Welcome to Odense! Helpful information for international students at University College Lillebælt

Transcription

1 Welcome to Odense! Helpful information for international students at University College Lillebælt

2 Living in Odense Your primary reason for being in Odense is to learn and study, but at large part of your stay here will also be focused on social activities. Social activities are important both regarding the experience alone but also in connection with your learning outcomes. In Odense you will find several opportunities for fun in your spare time. This brochure will provide you with relevant information about Odense and Denmark, the BUDDY group and your stay at University College Lillebælt. Contents Your BUDDY Meet and Greet... 3 Public Transportation... 4 Communication... 5 Currency... 6 Medical Services... 7 Cultural Visits... 8 Explore... 9 Going Out in Odense Nightlife Libraries Fitness and Exercise The BUDDY group

3 Your BUDDY - Meet and greet When you arrive in Odense, your Danish Buddy will greet you at the train station. The buddy will have a key for your accommodation and your buddy will take you to your place of residence and show you around in Odense. Please remember that you will have to pay the first month s rent before your arrival. When you arrive in Odense, your buddy has made sure that there is a bicycle for you at your accommodation. During your stay all buddies can assist you in a wide range of questions. If you need help finding your way around Odense or if you wish to see more of Denmark your buddy can help you find the information. If anything at your place of residence is broken or you lose your key the buddy will help you solve these problems. If e.g. the coffee maker, the washing machine or refrigerator is out of order the buddy or Søren who is in charge of the international unit will help you get it replaced or fixed. If you miss your family or get a bit homesick, call your buddy or go out with us and have a good time we are here for you! If you want to know what the Danish concept of hygge (coziness) is all about then your buddy can and gladly will introduce you to this. 3

4 Public transportation Most young peoples main transportation in Denmark is by bicycle but public transportation is an option as well. The infrastructure in Denmark is good and public transportation is well functioning however a bit pricey. There are well- established networks of busses in Odense and on Fyn, trains between Odense- Svendborg and Odense- Middelfart as well as connections to the rest of the country. At the links mentioned below you can find useful information about public transportation. Busses: FynBus - this page is in English, but if you need any help, please contact your buddy. You can order a kvikkort (quick card) to the busses with the zones you need, which is normally two in Odense City. The card is connected to your credit card and this way you only pay for the trips you use. Additionally it is also possible to buy an electronic ticket on the app FYNBUS MOBILBILLET however the app is in Danish and might take some time to get use to. Your Buddy can help you with this. Trains: DSB - the main site of this page is in Danish but customer service information is provided in English. Here you can find information about trains in all Denmark. For students it is possible to buy a wildcard (discount card) that provides 25-50% discounts on train tickets depending on the day. We advise you to do buy a wildcard because it will pay itself from one travel back and fourth to Copenhagen which you will already need when you arrive/leave. If you have a placement outside of Odense talk to your buddy about what option is the best for you, there are several. 4

5 Communication During your stay in Denmark it will be a good idea to buy a pre paid cell phone card. If you use your subscription from your home country you can expect very high phone bills. You can e.g. buy a card from Lebara mobile. These are pre paid phone cards especially suited for calls abroad and in Denmark. The card can be bought in several supermarkets, kiosks and service stations. You can top up your card on the Internet or buy more minutes to talk in kiosks, supermarkets or service stations. You can see the terms of use and other relevant information on the Lebara website. You will get the sim- card from Søren, on UCL- Campus Blangstedgårdsvej. Alternatively, you can check out other possibilities for cheap phone cards when staying in Denmark, there are many companies and surely a solution that fits what you are looking for. Your buddy can help you with further information. WIFI is available in most public institutions and bars, cafés and restaurants. 5

6 Currency The currency in Denmark is Danish Kroner (abbreviated Kr.) A currency exchanger can be found here. Danish Prices Below you will find a list of prices on everyday groceries. The prices are approximate and may vary depending on season and store. Bread 20kr. Butter 15kr. Milk 6kr. Minced meat (400 g.) 30kr. Chicken (200 g.) 30kr. Rice 10kr. Pasta 10kr. Shampoo 24kr. Deodorant 30kr. Most supermarkets are open from M onday to Friday between 8 am and 10 pm. and Saturdays from 9 am. to 8 pm. Most specialty shops are open from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 5.30 pm. and Saturdays between 10 am and 1 pm. The shops usually have extended opening hours between 10 am and 3 pm. on the first Saturday every month. 6

7 Medical services In case of emergency, illness or injuries you can contact either the emergency room (Skadestuen) or the On- call GP (Lægevagten). Emergency Room Skadestuen Odense Universitets Hospital Sdr. Boulevard Odense The emergency room accepts patients with urgent injuries day and night and does not demand preadmission assessment. On- call GP (General practitioner) Odense Universitets Hospital Sdr. Boulevard Odense Phone: The on- call GP is staffed with general practitioners and is open every day from 4 pm. to 8 am. during weekends and bank holidays as well. The on- call GP is for treatment of suddenly occurred or deteriorated conditions. If you need help from the on- call GP please make sure to call first. 7 Phone numbers in case of emergency Emergency (ambulance, police or fire truck): Police (For less urgent matters):

8 Cultural visits Odense is known to be a cultural city and has cultural activities in all seasons. Amongst the continual cultural things in Odense are H.C. Andersens house, Odense Zoo, the Funen village a village from H.C. Andersens time and the harbor in Odense where a lot of sports activities like parcour and basketball are going on. Fyn in general has several cultural locations as e.g. Egeskov Castle in Kværndrup which is known for its spectacular gardens or the Fjord&Bælt center in Kerteminde, a combined research and experience center about the marine life in Danish waters. On the webpage VisitFyn you can see much more about what Fyn is offering. Always feel free to ask your buddy for advice on what to see or how to plan your trip. 8

9 Explore If you wish to see other cities on Fyn we can recommend you to go to Kerteminde and Svendborg which are cozy little cities with harbor and beach, small shops and a nice atmosphere. Copenhagen, Århus and Aalborg are the three biggest cities in Denmark so if you want to explore cities in the rest of the country, all of them have a lot to offer and are definitely worth a visit. Your buddy can advise you on transportation and what to see. Denmark is located in the middle of Scandinavia with bridge connection to Sweden and bordering to Germany so if you wish to see the surrounding countries there are great possibilities to do so as well. 9

10 Studenterhus Odense Studenterhus Odense is a cultural, interdisciplinary and social gathering place. All the higher educational institutions work together around this place. The activities in the house are many and vary from concerts and quiz nights to academic presentations. The house has a library on the 1 st floor with space to study and on the ground floor there is a café and lounge area with a bar that has very good prices for students with student s cards. Go there and enjoy the event of the day, bring your studies there or enjoy a cup of coffee and a board game with your friends. Read more and see the events here Friday bar at UCL Every Friday, the bar is open. It s located at UCL campus, Blangstedgårdsvej 4, in the basement. In the bar you can buy beer, cider, water etc. for very good prices. The bar is open from 12 o clock until there are no more students. You can follow the bar on Facebook: UclFredagsbarDenStiveMus There you can read about events and what is happing in the bar. The Youth house At the youth house you can meet other international and Danish students. Every Monday, the youth house hosts an international dinner in their café. The buddy group is planning social events with dinner there 2-3 times during your stay in Odense so all the International students at UCL are going together. The Youth House is located at Nørregade 60, 5000 Odense. Read more here. 10

11 Nightlife In Odense we have a wonderful Nightlife. We have something for everyone. When you go out in Denmark, you have to bring photo ID to show your age. This can e.g. be passport or drivers license. If you do not have ID you will be refused at the entrance most places. Besides from the bars and clubs mentioned in this brochure Odense can offer a lot of restaurants and cafes with cozy atmospheres. Heidi s Bier Bar Characteristics: Beer bar with after skiing and Tyrol atmosphere Opening hours: Thursday from and Friday to Saturday from Location: Vestergade 75B, 5000 Odense. Age Limit: 20+ Extra: Free draft beer every day from 11-12pm More info here. LA Tequila Bar Characteristics: Tropical Surf bar with cocktails and pop music Opening hours: Tuesday from and Wednesday to Saturday from Location: Vintapperstræde 51, 5000 Odense C Age Limit: 20+ Extra: Free draft beer every day from 10-11pm More info here. 11

12 Barracuda Characteristics: Caribbean dance bar Opening hours: Wednesday- Thursday from 22 to close and Friday to Saturday from Location: Klingenberg 14, 5000 Odense C. Age Limit: 20+ More info here. The Gym Characteristics: Gym inspired bar/nightclub with loose atmosphere where you e.g. can play ping pong Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday from Location: Overgade 45-47, 5000 Odense C Extra: A lot of ESN events are hosted here Age Limit: Thursday/Friday and Events 18+ Saturday 20+ More info here. Boogie Characteristics: Dance bar with electronic, rock and alternative music Opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday , Thursday 24-05, Friday 24-05, Saturday Location: Nørregade 21, 5000 Odense C Age Limit: 18+ More info here. 12

