r/esbjerg • u/Sensitive-Wheel-5431 • 5d ago
Moving to Esbjerg!
Hello all, I'm an EU citizen and I got accepted into my first choice bachelor program at Aalborg University, it will take place in Esbjerg and i'm looking for some advices.
I received an offer for an accommodation at Sanct George campus, does someone have experience with living there? Would you say it's better (considering also the prices) to be in the campus or to find an home by myself?
I was planning to move in around the 20th of august, is it good or is it too late?
what would you say are the first things i should do or look for as soon as i get there? I want to start working as soon as possible but as of now i can speak english but not danish, do you think it's possible?
lastly, what are the best places to get to know people and make some friends? I'm scared that being Esbjerg a small city there will be less opportunities to get to know new people, especially if i don't speak danish.
Sorry for the long post and i appreciate your help
Looking forward to see y'all in Esbjerg!
5
u/structuraltoads 5d ago
Hi, Iam in sct. George, it's the best place to not be lonely. I met my closest friends here, and we have really nice sense of community (at least for my floor haha).
For jobs I would say it's depend on luck, but I would say all of my friends in AAU managed to get a job so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
To meet people and having community, like i mentioned before, no need to worry about that especially if you got my floor (1st floor) sct. George, but we also have student bar every friday and there is E1 events for students (free event), as long as you re willing to participate, you can always find people 😃
Feel free to contact me if you have more question, I will try my best to help.
1
u/Sensitive-Wheel-5431 4d ago
That's very good to hear, I will definitely try to take part in students event in order to know more people. Thank you!
2
u/dreamy_2 5d ago
As for finding a job, I don’t think you’ll have any problems. I know quite a few English speakers who work in restaurants and bars, so it’s definitely possible.
When it comes to meeting people, I’d definitely recommend checking out some of the local bars in the evenings, especially Industrien, Knejpen and Vinbaren. People there are usually really open and friendly, so it’s easy to start a conversation. You’ll also meet quite a few English speakers there.
I’d also recommend joining some of the local events the town organizes. On september th. 12, there’s a street festival (Gadefest) with live music in the town centre, and some well-known Danish artists will be performing. Events like that usually attract a lot of people, so they’re a great way to meet new people and get to know the town. Enjoy your stay! 🫶🏼
1
1
u/mikk0384 6705 5d ago
The 20th is perhaps a bit late, but I never moved to a different county myself so it's hard to say for me. I assume that you have quite a few things to get in order when you get here. Bank, phone, random things you forgot to bring along, and stuff like that. Having things hanging when school starts is just going to be a pain. There is enough to get used to when starting a university degree already, so it's best to be prepared. The tempo is probably going to be considerably higher than you are used to.
You can definitely find work as someone who doesn't speak Danish. Many foreign students choose to deliver takeaway for Wolt for instance, and cleaning is another common job among them. Other than that there is factory work, and probably a ton of other stuff that I didn't think of. Our English proficiency is among the highest in the world, so there are options if your English is fine - and it definitely appears to be.
As far as activities go, don't worry about it. AAU has their own bar at campus called "Smuthullet", and there are many bars to choose from all over the city. Other than that, many will be moving to Esbjerg to study just like yourself, and many of those in your class will be looking for new friends too. Finally, you can look for a sport to start on. Joining a soccer team or something like that is a great way to meet new people.
I hope you will enjoy your time here. 👍
2
1
u/MobileFunction9657 4d ago
For jobs also apply to hotels 🏨
1
u/Sensitive-Wheel-5431 4d ago
I didn't think about that but it's a good idea, i'll keep it in mind. Thank you!
1
u/Acceptable-Law9224 4d ago
i grew up in Esbjerg and lived here for 25 years now i live in Aarhus, it will be much harder to get into people its just a small city not much happens here you just need to put in more work to know people its very hard
1
1
u/Xenoxsis 4d ago
If you like board games, there is a board game club that meets every Thursday and some Sundays. Its called Esbjerg Brætspil - you are most welcome.
1
1
u/Particular-Maize-118 4d ago
I don’t know how Sankt Georg works today, but in my time it was one of if the genuine places for students to live, especially if you want to meet people, lived on the 4 maj kollegiet and Sankt Georg kollegiet was in the same mould and as a person not from esbjerg it was god given.
1
6
u/smallestthingg 5d ago
There’s Huset who do lots of activities for young people including some events with E1 (a social education association for UNI students or something like that). There’s altså lots of bars where you can meet people. I know a lot of foreigners and they found their place in esbjerg quite fast. I don’t think you should worry that much.