No classes, but there is a lot to do.

So Since my classes have been done since the first week of April and I completed my papers, and other finals early, there is still a lot to do for school. Those things don't necessarily pertain to school over here in Denmark but back at home. I'm in a unique position that this is my last semester of college for my Bachelors, but since most study abroad students from the US are in the middle of their degree back home I talked to the other American students here to see what they are doing to prepare for going back to school at home.

Here is the list:
1: If you study abroad your spring Semester don't forget to fill out your FASFA for the next academic school year. I even did this just in case I decided to go to Graduate school. Its better safe then sorry.
2: Have a place ready to live, whether that's in a dorm, and apartment, with friends or family. Have something because a summer to look is not a really long time and if you study abroad in the Fall semester winter break gives you no time to look, because it can take a few weeks to a few months to work out a lease.
3: Don't forget to register for classes for the next year or semester. This would be a bad thing to forget, but one of the Americans almost did until a group of use asked her what she was going to take back home. Thankfully she did not miss the dead line and got her classes. When you get used to having things done differently then back home you get used to it, but don't forget they still do it the same regardless of where you are.
4: Make sure that the classes you took will transfer back over for what you need or want. Always stay in contact with your study abroad advisor back home via email or even calling them. You can use Google voice to call for free to the US and Canada through your computer. It also makes staying in touch with friends and family easy as well, but remember your in a different time zone then them so don't accidentally call them in the middle of the night or 4 in the morning, they will not be happy.
5: Prepare for a culture shock. You will get back to the US and feel different or out of place for a few days or weeks or longer, depending on your personality, how quickly you can change back to how you did things at home, and how deeply integrated you got in your host culture, etc. etc. Don't worry this is normal, but don't let it freak you out. If you really start to have a problem with this, your Study abroad office should be able to help you since they deal with US students coming back from other countries all the time.

These were the things that came up most in discussions, so hopefully it will help some of you other study abroad students in the future, to not make a mistake or forget something.

But as for me specifically as mentioned above, this is my last semester so if one of you study abroad student finds yourself in a position like mine here is what I did.

1: Applied or apply for your graduation, this is typically done a semester in advance of your last semester. Participate in the Graduation ceremony before you leave as you might not be able to attend your specific one as you could possible be overseas in another country or traveling back. Don't worry about this either you are probably not the first student do or ask to do this since schools deal with students going to other countries or leaving early for various reasons.

2: Build your resume. Now that 4 or more years of University is soon to be behind you start building your resume if you have not already. It should include your degree, experiences, awards, etc. etc. There are plenty of online resources and your school's career center will probably be more then willing to look at it via email since your in another country.

3: Start looking for Jobs. Since most job applications for large companies seem to be online now, start applying for them. But don't forget to tell them in the application you  are overseas in another country and when you will be back. They may still want to interview you via Skype or have you call into a conference interview via Google voice or another Internet calling service. Just remember you are ahead of them in time so you might be doing an Interview at Midnight when it is 3 or 4 pm for them. Also treat it as a regular interview, meaning dress up nicely, do your homework on the company and job you applied for, etc. etc. Hopefully you can have a job lined up when you get back.

But that is all for now, hope the guides help and will post photos of my trip to Skagen, Denmark. That's were the Baltic and North Sea meets at the tip of the country.

Easter Break, Italy, and Pictures from Copenhagen

It is now Easter break here in Denmark and goes for the entire week before Easter Sunday. Most people take the following Monday and Tuesday off for travel or time with family. As a result the entire country for the most part closes down. The major Grocery stores like Føtex, other major stores, and anything non essential government offices are closed. In addition most of the Danish students I live with have gone home so its really only the International student and a couple of the Danes here at the Dorm making it very quiet.

So you may ask yourself what is there to do then? Well that depends on the person, some people will travel, some have parties, or just work on project and papers. As for me I decided to travel, because I turned in my portfolio project early and I decided to go to Venice and Northern Italy with some friends. One of the cool things about Europe is you have some very good budget airlines like Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Wizz Air, etc. etc. and I would highly recommend using them as a student to travel around Europe because it can be worked into a reasonable budget.

Overall I really enjoyed Italy and Venice. The Alps were really cool and the City was absolutely stunning. Also went to one of the smaller islands outside of Venice called Burano which was outstanding.

The Apls

A Canal in Venice

Lunch inVenice

Lots of people in tiny spaces

the Doge of Venice

 

St Mark's Basilica

A Gondola

 

 

Inside the Doge.

 

Canal in Burano

Park in Burano

Another Canal

 

Some photos from the Copenhagen trip two Weekends ago that I said I would post.

 Royal Treasury

Royal gardens

 

Royal Guards

 

Nytorv

 

Nytorv

 

 

Danish Parliament building

 

Old Danish stock exchange building

 

Nytorv





So that's it for now everyone, enjoy the pictures. More travels to come while Easter break is going and after.

 

Just back from Copenhagen!

Hello everyone. This past weekend I was in Denmark's Capitol, Copenhagen. It was a quick group trip organized by one of the international student organizations over here. We left on Friday morning, took a bus saw many of the cool sites of the city , then came back Sunday afternoon. More information to follow once I get a chance to download the pictures as I was more focused on getting my portfolio project finished for one of my classes yesterday and spent 6 hours in the library to do so. Hopefully I can get another post up before next week, but that depends on if I have a moment free to really sit down and organize everything. Have been trying to finish everything that I can before the Easter Break over here so I can do some traveling.

Talk to you all soon.

A Spontaneous trip to the West Coast of Denmark

So this past Saturday two other people I live with and I decided to just go to Blokhus, Denmark on the West Coast. Why you may ask, the answer is simple we were thinking of things to do in the city and we then decided to take a bit of a road trip to Blokhus instead. It was a lot of fun to get out of Aalborg for a few hours and enjoy the beach. There was no swimming as its the North Sea and ice cold. However the Sunset and beach was fun and warm for Denmark.

This coming weekend is a trip to the capital Copenhagen and I'm looking forward to it. I will have a post and pictures from that once I get back and download them.

But here are some pictures from Blokhus: