Education Guide

EDUCATION GUIDE 2012

A GREAT START IN LIFE

CAREER CHOICES

ADULT EDUCATION

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

International Master in Leadership and Innovation in Complex Systems (LAICS) The LAICS Master centres on innovation and leadership from a ‘real-world’, practice-based and social skills perspective – it will enable you and your company to navigate in a complex environment and to establish the organisation, business opportunities and external relations you need in order to succeed…

• ‘The LAICS Master is ‘the’ education when it comes to innovation. It dares to move beyond traditional thinking and looks at innovation from new and different angles – this is extremely inspiring. LAICS has given me a comprehensive view of innovation and process models, creativity, business models and psychology and of how people interact.

The whole package, so to speak. But the most important outcome of attending and graduating from the course is probably that we can’t stop looking for new opportunities wherever we go!’

Jesper Hyhne Petersen, Innovation Consultant, Danmarks Radio

• ‘The LAICS Master has helped me to acknowledge that leadership is a very complex process, and if you want to be able to involve people in complex processes, it is very important to be true to yourself and to be well prepared. Through LAICS I have found the courage and knowledge to venture into something less safe but with a far higher level of ambition. It has given me the required qualifications for a career change and has helped me develop skills that place me at the very centre of where innovation is defined and initiated.’

• ‘The LAICS Master is adapted to the business world in such a way that my company and I had the luxury to work even more in depth with actual challenges at work. Also, the intense seminars, away from our everyday lives, made it easier to stay focused and work effectively.‘ Kristine Schmidt, Innovation Manager, Rynkeby Foods

• ‘At the start I thought this was about constructing/leading product development. As we have progressed my focus has changed towards an understanding of which building blocks make for an innovative organisation. I now think of innovation as a process of learning and not only as an automated system and structure process, which would be the belief of the engineer.’

Carsten Damgaard, Director R&D, Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology

Ingrid Læsøe Fink Development Advisor, Erhvervsakademiet Nordsjælland

• ‘The LAICS Master has made me understand how to convey innovation within my profession. My core learning from LAICS has become the core of my business: it is not about changing, but about acknowledging and, through creativity, rearranging the potential that was already there. This is what makes the leap to innovation possible in leaders, networks and organizations. It is all about transferring something abstract into everyday processes in a professional, creative and result-oriented way. From that perspective, the LAICS Master is more advanced than other Master programmes.’

Katrine Schumann, Innovation facilitator, communicate2innovate

• ‘The LAICS Master has given me the courage to work with innovation in all its complexities. It has given me insight into what innovation actually is and the value it is creating. For me it was the belief that the physical space and architecture within the health service can contribute to a better functioning healthcare system. LAICS has given me tools for analysing and working with innovation processes as well as methods for strategic business development – which has resulted in the establishment of my own company.’

Pernille Weiss Terkildsen, CEO, ArchiMed

• ‘The unique feature of the LAICS Master is that it is very practice-based and hands-on. We address real challenges at work and create tangible outcomes.

I have co-developed an innovation training course within my company which has already benefitted over 250 employees in Denmark and abroad. We have also created an innovation network for employees to air ideas and seek feedback. This has been extremely effective in terms of advancing the innovation processes – especially when facing resistance at middle-management level.‘ Ole Vilster, Senior Product manager, portfolio management & consumer intelligence, Nokia

• ‘The LAICS Master has given me tools and techniques that have helped me create frameworks that support user-centred innovation within my organisation. I have gained a clear understanding of the critical factors for creating innovation throughout the organisation such as diversity and competence development and the importance of rooting innovation within the overall management strategy. ’ Helle Vibeke Carstensen, Director HR and Innovation, Ministry of Taxation

Company enrolments to date - amongst others: AU Hospital, Arkitema, Carlsberg Breweries, Coloplast, COWI, Danfoss, Danisco, DAC, DR, Danske Bank, DnB NOR, Dong Energy, DSB, E.ON Climate & Renewables (Sweden), Enterprise Support Centre (Russia), Falck, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Husbanken (Norway), HL Architects, Holstebro Kommune, Ingeniørforeningen-IDA, If P&C Insurance (Norway), Justitsministeriet, Kaospilots, KMD, Maersk Olie og Gas, Nokia, Novo Nordisk, NRK Norge, Post Danmark, Polycom, Professionshøjskolen Metropol, Rambøll Informatik, Region Sjælland, Roche GMBH (Germany), Rockwool International, SCKK, SKAT, TDC, Telenord (Norway), Top Danmark, KU, University Hospital Lund (Sweden), Vestas.

For more information:

Hilde Bollen, Programme Coordinator +45 8715 1817 / hilde@laics.net / www.laics.net

AU

AARHUS UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Education Guide 2012

POST BOX President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal Chief Executive: Jesper Nymark Editor-in-Chief: Kevin McGwin Editor: Jane Graham Production & Layout: Lyndsay Jensen

Danish School Holidays - 2012/13

Sales Director Supplements: Hans Hermansen hans@cphpost.dk +45 2420 2411

Påske (Easter):

Sat, Mar 31 – Mon, 9 Apr /

Sales and Advertising: Jeanne Thames, Mark Millen, Lyndsay Jensen +45 3336 3300

Tue, 10 Apr (both days inclusive) International Workers Day

If you would like to contact us or leave a comment: info@cphpost.dk

(not recognised everywhere): Tue, 1 May

This supplement is published by The Copenhagen Post, please refer to our disclaimer on page 2 of the newspaper.

Store Bededag (big prayer day): Fri, 4 May

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Inspire..

Danish education

When considering a post overseas, factors like an exciting or engaging workplace, attractive lodging options and good rates of pay tend to be what come to mind first; but with most relocations involving all members of the family, finding school and preschool places for the kids is an equally high priority.

Guide...

D

enmark has a number of highly reputable

the most important choices your family will make.

private international schools and preschools

Schools tend to have long waiting lists and there’s a

where teaching is conducted in English (as

lot to prepare for, so our advice is to start planning

well as French and German schools). Most primary

now, well in advance of the start of the school year

schools follow the Cambridge International Primary

in August.

Programme, while high schools are more likely to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

You’re never too old to learn new things, and it’s

Then, of course, there is Denmark’s well-regarded

not just the younger ones who can take advantage

public school system that is happy to welcome those

of Denmark’s rich educational opportunities; this

expat families that choose it.

supplement includes plenty of programmes open to adults, from night schools and courses on how to

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Whichever path you opt for, we hope that this sup-

start your own business to Master’s and PhD pro-

plement offers you the advice and information you

grammes conducted in English at some of the coun-

need to make an informed decision about one of

try’s top universities.

Pinse (Whitsuntide): Mon, 28 May

Grundlovsdag (Independence Day): Tue, 5 Jun

Summer Holidays:

Sat, 30 Jun – Sun, 12 Aug Efterårsferie (autumn break): Sat, 13 Oct - Sun, 21 Oct* Juleferie (Christmas):

Sat, 22 Dec – Wed, 2 Jan (both days inclusive)

Vinterferie (Winter Holiday):

Sat, 9 - Sun, 17 Feb / Sat, 16 - Sun, 24 Feb* *Schools and local councils decide independently when to schedule the week-long

autumn and spring breaks, but the difference is generally +/- one week.

Harman Music Methods

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Education Guide 2012

New ways to make great leaders

Inspiring creative leaders in today’s business landscape requires innovative methods – be prepared for drama and getting your hands dirty. By Ray Weaver

L

otte Darsø can rightfully claim a few titles both in front and after her name: professor, author, PhD, to name just a few. And yet when it comes to leadership, Darsø doesn’t put much stock in titles.

“Often solving a problem in one part of an organization creates unforeseen problems in another part,” Darsø explains. “A large part of our course is designed to teach the skills required to address complex issues with innovation and clarity.”

“Just because someone is called a CEO or a manager, that doesn’t necessarily make them a leader. A leader is simply someone who leads. Real leaders can, and should, come from anywhere in an organization,” she states matter-of-factly.

To help find and inspire creative leaders in the modern business environment, Dr Darsø and her colleagues at Aarhus University and Copenhagen Business School have developed a Master’s course in Leadership and Innovation in Complex Systems (LAICS). Targeted at organizational leaders, senior project leaders and business development specialists, the LAICS programme focuses on how to create and lead innovation in complex systems.

The course goes far beyond the traditional “let’s all watch a Power Point and discuss what we’ve learned” approach, and centres on innovation and leadership from a practice-based and social skills perspective.

Dr Darsø has studied and written extensively about innovation and organisational transfor-

An LAICS class actually becomes its own complex system allowing participants to experiment, learn and develop techniques that they can take back to their own organizations. mation through the arts, and the LAICS course focuses on her findings.

“To create innovators, you need to create relationships and trust,” says Darsø. “We encourage people to get involved and be engaged.”

One of the LAICS seminars involves bringing in a theatre director to teach participants theatre rehearsal techniques. Instead of a passive lecture-type environment, students interact with each other, challenge and ask questions of the director and their classmates and are dynamically involved.

Dr Darsø is convinced that these non-traditional techniques help her graduates bring innovative ideas to the social aspects of organizations and improve the vital communication skills required to navigate today’s complex business systems.

Each LAICS module is delivered over the course of three intensive seminars where participants meet at a conference centre (in Denmark and abroad). The duration of each seminar is typically 3½ days, in most cases from Wednesday to Saturday, where overnight stays are required. In between the seminars, participants complete assignments, work in groups and participate in virtual dialogues with the faculty.

way to learn something and to remember it is to feel it coming right through your skin.”

The LAICS course includes both business and process seminars.

The LAICS Master’s programme was founded in 2006 and is a collaboration between the Department of Education (DPU) at Aarhus University and Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

The two-year, part-time education is designed so that participants can continue to work while getting their Master’s. The course graduates 15-20 participants annually, and Dr Darsø hopes each graduate becomes a small catalyst to a more human and creative global business environment.

“Every human being is creative, they just may not be aware of it,” Darsø says. “Our graduates become aware of their potential and are able to use their new-found abilities to create innovation and change.”

One of the course’s most interesting seminars involves participants actually communicating about authentic leadership by prototyping ideas and thoughts in clay – without speaking.

“People are inspired when they learn things in a new way. By communicating via the clay rather than words, people learn to express themselves using their body and sense of touch. The best

• LAICS consists of 4 master modules (60 ECTS in total) • Each module can be taken as a single module (15 ECTS per module) • Application deadline: 1 May for study start in September • Application forms and further information from: www.laics.net

Roskilde University in Denmark A different experience

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5

Education Guide 2012

D

enmark prides itself on providing high-quality, public schooling for everyone who needs it. It is compulsory for children to be educated for ten years from the year they turn six; public schools are free and there are no admission requirements.

As a general rule, children enrol in the school closest to where they live, but they may attend another school within the same kommune or municipality if there are vacancies. Families with children between six and 16 years-old are automatically sent information on schools when they enrol in the centralised civil register and receive CPR numbers.

Students with a native language other than Danish are entitled to training in “Danish as a second language” in council-run primary and lower secondary schools. Students who don’t speak Danish will be offered a course in Danish language and culture by the local council, which is also responsible for providing native language instruction for children from European Economic Area countries as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Local councils also have the option of offering na-

FIND YOUR WAY AROUND DENMARK’S

EDUCATION SYSTEM

Don’t know your HTX from your folkeskole? The Danish educational system tries to find a place for everyone, including children who don’t speak Danish natively

By Kye Mackey tive language courses to children from countries outside these areas. Bilingual students who participate in the regular Danish system but are in need of special support may be offered supplementary lessons.

an optional 10th form, and what can be hard to grasp for non-Danes is that it really does all takes place in the same school, although students generally move to a different building in the fourth grade.

two categories. The first is vocational or technical education for students wanting to access the labour market, and the second is divided into four separate programmes that each has a common goal of preparing students for higher education:

Preschool, primary and lower secondary education

The preschool programme is designed to give young children a smooth transition between home life/ kindergarten (børnehave) and primary school, and play is a central element of teaching.

The Gymnasium (STX) lasts three years and focuses on general education in the fields of the humanities, natural science and social science.

Danish municipal primary and lower secondary school is known as ‘folkeskole’ and consists of a preschool year (børnehaveklasse), nine years of primary and lower secondary education and

1

Schooling takes place in classes of between 20 and 25 students and a class normally stays together for the entire duration of their school life. Many schools operate two to four different ‘spor’ or tracks depending on the school’s size, and børnehaveklasse children will then start their school life along one of these tracks, finding themself in a ‘klynge’ or clique, not only with their classmates but with a class from each of the grades 1-3 as well; SFO or after-school childcare often takes place in the same ‘klynge’.

2

The education in the nine years of primary and lower secondary school is distributed between three compulsory topic areas including the humanities, science and practical subjects.

3

Students in grade levels eight and nine may also choose electives. The 10th grade form is for pupils who feel they need additional academic qualifications and direction before starting upper secondary education.

4

Upper secondary education This non-compulsory level of education generally caters for 16 to 19-year-olds and is divided into

Østerbro

The Higher Preparatory Examination (HF) is a two-year programme designed for students who have completed 10th grade and focuses on both the theoretic and practical aspects of natural science, social science and humanistic contexts.

The Higher Technical Examination Programme (HTX) lasts three years and is based on technical and natural sciences, allowing students to test the theoretical side of the curriculum in workshops and laboratories.

The Higher Commercial Examination Programme (HHX) is a three-year programme concentrating on vocational perspectives and topics including business economics, socioeconomics and foreign languages. Danish is the normal language of instruction but programmes are also offered in English, German and French. A popular example of this is the internationally-recognised, twoyear International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which is offered at a number of upper secondary schools.

For further information on the Danish school system, visit the Education Ministry’s official English site at: www.eng.uvm.dk.

As your child grows

I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H O O L

We grow with them at Østerbro International School, where the individual comes first. Our primary aim is to identify and appreciate the unique potential of each pupil and develop it to the full in a caring, comfortable and happy environment. Pupils receive an excellent, well-rounded education from dedicated and well-qualified teachers, developing qualities which will equip them to face life’s challenges with self-belief and optimism. Østerbro International School • Præstøgade 17 • 2100 Copenhagen Ø • Tel.: +45 70 20 63 68 • Website: www.oeis.dk • E-mail: info@oeis.dk 6

Education Guide 2012

List of international and private schools throughout Denmark (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and other international institutions, particularly preschools, may exist.)

The Little Montessori School Lundtoftevej 97, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby (+45) 45 93 52 95 www.littlemontessori.dk Montessori International Preschool Valby Søndermarksvej 13, 2500 Valby (+45) 25 36 48 73 www.montessoripreschool.dk

(Note that most international schools in Denmark follow the Cambridge Certificate of Education at primary and lower secondary level and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme at higher secondary level.)

Children’s Garden International Preschool Bernstorffsvej 75, 2900 Hellerup (+45) 73 75 29 00 www.childrensgarden.dk Sunrise International Preschool Norgemindevej 32, 2900 Hellerup (+45) 35 43 23 17 www.sunrisepreschool.dk Stepping Stones Pre-school Bernstorffsvej 230, 2920 Charlottenlund (+45) 35 12 33 30 www.steppingstones.dk

NGG International School

(Lycée Français de Copenhague)

Christianshusvej 16, 2970 Hørsholm

Frederiksberg Alle 22A, 1820 Frederiksberg C

(+45) 45 57 26 16

(+45) 33 21 20 48 www.prinshenriksskole.dk

Primary & lower secondary schools

Preschools

Prince Henrik’s School (education in French)

Sankt Petri Schule/ Skole (education in German) Larslejsstræde 5, 1451 Copenhagen K (+45) 33 13 04 62 www.sanktpetriskole.dk

Herlufsholm Skole (Danish private school with many international students)

Øresunds Internationale Skole

(+45) 55 75 35 00

Engvej 153, 2300 Copenhagen S

www.herlufsholm.dk/english

(+45) 32 59 80 02 www.o-i-s.dk

Greater Copenhagen Bernadotteskolen

Bjørn’s International School Gartnerivej 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø (+45) 39 29 29 37 www.b-i-s.dk

Hellerupvej 11, 2900 Hellerup (+45) 39 62 12 15

Skt. Josefs Skole, Roskilde (Danish Catholic School with a new international department) Frederiksborgvej 10, 4000 Roskilde (+45) 46 35 25 26 www.sktjosef.dk

www.bernadotteskolen.dk Køge Privat Realskole Copenhagen International School

Ølby Center 50, 4600 Køge

Østerbro International School

Hellerupvej 22-26, 2900 Hellerup &

(+45) 56 63 63 93

Præstøgade 17, 2100 Copenhagen Ø

Stockholmsgade 59, 2100 Copenhagen Ø

(+45) 70 20 63 68

(+45) 39 46 33 00

www.oeis.dk

www.cis-edu.dk

Copenhagen Euroschool (education in Danish as well as English) Gl. Kongevej 15C, 1610 Copenhagen V (+45) 33 25 22 48 www.euroschool.dk

A FAst trAck to DAnish

• Intensive Danish Courses • Day/Evening/Online Classes • Focus on Pronunciation

e info@sprogcenterhellerup.dk W sprogcenterhellerup.dk

www.koege-realskole.dk

Funen

Rygaards Skole (International as well as

Henriette Hørlücks School (Education in Danish

Danish departments)

and English, also teaches German and French)

Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup

Slotsvænget 1-3 & 4, 5000 Odense C

(+ 45) 39 62 10 53

(+45) 66 11 81 59

www.rygaards.com

www.hhskole.dk

(continued on pg 9)

InspIrIng excellence on the DanIsh west coast sInce 2008!

HIGHlIGHtS:

• • • • • • • • •

T 3946 3050 f 3946 3051

Zealand

Herlufsholm Alle 170, 4700 Næstved

Copenhagen & Frederiksberg

Danish for foreigners

Bernstorffsvej 20 2900 Hellerup

www.his.dk

A great education in English for children aged 3-17 High academic standards that challenge all students Danske elever i skolealderen kan vælge faget dansk, på samme niveau som i en almindelig dansk skole. Med de samme bøger, pensum og danske lærere.

I alle andre fag undervises på engelsk.

Support for students new to the English language A nationally- and internationally-recognised programme of study enables a smooth transfer to other schools/gymnasiums Students from over 25 different countries have joined our school since it first opened in 2008 Esbjerg International School has full, purpose-built educational facilities which include large, well-lit classrooms, a gymnasium, library, football fields, large playgrounds and much green space Guest students are welcome without charge for up to a week Great sibling discount. the first sibling pays half the price of your first child- all other siblings are free!

Esbjerg International School • Guldager Skolevej 4 • 6710 • Esbjerg +45 7610 5399 • www.esbjerginternationalschool.dk

7

Education Guide 2012

choosing the international Path

or taking the PuBlic school route

What kind of school you choose depends on waiting lists, geographical placing and not least, on the individual needs of your own children and family

T

here is a definite lack of vacancies at Denmark’s international schools, with waiting lists at most of them, especially preschools. It has been estimated that about 90 percent of those families that use a relocation service when moving to Denmark choose private international schools for their children, and of the 10 percent choosing private schools, the majority come from other Scandinavian countries.

be the wrong choice for another – even within the same family, as in the case of the Stasiuk family, who moved to Copenhagen from the US.

For those willing to try them however, the public schools are a great option for lots of international families.

According to mom Philippa, their daughters’ individual personalities and ages factored strongly in the decision about where each girl should go to school.

“Maybe parents nurse kids a little too much, because they think, ‘it will be hard for them to learn the language and make friends’”, suggests one relocation expert. “But kids are very good at picking up languages.

For them it’s play.”

The public school system’s comprehensive integration programme for children whose mother-tongue is not Danish fails to convince most expat families, however, and it’s not that uncommon for a family to turn down a job offer in Denmark after failing to secure a place for their child at a local international school.

Perhaps Denmark should place more focus on having enough available spaces in international schools for expats, but in practical terms, and with waiting lists at many private international schools a stark reality, what might seem like the harder route – opting for a public school – is often the simpler and faster choice.

While all Danish public schools follow the same basic system, the way they operate can be quite different; and there’s even more choice when it comes to kindergartens. There are ‘nature kindergartens’ where a focus is made on outdoor play and exploration, out-of-town ‘udflytter’ kindergartens where city kids are bussed out into the countryside, and independent or ‘selvejende’ institutions that still operate according to municipal guidelines and rates.

Denmark also has a thriving network of Rudolf Steiner schools and preschools (these are not, however international in terms of language).

Deciding whether to opt for a private or public education depends enormously on individual factors and what’s right for one child can

8

For Philippa and David Stasiuk, a private international school was the natural choice for older daughter Iris, while a state kindergarten suited younger daughter Jane.

“I spoke to other people whose kids did major shifts, and I heard that the experience can really change their personalities – at least at first. In the first year, they just don’t talk at all at school, they just have to absorb the new language,” said Philippa.

The Stasiuks decided that five-year-old Iris would fare best at an international school: “We were willing to run the risk of her learning Danish more slowly, rather than affect her development as an outgoing kid.” Having just started kindergarten in the US, the Stasiuks wanted Iris to make a quick transition.

Iris was lucky enough to get a place at Østerbro International School. The family moved to Copenhagen on a Friday and Iris started school on Monday morning, without missing a beat.

Six months later and still happy with their decision, the Stasiuks were pleasantly surprised by how quickly eldest daughter Iris’ reading and writing skills were coming along at the international school, where the curriculum - based on the British system - is even more rigorous about reading and writing at reception class level than schools in the US. This discipline proved to be a big confidence builder for Iris Stasiuk.

Iris’ younger sister Jane, meanwhile, was busily picking up Danish phrases at the local public preschool.

“In pre-school the emphasis isn’t so much on reading and writing as on human interaction and learning to share,” said Philippa Stasiuk.

“We felt that Jane could learn that just as well in Danish. They are very loving with the children, and that’s the most important thing in preschool.”

Education Guide 2012

List of international and private schools throughout Denmark (continued from pg 7) Jutland

Sønderborg International School (formerly international School of Als) Grundtvigs Alle 88, 6400 Sønderborg (+45) 74 43 01 10 www.sonderborginternationalschool.dk

International Baccalaureate Programme) Mørkhøjvej 78, 2700 Bronshøj (+45) 44 94 27 22 www.norreg.dk/ib-contacts

The Cosmo - International School of Southern Denmark Sct. Jørgens Gård, Hospitalsgade 4, 6000 Kolding (+45) 20 52 05 49 www.thecosmo.dk

International School Ikast-Brande Kongevejen 39, 7430 Ikast (+45) 97 15 64 65 www.isib.dk

Esbjerg International School Guldager Skolevej 4, 6710 Esbjerg V (+45) 76 10 53 99 www.esbjerginternationalschool.dk

Skipper Clement International School (International Dept) Gammel Kærvej 28-30, 9000 Aalborg (+45) 98 12 11 88 www.aais.dk

International School of Aarhus (ISAa) Engtoften 22, 8260 Viby J (+45) 86 11 45 60 www.isaa.dk

Viborg Private Realskole’s International Department Trekronervej 10-14, 8800 Viborg (+45) 86 62 08 88 www.viborgrealskole.dk

Aarhus Academy for Global Education (runs from preschool up to 10th grade) Bushøjvænget 133, 8270 Højbjerg (+45) 86 72 60 60 www.aarhusacademy.dk

Nørre Gymnasium (Danish school offering

Prins Henrik Skolen (Lycée Français) Frederiksberg Alle 22A, 1820 Frederiksberg C (+45) 33 21 20 48

Upper secondary schools / high schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Greater Copenhagen Area Birkerød Gymnasium, HF & IB (Danish as well as international school) Søndervangen 56, 3460 Birkerød (+45) 45 16 82 20 www.birke-gym.dk/bg.htm Copenhagen International School Hellerupvej 22-26, 2900 Hellerup & Stockholmsgade 59, 2100 Copenhagen Ø (+45) 39 46 33 00 www.cis-edu.dk

www.prinshenrikskole.dk Sankt Petri Skole (German) Larslejsstræde 5, 1451 Copenhagen K (+45) 33 13 04 62 www.sanktpetriskole.dk

Zealand Herlufsholm Skole Herlufsholm Alle 170, 4700 Næstved

Hasseris Gymnasium & IB World School

(+45) 55 75 35 00

Hasserisvej 300, Oostboks 70, 9100 Aalborg

www.herlufsholm.dk/english

(+45) 96 32 71 10 www.hasseris-gym.dk/ib_world_school/

Funen Nyborg Gymnasium

Kolding Gymnasium

Skolebakken 13, 5800 Nyborg

Skovvangen 10, 6000 Kolding

(+45) 65 31 02 17

(+45) 76 33 96 00

www.nyborg-gym.dk

www.kolding-gym.dk

Jutland Grenaa Gymnasium & IB World School

Struer Statsgymnasium

N.P. Josiassensvej 21, 8500 Grenaa

Jyllandsgade 2, 7600 Struer

(+45) 87 58 40 59

(+45) 97 85 43 00

www.grenaa-gym.dk

www.struer-gym.dk

Niels Steensens Gymnasium Chinese classes for all students in the primary school and a Chinese study programme in the high school Niels Steensens Gymnasium (NSG) is a private school with a primary and a high school section. Students are admitted from the 6th class.

