Short Guide to Denmark, Roskilde and Trekroner Content
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www.phabsalon.dk/english Your Semester Abroad Short guide to Denmark, Roskilde and Trekroner Content Life in Denmark ...................................................................................................... 3 Practical information ............................................................................................. 4 Life in Denmark You will start a new part of your life – be happy / live life the Danish way. Denmark is located in the Northern part of Europe called Scandinavia just south of Sweden and Norway and perfectly connected to the rest of Europe with Germany to the south. Denmark has a high standard of living and has several times been voted as the World's Happiest Country. You will live in a safe place with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Denmark’s official language is Danish. Approximately 80 percent of the population understand and speak English. The tone between Danes is relatively informal. You might be surprised you will call your professors by their first name. The town of Roskilde The study program Children at Risk is offered at our Campus in Roskilde. The campus is modern and equipped with latest technology. At Campus Roskilde you will find a vibrant study environment with dedicated teachers, who are passionate about their subjects and are looking forward to guiding you on your journey towards more knowledge. Approximately 4000 students from 6 different educations and 220 members of staff study and work on this campus. Roskilde is a University town with around 51.000 inhabitants. You might have heard about Roskilde Festival, which is the largest music festival in Northern Europe. Roskilde is a cozy town, where you will find everything that you need like coffee shops, bars, sporting, shopping e.g. From Roskilde you have great connections to Copenhagen, which is only 25 minutes away using public transportation or car, and to the rest of Denmark. For more information about Roskilde visit: https://www.visitroskilde.com/ln-int/roskilde- lejre/tourist Practical information Living, studying and working Denmark is an expensive country to live in regards to housing and consumer goods compared to most other countries. Therefore, some exchange students take on part time jobs. Please be aware of the regulations and restrictions since the penalty is severe. If you would like to know more about life as a student in Denmark, please visit www.studyindenmark.dk Study in Denmark - video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIbLXTLPC4 Accommodation Finding student accommodation in Denmark can be difficult. Accommodation dormitories are in great demand. However, University College Absalon has secured a limited number of rooms at the local dormitory Korallen opposite campus Roskilde for our exchange students. Please note that University College Absalon cannot guarantee accommodation on (or close to) campus as the rooms are available on a first-come first-serve basis. This also means there might be a waiting list. You can also check out the following websites, if you want to find a room on your own: www.findbolig.nu www.akutbolig.dk www.housinganywhere.com www.lejebolig.dk www.findroommate.dk www.boligbasen.dk Budget Your living expenses will depend on your personal standards and requirements. Here is an approximate average per month for selected expenses: Housing DKK 3,000-4,000 (€ 400-535) Transportation DKK 300-1,100 (€ 40-150) Food DKK 1,500-2,000 (€ 200-270) Other expenses as study books, phone etc. DKK 750 -1000 (€ 100 – 130) In total, you should expect to use approximately DKK 8,000 per month (€ 1000) Supermarkets, Shops and Bank The cheapest supermarkets are: Netto, Coop Hverdag Trekroner, Aldi, Lidl and Rema1000 The more expensive supermarkets include Føtex, Kvickly, SuperBest, Meny, Irma, Coop Mad Trekroner Opening hours for most supermarkets are 8.00-22.00, 7 days a week with exceptions during holidays. The number of shops by Trekroner train station are limited. If you go to Roskilde, you can find most other kind of shops you might need. Opening hours are generally: Monday-Friday from 10.00-17.30/18.00, Saturdays 10.00- 15.00. The 1st Sunday in every month from 11.00-15.00, other Sundays shops are closed. There are a number of petrol stations that sell a few grocery items – petrol stations are open every day till around 21.00-22.00 Banks are open Monday to Friday 10-16 and until 17.00 on Thursdays. The banks have 24 hr. ATM machines. There are a number of banks in Roskilde. Generally, you can pay everywhere using international credit cards. Medicine and Health Doctor outside normal opening hours, you can contact a local doctor between 16.00-8.00 on this number +45 70 15 07 00 For more information: http://www.laegevagten.dk/kontakt-laegevagten/region-sjaelland In case of emergency Contact Akuttelefonen +45 70 15 07 08. Here you will get