Guide for International Students

Transcription

1 Guide for International Students Contents Welcome 1 Denmark Today 3 Did you know that about Denmark? 4 The Danish Way of Teaching 5 The Danish Grading System 7 Studying at University College Lillebaelt 9 Accommodation at Rasmus Rask 11 Frequently Asked Questions 14 Social Activities 16 General Practical Information 18 Important Information 22 Useful Addresses 23 Useful Links 26 International Staff 27

2 Welcome to Odense! This guide is intended for exchange students at University College Lillebaelt, Denmark. It contains a lot of information that we hope will be useful for you while planning your stay as well as during your exchange in Denmark. Wishing you a pleasant stay in Odense! Denmark Today Country Facts Area: 42,930 sq km (2,210,415 sq km including Greenland and the Faroe Islands) Population: 5.5 million Capital City: Copenhagen Religions: The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state church. About 84% of Danes belong to it (and about 95% were brought up in it). There are small numbers of other Christian denominations. Muslims form about 3-4% of the population. 1 Currency: Danish Krone (DKK) Main Political Parties Represented in Parliament: From right to left: Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti); Conservatives (Konservativ Folkeparti); Liberals (Venstre); Social Liberals (Radikale Venstre); Liberal Alliance, Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterne); Socialist People's Party (Socialistiske Folkeparti); Red/Green Alliance (Enhedslisten). Head of State: Queen Margrethe II Prime Minister: Lars Løkke Rasmussen Foreign Minister: Lene Espersen 3

3 Did you know this about Denmark? Denmark has the oldest monarchy in the world, starting with Gorm the Elder who was King in 900AD. Denmark is made up of a peninsula (Jutland) and 406 islands, many of them linked by bridges including the 17 km long Great Belt Bridge. The world's oldest amusement park is Bakken (The Hill) in the north of Copenhagen, which opened in The highest natural point in Denmark called Møllehøj is only 170m above sea level. Greenland was governed by Denmark for centuries. in 2008 Greenland voted to transfer more powers to the local government. This became effective in 2009 with the Danish government in charge only of foreign affairs, security and financial policy, and providing a subsidy of DKK 3.4 billion or approximately $11,300 per Greenlander, annually The Faeroe Islands, 18 islands in the Atlantic, are selfgoverning, but belong to the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish Way of Teaching Danish higher education has a long tradition of combining academic excellence with a dynamic and innovative approach to education and research. Danish higher education is famous for its high international standards. The institutions offer a dynamic study environment, emphasizing independent study, initiative and project oriented learning. Studying in Preparing Denmark can be an excellent stepping for the future... stone for your future career and will provide you with new skills and a unique experience. Studies As a student at a Danish higher education institution you are expected to play an active role in your learning process and take responsibility for planning and carrying out your projects, either independently or together with other students. In addition to attending lectures you will be expected to participate in discussions and continuously develop your critical thinking and analytical skills. For international students, the Danish approach to teaching and learning can introduce a whole new way of studying and thinking, which will challenge you and provide you with an excellent platform for your future career. 4 5

4 Clinical placements During the clinical placement, you will be assigned to one or two supervisors who are responsible, together with you, for your education and supervision in your field of study. The overall goal of clinical placements is to integrate the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you have learned into a specific clinical context. You will also learn to communicate and cooperate with clients and with other health care professionals to create the best results. During clinical placements focus is on the clients and interprofessional cooperation is very important. You will develop the ability to take action as a professional nurse, physiotherapist, radiographer or occupational therapist. By working alongside other professionals you will be able to develop a professional approach and performance. Practice placements During the practise placement you will gain valuable hands-on experience within your field of study which will prepare you for entering the real life after finishing your studies. Although you will be assigned to a supervisor, it is important that you are independent and take responsibility for your own learning, as this is an important part of the Danish way of learning and it helps you to gain the most of your practice placement. The Danish Grading System The grading system is compatible with the ECTS grading scale 12 For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. 10 For a very good performance displaying a high level of command of most aspects of the relevant material, with only minor weaknesses. 7 For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant material but also some weaknesses. 4 For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant material but also some major weaknesses. 02 For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance. (This is the minimum grade for passing an exam). 00 For a performance which does not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance. -3 For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects. A B C D E Fx F 6 7

