Danish delicious ‘Smørrebrød’ in Aarhus Denmark

This July I travelled to the beautiful city of Aarhus located in the Jutland region of Denmark. Here, I completed a Supply Chain Management course at the magical Aarhus Universitet campus. I chose Aarhus University because its business school is so well reputed and Denmark as a country is such a leader on issues I care deeply about, such as labour market inclusion. I knew the experience would be unforgettable and enriching the moment I saw the campus. The university looked like something out of a movie with a stunning brook and pond front and centre.

The grass areas were also perfect for a summer picnic with friends.

On the first day of class, I met a few other international students and a few Danes who were all so welcoming and friendly. With some of the locals, I visited the ARoS Arts Museum, Aarhus Havbane, Aarhus Streetfood and Den Gamle By. They also introduced me to some Danish national treasures such as ‘Smørrebrød’ which tasted heavenly. There are so many little highlights of my time in Aarhus that I could write about, like our class’s Thursday ice cream runs, visiting the stunning Aarhus cathedral and Viking museum, or even learning about Denmark’s occupation by the Germans during WW2. Learning about the cultural differences between the Danes and Australians was such an eye-opening experience too. For one, did you know that if a Dane turns 25 and they’re not yet married their friends tie them to a post and pour cinnamon all over them? 

One of the most memorable experiences of my trip was visiting Den Gamle By (‘The Old Town’). This charming town is an open-air museum that takes you on a blast into the past so you can see how the homes, people, food, and lives of Danes have changed since the 1600s. I was so impressed with the attention to detail in each and every home and shop that I explored. From horse stables in the 1600s to immigrant homes in the 1960s, I saw it all in vivid colour and detail.

While the experience of studying abroad definitely took me out of my comfort zone, it was worth it for all the unbelievable fun I had and the friendships I built with people over there. For anyone wondering if they should do a Global Short Program, Aarhus University should be on your list of places to go. The people are kind, the courses are exceptional, and the activities are endless. 

Anjali Valabjee
UTS Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Law student
Global Short Program student at Aarhus University, Denmark 
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient