Mobility specification

Country:Denmark

Institution:Roskilde University

City:Roskilde

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of Social Policy and Social Work

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?The University uses the ECTS credit system. I was able to convert all the credits I earned at RUC 1:1. In my case, they were recognised as compulsory electives.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?Project-based learning. My main subject was the so-called project, which I wrote in a group of 4 people and the scope was equal to our thesis. Writing an academic text in a group turned out to be a great experience. I would be happy if something similar would be possible in the Czech Republic.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, it offers a full week before the start of the semester for all exchange students. Since I would have to arrange my own accommodation for that week. I didn't participate.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:18000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?In Denmark, everything is expensive and there are generally not many cheaper options to things. Everything is so similarly expensive.
My expenses for the month, according to my Revolut account I paid through, were 14-19k.
April looked like this:
Total: 14,884
Groceries: 5,191
Restaurants: 3,413 This includes fast food, coffee and especially beer, it's just expensive
Transport: 3 051
Shopping: 2,391 This includes shopping at IKEA and vinted
Entertainment: 650

It doesn't stand out that much in this breakdown, but something I pointed out to my friends who followed me is the expensive public transport. I couldn't get a student ticket, I don't remember why.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?My ultimately fav deal was 365 Coop, that one is simply the cheapest in the long run comparison. Lidl was ok because it had stuff I knew and the price was ok too, but it was far away.
If you study at RUC and don't go to Copenhagen much, you save a lot. I made friends there and often my study groups for the project took place there, so I didn't avoid that expense.

Overall social life costs a lot, if one decides to skip it, one definitely saves. But there are alternatives. So during my semester, regular exchange student dinners in one dorm organically developed. We all cooked and brought something and then ate it together. There was always plenty of food and a really nice atmosphere.

Another good option is definitely the Too good to go app. It's used a lot and you can get to eat from good restaurants with it.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?DSB and DOT applications. I used DSB to find and buy train tickets, DOT for public transport, but you can use both
DOT had some pretty good deals on tickets at one time, and you can generally buy a month's worth of tickets there. I used to use Rojsekort, where you load up the points it deducts on every ride. The system isn't complicated. I bought the anonymous one, which you can buy from the machine right at the airport by the first metro stop. I still use it now when I go to Copenhagen to visit friends.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?perfect

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Roskilde is a small town, but great for walking and small streets. A lot of people mention the Roskilde festival because it is huge and internationally known. I wasn't there, but my friend volunteered there and got it for free. That's a very Danish experience for me, to volunteer somewhere if you have the space during the semester.
Then in Copenhagen there are a lot of different music festivals before the summer, some of them completely free. I experienced Distortion, for example, which takes place right in the streets of the city.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?I haven't taken many trips, but google will definitely give you some advice. I've mainly been to Copenhagen and the RUC and probably lived a less touristy life.

Share your best experience:Community dinner in Absalon. You have to register in advance, but it's a lovely experience eating together with lots of people at one table and the food was very good. Some days it's even veggie/vegan.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?From the airport, the train goes directly to Roskilde to the university (dormitories). The journey with a large suitcase was not pleasant, but it was only twice (at the beginning and at the end), so it was fine.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Hats, scarves, turtlenecks. It's not about any extra warm layers, I had too many of those. More like thin layers and plenty of them. Definitely around the neck and head. It really does blow A LOT. You can't explain it, you have to experience it. The wind is much more unpleasant than in the Czech Republic and it helps tremendously if you have good clothes for it.

I really made a lot of use of turtleneck shirts, scarves, etc. I went Feb-July. And I used the scarf a lot. It wasn't as cold as in the Czech Republic, but you can survive the wind and rainy weather best with a scarf and a hat. And a cap!! It's a great thing for a gentle rain, a hundred times better than a hood.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Good coffee, Twilight-like weather and a great attitude at school. Copenhagen is my second home now, I go there twice a year.