5 Apart from the Danish 7-point grading system, pass/fail assessments may also be used. The student s performance must be assessed according to academic targets set for the specific subject or course (absolute grading method). The relative grading method must not be used. Studying at University College Lillebaelt Academic calendar The autumn semester: Starts in August or September and ends in December or January. The spring semester: Starts in January or February and normally ends in June. Holidays Summer holiday: July 1st up to August 31st. 8 9

6 Public holidays January 1st Thursday before Easter Friday before Easter Sunday Monday after Easter Sunday Fourth Friday after Easter Ascension Day Monday after Whitsunday June 5th December 24th-26th New Year's Day (Nytårsdag) Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag) Good Friday (Langfredag) Second day of Easter (2. påskedag) Prayer Day (Store Bededag) (Kristi Himmelfartsdag) Second day of Whitsun (2. pinsedag) Constitution day (Grundlovsdag) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Second Day of Christmas (Juleaften, 1. og 2. juledag) Accommodation at Rasmus Rask If you have accommodation through the University College, please contact the International Unit for any questions you may have. You can contact the International Unit daily between 9-16 and it is located at the Department of Social Education, Rømersvej 3. Contact Mr. Søren Ulriksen on phone: or If you stay at the Rasmus Rask dormitory, please visit this link before you contact the International Unit or the dormitory association, as most information can be found there: Payment of deposit and rent at Rasmus Rask If you have not prepaid your deposit and rent for the first month, you will have to transfer the amount immediately after your arrival. You can use the transfer information below if you transfer from a foreign account:. Account owner: KOLLEGIEBOLIGSELSKABET IBAN: DK With BIC FAABDK21 Through BIC SPNODK22 When transferring money - please remember to include your lease 10 11

7 number in the transfer text. Otherwise Kollegieboligselskabet won't be able to see where the money is coming from. If you are not transferring from a foreign account, you can use the payment slip attached in the Lease Agreement. If something in your room is not as it is supposed to be you will have a moving in report to fill out with room defects. This must be handed in at the KBS office within 14 days after you have moved in. If you do not fill out this paper you have accepted the room as it is and you will be held responsible for room defects. When you arrive in Odense you will already have a room available and assigned for you. It is not possible to change the room. Termination of tenancy In order to terminate your tenancy you must fill in a notice of termination and deliver it to the office of Kollegieboligselskabet. You can print a notice of termination from this website: You have 3 months of notice. This means that you must pay rent for 3 months after you have delivered the notice of termination to Kollegieboligselskabet. The 3 months of notice begins when Kollegieboligselskabet receives the notice. The moving out date is always on the first or the 15th in each month. According to the lease contract you must leave your room two weeks before the end of the termination. It is very important that you are absolutely sure about the moving out date. When KBS has registered your termination, it will be impossible to change it. The janitor will make an inspection of your room on the moving out date. Approximately one week before the janitor will leave a note in your mailbox telling you the time of the inspection. This note can also be send to your , so please check your inbox for notices regarding your accommodation. Before the inspection you must clean properly. In Rasmus Rask the first tenant who leaves is responsible for cleaning the bathroom. The second tenant who leaves is responsible for cleaning the kitchen. Settlement of deposit Your room has to be restored and painted after you have moved out. KBS has professional craftsmen and painters to do the restoration. The expenses of the restoration will be withdrawn from your deposit. The rest of the deposit will be transferred to your bank account about one month after the moving out date. Therefore make sure to write a correct bank account number. Any transaction cost will be paid by the tenant

8 Frequently Asked Questions Can I change my room? No, unfortunately not. What should I do with the moving-in-rapport? If there are any damages or failures in your room, you must write all of them down on the moving-in-report. Within 2 weeks after the moving in date you must deliver the document at the office of Kollegieboligselskabet. What does the amount from the first bill include? The first bill includes the deposit (3 months of rent) + the rent of the first month. You will receive a new bill for the rent of the following month. Where can I pay my bills? You can pay your bills at the post office, in the bank or through your e-bank account. How do I get access to the internet? Along with your keys you received a letter with a user name and password to the Internet. If you have problems with the Internet, please contact: "Foreningen Kollegienet Odense" by info@kollegienet.dk or by phone How can I terminate my tenancy? By filling in a notice of termination. You can find a notice of termination at the KBS website: - see Notice of Termination. Make sure to deliver the notice of 14 termination at the Accommodation Office at your place of education or at the office of Kollegieboligselskabet. How long is the notice of termination? 3 months. Also remember you must pay rent for extra 2 weeks after the end of the termination on either the 1st or the 15th of a month. This period is for maintenance of the room. Can I change the time of the inspection? No, unfortunately not. If you can't attend the inspection remember to put the keys, laundry card etc. in the janitor's mailbox. Can I paint my room before I leave? Your room has to be restored and painted after you have moved out. KBS has professional craftsmen and painters to do the restoration. The expenses of the restoration will be withdrawn from your deposit. The rest of the deposit will be transferred to your bank account about one month after the moving out date. Therefore, make sure to write a correct bank account number on your notice of termination. Any transaction cost due to international transfer fee must be paid by the tenant. When will I receive my deposit? About 4 weeks after your moving out date. Painting, cleaning, missing keys, laundry cards and outstanding rent will be deducted from the deposit. 15