guidance to the correct and fastest help. Never go directly to the hospital. Also, contact your program coordinator. Medical emergency dial 1 1 2 Pharmacy The nearest pharmacy (Apotek) in Trekroner is by the train station, called Trekroner Løve Apotek. Opening hours: https://www.apoteket.dk/apoteker/roskilde-svane-apotek/trekroner-loeve-apotek In Roskilde, you will find Roskilde Svane Apotek in the pedestrian area (Skomagergade 12), Roskilde Apotek inside Føtex by Roskilde st. (Stationscenteret 12) and Roskilde Dom Apotek by SuperBrugsen (Algade 51) with the same opening hours as other shops. Some non-prescription medicine is available in supermarkets and 7-Eleven. Local Law Enforcement Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi (The police station is open 24 hrs.) Address: Skovbogade 3, 4000 Roskilde Telephone: +45 46 35 14 48 General Law Enforcement calls: 1 1 4 for General law enforcement service Other Useful Addresses Roskilde Library is located at Dronning Margrethes Vej 14, close to the pedestrian mall and the train station. The Currency in Denmark The monetary unit is the Danish Krone (DKK) and Øre. 1 DKK is 100 Øre. Bank notes are found in denominations of DKK 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. Coins are found in DKK 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 and 50-øre values. International Credit Cards can be used in most shops / restaurants etc., but Euros are not accepted anywhere. Note that some shops do not accept cash, since they are non-cash only. Therefore apps such as Apple Pay, MobilePay (you need Danish bank account and cpr-number for MobilePay) and credit cards e.g. are good for money transactions in such cases. Means of Transportation In Denmark, you can find the best possible public transportation from A to B, anytime and anywhere, by using www.rejseplanen.dk or the Rejseplanen app for your phone. From Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) to the Copenhagen Central Train Station is about 15 minutes by train or metro or 15-20 minutes by car/taxi. The price for a train-ride from Copenhagen airport to the Central Station is DKK 36 and a taxi costs between DKK 250-300. How to get around / Tickets You can purchase tickets at most train stations, in a number of kiosks and from the metro ticket machines located in all metro stations. The machines accept Danish coins and all major credit cards. You can also buy a ticket on the bus, but you need to pay in Danish kroner. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket by downloading the mobile app ' DOT Mobilbilletter' for local tickets in and around Copenhagen. Choose English as the language in the app. The app is available for both iPhone and Android. You can read more at http://dinoffentligetransport.dk/service/for-tourists/tickets/. These tickets are valid on all public transportation (busses / trains / metro) in the specific zones one to two hours (depending on the number of zones you travel). The ticket system offer a number of discount passes by which you can save a substantial amount of money on transportation. The cheapest way to get around if you do not want to use a bike is by purchasing a Rejsekort. You can order it online or at railway stations in shops or machines. For further information check out https://www.rejsekort.dk/?sc_lang=en. Your coordinator will assist you in getting a Rejsekort during the first week of the Children at Risk program. Travel by train: The primary Danish train company is the Danish State Railways or DSB. DSB also operates the S-Tog commuter rail system around the greater Copenhagen area. Danish trains are very comfortable, very modern and very expensive. Tickets can be bought at train stations, from vending machines in the stations and via DSB's website. In addition to a ticket, some trains require a seat assignment. Note that you during your stay can access cheaper ’orange’ tickets on DSB’s website if you want to visit other parts of the country. Usually these tickets need to be booked in advance. If you have any questions your program coordinator will assist you. Eating and Drinking Trekroner offers a few pizzarias (Café Breeze, Søens Pizza), a couple of cafés (Freunde, Café Breeze), a sushi bar (sushi2500) and an ice-cream shop (Paradis is). In Roskilde, you can find various bars, cafes and restaurants in and around the city center. Most places have vegetarian options. Café Korn is a café in the walking street in Roskilde (Skomagergade 42) they offer brunch; burgers, tapas and cakes made from locally produced groceries. Disotto (Helligkorsvej 12) and That’s Amore (Støden 7) make the best authentic pizzas in town. They are a bit pricy, but it is worth it. Other more standard pizza bars can be found everywhere in and around the city center. For take away, you can find most places on Just- Eat https://www.just-eat.dk/ and Wolt.dk https://wolt.com/da/dnk/ Tipping in Denmark: A service charge is always included at restaurant and hotels.