week 7

Week 7 | 15/02/16-21/02/16
Personal | Professional 

In the beginning of our third week in our new country, we received good news that our Monday classes had been cancelled (which was good for us but not for our tutor who was sick). We used the day to catch up on some reading for school and a few of us decided that we would try out the cinema in the evening. The cinema was some what different from home as it was packed with so many people, the auditorium was huge and we had assigned seating, something that doesn’t happen at home. We watched 'dead pool'. We also found out that the cinema only sold salted popcorn (I was not happy as I live for sweet popcorn), which we later found out is more of an American/English idea. Although, the experience as a whole was interesting and I soon got used to the Danish subtitles at the bottom of the screen.   

On Tuesday morning we had an interesting start, as we had our first lesson that took place in the natural history museum. However, it was a lot harder to find than expected. Paolo, Anna and I got lost trying to find the museum and ended up missing the morning session tour around the museum. After many different buses, Google map searches and asking people that we hoped spoke English, we finally arrived at the museum. The museum consisted of many interesting animals and real life models which were fascinating. As a nationally recognized, independent museum institution, the museum aims to promote the natural history research and disseminate scientific results. 

At the end of the day, a show was performed by one man dissecting an otter for the audience, which consisted of young children and adults. The children were so engaged and enthusiastic during the show and were egger to get involved when possible. This is something I feel would not be as popular back in Ireland, especially in relation to children. The children were not phased by the blood and guts and one child at the end happily helped to pump air through the lungs which was gripping to watch. 

'Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty' (Albert Einstein) 

                  

   

On Wednesday, we visited another forest and our task was to work in groups to build a raft. We were given limited materials and therefore had to go into the forest to try and find useful, natural resources in order to help us complete our task. I have to admit, using natural materials to build something isn't one of my strong points, which I learned about myself that day! 

 

  

After a few hours in the forest, we ended up on 'Moesgaard beach' where we had our lunch and also heard historical stories related to certain stones on the beach and how they have some connection with the moon. Dorte explained to us that most of the stones on the beach are actually there because of the ice age many years ago and that the originate from other countries, and the few white stones that we could find are Danish.  

  

On Friday, we had the pleasure of study time. Our NHD class planned to have an international evening between ourselves and that we would cook something from our home countries. We decided that we would make shepherds pie. It was exciting to see what different types of food people would bring. Everyone tried something from each country and we all had a bonus of fresh, home-made, Italian pasta from Paolo which I really enjoyed. Ivona and Lara also made a typical Croatian meatball dish which was a pleasure to eat. The party continued with some drinks and we then progressed to what was becoming our new local bar in Skjoldhøjkollegiet.

Week 6

Week 6 | 08/02/16- 14/02/16

Professional | Cultural 

I cannot believe I am already finished my first week and now starting to write about week two. I had an excellent first week and I am pleased to say my second week was just as good. As week one was more of an introductory week, we studied 'Nature, health and democracy' (NHD) in more depth in week two. On Monday, we had our first class in a strange setting, which consisted of our class located in an open plan part of the university, with people walking through to get to different parts of the building. It was not ideal however I enjoyed the different set up compared to a typical classroom. In the class, we discussed history and democracy in Denmark and compared it to our own countries. One major cultural/democratic difference I found was that students in Denmark receive grants for going to university and education is free however in NI we have to pay large fees each year for our education. Another difference I noticed was that tutors do not like to give large presentations to students but rather they open a discussion and we give different views and opinions and compare the information with statistics and evidence.

  

On Tuesday, we visited a beautiful place called 'Riis Skov'. We worked in our study groups to find ways of measuring trees with limited materials and completed activities to connect with nature, as this is very important in the education system in Denmark. 'When you see nature as a big playground, you see an infinity of possibilities' (Ida Auken, environment minister). 

Study group

This also connected to Thursday's classes as we went back in time together talking about our own childhood nature experiences and each of my classmates had something different to share which was very interesting. During our time in Riis Skov, we went to visit the graceful sea and we had to look for bones that had been thrown in by butchers many years ago. This would not happen now, however years ago bones and other left overs from animals were thrown into the sea. As a result, bones and debris have now been washed up onto the shore such as teeth from cows.

Also, back home it was pancake Tuesday, so the other students from NI and I, decided we should make pancakes for everyone. We all ate together and it was a good way of getting to know each other personally. In fact, everyone enjoyed it so much that every Tuesday is now pancake Tuesday, not just once a year! We also continued the celebrations with some beers and then went to an international night for students where we danced and met other exchange students. 

pancake party

On Friday, we were given study time and so Anna and I went to Tangkrogen which is a green area in the south-eastern part of the city of Aarhus. “Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.”
(Matthew Karsten). While we were there we explored the docs and many fascinating boats parked up waiting to be sailed. During the summer, Tangkrogen holds many festivals for food, concerts and art exhibitions. It has spectacular views onto the sea and watching the sunset is a sight I will never forget. 

  

  

week 5

Week 5 | 01/02/16-07/02/16
Personal
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta


On 01/02/16, my time had finally arrived to go and start my new adventure. After filling out a lot of forms, questions, talks, emails and google searches, the day had come to move to my new city, Aarhus. As the train slowed into the station, my body was filled with mixed emotions. I was excited, nervous and apprehensive all at the same time. After Anna and I collected our luggage, we made our way up the stairs, not knowing what lay ahead of us. We were greeted by Jonas, one of the buddies for VIA university. He introduced himself and explained that he would take us to our accommodation. He showed us to our flats and from there I dragged my heavy suitcase up the two flights of stairs to my new room which I would be living in for the next 4 months. 

On Tuesday, it was our first day of classes and the day to meet our new class group. We travelled by bus (which was difficult to get used to in the beginning as I didn’t know where to go or how to pay for it). We began class at 8.50am and were greeted by our tutors, coordinators and the buddies. I remember sitting in my seat looking at everyone and assuming we all had similar emotions. Everyone was very quiet and reserved. After some speeches and talks, we played some ice breakers together. Our buddies looked after us very well as they answered any question we had and were always trying to help us. They sat with us during lunch and tried to give us more information about the city and some exciting activities to do.  

On Wednesday, my new life style was becoming more familiar for example early starts and getting buses etc.. We had classes all day and most were short introductions to the module. The tutors approach to teaching was very engaging as they encouraged us to ask lots of questions and included short presentations that we discussed and gave our opinion about at the end. In the afternoon, we had a guest speaker in that was introducing us to democracy in Denmark. He explained key elements and compared it to other countries and how it was different both positively and negatively. 

Thursday was a day that I enjoyed most in my first week. We went to Aros Museum and later we went to Godsbanen. In the museum, I saw some beautiful art and at the top of the museum it has a rainbow panorama which I was amazed by. It was so captivating and I didn't want to leave.  

Marie then brought us to Godsbanen, an inspirational place that I had never seen anything like before. It is a public place with drop in workshops for anyone and also holds concerts and has a hang out place for youths.  

 

On Friday, our class went to a party for VIA students, dressed as mimes. It was a good way to get to know each other and the norms of university parties.