Everyday Life in Denmark
As most Danes speak English, you will find it easy to live in Denmark even though you do not speak any Danish. Approximately 80% of the population speaks English and many speak French, German or Spanish. When you go shopping, use public transportation and visit official buildings etc. you will find that you can manage well by using English. Furthermore, foreign films are in their original version, having Danish subtitles – in cinema as well as in television.
Introductory programmes
Socializing is an essential part of your stay in another country. It is through social interaction that you meet new friends and get to know the Danish culture. As a special service to international students, many Danish institutions have established a student-to-student programme in order to make the international students feel at home more easily. On arrival, a “buddy” (a pre-enrolled student) will help the students get settled, meet other students and assist them with practical matters in their first weeks at the institution.
Attending the special introductory programmes and the courses in Danish language and culture are opportunities for the international students to facilitate their stay and to meet other international and Danish students.
Campus life
In general, only a few Danish institutions of higher education have campus-like facilities, so the campus-life that international students may know from their own or other countries, does not exist to the same degree in Denmark. However, this does not mean that the social life at the higher education institutions does not exist. The social life at most institutions is vibrant and varied, and offers a range of possibilities.
Often, an institution has several committees that organise activities, such as excursions, student politics, parties and cafés. A special feature of the Danish student cafés is the “fredagsbar”, which is identical with the bar life on Friday afternoons. This is an event you should not miss, if you want to experience the typical Danish student life.
Campus life offers other possibilities of social life, too. For instance, most studies involve group work, and, normally, it is in these groups that contact between students takes place. The groups are formed by students with the same interests, or taking the same exams, or by students who simply enjoy working together and supporting each other in their studies. Thus, group work gives you an excellent opportunity to get to know Danish students.
Cultural activities and sports
Denmark has various cultural activities to offer – theatres, museums, operas, concerts, festivals and cinemas, to mention some of them. As regards the cinemas, the motion pictures are, in general, displayed in their original language, having Danish subtitles. In addition, the same goes for movies in the television.
Participating in different sports activities is a perfect way to get to know other people, too. And the choices are numerous. Many students are engaged in sports activities. Some education institutions have their own sports facilities, which are used, only, by students and school staff. You can, also, enter one of the several sports clubs in the urban area, however these are often more expensive to join. If you live at a residence hall, it might be a good idea to check whether there are any sports facilities available, since most residence halls make various sports facilities available for their occupants.
Safe and modern society
Foreigners who have visited Denmark often mention security and safety as the country's most distinctive features. Children walk to school by them selves. It is not uncommon to see ministers riding their bikes in Copenhagen. Even the Queen can go shopping with a minimum of security.
This image of the safe environment is confirmed by the statistics, which show that Denmark has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The CPR-number
All Danes have a personal number in Denmark. This CPR-number is a personal ID that is used when dealing with public institutions. Accordingly, international students, teachers, etc. must have such a CPR-number.
How to get it
In order to get a CPR-number you will have to address the civil registration at the local municipality where you are living in Denmark. You must bring your residence permit and an ID-card, i.e. your passport. Besides, you will have to have a private address – the place you live in Denmark. At the civil registration you fill out the required papers, and you will then receive the CPR-number by mail within approximately seven days.
Further, in order to obtain a National (Danish) Health Service card you will have to present the documents that you have brought with you from your home country – see "health insurance" for further information in this regard. Subsequently, you will receive the Danish Health Security card by mail, automatically.
|
Cost of living
Exchange rates end of 2007
1 Euro = approximately 7,50 DKK.
1 AUS$ = approximately 4.80 DKK.
1 £ = 10,90 DKK
Prices can vary considerably, depending on where you live and where you shop.
The capital Copenhagen is more expensive than other cities, towns or villages in Denmark. Students are normally advised that they will need at least another €500 per month above their rent in order to live at a basic level.
Approximate prices for typical groceries:
- Milk: 5-8 DKK (1 litre)
- A loaf of bread: 8-16 DKK
- Cornflakes: 20-30 DKK for a box for a package with 750 g
- Butter: 8-15 DKK for a package with 250 g
- Margarine: ca. 5 DKK for a package with 500 g
- Eggs: ca. 12 DKK for a package with six eggs
- Rice: 6-42 DKK a kg
- Pasta: 5-46 DKK a kg
- Cheese: 30 DKK a kg and upwards
- Lamb: 60-150 DKK a kg
- Beef: 35-145 DKK a kg
- Pork: 30-100 DKK a kg
Chicken/turkey: 30-100 DKK a kg
- Soft drinks: 2-5 DKK (33 cl)
- Beer: 3-7 DKK for Danish beer (33 cl) in a supermarket
- Wine: 30- DKK for a bottle (75 cl)
- Cigarettes: 35 DKK a package
The average budget per month could approximately be as follows:
- Student accommodation: 1.900-2.500 DKK
- Food and other necessities: 1.700-2.400 DKK.
- Telephone: 200 DKK.
- Insurance, medical care: 0 (if EU-citizen or have residence permit).
- Leisure: 500-1.500 DKK.
Total: 4.800-6,000 DKK – ca. 645-800 Euro.
Besides, you can sometimes use your student card to get discounts. When studying at a Danish education institution, you get a student card. With such a card you can get discounts in many museums.
Another possibility is the museums where the entrance often is free of charge on Sundays. For further information Visit Denmark
Managing your money
Foreign credit cards, e.g. Visa, MasterCard, Euro-card and American Express, are widely accepted in Denmark, but generally not in the supermarkets. Likewise credit cards can be used in the many cash machines, set up around in the Danish cities. Another option is to use traveller cheques that can be cashed in banks.
The Danish Payment card – Dankort
So to speak every Dane possess a "dankort", as it can be used in almost every shop and/or store in Denmark. You can get this payment card, if you open a bank account in Denmark.
Banks
Banks are open from Monday to Friday between 9.30 a.m. - 16:00 p.m. Most banks have extended opening hours on Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. - 18:00 p.m. In smaller towns and villages the opening hours should be expected to be less. At weekends the banks are closed.
Opening an account
If you wish to open a Danish bank account, you will need to have three things ready when entering the bank. First of all, the student will need to have a Danish CPR-number. Second, an ID-card is needed, e.g. a passport. Finally, the student will have to have a residence, i.e. an address where the student can be reached. In most cases, it is free of charge to open an account, but the bank may charge you – ask for advice on the different kind of options and the costs associated hereby.
Healthcare
Any person, who lives in Denmark, is entitled to free emergency hospital treatment.
In case of emergency, dial 112 to contact the police, the fire brigade or the ambulance. Emergency calls from payphones are free of charge.
People with residence in Denmark
As a full time student you will have had to gain residence in Denmark Once you are registered with the municipal civil registration office in Denmark, you are automatically covered by Denmark's health insurance scheme after a period of six weeks. Hence, it is strongly recommended that you arrange for health insurance to cover any incidental medical bills for the first eight weeks of your stay – eight weeks in order to be sure to be covered by insurance in case the issue of the Danish Health Service card is to be delayed. Note that Australia does not have a reciprocal health insurance agreement with Denmark so you will need this insurance if you do not wish to run the risk of an unexpected and high medical bill. |