Do Danes believe.. ?

Hello Everyone!!

My favourite spot in Winter:)

How are you today? If you ask me, I can tell you that my mood is much better, since the weather today is so good! When I went out from the school today, the sun was shining onto my face and my mouth just moved to a great smile. You can see many people outside and the town is reborn after last weeks' grey skies.

Last sunday I decided to go to the .. church. Actually it was polish mass and I found out about that, on the website for polish people in Denmark. By the way. I am here 3 years and I discovered this kind of polish community thing 2 weeks ago. Clever.

Anyway, it was very strange for me to hear polish language so naturally in Denmark. I was quite amazed of amount of people who share the same beliefs and are living abroad, just as you. You can all meet them in at least, one place - church.

But here comes the question. Do you know anything about danish religion? It is propably good to know something  when you come to the new country, where YOU need to respect different culture.

Of course there are different individuals with different beliefs, but as written in a Danish Constitution, Paragraph 4, official religion of Denmark is Evangelican Lutheran. The curiosity - is that the queen of Denmark (Post about Royal Family soon!:) ) has to belong to Lutheran church, but one-third of the government ministers are not members of the church, simply called Folkekirken.

Temple of Aalborg – Church of St. Madonna 

But. What excatly are the Evangelical Lutheran doctrines and practices? Lutheranism was founded by German Priest Martin Luther in 16th century. ( More info here ). As Christians, the Lutheran believe in three-in-one God, work of Jesus Christ who became a human being to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Among the central beliefs in Lutheranism involve good works, grace and faith as a means of salvation.

As an interesting fact for me that I would love to share with you is that 5% of Danes attend church services on a weekly basis, 80% are the offical tax-paying members for the upkeep of the state church. In 2011, this amounted to 5.9 billion kroner. However in practice all taxpayers in Denmark - including no-members as well - pay for the state church, because it also receives a state subsidy equal to approximately 130 kroner (~17euro) per year for every single taxpayer (www.cphpost.dk)

As you can see, there are not so many "practicing" Lutherans and over the last few years the membership rate of the church has dropped, so there are some more frequant discussions to seperate church from its state (As Sweden did in 2000). And just to give you some comparison - there are 97% catholics in Poland and as international statistics say - 55% attending to church - but believe me - there is more, statistics just haven't lived in Poland.

As a second religious community we can highlight muslims who represent 2% of the population (this is around 100,000 believers) and here is quote of Queen Margrethe about Islam challenge in Denmark : 

"We have let this issue float around for too long, because we are tolerant and rather lazy," 

You can read the whole article here :)

So. I shared with some information about religion in Denmark and in Poland, but now I am waiting for your statistics! I am very interested how it is in your countries guys and what do you think of Lutheranism in Denmark? Don't hestitate to write comment or email :)

Remember to LIKE the Facebook Page! We are 36 now! (23.03.2012) Great guys, thank you so much for your support, YOU ARE THE BEST! :)

Have a great weekend because I am gonna have one!:) 

Aleksandra

Hvordan kommer du i Skole?

Hi!! How have you been? :)

Aalborg bike! / (by Paulina Szygenda)

I hope all of you have seen already Me-You-UCN Blog on Facebook? (Link here) It is just easier way to inform you of a new blog post if you are interested:)

Today - one of many developed ways of transportation in Denmark. Bicycling!

Aalborg street / (by Paulina)

I decided to mention about that in a blog post, because there is so many paths just for bikes, and the culture of it it's much higher than driving a car. This is really surprising for me, since it is not common at all to bicycle so much in Poland. In Poland if you have a bike, not a car - I don't know if so many people would like to be friends with you (kidding!) but in Denmark, it's totally normal and it is actually better to have a bike, because you are protecting planet. One Danish friend told me that everyone in Denmark has at least one bike. Unbelievable! (I guess all Danes when reading that - they laugh, because it is not surprising for them at all:) ) 

Here you have a short video with people who are using bikes in Copenhagen, but believe me - in Aalborg - it is just the same. It is worth to mention that when you have a bicycle, you are getting faster to a destination in the city center than with the car. Cyclist have separate traffic lights and it is really easy to go around the city. 

This is also very normal to be cyclist in the winter! For me - it is really difficult - the wind, the cold and the snow. It can just make you crazy! But even in that terrbile weather you can meet lots of people on the bikes!

UCN bike! / (by Paulina)

My ex bike:)

Actually I also had a really nice bike. Until.. Someone stole it. Many international students come to Denmark and just act like everything belongs to them. I am saying here internationals, because if every Dane has a bike I really doubt that he needs to steal other bikes to have more. Sorry!