NSG is part of a worldwide network of Jesuit-schools with more than 1 million students from universities, high schools and primary schools in more than 69 countries. All are characterized by catholic values, a high professional standard and the development of students to become reflecting individuals that take care of their fellow human beings.

International activities The international dimension is an important part of the NSG profile. The students are exposed to the international dimension during education, but also by interacting with teachers and staff from many different countries. In addition, the students have diverse national, religious and cultural backgrounds.

ard ional stand s s fe o r p h Hig

Reflection al profile Internation

The students take part in study tours and are invited across classes to visit some of NSG’s partner schools in Germany and France. In addition, they can participate in two-week exchange programs at schools in Kentucky and Ohio during the 2nd year in high school.

ChINeSe AT NSG

Chinese culture is of special importance for NSG as a Jesuit school. The Jesuits were present early in China and made significant contributions to the exchange of science and culture between east and west.

Inspired by this work, and in order to provide the students with optimal qualifications, everybody in primary school attends Chinese classes. We are proud to say that our school is among the most experienced in Denmark in providing Chinese and that we are the Danish school with the highest number of students attending Chinese.

The NSG high school section offers Chinese both at the basic and at the advanced level and additionally, in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) a course that includes Chinese A, social science A and mathematics B and an exchange programme with The High School Affiliated with Renmin University in Beijing.

Training and education take place in Danish. However, NSG has considerable experience in teaching students of non-Danish origin.

During the summer vacation preceding the 3rd year in high school, students are selected for participation in Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington and New York where students selected around the world receive training for some weeks to develop leadership and management skills based on dialogue and international understanding.

Access a Free Info Workshop, a Free Video series, and Free Webinar to learn more. We start our Quan-

Niels Steensens Gymnasium · Sankt Kjelds Gade 3 · 2100 København Ø · Telefon: 16 23 • More information can be found at www.nsg.dk tum39Leap on 40 January 9, 2012 • www.globalgoddessschool.com

9

Education Guide 2012

Bilingual children:

education and integration

Denmark’s Ministry of Education hopes not just to get bilingual children fluent in the Danish language, but to help them feel at home in Danish culture as well.

W

hile international schools are the ideal option for families on short-term stays in Denmark of one or two years, those anticipating a permanent residency here might want to consider strengthening Danish language skills for all members of

the family.

The aim of the Education Ministry’s “to-sprogede” or bilingual programme is to integrate children whose mother-tongue is other than Danish, and whose first experience of learning Danish happens at school, into the Danish system. The programme’s ultimate goal is to ensure that bilingual kids, as a group, achieve the same marks as native-Danish-speaking children on the final primary school exams.

Children who attended school in other countries before moving to Denmark are usually placed in the Danish class that corresponds to their school age. Once introduced into the Danish school system, the children start an integration programme that can last up to two years.

Danish language is taught as an integral part of normal school subjects, such as reading, writing, maths, science and history, using foreign-language teaching methods, so that children learn to understand and express themselves in Danish within the context of school subjects.

When children need additional language training to succeed, supplemental “language stimulation” is provided during or outside of class time, if needed, so that he or she remains fully involved in the normal curriculum.

The schools place special emphasis on getting parents involved in their child’s educational progress and language acquisition. Parent-teacher-student meetings are an important tool in that process, and local councils must provide interpreters for the meetings, if needed, to ensure the best possible communication.

Another means of helping foreign and bilingual kids integrate, according to the Copenhagen Children and Youth Administration of the City of Copenhagen, is to enrol them in the after school programmes or youth clubs that the vast majority of Danish children attend. The after school programmes offer a wide range of activities, including music, art and sports, and provide ample opportunity for play and socialising (see separate article).

Roughly ten percent of Denmark’s primary-school students come from a minority background. The vast majority of those are first-, second- or even third-generation Danes, the largest proportion of which have Turkish heritage. The percentage of minority students is highest in Greater Copenhagen, followed by the cities of Aarhus and Odense.

10

Denmark’s most effective Danish courses! www.kiss.dk

Take a look at Workindenmark.dk - the official Danish website for international recruitment and job seeking

For international jobseekers, employees and their spouses, Workindenmark offers: •

In our job bank you can search for jobs in Danish companies looking especially for international labour force.

You can sign up for a subscription service and receive news of relevant new job advertisements.

•

You can submit your CV to our CV bank and make your qualifications and competences visible to Danish companies.

•

You and your family can receive useful information on all aspects related to moving to Denmark for work – for example job hunting in Denmark, rules related to residence and work, corporate culture, Danish classes and living conditions in Denmark, including childcare, education and housing.

•

Get a good start. Visit International Citizen Service and get help with the paperwork.

Workindenmark can help international students find a student job by: •

Offering targeted information on our website for international students www.workindenmark.dk/students.

This subsection also presents student job openings.

• Giving you the opportunity to add your CV to our CV bank to make yourself visible to Danish employers.

You can find vacant jobs in our job bank, where you also submit an application.

•

Giving you personal advice on applying for student jobs, training placements and work experience placements.

Coming to Denmark to work or study is a major life change – not just for you, but also for your family.

If your partner accompanies you, Workindenmark has a lot to offer: • • •

Job search courses Individual guidance about CV and job applications Help with contact to relevant companies

Get a good start!

Visit www.workindenmark.dk if you plan to work or study in Denmark.

11

Education Guide 2012

SCHOOL’S OUT

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS ARE IN

IT’S 1PM AND CLASSES ARE OVER – BUT THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES ARE JUST BEGINNING IN STATE-RUN AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS After school programmes like ‘skolefritidsordning’ (SFO), ‘fritidsklubber’ and ‘ungdomsklubber’ allow children to develop independence, explore personal interests and play in a safe and supervised setting from the time the last school bell rings around 1pm until mom or dad has finished work.

After school clubs also happen to be a great place for kids with non-Danish backgrounds to strengthen their language skills and make friends, because the vast majority of Danish kids take part in their programmes. According to Statistics Denmark, more than 83 percent of school children age 6-9 participated in some type of after-school programme in 2010, so not signing them up could limit your kids socially.

While school is free, these municipal leisure time programmes are not. Prices are set by municipalities and vary across the country, but attendance in SFO for children in reception class to third grade cost around DKK 1,700 per month, paid over 11 months (you don’t have to pay during July). Programmes take place on school premises until 5pm (although parents are of course free to pick them up earlier); a morning programme operates from around 7am until school starts an hour later, and provision is also made during school holidays (not including public holidays).

Attendance is compulsory for all children signed up to the programme from reception (børnehaveklasse) until third grade, who must all be signed in and out by a member of staff.

From grades 4-7, after-school clubs are elective and students are free to come and go as they please; prices here are between DKK 500 and 1,000. After-school recreation clubs for children over the age of 13 are called ‘ungdomsklubber’ or youth clubs and are located off -premises from the schools; they are either free or cost a minimal monthly fee.

There are different after school clubs and programmes to suit every child’s interests.

Music, theatre, art, film, computers, sports, nature, and outdoor activities, are just some of the activities offered. Organised, adult-supervised activities and after-school snacks are provided for the younger children, and many clubs offer homework help for older kids.

Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup t +45/ 3962 1053 f +45/ 3962 1081 email: admin@rygaards.com

12

You can find out about specific after school programmes and clubs in your area by asking at your child’s school or at your local citizen service centre. General information is available in English, Danish, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and Somali at www.uvm. dk, using the search word ‘fritiden’.

Many of Denmark’s international schools also provide an after school programme.

Aarhus Academy for Global Education, for example, offers sports, swimming, music and drama as part of its afternoon activities once classes are over at 1pm.

“Ungdomsskoler” or youth schools offer children aged 13-18 the chance for some extra-curricular learning and offer courses in academic subjects like languages, maths or science as well as creative courses in drama, dance and studio arts. All classes are voluntary and free for young people.

NEW JOB NEW COUNTRY NEW LANGUAGE?

Youth school courses are particularly popular in Copenhagen: visit www.ungdomsskolen.kk.dk and click “English” to learn more about the city council’s free courses for young people.

