Aarhus Exchange Program

• Background
• Location Information
• Program Dates
• Host Institution
• Academic Information
• Academic Disciplines
• Credit Transfer Information
• Eligibility Requirements
• Program Costs
• Housing and Meals
• Insurance
• Extracurricular Activities
• Climate
• VISA & Passport Information
• Your Next Steps
• Experiences of Former Students
• Contact Details

BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.

LOCATION INFORMATION
Denmark
The Scandinavian kingdom of Denmark is situated in Northern Europe. Denmark is almost completely surrounded by water, with a bit more than 4,600 miles of coastline. In the south, Denmark borders the Baltic Sea, to the west the North Sea (or "Vesterhavet" - the Western Sea - as the Danes call it), to the north Skagerak and to the east Kattegat and Oeresund. Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland and about 500 islands. Approximately 100 of these islands are habitable. The southern border with Germany is the part of the country that connects it physically to Europe.

In northern Europe, Denmark is populated by down-to-earth, friendly, and fun-loving people. The Danish are also quite active; in fact, 3 out of 4 Danes own a bike and commute many kilometers each day. Although Denmark is a less common tourist destination, it has the glorious terrain and historical sites you would expect of a European center; attractions include castles, museums, art exhibits, concert halls, and the picturesque windmills so often associated with Scandinavia.

There are 5.3 million inhabitants in Denmark, of which 1.8 million live in Copenhagen and its suburbs. The official language is Danish. Danes live the concept of hygge, which roughly translated means "cozy and snug". Hygge implies shutting out the turmoil and troubles of the outside world to focus on a warm, intimate mood. With this in place, Danes have a tolerance for things that are not the norm. You can discover more facts about Denmark by consulting the Lonely Planet travel guide available in the Office of International Education (OIE).

Aarhus
The city of Aarhus (population 250,000) is so closely tied to the university and the diverse, international population of students it attracts, that it has been nicknamed "the city of education." Each September, a 10-day arts festival draws performing artists from throughout Europe for popular shows and installations. The city's old town features regular exhibits and demonstrations in 75 historical buildings. Aarhus is about 3.5 hours from Copenhagen by train and 30 minutes from Copenhagen by air.

PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: early September - late January
Spring Term: early February - late June
Academic Year: early September - late June
Summer: June-July

NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall, spring, or for a full academic year.

A three-week, pre-semester "Denmark Today" course is available, free of charge, to exchange students. This course provides basic language instruction and practical advice for living in Aarhus. All international students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

A Summer Program on Danish Media and Culture is offered at Aarhus University by GT's School of Literature, Communication, and Culture.

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2006

HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Aarhus Universitet
At the center of "the city of education," the Aarhus Universitet offers English-speaking classes in a wide variety of subjects, including the humanities and media studies, law, management, and the sciences. Founded in 1928, the University of Aarhus is a lively, modern university with a reputation for research and training.

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Economics
• History, Technology, and Society
• International Affairs
• Literature, Communication, and Culture
• Management
• Mathematics
• Modern Languages
• Physics
• Philosophy, Science, and Technology
• Psychology

CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.

For detailed credit transfer instructions click here

For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here

CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.

Aarhus uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit

GRADING SYSTEM
Aarhus uses the standard Danish grading system listed below:
Aarhus Grade = US Grade
13, 11, 10 = A
9, 8, 7 = B
6 = C
5 = D
3, 0 = F

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

• Georgia Tech degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student
• 3.0 GPA or higher
• undergraduates complete at least two semesters of college-level study prior to participation
• at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
• enroll in 12 or more credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course
• international students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
• all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take

PROGRAM COSTS
Semester program participants must pay tuition to the GT Bursar for each GT semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.

Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. In general, Denmark is more expensive than the United States. Part of Denmark's expensive reputation comes from the VAT (value-added tax) of 25% that is added to everything from hotel stays to purchases in stores. Consult a travel guide to obtain information on the terms and conditions of VAT reimbursement.

The currency of Denmark is the Danish Krone. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.

Please note: The University of Aarhus offers a 1000-Euro travel grant for students from non-European countries. For information about applying for this grant, please visit click here.

DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here

Following are cost estimates for one semester at Aarhus that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.

In State Tuition	$3,035
Out of State Tuition	$3,285
GT Mandatory Fees	$818
Books and Supplies	$250
Administrative and/or Application fees	$0
Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals)	$1080
Roundtrip Airfare	$900
Room and Board	$4,610
Additional Language Instruction	$0
Mandatory Insurance	$150
Total	$10,843 (in state)
	$11,093(out of state)

*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.

*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.

HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing

• off-campus residence halls
• off-campus apartment/room for rent

• NO meal plan
• on-campus dining

The University of Aarhus shares dormitories with other schools in the area. Dormitories are not directly linked to the campus; instead, they are scattered throughout the town. Students who would like to stay in a dormitory may indicate their preference on the academic admission application, but a request for a dormitory assignment is legally binding, so students should feel confident about this decision. Dormitories cost $250-$400 a month with a required, refundable deposit of $300-$1200, depending on the specific residence hall. There is no food plan, but dormitories are equipped with community kitchens. Inexpensive student cafes are available on campus. More information about housing is available at click here.

INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Each dormitory hosts a Friday bar that allows students to socialize inexpensively, and residence halls will also arrange parties for major holidays and festivals. Denmark is also known for its café culture, which allows students to gather and talk in various locations throughout the town. Other popular student destinations include the movie theaters, dance clubs, and concert halls, which feature international acts. The Danes are also avid sports enthusiasts and will convene to cheer for football, handball, and badminton matches. Because international students are encouraged to take the free, pre-semester language course, they have an opportunity to develop a circle of friends even before classes begin.

CLIMATE
Denmark has a generally pleasant climate year-round and, apart from the occasional cold winter, rarely suffers extremes of weather. Daily sunshine hours range from between one and two in winter to about eight in summer.

Denmark is located in a temperate climate zone with cool summers with a mean temperature of around 60ºF and winters that are not particularly cold, with mean temperatures of around 30ºF. There is a good deal of wind, strongest in the winter and weakest in the summer. Precipitation falls throughout the year, with the greatest rainfall in September, October and November. February and April tend to be the driest months.

VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here

To study in Denmark you must have a valid passport and a residence permit. A residence permit is a document placed inside your passport for Danish immigration authorities with information on the purpose of your trip to and the length of time you are legally allowed to stay in the country. For more information, click here.

YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:

• Contact Dr. Shannon Dobranski.
• Attend an exchange program information session. For dates visit: click here
• Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
• Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet.
• Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
• Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
• If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here.
• For financial aid information click here
• For scholarship information click here

EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions about the program:
Dr. Shannon Dobranski
School of Literature, Communication, and Culture
Skiles 331
Atlanta, GA 30332-0165
Phone: (404) 385-0625
E-mail: shannon.dobranski@lcc.gatech.edu

For questions about the GT application:
Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here

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