9 Social Activities At University College Lillebaelt we work hard to ensure the social integration of our international exchange students. To do this, University College Lillebaelt arranges a variety of social and cultural activities for our international exchange students during the autumn and spring semesters. The main focus of the network is on current exchange students, who might find it difficult to move to another country, far away from family and friends. They might feel alone in their new environments and therefore they need to find new friends right away. The international student network offers help in both the social and practical integration process. This is mainly done through activities such as trips to various places within the country, movie nights, international food fests, sport activities and last, but not least, parties. The activities are carried out by Danish students, who work voluntarily on helping and supporting our international exchange students. By bringing international exchange students together with Danish students at UCL, we aim to bridge the gap between cultural boundaries, but also to let our students gain valuable knowledge, new perspectives, and important networking opportunities for their future careers. Overview of some of the Social Activities in the Spring Semester 2011 Saturday, February 26 Welcome party :for all our international students. Get free entrance to one of the most famous clubs in Odense and party with your new Danish and international friends. Remember your ESN card to get free entrance! Saturday, March 19: LEGOLAND trip: Visit Denmark's most famous and popular amusement park for people of all ages. Friday, April 1 3 Berlin Trip: Visit Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Check Point Charlie etc. Wednesday, April 13 International Café: Meet and have fun with other exchange students

10 General Practical Information Insurance University College Lillebaelt does not cover any medical costs for exchange students (including accidents in connection with studies). All students are responsible for their own health, accident and travel insurances. Do not forget to take insurance that covers all of these during both your stay in Denmark and your travel to and from Denmark. For eventual leisure time excursions, it is advisable to make sure that the insurance is valid in Denmark s neighboring countries as well. Students from EU countries must also bring their European Health Card with them. For further information on the card, please contact the social insurance office in your home country. Note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid during your travels to and from Denmark or during any excursions to a third country. Remember to bring a valid copy of your insurance policy with you. The citizens of EU countries are entitled to all health services in Denmark, if they are covered by health insurance in their home country and they have the European Health Card. Even so, all exchange students need separate insurance that covers the whole exchange period. Public health services are partly or fully subsidized for Danish resi- 18 dents. For more information visit: - click New Citizens, Citizen in Denmark. How to get in touch with a doctor Phone your doctor in his or her office hours, typically in the morning, to make an appointment. The name, telephone number and address of your doctor are written on your health insurance card. You can also look it up in the telephone directory under Læger. You must always remember to bring your yellow health insurance card with you. It is also a good idea to bring an accurate and complete physical and mental health information document to secure a safe and healthy study abroad experience. Doctor on duty If you need to consult a doctor outside regular working hours on weekdays (i.e. between 16:00 and 08:00), on weekends or public holidays, you must call the Doctor on Duty (Lægevagten). Phone It should only be used in case of an acute illness. You have to call in advance to talk to a doctor before going to see him/ her. Emergency In cases of a serious emergency, dial 112 (free call from pay phones). Ask for an ambulance, the police or the fire department (whatever is relevant), state your name, address and the telephone 19

11 number you are calling from. Stay by the telephone until your information has been confirmed. If you need emergency treatment you can contact the Emergency Room at Odense University Hospital, phone or (Skadestuen), which is open day and night for injuries incurred within the last 24 hours. On those conditions, emergency treatment is free. In case of acute illness outside the doctor s opening hours (08:00-16:00), please use the Lægevagten phone: Dental treatment Dental treatment is subsidized for Danish, but the amount varies according to the treatment given. You are therefore advised to ask the dentist in advance what the treatment will cost you. Dental treatment is fairly expensive in Denmark. You must always remember to bring along your yellow health insurance card. How to get in touch with a dentist If you need dental treatment you are free to choose your dentist. Look in the telephone directory under Tandlæger, or ask a friend to recommend one. Please note that you will usually have to make an appointment in advance. Important Information On arrival If you are an EU/EEA citizen who will stay for more than 3 months and you have not applied for a residence permit from your home country, please contact Statsforvaltningen Syddanmark to do so immediately. When you have received your residence permit, you must go to the National Register (Folkeregistret) to be registered and receive the Danish central registration number (cpr. nr.), provided your stay exceeds three months (special rules for Nordic citizens apply). Remember to bring your passport and residence permit. Some of our departments arrange to follow students to the National Register. Please ask the international coordinator. Pay deposit and rent for the first month at the local post office (does not accept credit cards) or at the Nordea Bank, Vestergade 64, 5000 Odense C (accepts some credit cards) During your stay You will have to pay rent and it is due on the 1st every month. You will be forwarded a bill every month, but it is your responsibility to pay the rent in due time. If the rent is not paid in due time you will be added a fee of DKK ,- on your next bill

12 If Kollegieboligselskabet does not have the rent after the first payment reminder they will send you a cancellation of your tenancy from the following 1st. Even if you pay afterwards they might still cancel your lease. If you have not received a bill on the 30th in a month please send them an . If your pay rent through a foreign account you can use the account information mentioned below. Please include your lease number in the transfer text so we can see where the money is coming from. Please keep in mind that a transfer from a foreign account often takes about 4 days to get into our account. Before your departure from Denmark Notify the National Register (Folkeregistret) that you will be departing the country Hand in your Danish Health Insurance Card at the National Register (Folkeregistret) EU citizens must send their residence permit to Statsforvaltningen Syddanmark with information on their planned day of departure Should you not have given notice to the accommodation office, it is due time you do so! Notice period is typically 3 months before you leave your room Useful Addresses International Unit University College Lillebaelt Rømersvej 3 DK Odense V Phone: Mail: international@ucl.dk The Dormitory Association: Kollegieboligselskabet (KBS) Hinderupgård Niels Bohrs Alle 21 DK Odense M Phone: kbs@kollegieboligselskabet.dk Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday Thursday Friday Doctor on duty Phone: Opening hours: Monday - Friday Weekends and public holidays 24 hours 22 23

13 Emergency room (Skadestuen) Odense Universitetshospital J.B. Winsløvsvej DK Odense C Phone: / Library The Main Library Odense Banegård Center (The Railway Centre), Østre Stationsvej 15 DK Odense C Phone: Opening hours: Monday - Thursday Friday National Register (Folkeregisteret) Odense Kommune, BorgerServiceCenter Skulkenborg 1 DK Odense C Phone: borgerservice@odense.dk Opening hours: Monday Tuesdays-Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Odense Tourist Bureau Rådhuset DK Odense C Phone: Fax: Opening hours: 15 June - 31 August: Monday - Saturday Sunday Sept - 14 June: Monday - Friday Saturday Police Station in Odense Hans Mules Gade 1-3 DK Odense C Phone: Emergency call:

14 Useful Links University College Lillebaelt: Denmark s official website: Official travel guide to Denmark: About education in Denmark: Information on Odense: Danish Immigration Service: Odense Municipality: Find a job in Denmark: Guide on living abroad: International Staff International Relations at University College Lillebaelt are organised at a central and department level. The central International Unit closely cooperates with the International Coordinators at each of the departments. Contact persons (incoming students) MR SØREN BROLUND ULRIKSEN sbul@ucl.dk Tel: International Relations Officer, Central International Unit MS ANNIE KLINT ankl4@ucl.dk Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Social Work MS GRETHE E. NIELSEN gren@ucl.dk Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Odense 26 27

15 MR LEIF ZEBITZ Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Physiotherapy, Odense MS YULIA TINYAKOVA Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Teacher Education, Odense MS METTE RICHTER Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Social Education, Odense MS INGUNA KAULINA Tel International Office Assistant at the Department of Teacher Education, Odense MS ANNE SOFIE NIELSEN Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Radiography, Odense MS METTE BRO JANSEN Tel: International coordinator at the Department of Nursing, Odense 28 29

16 We look forward to welcoming you at University College Lillebaelt! UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LILLEBAELT INTERNATIONAL UNIT Rømersvej 3 DK Odense V Phone international@ucl.dk