Guys, if you are coming here, you can just take more money to spend on a bus ticket or a used bycikle. 

There are many ways to transport around here. If you wish to go for a ride around the city, there are city bikes that are always available for you, just for 20 DKK. You can find the link over HERE .

Also new bicykles can be purchased in every cykling shop in Aalborg at minimum price of 1500DKK. Used bicykles are from 250 DKK sold at police auctions (Nordjysk Auktionhus, Porsvej 3, 9000 Aalborg) or you can also check advertisements on internet or in the newspapers. You also need to remember of extra 100 DKK for a lights and a locks. 

As you can see - it is not much money,but they are going to be spent right.

How do you/ did you go to school in your home countries? Is bicycling exciting for you?

I wish you all a great weekend and I would like to remind all of the students who are already here that there is International Week coming!! Personally I can't wait for the presentation of Richard Gesteland :) See you there!!

Casting!!

Multimedia Design Students are recruiting new people for their videos to talk about Aalborg, Denmark, UCN and Student's life here! If you feel like you want to be in a nice video from your University, Let me know !!

Hvordan er vejret i dag?

Welcome back!

Today I have prepared for you something unexpected and silly but actually highly requested.

When I was in Poland to promote UCN, many people asked me question "why they should come to Denmark? Isn't too cold there?"

Before I came to Denmark I also imagined people as vikings still in here, who are living in warmer ice age. Anyway, I have to say - I love the danish weather. You can experience 4 different seasons in one day!

Some say that danish weather is so unpredictable as women - you never know what is coming next.

What really surprised me when I came to Aalborg in September 2009 was - beautiful sun and looooong days. After I moved in to UC house, around October, I remember days were getting shorter, very windy and rainy. It was shocking for me that the sunrise came at 8 or 9 in the morning and when I was going out from school - around 15:30 it was already dark. Bearing in mind that I am living in Scandinavian country - it was beautiful for me to observe the changing days.

Winter

I also remember when teachers were saying that there was no really winter snow from 30 years. It is all the time raining and lots of mud on the streets. Well, what is that picture saying then?

November 2009

I remember when I woke up in UC House and I took this picture behind my room window. I also remember the days I was going to school that time. I even told my mother to send me in a package my snowboarding jacket! It was freezing so much.. As you can tell, it was unexpected for Danes as well:)

From that time we can see this every year right now. The climate is really changing.

But committing myself to vikings again - maybe they really are the ones. Even in that kind of weather you can see many of them walking on the street without jackets, sometimes in shorts.

Autumn

When I am writing about that - I just remembered when UCN took us for integration day together with danish students. It was our first year here. They separated us into small groups and we needed to follow some steps and make small exercises in order to finish the day with sandwiches and hot tea. I think it was end of September, beginning of October. It was getting really cold when you had to spend all day outside and   the most important - it was raining. The last exercise with the most rain on it, was to jump into water and swim to pick up some balls. Okay guys - even though I wanted to help very much and get some points for my group to win - I just could not take my clothes off, in such a weather and swim in that cold water! Guess what? All the international student did not do that! Just the Danes! I really admire them for that. Don't believe me? I think I should have some pictures from that time.. :)

Getting some points for the team:)

Spring

Me in Aalborg Park :)

When coming to spring time - I must say - the weather is really beautiful, although you can still feel some freezing wind. I remember the time of picnics in the park, boys playing football or basketball, girls volleyball. Danish  people love sport very much, so it is quite normal to see more and more people jogging after winter and going outside to play some sports or music. It is really nice to go to the river side and meet all the people walking with a dog or kids dancing on the streets.

Summer

I guess summer is the most beautiful time for all of us. I stayed in Denmark for the first time in the summer previous year. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold. I even sunbathed in the parks ;) It was really good! Music is bombing the city, all the birds are singing and people are more happy. What else do you need? Wait! I know - days are so long that the sunrise is around 5-6 in the morning and the sunset around 23:00!

In summer time, there is a lot going on in Aalborg. You always need to check websites with different events (for example this ONE) to find something for yourself. When it is really warm outside I like to go out for a long walks and enjoy the weather of course. I am always buying ice creams and just go around the city to make some nice pictures. Going out with friends for a picnic, sunbathe and playing volleyball is my thing  as well. I also like to sit on the bench with a good coffee and just stare at the people. (It is not weird, right?)  I am leaving you with some pictures.

Twin sisters at the same bike, in the same clothes. Lovely

Guys! Let me know if came or stayed in Denmark during the summer and what did you like the most here?

 I would be really glad to hear your thoughts :)

PS. I created a facebook page, that you can like and be informed when is the next post ready!
YOU CAN LIKE IT HERE!

