Summer trip to Farup

Dear UCN'ers!

Nice to see you back:)

How did you enjoy your summer holidays? I guess you have great memories.. especially now, during this fall season! I want to share with you a part of my holidays, which  may be an inspiration for you all to prepare properely for the next ones?:)

In the end of september, me and my boyfriend decided to do something fun.. but well.. what to do here?! Well, he found two option - Billund Lego or Fårup Sommerland:) After counting the costs of transportation, tickets, dinner and excitment rate - we decided to go to Fårup.

As they describe themselves - it's the story about a dream and it's first Scandinavian Summerland, which was founded in 1975:) They have everything that you as a kid dreamed of - a huge Aqua Park and a land full of amazing and exciting rides. The place is so huge that eventhough the weather was perfect that day, we decided to split the events and spend one day just on the rides and another we come and be in aqua park (of course the weather didn't allow us to do so later on, unfortuanately.. ) But being all day on the rides was enough. We came back soooo tired after our adrenaline went up like crazy every time we were upsite down on the rollercoaster..

The ticket for the aqua park and all the rollercoasters (and  trust me you have so many to choose from) is 255kr and the ticket to Farup from Aalborg (bus terminal or Vesterbro) is around 120kr two ways. In the summer they have special buses going directely to Farup Sommerland every 15 min I think :) The only problem there is that the lines are HUGE!! So for every 'dangerous' and most 'excciting' rollercoaster you need to wait around 40min minimum. There are also other great attractions, but I would call it for the more relaxing experience.. ;)

So if you are a fan of a great adrenaline, as I am - you need to really go there and try this experience.. Here I prepared a  short video from this day, just capturing the park , without an 'aqua land' but, I am sure you can find some pictures on their website !:)

Make your plans already for the next summer, its gonna be amazing!:) And if you know any places I would enjoy, please let me know in the comments down below!:)

Aleks :)

Løb for Kræft 2012

Hi everyone!

 

How was your weekend? I guess you are all overwhelmed with parties and events happening in Aalborg these days? I remember when  I came here.. I was really looking forward to the weekends, when I could meet some of my friends and have a good time. Nowadays I feel, I am kind of grandma. Chilling on the weekends home in my sweatpants. Not too interesting, is it?

 

This weekend, I put my pyjamas away and on saturday afternoon, I joined some of my friends, taking part in the event 'Løb for kræft 2012'. In the other words, it is a running marathon that supports children with cancer in Aalborg hospital. The tickets were 150 DKK but the money were spent on a good cause, to support the fight with cancer by running, or simply walking 6km distance. You can check the website here for more information :)

 

 

As I was writing in the previous posts, Danes love sport. And they also love to help others. So now you can imagine why there was more than 500 people running in this marathon. I really think it was a great initiative to organise this kind of event. Oh, and I forgot to mention that before the running marathon, we danced all together to the loud music. After the marathon there were some koncerts and zumba classes for everyone. Perfect!

 

I am really happy I took part in this, eventhough I have terrible pain in my legs. - Why? Hahaha, because I did not prepare for 6 km run, it was my spontanous decision and I gave as much as I could, and I promised myself - I am not gonna stop, even when I will not have energy anymore. Guess what! And I didn't. I finished the marathon, being very proud of myself and after that I went to work for the whole night. That is why my body is exhausted! But, hey - I am trying to be a Viking.

 

While running, I took a picture with my phone (because I was checking my time anyways) of our school. It is in the back of a girl in green, but I thought it would be a great connection between the marathon. Maybe one day UCN Students culd make one? :)

Sommer Bio Aalborg

Sommer Bio Aalborg - Summer Cinema Aalborg:)

Hello! Today another post about activities in Aalborg:) 

I found out about this event on facebook - got the invitation from a friend, but I did not expect so many people there! The event was really amazing - I am talking here about Summer Cinema on the grass:) You can read more about that HERE . TV2 is organising this for young people in 6 big cities in Denmark. You can see how it all lokks like in the video, because pesronally I was really surprised - of course positevely.

The place was just in the middle of the small forest , what gace the feeling of the unkown but also safety - because the place was brightened up by a big ballon-lamp with "Sommer Bio" title:)

Yesterday we were all watching the movie called 50/50 which was about young man who had cancer. All the people got very emotional and, at the end of the movie, we were all giving a loud applause.

Today there is going to be played "Mission Impossible 3", so if you do not plan to do anything for tonight, go and see, because it is really worth it!! :)

Before the movie, ladies in yellow clothes were giving snacks for free, and you could go and get Mokai as well, without any payment. For popcorn and beers you need to pay yourself, but it is not a problem if you will bring your own.