LEARN DANISH WITH CLAVIS We offer • Customized Danish courses at your work place • Courses in written Danish for advanced learners at your work place or at CLAVIS in Copenhagen, Greve and Roskilde • One-to-one tuition

Copenhagen International School Copenhagen International School is an English Language IB World School, offering the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme which gives access to outstanding universities worldwide: • • • • • •

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Pre-Kindergarten through to Grade 12 Students & Staff from 50+ countries Highly qualified international teachers Curriculum includes wide range of Specialist Classes Comprehensive Extracurricular program Convenient location: Hellerup Campus (Pre-K – grade 8) right by Hellerup station 10 minutes from the city centre City Campus (grades 9 - 12) right by Østerport Station Accredited by: Council of International Schools (CoIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges

CLAVIS supplies Danish courses to a large number of international and local companies.

Contact CLAVIS for more information about courses that meet your individual needs: Tel.: 40 60 53 99

E-mail: jam@clavis.org

For further information please visit our website www.cis.dk or contact our Admissions Office.

Hellerupvej 22-26 2900 Hellerup T +45 3946 3300 admission@cis.dk www.cis-edu.dk

Stockholmsgade 59 2100 Copenhagen Ø T +45 3946 3300 admission@cis.dk www.cis-edu.dk

WWW.CLAVIS.ORG 13

Education Guide 2012

T

he International Baccalaureate (IB) is a two-year, international high school education taught in English and recognised worldwide. Schools that follow the IB programme are known as ‘IB World Schools’ and can be found in more than 100 countries. This final qualification, the IB diploma, provides access to institutions of higher education both in Denmark and abroad, with its recipients enjoying a high rate of acceptance at leading universities. Some universities even offer scholarships to IB graduates.

is a tough curriculum, and students must be prepared to complete homework on time and revise for all exams.

In addition to the academic studies, all IB students must participate in a variety of creative and social activities for a few hours every week as part of a programme known as Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). This is an obligatory part of the course and must total at least 50 hours over two years.

how old is the International Baccalaureate?

Does the International Baccalaureate only provide high school education?

The IB foundation was founded by a group of progressive teachers in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 to provide a common set of external examinations for students in schools throughout the world. Copenhagen International School was one of the first schools in the world to take part in IB examinations.

Why sit the IB diploma?

In addition to the high regard it holds at prestigious universities around the globe, taking an IB programme of education is ideal if you think your children may have to move to another country midway through their education: with a shared curriculum, it is a lot easier to transfer from an IB world school in Denmark to one in another country. On the other hand, the IB programme should not be considered as an ‘easy’ option and students must be prepared for plenty of hard work and study.

What are the entry requirements?

In Denmark, those starting the IB-programme are expected to have completed the 10th or 11th grade at a Danish or international school.

The full IB programme runs throughout the entire school years, comprising the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme.

are you ready for the iB Programme?

An International Baccalaureate education is considered to be one of the toughest programmes there is for high schoolers. Still, the academic rewards are clear By Jane Graham

Of the schools in Denmark that offer the IB diploma, only Copenhagen International School and Aarhus Academy for Global Education offer the full programme. (Cambridge International Exams are the preferred educational programme for Denmark’s international middle schools).

If this a two-year programme, why does it sometimes last three years?

A preparatory class is sometimes required, especially for those who have attended a Danish folkeskole. This one-year course is called

social science, one natural science and one creative subject, the lat-

‘pre-IB class’ and is the equivalent to one year at gymnasium (Dan-

ter of which can be replaced by an additional social science/ natural

ish high school).

science/ third language. All subjects have a final written exam (taken in English) and there are also oral exams in the two languages.

But aren’t all IB World Schools private?

What subjects are studied at diploma level?

This is a lot more subjects than most students take at this high level,

The IB organization is a non-profit educational Swiss foundation.

The IB diploma consists of six subjects: a literature course taken in the student’s native language, maths, one foreign language, one

especially compared to the three subject areas offered by UK-sixth

There are 3,330 IB World Schools around the globe, more than half

form colleges and Danish gymnasiums. There’s no doubt that the IB

of which are state schools.

Say “Hej” to the Danish Language One local language school goes above and beyond to give you the tools you need to succeed

A

14

djusting to life in Copenhagen can be hard for many reasons, but learning Danish is at the top of the list. Native English speakers lament that nothing is spoken like it is read, random letters are sometimes left silent and pronouncing the vowels makes you sound like you’ve got a sore throat. Despite all that, it is a language that can be picked up quickly and painlessly; all it takes is the right environment, methods and staff to lead the way.

their field,” Department Manager Julie Henriques explains. “This also means that the teachers who haven’t written textbooks are working with the authors, so they understand and are constantly learning as well.”

ment where people from around the world can work to overcome a similar challenge. With 1,400 students currently enrolled from over 90 countries, the language centre provides expats with a group of people who can understand their situation.

Københavns Sprogcenter aims to help newcomers pass the Danish language test required by immigration laws, but it also understands that there’s more to a language than that.

“It’s a whole new network,” Henriques says. “Really strong friendships are made in classes, crossing religious, political, social or whatever borders they live with normally.”

Københavns Sprogcenter gives students these tools. Nestled in the old meatpacking district of Vesterbro, the school spans two large buildings and boasts a newly renovated computer lab, language lab, library and cafeteria. A surprise perhaps to those who imagine language schools consisting of nothing more than a few rundown classrooms, this language centre has taken extra steps to modernise its space and add a level of comfort to the often uncomfortable experience of learning a new language.

“We look at it in a broader sense – what do you need to do the language? What do you need to make it your own?” Henriques elaborates. “It’s not just about passing the test; it’s about how to live - how to buy a pack of cigarettes, how to ask someone out on a date – that’s not on the test.”

Danish will always be a tough language to grasp, but the resources at Københavns Sprogcenter can make this process both quicker and easier. With a comfortable environment and informed faculty, you can finally join the real Copenhagen and discover what’s so special about that so-called “throat disease.”

Newcomers are interviewed by one of the school’s five counsellors and placed into courses less than a month later. They are then immersed in Danish from day one by Københavns Sprogcenter’s renowned faculty, which includes more than 10 authors of Danish language textbooks. Teachers understand exactly what their students are going through and can help them navigate textbooks that, in many cases, they wrote themselves.

To achieve this understanding, the school offers both fulltime day courses and night classes that give students flexibility to work around their own schedules. Those who want an intensive learning experience can find it here, but so can those with other jobs or schoolwork who can only fit in a couple of nights a week. Traditional lectures and in-class activities are supplemented with practice in the language lab, where students can pronounce words into a microphone and receive individual critiques from staff. Priority is placed on active learning (speaking and writing) rather than passive learning (reading and listening).

“They’re not only [good teachers], but they’re professionals in

Above all else, Københavns Sprogcenter has created an environ-

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Berlitz Virtual Classroom – live tuition online Highly focused oral skills training for individuals and groups. Berlitz. Simply schedule your live lessons and log on to the BVC website at the designated time to begin your program.

www.berlitz.dk 15

Education Guide 2012

I

f you’re looking to advance your career in Denmark, there’s no

tion fees, which usually range between €6,000 and €16,000. Most

doubt that a degree from a Danish institution carries weight

institutions run scholarship programmes to help students required

with Danish employers. And if you’re hoping to take your quali-

to pay fees.

fications elsewhere, Denmark’s diverse selection of programmes offered in English, familiarity with the needs of international students

The international study office at the institution to which you are

and—last but not least—low fees, make it a good choice for a study

interested in applying should be able to provide information about

abroad experience.

the scholarship application process.

All of Denmark’s universities offer degree programmes in English, as

Low-rent housing options also make Denmark good value for inter-

well as English-language versions of their websites and on-campus

national students. Student dorms, known as a kollegium in Danish,

staff dedicated to supporting international students. Although most

are not associated with particular institutions but are run independ-

university programmes are only offered at the Master and PhD lev-

ently, housing students from a variety of educational institutions un-

els, a number of university colleges and professional academies also

der one roof. Residents usually have a private room and bathroom

offer degree programmes taught in English at the Bachelor level.

but share a kitchen with a small group of other residents, making a kollegium the perfect place to meet Danes and learn about Dan-

A good place to start your search is the website studyindenmark.dk.

ish culture. The newer kollegiums include one and two-bedroom

Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of all the degree programmes

apartments, providing more space but with higher monthly rents;

offered in English throughout Denmark, including programmes at

some even cater to students who have already started families.

the Bachelor, Master, PhD, and Academy Professional levels. Nearly every academic field is represented, though there are a few notable

International students also experience Danish culture in the class-

areas of study such as medicine and psychology that are currently

room, where students call their professors by their first names, de-

only offered in Danish.

bate is encouraged and many programmes rely heavily on group

The application process and deadlines vary from institution to institution, but most programmes begin in August or September with an application deadline of 15 March. Some programmes take in additional students at the start of the second semester in January and February, with application deadlines typically 1 September.

