My Time in the City of Smiles

Hi! My name is Andrija, and I’m a student at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, where I study Nordic languages. Because of my studies, I also speak Danish — and that’s one of the reasons I decided to come to Denmark.

I’m currently doing an internship in the International Office at Aarhus University. When I first heard about the opportunity, I was immediately curious — I had never spent a longer period abroad, and I really wanted a chance to grow, both professionally and personally.

Before coming here, I read that Aarhus is known as “The City of Smiles,” and I was instantly drawn to that idea. There was something about the energy of the city — even just from pictures and stories — that made it feel warm and welcoming. And when I finally arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. Quite the opposite — the city, the people, the work, and the entire experience have exceeded my expectations.

I saw this internship as a chance to step out of my comfort zone, to learn how things work in a different country, and to challenge myself in a new environment. Now that I’m nearing the end of my stay, I can honestly say that I’m so glad I took that chance. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I’ve learned so much — not just about working in an international academic setting, but about communication, culture, and everyday life in Denmark. And maybe most importantly, I’ve grown as a person. I’m more confident, more independent, and more open than I was before.

Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful — for the people I’ve met, the skills I’ve gained, and all the little moments that made this experience special. Aarhus truly lived up to its name — and it gave me more than I could have hoped for.

I came to Aarhus on March 10th. I landed in Copenhagen around 9 in the morning and then hopped on a train to Aarhus. I’ve now been here for two months and I’m staying until the end of June — and so far, it’s been an amazing experience.

I applied for an internship in the International Office at Aarhus University because I love meeting people from different countries and cultures. Plus, I speak Danish, so this was a great chance to practice it in real life. Before this, I had only been to Denmark once — a quick 4-day trip to Copenhagen — so this time it felt like a proper adventure.

When I arrived, I was a bit confused — I expected cold weather, so I came dressed in my warmest clothes: big winter boots, thick jacket, the whole deal. But it turned out to be pretty warm and sunny, which was a surprise! I was super excited to try out my Danish, so I immediately started talking to people on the street to ask for directions.

Before I came, my professor told me that Aarhus is known as the “City of Smiles.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant at the time — but now I understand. People may not walk around grinning all the time, but when you pass someone on the street, they often give you a gentle smile. It’s a small gesture, but it’s really heartwarming and makes you feel welcome right away.

Settling in wasn’t hard at all. People were kind and helpful from the start. Whatever small problems I had in the beginning, someone was always there to help. Everyone’s super approachable and open.

When I arrived in Aarhus, I moved into my student dorm, which is actually located in the same park as the university campus – pretty convenient, right? I initially thought it would be an international dorm, but it turned out that on each floor there’s one exchange student and the rest are Danes. Honestly, I loved my room from the first moment. It’s small, but it has everything I need.

What really impressed me, though, was the sense of community in the dorm. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming, and they have all these well-organized systems — a cleaning schedule, a cooking rotation… every day one of us prepares dinner for the rest. It’s a great way to keep things clean, and it brings everyone together. I was also a bit of a surprise to the others — apparently, they weren’t expecting an exchange student who could understand Danish! Most of their past flatmates couldn’t, so they were both curious and kind of shocked (in a good way).

Later that day, I went for a relaxed walk around the city, and it honestly took my breath away. There’s just something special about Aarhus — you walk around and instantly feel that cozy Danish hygge vibe. It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know it when you feel it.

As for my time in the International Office — I don’t think I could have wished for better colleagues or a better working environment. Everyone is helpful, kind, and incredibly friendly. I honestly feel like I have the best coworkers in the world. The atmosphere is warm and supportive, and I’m genuinely excited to go to work every day.

Aarhus may not be a big city, but it has a lot of charm. One of the first places I visited was the ARoS art museum — the rainbow panorama on the roof is something you have to see in person to fully appreciate. I’ve also really enjoyed wandering through the small streets, relaxing by the harbor, and spending time in the city’s parks. One afternoon I stumbled upon a quiet spot with a great view over the water, and it became one of my favorite places to just sit and take it all in. The vibe here is really cozy — there’s something about Aarhus that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to meeting people, but it turned out to be one of the best parts of this whole experience. My dormmates are great — we eat dinner together almost every night, taking turns cooking, which makes it feel like a little family. It’s a mix of Danes and one exchange student per floor, so I’ve been able to practice my Danish every day. Outside of the dorm, I’ve met people through the university and different events. Somehow, conversations feel easier here — maybe because everyone is so laid-back.

These two months have really flown by, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot in a short time. Living abroad, speaking a different language, finding my way around a new system — it’s all been a challenge, but a good one. I’ve become more confident, more curious, and more open-minded. I also finally understand what people mean when they talk about “hygge” — it’s not just candles and cozy blankets, it’s a whole feeling. And I’m bringing that feeling back with me.