As you can see - even the weather is not so summer'y, but you can always find in Aalborg some activities to please yourself :) Notice in the video that when I was going with the bicykle to the park - it was 21:50 and it was still so bright! :) This post gives me a reflection of a hygge feeling - the phenomenon I was writing in THIS post. The scene was so big, and we were all seperately but you could enjoy this common and hyggeligt feeling:) Hope I will see you there tonight!!:)

IKEA Vlog

Hi everyone

Today very different blog post than usual. Actually I would call it - vlog post.
One month ago, I got an email from one girl, asking if I could write what I am doing during my free day in Aalborg, some kind of a diary. I thought : why not. Taking into consideration fact that it is already summer and I really needed to go to IKEA (shopping therapy) I got my camera with me to show you, how it all looks like in Denmark. Today it was just a shopping video, but if you want to see more of these kind of posts, let me know! I will try to film eg. 'my way to school' or 'dormitory tour'

I am leaving you then, with this long (4minutes!) video, hope you enjoy!!:)

Click "HD" to watch in a better quality!

UCN Sport Cup

Hi Everyone!

Today just a little update. Do you remember the blog post about health agents? I was mentioning there about sport activities that the school is organising for all the students. Luckily I had the possibility to interview Lars Olsen - Student Counsellor and International coordinator, my aim was to find out, why the school is doing something like that. Unfortuanately you need to watch that with your headphones because the sound is very low from 24th sec. of watching, but it comes back to normal after 20 seconds. I will write that part for you here :

"In the summer, it's around, let me see, around 800 - 900 people who are doing sport, in the winter is around 600. Winter cup is not that big as in the summer,also because the winter cup has started 3 years ago, but it will grow, will be bigger and bigger" - Lars Olsen

As I was mentioning - I love UCN Sport Cups a lot, becuase it is something that not every school is organising, something unique that connects people together.That day Danes and international students play sports and get to know each other. Also for people who do not like team activities,there is possibility to take part in dancing classes / aerobic or joga! I know from Lars, that this year (september 14th) they plan to introduce to us new disciplines and for sure there are going to be more individual activities.

I guess that from the video below you can see everything and it does not need any explanations - so I leave you with that and wish you a great weekend!

Enjoy watching and let me know in the comments beloww what you think and what would you like to know more before coming to Denmark!

-Aleks

Healthy School - That is UCN

Today's post is going to be about UCNs promotion and its focus on health. I am writing about that because I may not be a health agent in the school but I am very interested in that subject and I think it is really amazing that our school initiates activities that are connected to our lifestyles. 

In 2011The Danish Sports Federation offered to our school a health certificate in order to originate in young students and in UCN employee the special interest on health. Creation of that kind of promotion goes with the known in our school concept of 'The Whole Person' (Read about that here ) which helps us, in understanding the school's concept which is focused on head, heart and legs. All these combined are to support us in creating a life, where we have a good knowledge on different areas, but  we are also able to put that into practice.

Behind all the UCN successful health campaign, stand the Health Agents who are the volunteers (students and teachers) in creating different health activities for all the members of UCN.

"The Health Agents’ job is about making healthy choices easy ones and communicating that health is not only about eating the right things and doing the right amount of exercises. Health is first and foremost about feeling good about yourself and others, and through this feeling, getting more energy to handle everyday life."

Personally I am sending you all, to this website Here since I do not know much details about that myself. Just from my perspective, I know that they are doing really a lot, to engage all of the students and employees of UCN in creating a healthy life style. Just when you come in, to the building in Lindholm (where my programme is thought), you can see a big poster saying : "You are the 30th person today that took the stairs" or something like that. :) 

Promoting sport and exercises, every student can get a discount to the famous in all Denmark sport centre called Fitness World, Fysio Fitness, swimming pools and sport wear. All of the students who are interested in loosing weight, can get discount to Danish Weight Consultants. All of us who are struggling with smoking addiction can go to "Stop Smoking" classes. Also UCN has organised every week a zumba or joga classes. Students can also dance in the sports clubs or play football or volleyball.

There are many more but I think the best initiative is created by UCN the Summer and Winter Sports Cups Days. Soon on the blog you will see the video and a blog post from Winter Cup so you know what to expect and what different activities you can do there. Anyway, I guess that most of you are coming in august, so remember to take part in Summer Cup that is organised in September! You can read about that here.

Remember that you can also become a Heath Agent and be more passionate about creating healthy life style for you and others! You can sign up , writing to Development Consultant, Anita Lindkvist Norbjerg on anln@ucn.dk . It will not only help you to get more energy and good feeling about yourself but also be an extra value to your CV! :)

Tell me what you think about UCNs and Danish focus on healthy life style? Remember my last post about Weather in Denmark? I also mentioned there, that Danes love sport! Write comment below if you think that it is a good idea from UCN's site to create this passion also in International Students? Looking forward to hear from you!

Stay healthy,

Aleksandra

www.meyouucn.blogspot.com

Party in the town!

Hope you had a good weekend! I guess you didn't miss me, since the last blog post was on friday, but honestly I am trying to do everything besides writing my project! (Hope my teachers don't read that!)

Actually I thought it's a great opportunity to show you a bit how the most popular street in Denmark - Jomfru Ane Gade - look like, so you are not surprised when going there :)

I think, this video is so promotional that speaks for itself of the awesomeness of this place,but I am going to write a bit more of my experiences with that street  and I am going to show you my video relation from yesterday's night.

