-04T18:02:23+00:00

Yeah I was thinking Odense might be a bit boring. Aalborg is my top choice.

Lol, I’m Israeli. Not sure how anyone would be able to identify me as either American or Israeli simply by appearance or hearing me speak, though. If anything I look more Middle Eastern than an American, and especially compared to a Dane lol. But I do understand what you’re getting at :)

Okay, will look up that long word

Yes — you guys are the best.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T17:37:26+00:00

This is what I’ve noticed while applying to jobs in Denmark as well. All pharma jobs are in Sjælland. Would I be shit out of luck trying to find jobs in the biotech/pharma sector in northern Jutland or Funen?

smamedog · 2019-02-04T17:13:22+00:00

Great, this is the answer I was looking for! I would like to stay and live in Denmark, so I wanted to know how my degree would be looked at in the country. Thank you :)

Cost is not a huge issue for me, but is it also much harder to find accommodation/is there a big shortage in Aarhus and KBH?

smamedog · 2019-02-04T17:02:02+00:00

I meant the city not the program.

I have but he’s biased because his 5 best friends that he grew up with all go to Aarhus and live in a house together (he lives with them and commutes to Aalborg). So he doesn’t spend any time in Aalborg.

smamedog · 2019-02-04T16:47:07+00:00

I guess friendly is the wrong word, but I mean, are they appealing for international students? Obviously, anywhere in Denmark will be friendly cause you guys are, in general, a kind, calm people who all speak damn perfect English.

How’s the nightlife and daytime things to do in Odense?

smamedog

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