13 The Old Irish Pub Characteristics: Irish pub/club in 3 floors with live music on 1 st floor and electronic/pop on 3 rd floor Opening hours: Monday to Sunday Location: Vintapperstræde 4, 5000 Odense C Age Limit: 18+ More info here. ZAPP Characteristics: Dance bar with 90 s music and cheap drinks Opening hours: Friday to Saturday Location: Lille Gråbrødre Stræde 2, 5000 Odense C Age Limit: 18+ More info here. Australian Bar Characteristics: Australia inspired bar with cocktails and pop music Opening hours: Thursday from and Friday to Saturday from Location: Brandts Passage 10, 5000 Odense. Age Limit: 18+ Extra: Free draft beer every night from and 10kr bar all night every Thursday. A lot of international students meet here on Thursdays. More info here. 13

14 Libraries There are several libraries in Odense. At University College Lillebælt we have a huge database with relevant literature, e- ressources etc. check it out here. Additionally the hospital OUH has a big library connected to the university of southern Denmark. Read more about it on this link. At the libraries you can find scientific literature as well as fictional literature in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and English. As an exchange student from UCL you can freely use the libraries. 14

15 Fitness and exercise If you want to do Fitness, during your stay in Odense it is possible to buy a membership for 3 months for 600Kr. in Fitness World. Otherwise you can buy a voucher, whit 10 clips for 445Kr. in Exerzice Squash and Fitness, and you need to pay 50Kr. for creation. With your student card from UCL, you can use the gym on the school for free. Odense also has several clubs and unions for football, handball, ice hockey, basketball, martial arts, gymnastics etc. so if you wish to practice specific types of sport your buddy can help you out with finding a club or union for you. 15

16 The BUDDY group Johanne Marie Pereira Ribeiro: I am a 24 year old nurse student on module 13 I have been in the buddy- group since January 2013 and am the coordinating buddy. I also work as a study- assistant for UCL. I have done 2 Erasmus in Portugal and love working internationally. I use my spare time to exercise with running and fitness boxing, and to spend time with family and friends Christina Stigaard: christinastigaard@live.dk I am 24 years old and studying to become a nurse on module 11. I have been a buddy since January In my spare time I like to work out and hang out with my friends and have fun Ditte Camilla Christensen: Ditte- chr@hotmail.com I study to become a nurse, on module 13. I m 24 years old. And in my everyday life I play soccer and work with a lovely handicapped Child. I have been a buddy since January 2013 Jannie Beck Lassen: jbla@stud.ucl.dk I am 24 years old and studying to become a Nurse, on module 9. I have been a buddy since January In my spare time I work as a waitress in OB in the VIP- area, play sports, and do a little partying and enjoying life. I have recently studied in London for 6 months 16

17 Kirsten Bomholdt Poulsen: I m studying to become a nurse, on module 11 and am 24 years old. In my spare time, I do a lot of gymnastic, and I have a study job at ICU Odense University Hospital I have been a buddy since January I have been on exchange at the Faore Islands, for tree months, and during this summer I have been In Mexico Lenette Thomsen: thomsenlenette@hotmail.com I am 25- years old and live in the center of Odense. I have been a buddy since the beginning of 2013 I m studying to become a nurse, on module 9. When I am off from school, I like to hang out with friends and family. Most of al enjoying life! Emma Rattenborg: emra1@stud.ucl.dk I am 22 years old, and I am studying to become a nurse on module 8. I live in Odense, but am originally from an island south of Fyn. Every Monday night I am a scout leader for 50 children in the age of 6-10 years. I have been a scout since I was 2 years old, so scouting is a substantial part of my life. I have been a buddy since February 2014, which I enjoy immensely. Apart from that I have a part time job in the hospital in Svendborg 17 Nikolaj Krabbe Jepsen: nikolaj_krabbe@hotmail.com Hi, my name is Nikolaj, and I am studying physiotherapy. I have just finished fourth semester. In my spare time I enjoy exercising, cooking, coffee and meeting new people. Before I moved to Odense I lived in Aarhus where I studied history (I'm not a boring person, I promise!

18 18 Edited by: Johanne Marie Pereira Ribeiro On behalf of the buddy group UCL Summer 2014