Update on moving to Denmark

Well I am taking a break from writing my thesis and I am now writing on my “Adventure” blog. Many things have happened since my last post. First I sent my application for a visa, which was 14 pages long!! At least seven of the pages were filled out by Aarhus University. The worst part of the whole visa application was the $300 money order.

I was expecting it to take at least two months for my passport to be mailed back. I was really surprised three weeks later with an 8 am knock at the door from the Fed Ex guy with my passport and visa. The visa is a sticker on one of passport pages, with passport pictures and many different colors, and what looks like the Denmark National Seal on the side the visa.

The next thing that happened is that I have pushed back the date I start to November 1st because I needed more time to finish personal and professional items. Professionally I need more time to finish my thesis; personally I still need to sell many things including my car, and I need to move items to a climate-controlled storage in the area.

Recently the newest thing is that the secretary from Aarhus University was so helpful and found me a place to live in Slagelse. (This woman has been so helpful; I really have to think of a good gift for her.) The secretary thought this was a great place for me to get used to the area and find a bigger place. She said it is hard to find a bigger place while only looking on the Internet, and instead I can live here while actually looking for a bigger place and I agree with her.

So I have a small two-bedroom apartment in Slagelse, with my own kitchen, and bath. The only thing that everyone I talk to wants to know is how does a two-bedroom apartment fit in 420 square feet? Yep you read that right the two-bedroom apartment I am moving into is only 420 square feet. I am very interested in seeing my new place since I do not have any pictures so far. I know in Europe things are smaller, I am guessing the kitchen, bath, bedroom will all be smaller.

Of course the lease has to be available only in Danish, but I have a great friend who was kind enough to type up the Danish lease and then do a machine (Google translate) translation. (You know who you are are, AND THANKS AGAIN!!) So the deposit for this small apartment is 10,688 Danish Krone (or about $2,400) and first month’s rent is 3,566 DKK (~$615). Well I told the secretary I do not have $3000 dollars available right now she said do not worry the accounting department will deduct the deposit and first month rent from my salary. The 3,566 DKK for rent includes heat, water and Tv. I will have to pay extra for electricity and internet service and the interesting thing about the electricity is that I will get a bill every three months instead of monthly in the states.

Now my mom has been asking for the address for my new apartment, well I have an idea what my address is but I am not exactly sure how is should be written. But I was able to find the address on Google maps and look at the small cute place I will be living, next to a park and not that far from the bus stop or the center of town.



I will keep you updated with any new that comes up. I am looking forward to my new adventure!!!!