An Unforgettable Adventure, AUCian says of Study Abroad in Denmark

By: Nesrien Abdelkader

@NesrienAshraf

Live independently and travel while still pursuing academic knowledge, Multimedia Journalism senior Menna Haroun told a crowd of students at a talk on the advantages of studying abroad. 

During the event “Studying Abroad in Denmark: MMJ Student Shares Her Experience” organized by the Journalism and Mass Communication (JRMC) department, Haroun shared her adventures in Aarhus, and encouraged other students to consider going. 

Haroun described her time abroad during the Spring 2019 semester and how it helped her learn to adapt to new environments as well as improve her content creation skills. 

She participated in the Video Journalism program at the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX), one of the best in Europe.

“The professors were very interesting and had different techniques. I learned a lot in the Video Journalism Program. I can use a video camera now, do research for interviews and conduct them  on the spot and edit movies,” Haroun said.

Outside of academics, Haroun was most grateful for the chance to live in a different country, experience a new culture and travel freely across the continent. 

She was able to travel on a shoestring budget to Finland, Germany and Sweden during her stay in Europe. 

“I took a flight to Berlin for 50 Euros and couchsurfed with my friends,” she added. 

She also learned how to take care of herself through doing her own housework. 

“One of the skills that I learned to do was laundry. I never do laundry here [Egypt]. My cooking skills got better too,” she said.

As for what she what she misses the most, Haroun dreams about visiting the supermarkets in Denmark again. 

“All of my experiences were positive. It was very relaxed, and everything was calm, unlike crowded and hectic Cairo,” Haroun said.

However, Haroun explained that the quiet peaceful life might not appeal to everyone.

“The only kind of difficulty was that the city was very boring for me to be honest. Everything closes really early and I’m a night owl. Here in Egypt I don’t spend much time at home, but in Denmark, I stayed home a lot,” she explained. 

Haroun attributed that to the extreme cold, dipping to -20C which keeps people in Denmark from going out at night. 

Haroun is just one of the many MMJ students that have shared their experience studying abroad in Denmark.

 JRMC has partnered with DMJX since 2011 to host a student and faculty exchange program. 

The exchange program has had many successful former students and has received funding until 2022. Students who participate in this program receive a stipend to cover their costs of living while in Denmark.

“The cost of living in Denmark is a little bit higher and the stipend comes in handy. It really is like we pay you to go to Denmark,” said  Kim Fox, JRMC professor of practice and the organizer of the event.