Welcome back! We hope you have had a wonderful summer break, and enjoyed the Danish summer weather with cooler temperatures, wind, rain, and the occasional sunshine 😊

If you’re new to AU; Welcome! We hope you’ve settled well and are excited for the autumn semester ahead. If you’re reading this newsletter there is a good chance you have already been in contact with the International Staff Office. Good choice! We are here to assist YOU and any accompanying family members with your transition to life in Denmark.

Besides the International Staff Office, where do you look to find events, guides, or communities for internationals in the city where you live and work? Many cities have offers to help internationals settle, but these are not always easy to find.

Therefore, in this article we have compiled information about offers that are relevant to you as an international working or living near one of AU’s campuses in Aarhus, Herning & Ikast-Brande, Viborg and Emdrup.    

The upcoming month of September is the month dedicated to welcome all internationals in Denmark. Various social, informative, and career-related events are hosted across the country aiming to make you feel at home. We encourage you to have a look at the Welcome September webpage for a list of planned events.

Keep in mind that Facebook is also a great place to connect with people in your area. All the cities listed below have Facebook groups for internationals, that are worth looking into. Just type the city’s name followed by ‘International’, and a few groups usually pop up.

Aarhus

Aarhus is a big multicultural city with many great offers for internationals. Before we dig into what Aarhus City has on offer for you, let’s start with the many offers Aarhus University has for international staff members and their accompanied family members.

Aarhus University

AU welcomes staff members from all over the world and ensures they are offered assistance with their transitions to Denmark. The International Staff Office at AU is the central office for international staff. Perhaps you have already used one of our services or attended one of our events? We offer relocation and onboarding services as well as a range of activities and events for international staff and accompanying families. The services and resources below are for all staff no matter on which campus in the country you are based.

• International Staff Office at Aarhus University
  • Have a look at our webpage with a special on arrival section for newly arrived international staff at AU.
  • Reach out to our Relocation Services if you are at postdoc level or above, and they can help you and your family with all aspects of the relocation process.
  • Contact our Expat Partner Programme if you are an accompanied partner who would like help with the transition to a new life and career in Denmark. 
  • Book a time at our Help Desk for international staff if you have questions about settling and living in Denmark.
  • Do you want to network and meet other international staff at AU, then join one of our many events and activities. We host both informative and social events, as well as cultural awareness workshops, and an upcoming AU Campus Tour. 
• New Employee at AU
  This website contains a lot of valuable information for new employees at AU. You can find the Digital Welcome to Aarhus University, information about the seminar AU Workplace in Focus as well as a special section for international staff.

Aarhus Municipality

Being the second largest city in Denmark, Aarhus has several welcome events for internationals. Some events are streamed so that people from around the country can join from behind the screen. The municipality website for internationals is a great place to start finding information about living a working in Aarhus. One of the great events the municipality organises is Aarhus City Welcome.

• Aarhus City Welcome
  Whether you are an absolute newcomer or have lived in Aarhus for years as a professional, accompanying partner, job seeker, or student this event is dedicated and tailored to you!
  The Aarhus City Welcome is jam-packed to give you the best possible guidance on everything from networking and communities, job search and work-life, to language training, sports and leisure, children, and much more. 
• International Community
  International Community works with internationalization in Aarhus and hosts many events for all internationals in the city such as information meetings, physical/online events, social and professional networking opportunities etc. Twice a semester they co-host Newcomers’ Info Evening, which is an event dedicated to give you a head start on life in Aarhus and Denmark. The event can either be attended physically ay Dokk1, or watched via live stream.
• Headstart
  Headstart is an initiative to help internationals with career guidance and job searching, creating a network and settling in Denmark. Headstart operates in the Central Denmark Region including Herning, Ikast-Brande, Viborg and Aarhus, Have a look at Headstart’s event guide to read more about their Welcome Buddy Programme and networking and career events.

AU Foulum - Viborg

Foulum is the home or workplace for many international Ph.D. students and researchers at AU. Therefore, AU collaborates with the municipality in Viborg to ensure international staff or visitors have a smooth transition to the Danish society. If you live in Viborg, then have a look at the following sites for information for internationals:  

• Viborg municipality’s website provides information in English about the various aspects of moving to and living in Viborg such as childcare, job opportunities and spare time activities. 
• Viborg International Community is a Facebook page where the members can connect, seek advice, organise meetups etc.
• There is also a Viborg International Group, that hosts social meetups for both internationals and Danes.

Herning and Ikast-Brande

Herning and Ikast-Brande Municipalities have a lot of services, communities, and networks for international residents.

• International.herning.dk is the gateway to services and activities for residents in Herning. Here you will find information about the Newcomer service, events for internationals such as the Expat Fair and much more.
  • On the September 23, Herning municipality hosts its yearly International Citizens Day. Here you can meet a variety of organisations and associations relevant to internationals, find networking opportunities and social connections. 
• Expat in Herning & Ikast-Brande presents a variety of opportunities for internationals and potential newcomers in Herning and Ikast-Brande municipalities. There is a bunch of good information on the website such as newcomer guides, pre-arrival information and how to get involved in social activities. 
• International Society a community group based around Herning and Ikast-Brande, who helps internationals feel at home in Denmark. The group hosts many social events such as introductory days, pub quizzes and walk n talks.
• Ikast-Brande Municipality has several services and events for new residents including information about how to get started, where to live, leisure activities, international networks and activities, and more.

The larger Copenhagen area

AU has a campus in Emdrup north of Copenhagen, and a research station in Flakkebjerg just outside Slagelse. Unfortunately for those staff working at Flakkebjerg most services, offers, and events for internationals take place closer to Copenhagen. However, the good thing is Copenhagen offers services and activities for the large number of expats living not only in Copenhagen but in the larger Copenhagen area.

• International House Copenhagen is for all international citizens. The objective of the house is to provide international citizens with the best possible start to life in Greater Copenhagen. The International House provides:
  • Registration services for residents in the greater Copenhagen area
  • Activities and events
  • Welcome to Greater Copenhagen Guide
• International Citizen Days 2023
  International Citizen Days on September 22-23 bring together public authorities, private organisations, and local communities for two days of endless inspiration on housing, job, and social life through a carefully curated fair together with talks, debates, and activities relevant to all newcomers.
  The programme is jam-packed and tailored specifically for internationals, providing a wealth of knowledge that will make settling in in Greater Copenhagen a smooth journey for the entire family. 
• InterNations has their own community of Expats in Copenhagen. Here you can get lots of information advice and suggestions from other expats. There are also a bunch of events to join. 

We hope the above information is of help to you, and assist you with your transition to life in Denmark. Remember the International Staff Office are here to help, so if you lack information, or are unsure about something do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We hope to see you around!