Going to Denmark was one of the decisions that I would never change! When the time came to decide where I should apply, Scandinavian countries were the first to pop in my mind... The reason was simple: I wanted to go somewhere that I would never have a chance to go again easily, and I was thinking about my prospects of a master's degree.
So I started preparing.... packed my warmest clothes and all the courage I could muster up and began my trip!
During the flight I couldn't realize what I was actually doing, it felt like any other trip; that I would be back in a few days. But then we landed in Copenhagen! I was carrying big luggage around and I had to find the bus stop to go to Aarhus. Of course I managed to arrive to the city, where I met the first people from my new university. We had four Danes mentors, responsible for us. Two of them picked me up! First impressions are everything! And they gave me the best first impression. They were fun, polite, and really helped me to start acclimatizing.
I was actually the second student to arrive from our group, so I was really lonely in a new place with no one around. But I couldn't let it take me down, I went out shopping to equip my room, to do something!
I survived the first couple days although they were quite cold and freezing, then the fun began!
We started to get to know each other and go out. We had parties and tours around the city. And then classes started. My class was about storytelling, so we made videos about different stories and each story was with a different group.
This is where I met two girls, Paki and Alissa, whith whom I would spent the rest of Erasmus together!
So let's begin!
The center
When we arrived, the Danes told me that Aarhus is a difficult city to learn to move around and it will take time to get used to it. So right there I made a promise to myself to walk every part of it and learn every street by heart. I don't think I learned the whole city but I'm sure I memorised the center and I could walk around with my eyes closed.
So the first thing you see when you arrive at the center square is this big old church, Aarhus Cathedral. It took me a while to find it open, but I managed it!
Across it, is the Aarhus theater and on the right of the church there is a small hidden Viking museum.
Around that square, there are bars and clubs and amazing little shops with snacks, so if you are interested just check our Tips!
The stroll around the city was something that I couldn't get enough of! I just loved walking around the streets of the old city that led to the big ones full of shops! In these streets I put on a dress for Paki's wedding (it was an excuse to try on dresses at... a wedding stuff store) and I also had my makeup made by Alissa, that made me look like a unicorn....(no picture for you here).
On Søndergade, though, there is my favorite mall. The reason is simple: it has a balcony with the greatest shop and a cute little cafeteria, on the top floor! (Also you didn't have to pay to go to the toilet).
Near the center, during one of my strolls, I came across the street called Møllestien, where you can see some small cute houses, that are completely different from the rest of the city.
You can find hidden gems everywhere in Aarhus, if you don't stick your nose behind a map.
The port
Dokk 1, was one of the first buildings I had to visit during my first days for my papers (for staying there). It has a library in it and a studying room with amazing view of the port! I spent many hours trying to study in there... but instead I kept having fun and couldn't concentrate. (I am a terrible reading partner)
While looking at the sea at the far left side, there is the Dome of visions, but it's open only in the summer months. Then, a bit further is the new part of the city, where the buildings are called the Iceberg. I made the mistake of walking all the way there and I came back super tired! So use a bike! The tram stop is quite far from there.
Aarhus University
If you are a student then you need to go to at least on party there and of course visit the park of the university at the Boat Racing Festival.
At this festival students from all over Denmark come to find the best seats from the night before and watch the show. If you are a drinker you will surely enjoy it! They start with a race where people run naked around the park and through the lake (you should see Paki's face when she realized it), and then the show begins with songs and small theatrical shows.
Danes sure love Disney as much as I do!
And then the moment that everyone awaits. Teams are gathered with five people each and they have to cross the lake with a boat, drink beer, spin, and then cross back! It sounds easy but they are already drunk so to do that it's not so easy anymore! Of course the team's members that do it first they win!
Between Øgadekvarteret and Ceresbyen
On the left side of the city is one of my favorite museums. The entrance fee might seem a bit expensive, but it's totally worth it, especially during the summer months. I am talking about Den Gamle By, a small city inside the city. There you can see how the city of Aarhus was in every era, from villagers to hippies. During the summer months, there are also actors walking around dressed accordingly to the era.
