Theme: International students - Taking care of the practical gives students time to learn what studying in Denmark is like

As a student administrative body, the main task for SDU International is to help recruit international students, along with cooperating with exchange students’ home universities. In addition to that task, the goal of SDU International is also to help the new international students take care of all the practical stuff, which comes with studying and living in Denmark. SDU International is responsible for the students’ first encounter with SDU, and they also arrange an introductory day for all international students, called Orientation.

Taking care of the practical stuff

When an international student starts at SDU, one of the most important things is that all the formalities regarding their stay in Denmark are taken care of. Therefore, SDU offers guaranteed housing, which SDU International helps promote. Furthermore, SDU International helps the new students obtain a residence permit as well as registering themselves in Denmark. All of this is meant to help the students focus on transitioning well to their upcoming studies in Denmark.

Organising the international introductory course

Along with the faculties of SDU, SDU International is responsible for the international introductory course, called Orientation Days. This course lasts 2 days – SDU International arranges the first day, where all of the new international students are invited. On this day, the students are welcomed, are handed their student ID’s, get a tour of SDU and are given practical information about SDU. Furthermore, a presentation is held for the students about cultural differences, since studying in Denmark can be a radical change for some international students. On the second day, which the faculties are responsible for, the students are divided into their faculties. Here, focus is put on social interactions between the students, important information about their upcoming studies and the learning culture in Denmark. You can read more about this in another article in the August newsletter: How the faculties help new international students. 

SDU International answer practical questions and organise several social events during the semester

Summing up, SDU International is mainly responsible for the practical part of the new international students’ introduction to SDU and Denmark – Because of this, they are more than happy to answer practical questions during the semester. In addition, SDU International also arrange some social events, which are meant to help the international students get to know people from other faculties than their own. Since SDU International wants to offer the international students more opportunities to meet each other and form a network, they also provide economic support for the student organisation, Erasmus Student Network, which arranges an array of social activities during the semester.

International Staff Office takes care of new international teachers

In addition to the new international students, new international members join SDU each year. International Staff Office is the organisation at SDU, which takes care of the new international teacher - from PhD students to professors. ISO helps the teachers with the practical part of moving to Denmark, and also organises a number of social events, lectures and activities for the new teachers. All this is meant to help the international teachers gain a sense of comfort in their life and work in Denmark. Read more about ISO and how they help international teachers at www.sdu.dk/iso