Jomfru Ane Gade is the longest street with the bars, restaurants and discos along side in Denmark. It dates back til the 16th century and was used as a home for merchants. The first bar - Gaslight - was open in May in 1967. By 1970 there was 10 bars and 1992 they opened 16 new ones. Nowadays its over 30 and the amount of it is still getting higher. In the early 90's the street was a meeting and fighting place for the two biker gangs known in all Scandinavia,but after some years they left the street and the place became more and more popular for all ages people. During the day the street is open for those who wants to sit down and drink a nice coffe, or eat a lunch and during the evening,people are coming after work to sit and enjoy the atmosphere by listening to the music and eating the dinner. Around 24:00 the noise is getting all over the city since young people are ready for a party. Girls are coming to Jomfru Ane Gade full of makeup, short dresses and high, but comfortable heels. Boys are coming with the good mood, and of course - as danish ones - the fashion for them is as much of importance as for the girls.

Most of Danes and International students start a 'home parties', drinking alcohol together and enjoying the company but all of them are ready to hit the streets after 11 o'clock. 

Personally I don't enjoy Jomfru Ane Gade so much because I am more a 'homy' person , adoring the valuable time with my friends when we talk all night, drink a good wine and dance a bit to the funk and 80's music. I am going to Jomfru (the short form of it) maybe once in 5 months, when there is a party in my friends house and all of the people want to go. Being honest with you - there is lots of pubs but in all of them there is a 'radio style' music (Rihanna, Lady Gaga etc - I don't really see a difference) However I enjoy a lot a variety of people and variety of cultures in a different bars. There is unique style and design what makes my eyes really happy.

My favourite club is No.16 - its my favourite because my best friend is working there but also because its a highly selective one. You see high and masculine security men all over the place so you feel kind of safe. Also when you are coming there you its hard to take your eyes off from a  long and luxurius drink stand.

I think the best part in the street is that it is so loooong and fulled with bars which compete for the customers,so most of them is giving free drinks so sometimes people are just going around, gathering the cards and they can get drunk just after entering every other place. Ok. I was used to do that as well. (You can see that on the video from yesterday)

Some tips for you

-Go to the street around 24 or 1:00 - that time the street is full of people and you can really feel the atmosphere - I remember one evening in october - there was so many people that I was going from one side of the street to the other 10 minutes!

- Don't be scared of drunk people - there are lot of them but Aalborg is a very safe place and people won't hurt you, especially when they are drunk.

- Don't worry about the crowd of people that is always there - when you want to go to the other site of street - just go and don't care. Danes on Jomfru are always doing so - they touch you, step on your feet and don't even say sorry - do the same thing - but -just on jomfru!:)

Guys let me know if you would like to feel this atmosphere of party here! I am really interested what do you think about Jomfru! Leave your comments below!

HAVE FUN GUYS!!

What Can You Do in Denmark When You Are Bored.. :)

What Can You Do in Denmark When You Are Bored.. :)

Hi Clever People!!

Do you already feel the summer?! Today when I was finished with school and work, I knew I have to come home and study, but when I felt the warm wind, sun shining onto my face, I just couldn't help myself and eventhough it was already 17:30, I packed blanket, pinouts, beers and I went with my boyfriend to the park. It was really nice! But write me how was your evening and what do you do when it's so warm!

Few days ago I had a discussion with one of the teachers in my school and she told me, that the student are complaining a lot, that sometimes they feel bored in Aalborg, so they just sit home and watch tv shows on their laptops. When I heared that, I decided to make a new series in my blog about fun and interesting activities that you can find here. Some may be for free and for some you have to pay,  but it's worth trying at least!

As I am a member of one organisation that provides young people with discounts to some activities, on last sunday I was trying aero gliding. I know it does not say you much, so - gliding is a recreational sport activity in which pilots use different sources of lift to climb into the air and fly with avarage speed of 80km/h. The plane has two seats and the club that I went to, uses winch launching which is a stationary, ground-base method on a very heavy vehicle with the strong engine that takes the plane in the air in 3 sec. - Amazing!

I was there the whole sunday, from 9:00 til 18:00 - we were a group of 5 people and we got to know some members of the club  and the natural resources that they use. I know now a lot about sailplanes, how they go up to the air, how to repair engine and how nice it is to be all day in the nature, waiting for your flights, and work in a team. 

The club that I was in, is called Aviator and their location is close to Aars and this is their website. The clob consist of 50 members but if you are interested to become a pilot and fly to Slovakia for example for the biggest competition in gliding, I know that they have discounts for students. It cost monthly around 700 DKK and you can fly how much you want on wednsdays after 16:00, saturdays and sundays after 9:00. The experiences club members with license will teach you everything from the basis and one day you will fly all by yourself! I think it is an amazing experience and great inside into some danish culture and social life. - Really worth recommending!

Therefore I made (obviously) a short video for you to show you a bit how it is there:) I am also leaving you with some pictures:) 

For those who are in Aalborg and love going to the restaurants, trying new meals, I can recommend you a 30-50% discount card for 180 restaurants. All you have to do is register Here :) Good luck!