By Anna Diaz Korsaa, AAU Communication. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication. Photos: Lasse Møller Badstue, AAU Communication.

Expectant faces of around 250 of the more than 700 new international students at AAU gazed up at the orange staircase and Malene Gram, Vice Dean for Education at SSH who was the first to welcome them.

 - It takes a lot to study in a foreign country, and we are honoured that you have chosen Aalborg University, said Malene Gram.

She said she herself had had a life-changing experience when at age 20 she went to France to study and ended up changing course from her original choice to be a teacher. Mayor Lasse Frimand Jensen also used the word life-changing to describe his experience studying in Uganda, but his time studying at AAU was also pivotal for him:

 - I made new friends, including many international students, and also met my wife at Aalborg University, Lasse Frimand Jensen said.

A fair and networking

After the official welcomes, representatives of different Aalborg actors were ready at a small fair where the new students could walk around and hear about what the city has to offer.

One of the representatives from AAU was Ali Aljundi, 22, who is studying mechanical engineering and is part of the AAU Racing team that took home a trophy at the international competition Formula Student in the Netherlands during the summer holidays. He explained that students from many different fields work together to come up with a business case, design, develop and build the car.

 - We also have international students, right now from India, Germany and France in the project. It’s a great opportunity to have good experiences together while using what you’ve learned in practice, Ali Aljundi explained.

First Danish lesson

Two workshops, with a sandwich and water break in between, were held for the new students.

[Vaa did tælefonnumå] = What is your phone number, was one of the first things Language Center Aalborg taught the students, while the university chaplain emphasized that everyone – regardless of faith or belief – is welcome to talk if they are having doubts or life becomes difficult.

One of the attendees was 26-year-old Valentina Correa who comes from Columbia and will be studying Computer Engineering.

Valentina Correa had heard about both PBL and the university's good ranking in engineering, which were some of the reasons she chose AAU. She was delighted with the event and all the activities for the international students.

 - It's been a lovely week and I feel very welcome! We've been on a tour of campus as well as the city, and it's so nice to get to know a lot of new people, Valentina Correa said.