Citizens of countries where English is not an official language are generally required to show proof of proficiency in English, usually

language is no Barrier

work. At the same time, the study culture is highly independent, as attendance at lectures is generally optional and the final mark for a course usually rests entirely on the results of a single exam.

With so many courses and programmes taught in English, low tuition and housing costs and plenty of support and advice for foreign students, Denmark’s higher educational system is ready to welcome the international community.

With approximately 130 degree programmes taught in English, Denmark offers its international community higher educational opportunities in a wide range of subjects, with little or no tuition fees. By Kari Lund by submitting scores from a TOEFL test. Applicants must also show that their previous education has prepared them for advanced studies in their given fields.

The Danish Agency for International Education offers a qualification review process to help prospective students determine how their foreign degrees compare to the various levels of degrees in the Danish educational system, clarifying which study programmes an individual is qualified to pursue. More information about the qualification review process is available at en.iu.dk/recognition (see separate article).

Whether or not you are required to pay a tuition fee depends on your country of citizenship. If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA member state, your education in Denmark is free. If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, however, you will be required to pay tui-

16

Where to look for student dorms in Denmark: • www.kollegierneskontor.dk – sign up for dorms in the Copenhagen area • www.ungdomsboliger.dk – find student dorms located all over Denmark • www.ciu.dk – Gives priority to those who live far from their institution of education.

Denmark’s eight biggest universities: • • • • • • • •

Aalborg University Aarhus University Copenhagen Business School IT University of Copenhagen Roskilde University Technical University of Denmark University of Copenhagen University of Southern Denmark

university of copenhagen

DRUGS INTERNA INTERNATIONAL

CAREER

MSc?

MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicinal Chemistry?

U n i v e r s i t y o f C o p e n h a g e n o ff e r s t w o p h a r m a ceutical MSc programmes aimed at international students: MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences a n d M S c i n M e d i c i n a l C h e m i s t r y. G r a d u a t e s will be in heavy demand in the pharmaceutical sector with great opportunities to work all over the world.

Visit farma.ku.dk/msc

At the University of Copenhagen you will be part of a unique, prize-winning learning environment.

msc_annonce_cphpost_feb2012.indd 1

17

20/02/12 12.54

Education Guide 2012

knowing

your grades

Is a 12 better than a 1? You bet! Translate a Danish grade into the As, Bs and Cs you’re probably more familiar with.

7

S

ince August 2007 all state-regulated schools in Denmark have used the seven-point grading scale, which is compatible with the ECTS-grading scale established by the European Commission to provide a standard of comparison for EU countries.

Note that: • Apart from the seven-point grading scale, pass/fail assessments are also common in Denmark.

• A score of 02 is the minimum grade for passing an exam.

• In the Danish public primary school (Dansk Folkeskole), students do not receive grades until they are in the eighth class.

danish grades 12 For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses.

ECTS equivalent: A relative ranking: Better than 90% of other students

For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant material but also some weaknesses ECTS equivalent: C relative ranking: Better than 55%

4 For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant material but also some major weaknesses.

ECTS equivalent: D relative ranking: Better than 25%

02 For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance ECTS equivalent: E relative ranking: Better than 10%

00 For a performance which does not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance.

ECTS equivalent: Fx relative ranking: Fail – Some more work required in order to pass.

10 For a very good performance displaying a high level of command of most aspects of the relevant material, with only minor weaknesses.

ECTS equivalent: B relative ranking: Better than 80%

-3 For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects ECTS equivalent: F relative ranking: Fail – Considerable work required in order to pass.

Inspirational events for new entrepreneurs

Do you possess the drive, as well as the international knowledge and contacts, to start a new business here in Denmark? Don’t let your vague understanding of Danish law put you off – if you’ve got the passion, Entrepreneurship in Denmark has the practical know-how. By Jane Graham

Y

ou don’t have to take a university degree to learn something new. Even those independent spirits raring to start up their own business can benefit from a course or two.

These events are intended to inspire as much as they educate, and a key factor in all of them is the creation of a network and the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

Entrepreneurship in Denmark offers these kinds of courses, as well as meetings with qualified legal advisors and ‘inspirational’ events. With EU-backing as well as state, regional and local funding, this independent organisation is part of a three-year, Denmark-wide project for Danes and internationals alike running between 2010 and 2013.

The last such event was held in Aarhus in November, with great success. “In fact,” says Karsten, “the response to the reception was so successful that we had to close our registration list due to fire regulations and start a waiting list.” With such great demand, a spin-off event is scheduled in Aarhus on 8 March, with a similar event planned in Copenhagen in the autumn.

As Karsten Boddum-Olesen, a consultant based at the organisation’s national knowledge centre in Aarhus, explains, it is “extremely easy” to start a business in Denmark: you can order a CVR-number (company registration number) over the Internet in a matter of minutes. What’s not so simple is the preparation and planning that goes with self employment: what’s your line of business? What ideas can you bring to an already saturated market?

Entrepreneurship in Denmark serves the entire country from its six local offices located in Aalborg, Aarhus and Vejle in Jutland, in Odense on Funen and in both Copenhagen and Slagelse on Zealand. Here, guidance as well as courses are offered on legal and accountancy matters in addition to more logistical queries, all of which are provided free of charge in English as well as Danish.

The organisation targets English-speaking groups such as international students, expats, and spouses with its inspirational events held in English that they hope will enable “maybe entrepreneurs” to retain their passion as they hone their ideas down into a concrete business plan and take the leap.

18

An article published recently in daily newspaper Politiken berated the fact that most written information provided by public bodies in Denmark is provided solely in Danish – despite it being the first line of advice for newcomers to the country.

Entrepreneurship in Denmark hopes to pave the way to more English-friendly times.

So many newcomers find it hard to find out anything, and struggle despite the proliferation of resources open to them if they just knew where to look. “That’s why we’re here,” says Karsten.

“To let people know what opportunities are available.”

The courses and meetings enable Danes to hook up with expats and vice versa. Each group can benefit from each other’s networks, according to Karsten, who believes Danes have as much to learn from the international community here as expats can get from them. “Internationals are a valuable asset to Denmark,” he said. “Expats very often have an incredible network from their home country and the ability to tap into a market that Danes might not even have considered.”

Entrepreneurship in Denmark is proud of its non-Danish success stories from clients of all international backgrounds, and has posted up examples on its website. One such success story is Zina Jensen-Maar, who originally trained as a journalist in her home country of Bulgaria and speaks seven languages. With Entrepreneurship in Denmark’s support and advice Zina successfully launched her own consultancy firm, East World Consult, utilising her native background to give Danes an advantage on Eastern European markets.

As Karsten explained, “many cultural misunderstandings can occur when Danes do business in other countries, particularly Eastern Europe, and Zina’s firm helps businesses avoid such errors. Zina had a good idea – and one of our local advisors provided the guidance and information to support her in her efforts.”

More information can be found at www.entrepreneurshipindenmark.dk

Education Guide 2012

list of maJor institutions of higher education

ZEALAND

JuTLAND

Aarhus university

Copenhagen university College of Engineering

Danish School of Media and Journalism

Nordre Ringgade 1

(Ingeniørhøjskolen i københavn)

(Danmarks Medie og Journalisthøjskole)

8000 Aarhus C

Lautrupvang 15

Olof Palmes Allé 11

Phone: (+45) 87 15 00 00

2750 Ballerup

8200 Århus N

E-mail:au@au.dk

Phone: (+45) 44 80 50 88

Phone: (+45) 89 44 04 40

Website:www.au.dk/en

E-mail: int@ihk.dk

E-mail: info@dmjx.dk

Website: www.ihk.dk

Website: www.dmjx.dk/international/

DTu – Technical university of Denmark

Engineering College of Århus

lation System (ECTS), which facilitates interna-

Anker Engelundsvej 1

(Ingeniørhøjskolen i Århus)

Building 101A

Dalgas Avenue 2

tional credit transfer.