There is also a huge museum that you should visit, where history unfolds and it is underground. The exit is from inside the poster museum that was across the street.
Don't forget to visit the small cafeteria and taste the cakes!
The museum is huge so you should go when it opens, and even then the time won't be enough. Small advice: if you are like me and you enjoy museums don't take an Alissa with you... she sure loved the city but she crossed the museum like the Road Runner and she couldn't stand my slow pace....
When you finish with the museum don't forget to go to the park that is above it! It is perfect for a relaxing walk and it also has a beautiful Botanical Garden, where you need to wear just a t-shirt to survive. Also it is free to visit!
Midtbyen and Indre By
After you cross the river in the center, you head towards the south, where you can see the train station. Inside the station there is a mall (where you can have tasty ice cream!).
When you are outside the station and facing the opposite direction, look to your left, towards the Burger King. On that street you can visit the City Hall of Aarhus.
A bit further, behind the City Hall, you can see Musikhuset of Aarhus. There you can relax at the park and stroll around.
But the funniest museum is just around the corner. Aros Museum is an art museum where you can interact with the exibits. In the upper levels there are paintings and amazing sculptures you can enjoy.
But in the lower levels there is art just for fun!
Of course let's not forget the Rainbow at the top of the museum, where you can see the city in colour!
At the same area there is Godsbanen. The best way to describe it is big buildings full of artists. You should walk around when the sun is up!
There you can also find different types of workshops, where you can participate in. My friend and I actually participated in one and it was quite fun. We met people and by pure luck we found a food festival inside the Scandinavian Center, right across the street (which is a great shortcut for the Aarhus Central).
Around Aarhus
Beside the other cities you can visit near Aarhus, there are some other things you should see before leaving. You can go by car, but also by bus or bike. If it is winter please take the bus, otherwise just wait for the sunny days.
In the south of Aarhus you will find one of the most captivating museums, Moesgård Museum. It is actually quite huge and you will need a lot of hours if you want to take it slow, but even if you take it fast it will take at least 3.
On your way back from Moesgård you can visit Marselisborg Deer Park. There you can feed the deer, so don't forget to bring some carrots with you or some fruits. Also, be careful with the small male ones they are really demanding. One of them actually kept nudging me because I had no more carrots to give (it was a bit painful). So if you are afraid don't go further in the park, just feed the ones near the gates, they are mostly females and super calm. Further in, we encountered some more males that when they heard the plastic bags, came running after us. It was hilarious, but at the same time frightening to see 20 male deer coming towards you. And then my friend fell because of the mud... so we couldn't move because we were laughing...
In the sunny days, if you want to swim you could go to Marselisborg Strand, but be careful of the waves! We were just relaxing and reading in the sun and suddenly all of our stuff were floating around and we were chasing after them... but we saved our notes for the exams!
While we are talking about swimming, I also have a favorite beach in Aarhus! I even used to go on foot from my place although it took me more than an hour. The beach is called Bellevue Strand. The water of course was freezing, but we were quite lucky with the weather.
I also suggest if you have time and a bike to go to Brabrand Lake and Årslev Engsø. It is very nice when it's sunny, especially in the middle of the two lakes. It is quite far and you will need a bottle of water. It is also quite nice for a picnic and you can notice the summer houses of Danes.
An other place that Danes prefer to have their summer houses is Skæring. I went only in winter, so I didn't swim there, but it was a nice excuse to see Kalø Castle and the city of Ebeltoft.
I met so many different people from all over the world during this experience, and I would recommend to everyone to not be afraid and go live abroad for 6 months! I have so many fond memories of our parties and nights out. My dorm, though, really hated us, they always found us really noisy!
My Erasmus experience doesn't end here! Check the rest of the cities I visited and check also my Easter break during the same period.
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