Designing a Danish life
Discover how Ashley Jacobson-Pepere embraced Danish design, slower-paced study and new friendships while on exchange at VIA University College.
Ashley Jacobson-Pepere
Why I chose my host uni:
I was drawn to the idea of the Scandinavian lifestyle and design.
How I found applying to my host uni:
To study in Denmark, you need a residency permit, which cost me over $1,000. The process begins through the host university, where you provide all the requested information. From there, you’re directed to the New to Denmark SIRI system. Applying for Danish residency was the most challenging part of the entire process. Even though I submitted all my applications on time and had all the required documents, delays extended the process by over six weeks, which was far from ideal. There was a lot of back-and-forth communication and even after arriving in Denmark, another stage still needed to be completed. The process felt never-ending and by the time everything was finally sorted, the exchange period was almost over.
How I found learning in a different academic system:
The semester calendar was much longer than the AUT calendar and the courses I took were in design and business. This couldn’t be changed as it was a set course. Each week had a different schedule and both the courses and the workload were quite different from what I’m used to in New Zealand. The overall pace of the semester felt more leisurely.
What I gained from this experience:
I gained a range of valuable experiences and knowledge, both academically and personally. To make the most of this opportunity, it’s important to approach the experience with an open mind and maintain a positive attitude, particularly during any challenging periods.
Top tips for other students
- You’re there for a short period, so begin quickly
- I recommend living with others in a shared flat
- If you’re lucky enough to make friends with Italians, there's a good chance they’ll feed you well
- Denmark is expensive, but if you’re familiar with New Zealand prices, it shouldn’t be too shocking
- Some things are cheaper in Denmark, but if you crave cheap fast food like McDonald's, it will cost twice as much as in New Zealand
- A pleasant advantage and a European benefit overall is the availability of international flights across the continent, where you can score a return flight for under $100
About Ashley and her student exchange
AUT degree:
Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa in Fashion Design
Host uni:
VIA University College
Host country:
Denmark
5 favourite things
Favourite place in my host city:
Lidl (supermarket)
Best dish/food I tried:
Drømmekage (Danish Dream cake)
Most useful thing I packed to take with me:
Merino socks and sewing equipment
Favourite thing about my host uni:
Riding my bike everywhere
Best trip I took outside of my host city:
All of them