2800 Lyngby

8000 Århus C

Phone: (+45) 45 25 25 25

Phone: (+45) 41 89 30 00

E-mail: international@adm.dtu.dk

E-mail: iha@iha.dk

Website: www.dtu.dk/english.aspx

Website: www.iha.dk

roskilde university

Aalborg university

Universitetsvej 1

Fredrik Bajers Vej 5

P.O. Box 260

Postboks 159

4000 Roskilde

9100 Aalborg

Phone: (+45) 46 74 20 00

Phone: (+45) 99 40 99 40

E-mail: ruc@ruc.dk

E-mail: aau@aau.dk

Website: www.ruc.dk/ruc_en/

Website: www.en.aau.dk/

FuNEN

Aarhus School of Business

Maximum amount awarded in 2012:

university of Southern Denmark

(handelshøjskolen i Aarhus)

Students living with their parents:

Campusvej 55

Fuglesangs Allé 4

2,815 DKK per month

5230 Odense M

8210 Aarhus V

Students living on their own:

Phone: (+45) 65 50 10 90

Phone: (+45) 87 16 40 00

5,662 DKK per month

E-mail: sdu@sdu.dk

E-mail:asb@asb.dk

Both categories of students can take further

Website: www.sdu.dk/en

Website:www.asb.dk/en/

state loans of 2,897 kroner

All institutions of higher education in Denmark use the European Credit Transfer and Accumu-

universities COPENhAGEN Copenhagen Business School Solbjerg Plads 3 2000 Frederiksberg Phone: (+45) 38 15 38 15 E-mail: cbs@cbs.dk Website: http://www.cbs.dk/en/ IT university of Copenhagen Rued Langgaards Vej 7 2300 København S Phone: (+45) 72 18 50 00 E-mail: itu@itu.dk Website: www.itu.dk/en/ university of Copenhagen Nørregade 10 1165 Copenhagen K Phone: (+45) 35 32 26 26 E-mail: ku@ku.dk Website: www.ku.dk/english/

student housing www.kollegierneskontor.dk Room or 1-room apartment in a hall of residence (kollegium) Price: 1,400 – 5,000 DKK per month Privately rented room in a house or a flat Price: 2,500-5,000 per month Privately rented flat – either alone or shared with other students Prices: vary considerably

student grants

The Cosmo - International School of Southern Denmark

Internatio nal

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A h ea d s ta rt

Ne cour w s ever es 6 we y eks

DaNish for forEigNErs

International education

More info at Studieskolen.dk or call +45 3318 7900

The Cosmo - International School of Southern Denmark is a private school which attaches importance to professionalism, activity and community spirit set in an international environment using English as the language of tuition.

The Cosmo offers three educational programmes, Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP), Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

The philosophy of The Cosmo At The Cosmo we strive, in collaboration with the parents, to provide a secure atmosphere and caring learning environment as the foundation for the development of the full potential of each individual student.

We value cultural diversity, academic excellence and mutual respect, which contribute to the education of future citizens, who weigh values as freedom with responsibility and a democratic disposition.

We strive for the students to obtain basic values such as tolerance, integrity and compassion, which can contribute to the development of the students’ self-confidence and independence.

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Danish Education 3 We offer Danish Education 3 which is designed for students with a solid academic background who can be expected to learn Danish quickly and efficiently.

The progression is fast and the level high.

Courses start every 6 weeks.

Corporate Danish courses We design and deliver tailored in-company courses.

The courses can be held as group classes or on a one-to-one basis and range from beginners to advanced level.

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

Sct. Joergens Gaard I Hospitalsgade 4 I DK-6000 Kolding I Tel. +45 2052 0549 I info@thecosmo.dk

N å r s p r o g f ly t t E r g r æ N s E r

Borgergade 12 1300 København K

19

Education Guide 2012

get your degree translated into danish What can be an amusing topic of conversation at a multi-cultural dinner party can create more serious obstacles when it comes to applying for schools or jobs in Denmark

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hat does a high school diploma from the United States convert to in Denmark? How about a Chinese college diploma in law? Does anyone know what a 3.8 average equals in Denmark? Do I have a cand.mag or a master?

Even the most impressive academic resumes can meet with a flat reception when sent to a Danish employer if the recipient simply doesn’t understand the qualifications.

A Danish evaluation of your foreign education may be necessary when: ✓ You are applying for a higher education programme ✓ You are applying to a Danish unemployment insurance fund ✓ You are applying for jobs that require specific educational certifications Perhaps surprisingly to many new arrivals in Denmark, Danish companies often fail to understand the significance of foreign diplomas and transcripts.

Studies have shown that foreigners in Denmark with foreign degrees are less likely to get hired, and more likely to earn less, than foreigners with degrees from Danish universities.

All the more reason, then, to get your foreign education certified and translated into Danish terminology, after which you might even want to consider taking another degree in Denmark.

The Danish Agency for International Education (Styrelsen for International Uddannelse) is the place to do this, and the good news is that it’s a free service.

The agency’s website contains instructions in both English and Danish for how to set the process in motion. There are different applications, depending on your goals: are you are applying for a specific study programme in Denmark, a job, or do you just want a general, all-purpose assessment?

You will need to provide verified copies of your diplomas and/or transcripts with your application. Your local citizen service centre (Borgerservice) or job centre will verify and stamp your copies for free as long as you bring copies along with the originals.

You will also need to gather addresses and telephone numbers for all of the schools you attended and are seeking verification from. Diplomas and transcripts that are not in English or Danish also need to be translated into either language before being verified. You may even be able to get Danish educational credit for some of your foreign work experience.

It can take the agency as long as eight weeks to complete the analysis of your foreign education, so it’s a good idea to get it done well in advance of application deadlines. That’s why the education counsellors at one of the country’s seven Study Guidance Centres (Studievalg), advise anyone who is interested in pursuing a higher education in Denmark to get their foreign education evaluated as early as possible.

For more information, visit the Danish Agency for International Education’s website at www.en.iu.dk.

It is all about getting graduates to stay in Denmark International Study Environment Award goes to the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen By Polina Chebotareva, University Post, University of Copenhagen

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he School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is working to convince more international graduate students to stay in Denmark.

For this, Helle S. Waagepetersen, head of studies at the Master’s programme, has been awarded the International Study Environment Award.

She is doing an important job, if you ask Danish politicians: Denmark is desperately trying to keep international graduate students in Denmark. Although the number of international students taking a full degree in Copenhagen has more than doubled since 2004, more than half of them return home after their studies, according to an article on the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ website. We managed to reach Helle S. Waagepetersen by email.

How do you ‘sell Denmark’ to international students?

“Most of our international students would actually like to stay in Denmark after graduation, at least for a few years. Denmark pretty much sells itself, so we don’t have to sell Denmark to them.

They like the flat decision structure in Denmark and that they’re given a high degree of responsibility at the university as well as on the labour market. They view Copenhagen positively as a calm, clean and safe city and like that there are

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so many interesting jobs in the pharmaceutical industry here.”

knowledge of the Danish language and/or are distributed through networks, and this makes it more difficult for internationals.”

You started several initiatives in collaboration with the International Office at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Can you describe these?

“Three factors are important in getting a job in Denmark: 1. Having a good network. 2. Having relevant work experience, and 3. Learning some Danish. We launched an interlinked series of career and networking events for international students, with the idea being to activate the students into creating academic and social networks and to gain relevant work or research experience while studying. While we can’t serve jobs or networks to them ‘on a silver platter’, so to speak, we can urge them to do it themselves.”

With your work you state that you strive to create equal opportunities for Danish and international students after graduation. What exactly does this mean? What are the inequalities today?

“Many of the inequalities in the labour market stem from the fact that many international students and graduates don’t speak Danish and that they don’t have a large network. We help our students take the initiatives that will make them equally attractive for the Danish labour market. We also help them formulate what their strong points are in comparison with Danish graduates.”

One of the initiatives has been in creating student jobs and company visits in Denmark for Master’s degree students. How well has Danish industry and businesses received international students?

“The pharmaceutical industry is positive towards receiving students and graduates who are talented, bright and motivated, regardless of their nationality. Many jobs, however, require

Together with the honour of winning the ‘International Study Environment’ award you received a cash prize of DKK 100,000. How will the money be spent?

“Over the next couple of years we will use the money on, for instance, food and drinks for networking events, remuneration of external experts for information meetings and transportation for company visits.”

Photographer: mikal schlossera

You work with international students at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Can you give some advice from your experience for other international students?

