Collecting souvenirs while studying: How to make the most of the Schengen visa as a student in Denmark
When you come to AU, you don’t just get a world-class education. The residence permit granted to students is also a ticket to many exciting adventures. Five international students share how they have been making the most of it by exploring different countries and cultures.
When I thought of all the things I could gain from a Master's degree from Aarhus University, I pictured many things.
- Engaging conversations with classmates from all over the world? Check.
- A library overflowing with books and resources that answer every question that pops up in my mind? Check.
- Sprawling green lawns that double as a beautiful meet-up spot for study groups? Check!
However, the things I learned extended far beyond my classroom or the city of Aarhus, because what I didn't anticipate was the world of experiences waiting for me just by virtue of being in Denmark. Here’s why: the student and residence permit that non-Danish or non-EU students receive in Denmark allows us to freely travel to all the countries within the Schengen area. That's 29 nations in total!
From doing zero international trips to then visiting five countries in a matter of a few months was a whirlwind experience. Denmark has definitely been a great place to live, but also getting a taste of what other European countries are like has only made the masters experience sweeter.
Turns out, I wasn’t the only one who thought this. When I asked other internationals at Aarhus University, each of them told me they’ve grown so much thanks to the many travel opportunities that came their way. Some trips taught them essential packing hacks (RyanAir flights teach you how to make the most of every inch of space your backpack has), other journeys opened their worldview to new cultures or ways of life (pro tip: A cappuccino after 11am is a big no in Italy!).
And now for the best part. Making the most of the Schengen visa is possible on a student budget! Thanks to the great work-life balance in Denmark, it is doable for students to travel without missing class or work!
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are five student accounts about places to visit and some handy travel hacks!
Márk Csidei from Hungary
Countries visited: Germany, France, Netherlands
Favourite trip: Amsterdam
Preferred mode of travel: Flixbus or flights
“Most of my travels in the first semester were in Denmark, where I visited Odense, Vejle, Copenhagen and Aalborg. Once I got a job, I could travel like never before. I had more money and also so many countries became pretty close to me as I moved to Denmark. Of the places I visited, Netherlands has been memorable. Since I took a Flixbus from Aarhus to Amsterdam, I had a four-hour transit in Hamburg, which gave me plenty of time to explore this city too. After I reached Amsterdam, I had my accommodation on a boat, which was pretty adventurous!”
Pro travel tip: Make a lot of friends from other countries so you don't have to pay for overpriced accommodations!
Alexia Maria from Romania
Countries visited: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia
Favourite trip: Greenland
Preferred mode of travel: Trains for the scenery and freedom of movement
“This year, I also visited the Amalfi Coast, which was amazing. I did that trip as part of an Erasmus project, so the entire trip was fully covered by the European Union. I think it's incredible that opportunities like this exist, where you can travel to bucket-list destinations for free through educational or cultural programs.”
Pro travel tip: There are many opportunities for young people to travel and gain valuable experiences at no cost, but many are unaware of them. One great option is the Erasmus Plus program, which offers fully funded one-week trips organized by the European Commission. Another fantastic opportunity is the European Solidarity Corps, which offers volunteering placements that can range from a few weeks to a year.
Mashal Baloch from Pakistan
Countries visited: Germany, UK, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy
Favourite trip: Hamburg for the Christmas markets
Preferred mode of travel: Flixbus for its wide network and student-friendly prices; RyanAir flights for longer distances
“I never anticipated that I would have the chance to travel so extensively during my masters program. I didn’t fully realize how interconnected Europe is or how accessible travel would be! I come from Pakistan, where obtaining a visa for Europe can be quite challenging. So the experience of traveling while studying was an unexpected bonus.”
Pro travel tip: Invest in an ESN (Erasmus Student Network) card. It offers discounts on Ryanair flights and Flixbus tickets, which can significantly reduce travel costs. Also, pack light! Traveling with just a carry-on not only saves money (especially on RyanAir) on baggage fees but also makes your journey more convenient.
Dinda Fadhila Sari from Indonesia
Countries visited: Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Italy, France
Favourite trip: Tromsø for the Northern Lights
Preferred mode of travel: Renting a car for road trips
“Initially, I didn’t think I’d have enough time to travel and assumed I’d only be able to go on trips once or twice a year. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we have a one-week break in both autumn and spring, which provided more opportunities to travel. I also discovered that you can find cheap and reasonable tickets if you book early.”
Pro travel tip: Use the Skyscanner website. There’s a feature where you can set your destination to ‘Everywhere’, and the website will list the cheapest flights available for your chosen dates. If you are doing a road trip, purchase full coverage insurance when renting a car.
Simran Ahuja from India
Countries visited: Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Belgium
Favourite trip: Stockholm for its architecture and their concept of fika!
Preferred mode of travel: RyanAir flights
“I study journalism at AU and on one of my trips, I decided to visit a newsroom in Norway and witness how they prepare for a live news telecast. It was so fun to discover things we talk about in class in an actual Norwegian newsroom! But as much as I loved discovering new places, I also enjoyed learning new things about myself in the process.”
Pro travel tip: Skyscanner will be your best friend in finding pocket-friendly travel deals. Ask friends to connect you with friends they know in the city you are travelling to, locals often have great advice for hidden gems!