Examination Time

Exams? - Aaaaaaa!

Since it is examinations time in UCN, I prepared a small video with a girl you already know - Daina Raiskuma. She talks about her experience with the exams in Aalborg and she gives you some little tips. Obviously all of them are about studying or at least paying attention on the lectures. You can also read some other stories from students from different specialisations. I wanted to post it here, so you can have different perspectives, from different eyes - not mine. Of course I can sign myself under every note. The atmosphere at the exams is really nice, and our teachers will help you to get you on the right track.

We are able to use our computers in the classes, but some of the people just stare at facebook or chat on skype. Please, future students - don't do that. Just stay focused all the time on the lectures or stay home and don't come to school. I think this represents a big disregard for the teachers and they might remember it. When you want to pass your exam well, don't just be focused on yourself, show little respect and remember that later on, you can have an exam with the person to whom you showed your attitude.

Waldemar is a good friend of mine and he passed his bachelor exam. I know he holds a  great passion for architecture and construction. He has many drawings in his apartment and he can talk about it very conviencing. We need more people like him in the world - people with passion and love to whatever they are doing. Congratulations Waldus! 

We can all support him to find a great job as an architectural engineer. Comment down below to wish him all the best! :)

Waldemar Kozlowsky, Lithuenia - Architectural Technology and Construction Management (Bachelor Degree) 

"Being and learning how to become architectural technologist, I found two most exciting areas. Main satisfaction area is 3D modeling, second is expressing yourself to engineers, architects in technical language during the meetings. My final exam was by myself and I presented digitally wchich means my drawings and documents were shown via projektor. It was cozy because I knew it will be fair and smooth with 5 teachers, which were like friends to me within 3,5 years. Overall 6 male examinators (1 external) were evaluating me and my project. Presentation lasted 20 minutes, questions were estimated for 10 minutes and 10 minutes of feedback. I was complitely confident at the exam because I made this kind of presentation many times before. Exam was successful and I got proper grade which states I am totally ready  for engineering, architectural, conctruction market."

I know Barbara, since we were living together in Danhostel (you can read about danhostel in a post about accommodation,part1). She finished her AP degree in UCN but then she decided to explore more and move out to Copenhagen. She lives a good life there,but she remembers Aalborg very well.

Barbara Prochownik, Poland - Marketing Management (AP Degree)

"Each semester includes final exams or project examination. 
Basically 1st semester is ending with 4th exams with particularly subjects like Law, Marketing, Economics, Communication and management. 
2nd semester is based on project. At this point  you are working with 5/6 people, on one task (usually is the project for some company). Examination is individual, you are responsible for presentation which is 5min (it has to be connected with project) then you have 10minutes conversation with teachers. 

There are 2 people one from your program and one external. 

3rd semester is pretty the same as 1st but instead of having 4 written exams you have 2 oral and 2 written.
Communication, and sales  are oral . Before exam you get information  what exactly will be on examination. 

On communication exam, you have to prepare small presentation, and after you get 2/3 questions from  teacher (one internal, one external), sales exam is little bit different. Before examination your getting task to prepare and you have 30min for that one, afterwards you are going to have exam with one external one internal teacher.

4th semester is the final one of this program. After internship, your responsible to write by your own, or with other student a project. At the end, you have presentation in front  of your supervisor, and external person. Presentation should be no longer than 8 min, and right after you have 30min conversation. 
You have to know, that those exams  which are described above are different than in other countries. 

Teachers are helpful, atmosphere during exams  is nice, and  you are more confident and more comfortable with presentation and with teachers."

Here you have a promised interview with Daina. I am very sorry if you see her in the second video already, but I think she is perfect for the films I am making. We always have lots of fun with doing everything together and she can talk and talk and talk and talk! Daina made her AP degree in Service and Hospitality Management in january and she decided to go away and start her proffesional career within the industry she has diploma from. I love her very much because she takes care about other people and she would help all the students with the informations they need. You can see this in the video below.

Dainuczka! We all love you here in Aalborg and we are glad we met you, kisses!

Change your settings to HD!

I hope you liked all the stories and you enjoyed reading and watching it. I think it is important to get ready for every exam and show your love to the industry you are studying. Then you can achieve a lot and pass all your exams - obviously seeking the best results possible! Take notes and prepare every time! Feel free and comfortable with yourself and with teachers! 

Thank you for reading

Aleksandra

PS for all the future students from Poland. This week I am in Poland. Tomorrow - in Rzeszów in Podpromie Hall and from thurstday till saturday in Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. For more info - email me:) You can always come and ask many questions:) 

Bye!