“Be active and persistent! Show motivation!

Create a Danish and international network! Contact people who can help you! The worst thing that can happen is that you get a ‘No’.”

For more information on the international study programmes offered at the university of Copenhagen’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, visit www.farma.ku.dk/msc

Education Guide 2012

it’s also possible to continue Danish classes to a higher level in preparation for the final “studieprøven”, an academic-level exam that enables you to go on to study (in Danish) at a Danish university.

For other people, academic results are not as important as being able to go out and about in Copenhagen and communicate with those around you. At Københavns Sprogcenter, for example, newcomers are provided with the tools necessary pass the Danish language test required by immigration laws, but with the understanding that there’s more to a language than that.

adult education:

learning for life Chances are that as a newcomer to Denmark, you’ll be taking at least one adult education class; but once you’re settled into Danish school, you might want to sign up for more

“We look at it in a broader sense – what do you need to do the language? What do you need to make it your own?” says the school’s department manager, Julie Henriques. “It’s not just about passing the test; it’s about how to live - how to buy a pack of cigarettes, how to ask someone out on a date – that’s not on the test.”

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ccording to Denmark’s education ministry, around one-third of the population between the ages of 25 and 64 participate in educational activities, outstripping all other EU countries except Sweden.

Classes in Københavns Sprogcenter, like many other schools in and around Copenhagen, include the chance to work on pronunciation in the language lab, where students can pronounce words into a microphone and receive individual critiques from staff. Priority is placed on active learning (speaking and writing) rather than passive learning (reading and listening).

Sure enough, as soon as you move here and get a civil service number, you receive an invitation to attend an adult education course in the form of Danish for foreigners.

Taking classes is, in that sense, the first step towards integrating in Denmark. And it doesn’t have to end with Danish; from yoga and pilates to painting watercolours and brushing up on IT skills, Denmark’s adult education centres or VUCs (short for Voksenuddannelsescentre) offer courses on pretty much anything, including classes on how to conduct business telephone conversations in Danish, letter and report writing and customer service skills.

With Danes and foreigners studying side by side, newcomers can graduate from learning basic Danish to taking professional and academic courses, taught in Danish, all at the same school, and the combination of courses makes for a lively atmosphere and chance to really integrate.

danish classes in the coPenhagen area Berlitz - www.berlitz.dk Clavis - www.csok.dk Københavns Intensive SprogSkole (KiSS) - www.kiss.dk København Sprogcenter - www.kbh-sprogcenter.dk Choosing which language school is right for you is not only about picking the closest one to where you’re living, it’s also about what kind of level you want to reach, and how quickly you want to get there. At Københavns Intensive SprogSkole (KISS), it’s possible – with a lot of hard work – to be fluent in Danish in just nine months;

Sprogcenter Hellerup - www.sprogcenterhellerup.dk Sprogcenter IA - www.iasprog.dk/en/ Studieskolen - www.studieskolen.dk

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Education Guide 2012

Teaching its students that business has a soul Searching for new ways to challenge yourself professionally? CBS’s full-time MBA programme might be just the boost you need. By Claudia Santos

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here are so many courses to choose from these days. It can be overwhelming deciding which direction to take, not to mention which fancy new course will look best on your CV. But after spending a whole day at CBS, it’s hard to believe that any can compete with their full-time MBA. Having spent the best part of my academic life in international settings, I welcomed the opportunity to check out a genuinely international MBA programme, which attracts on average 80 percent of its applicants from overseas.

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When I arrived at CBS at 8:45am I received a warm welcome from Lee Milligan, the admissions manager, who made sure I felt comfortable and ready to spend the day observing his beloved MBA programme. He introduced me to Alejandro Espejel García (or Alex, as he is known by his peers), a student from Mexico City, who has to act as my guide throughout the day.

As soon as I entered the classroom, I felt at ease. The atmosphere was just as I’d hoped: welcoming, relaxed, and humorous. The set-up was modern and practical, and the students seemed in good spirits, sitting in their comfortable chairs, socialising and waiting for the lecture to begin. There were nametags placed in front of most, displaying a wide array of nationalities and cultures.

“I think that the international profile of the programme is definitely one of its biggest assets,” enthused García.

“We have all been working in industries where we have a lot of interaction with different countries and cultures, so being able to gather here – and have a class where roughly 90 percent come from a different country – gives us the opportunity to really expand our horizons and understand different cultures.”

The professor, John Hayes, the author of the book everyone had in front of them (‘The Theory & Practise of Change Management’), was just as welcoming and equally energetic. His teaching style was academic yet relaxed, allowing the students to challenge, comment and discuss. “Here we are dealing with strategy, leadership, culture, ethics and social responsibility,” continued García. “So there’s no right answer – that’s something that we have learned. There’s no black and white – it’s more about the grey, and understanding the shade of that grey.” By the end of the first hour, I was wishing my professors had been more like Hayes, as even though business is not my cup of tea, I found myself enjoying the lecture and its dynamics. The students constantly shared their personal experiences, while keeping to the context of the subjects being discussed.

García later explained that Hayes is not an exception, as the CBS full-time MBA programme is blessed with professors of high calibre and dedication. “All of the professors are very well prepared; they know their field and they are experts in the subjects,” he said. “One thing I have discovered and enjoyed is that they are not here to just give you a lecture and expect you to take notes; they become moderators in discussions between

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1: Kai Groves from the US, an avid fan of the MBA programme.

2: Professors from various countries around the world come to teach in a truly international environment.

3: Alejandro Espejel García (Alex), a student from Mexico City, helped guide the author during a day at the MBA programme held at CBS. the class members, so we learn 50 percent from them and 50 percent from each other.”

and be able to do what you want in the world. It really equips you in a short amount of time.”

Kai Groves, a student from the US, agreed. “I really like the way that they have done the programme here because there’s a wide mix not only of students, in terms of nationalities and experiences, but also amongst the professor’s there’s a really international mix as well,” he said. “We have had Danish professors, a professor from Kazakhstan, and the professor we have now from the UK [Hayes]. Also, a couple of our professors come from the US, so everybody comes from all over.” The quality of the staff seems to be a standard that is universally maintained.

“I’m always impressed by the quality of applicants that the MBA attracts,” observed Professor Hayes.

García expressed similar feelings. “It has exceeded my expectations on many levels,” he says. “The programme is incredibly well organised, the quality of the lectures is really outstanding, and the class members are very well selected, in a way that we really complement each other.”

But it’s not all fun and games on the CBS full-time MBA programme. I had a chance to chat with several of the students, and their passion and determination was clear, though not expressed in the typical ‘cut-throat’ way often expected in the business world. “You have to be on top of your game pretty much all the time. It’s a lot of work but the rewards are amazing,” contended Groves. “And because the class size is kept so small, you develop these really close relationships, and you aren’t just a number, you’re a person. The entire programme is focused on developing people individually and through group work, so that you can go out and become a leader for change

The dedication was palpable, as well as the camaraderie. I believe Groves described it best: “Those of us that have been a part of the programme are really enamoured by it and we just want the whole world to know about it.”

I left CBS feeling impressed and happy for the students on the programme. There was no doubting the sincerity of García when he described the MBA as “an excellent platform that can help professionals who have the drive to achieve greater goals than they have done in the past, and to attain the skills they need to be outstanding professionals and leaders”.

CBS (Copenhagen Business School) offers a one-year MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme aimed at ambitious business professionals – both Danish and international – starting in September each year. The highly respected programme selects 50 applicants per year and has earned a spot in the Top 100 of the Economist full-time MBA rankings of 2011.

For more information, visit www.cbs.dk.

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aalborg John Kærgaard Aalborg Samarbejdet Boulevarden 13, 9000 Aalborg Tel.: 40 70 65 59 E-mail: jk@aalborg.dk odense Ridha Shimi Udvikling Fyn Forskerparken 10 C 5230 Odense M Tel.: 30 89 72 91 E-mail: rsh@udviklingfyn.dk vejle Muhsin Türkyilmaz Erhverv og Kultur, Vejle Kommune Banegårdspladsen 6, 1. sal 7100 Vejle Tel.: 21 48 14 01 E-mail: muhtu@vejle.dk slagelse Jonas Ghiyati Innovation og Erhvervsudvikling Slagelse Kommune Willemoesvej 2C, 4200 Slagelse Tel.: 24 78 98 88 E-mail: jonas@slagelse.dk Contact Entrepreneurship in Denmark’s knowledge centre, if your municipality is not on the list.

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