Exchange Report

- Reach out to friends who’ve been through the application process for advice, especially on what to emphasize in your motivation letter. - When writing your motivation letter, try to reference specific courses offered by the host university to show genuine interest and fit. - Make a habit of checking your email regularly, as both the partner university and the International Office will share important updates this way. - When selecting courses, pay attention to the exam format. In Denmark, oral exams are quite common, which may not suit everyone. - If the university housing doesn’t appeal to you, Facebook groups can be a good alternative for finding apartments. - You’ll need to obtain a CPR number (insurance number). The university will provide guidance, but you must book the appointment yourself before arriving in Aarhus.

- In Scandinavian countries, Facebook is widely used both for communication and for subletting apartments. Join local housing groups where rooms are posted regularly. That’s how I found my place, which was privately sublet while my landlord spent a semester abroad. - Starting your housing search about 3–4 months in advance is usually sufficient, as many listings appear on short notice. - If you apply for university housing, you can often indicate a preference to live close to campus. - I lived in the Hasle district and felt very safe there. It’s a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood with many single-family homes, yet well connected. I could reach the university quickly (though the campus has since moved) and bike to the city center in about 10 minutes. - Public transportation is quite expensive, as there are no monthly passes or similar options. You typically pay per trip, which usually costs around €2–3. - For that reason, it’s highly recommended to get a bike—possibly even an e-bike—since public transport in Aarhus is limited to buses.

- The campus consisted of many different buildings, so finding classrooms could sometimes be a bit tricky at first. There was an app to help with navigation, although I studied at the old campus and can’t say whether it’s still available at the new one. - Attendance isn’t mandatory, but I strongly recommend going to lectures. Professors often explain expectations or share useful tips verbally, things you won’t find in written materials. - Most lectures follow a traditional, lecture-based format, with limited student interaction and no participation grades. - Compared to WU, many courses involve extensive reading (articles and books). It’s best to keep up regularly, as it can quickly pile up toward the end of the semester. - Grades are often based on a single exam or assessment. You can check the exam format in the course catalog. - There tends to be less group work than at WU. - Be proactive about asking professors for feedback. Otherwise, you’re unlikely to receive any, as feedback isn’t typically offered automatically in Denmark. - Danes are generally quite reserved and tend to keep to themselves, so if you’re able to choose your groups, I’d recommend working with other exchange students. - I would strongly advise against taking the course Commercial and Retail Analytics. The course is essentially a combination of analytics training and master’s thesis preparation. It’s very time-consuming and labor-intensive, and in my experience offers limited value for exchange students, as it mainly focuses on how to write a master’s thesis within this specific program. - Check your exam dates as early as possible. They’re listed separately and don’t appear in the Mitstudie calendar. Many exams take place in January, which may require returning after Christmas. The dates are often similar to those from the previous year, so you can use that as a rough reference for planning. - Many courses feel fairly relaxed during the semester since there are often no continuous assignments. However, this makes the exam period much more intense. I also found the courses more challenging than at WU, mainly because feedback is limited and your final grade usually depends on just one or two assessments.

- Compared to Vienna, public transportation is quite limited (here are essentially only buses), and they’re relatively expensive. For that reason, I highly recommend getting a bike, as cycling is by far the most common way to get around. If you live farther from campus, an e-bike can be especially helpful. - Aarhus is very safe, and you can comfortably go out at night without worrying. - Make sure to participate in the Intro Days at the beginning of the semester. This is where most people form their first friendships, and the buddies often share very useful tips. - There are many BSS clubs you can join, which are listed in the Happenings app. - The Student House also offers a wide range of activities and events you can take part in. - At the start of the semester, there’s usually a fair where various sports clubs present themselves and you can sign up. - Especially when the weather is nice, there are plenty of events happening, so take advantage of those opportunities to socialize and explore.

My semester abroad was an experience I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I had the chance to see Denmark from a new perspective and met some truly wonderful people along the way. Aarhus has a lot to offer, especially when the weather is nice, although it can be a bit harder to find activities during the winter months. I’d also recommend not underestimating the courses, as both the teaching approach and grading system can differ quite a bit from WU. Unfortunately, one of my courses turned out to be very demanding and, in my opinion, offered limited value for me personally, since I won’t be writing a master’s thesis at that university. Still, overall I had a great time in Aarhus and truly appreciated the experience. If you want to live in a quiet, smaller city, Aarhus is definitely a good place to start!