Graduate Student Benefiting From
Exchange Program in Denmark

Sarah Hagedorn, second from right, second row, and other students studying abroad in Denmark

_____ For more information:  _____ Program Announcement Aarhus University

The Purdue Communication Department is seeking corporate sponsorships and other external funding to help defray the airfare and living expenses incurred by Purdue students in the Aarhus exchange program. If you'd like more information, please contact the department.

By Amy McDaniel
M.A. student, Public Relations

With the mention of one word — Denmark — graduate student Sarah Hagedorn was ready to sign up.

Her interest was quickly sparked during a departmental meeting last spring at the mention of a new graduate exchange opportunity in Aarhus, Denmark. Hagedorn, whose research interest is in international public relations, completed the application process and was accepted to attend Aarhus School of Business this fall, the first Purdue student to participate in the exchange.

After a 24-hour trip full of layovers and lost luggage, Hagedorn finally found her way from St. Louis, Mo., to Aarhus on Aug. 21.

Upon arrival, Hagedorn moved into a colloc (which is basically a dorm) with 13 Danish men and women. All of her roommates were students, ranging in age from 21 to 25. She said it was difficult to get used to the living arrangements at first.

"They are very nice people, although it took them a while to warm up to me," Hagedorn said. "Thanks to them, my Danish is getting a little better — just a little. I know how to say, 'How are you?,' 'Would you like a cup of coffee?,' 'I got it,' 'I remember,' 'yes,' 'no,' 'thank you,' 'you're welcome,' 'hello,' 'goodbye,' the numbers 1-10, and the all important 'He's hot.' "

Fortunately, Hagedorn has met other English-speaking friends from Canada, Belgium, and Germany. She enjoys spending time with these friends because they all speak the same language, and they find her to be an "entertaining American."

"More than a couple of European exchange students have told me that I am the most culturally-open American at my school, and I'm not afraid to join in a critical debate about American politics or environmental affairs ... so basically, they think I fit in better in Europe than any other American here, which I definitely take as a compliment and as a credit to my education," Hagedorn said. "I've been the only American student in two of my classes — all other students are Danish — so I was always forced to participate and to share an American perspective to contrast the Danish perspectives."

The culture in Denmark is much different from the United States, Hagedorn said. She said the Danes are known for being a very casual culture: not dressing formally, not speaking formally, and being generally laid back. She said it is a very low power-distance culture, so everyone, old and young, male and female, is theoretically on the same level.

Bikes line the walkways at Aarhus

"They are a very liberal people, but not a very integrated society. All the immigrants live in one section in the far west of the city and no one really goes there," Hagedorn said. "It is a very homogenous culture, mostly blond and blue eyed, very thin and beautiful … very intimidating. Everyone rides bikes, including myself, and everything that can be recycled is recycled or you are made to feel guilty about it for weeks. I learned my lesson the hard way with my roommates."

Academically, Hagedorn attends Aarhus as a full-time student. Her courses include an undergraduate course called Intercultural Communication from a European Context, a graduate course called International Marketing Communication, and another grad class called Public Relations II. An internship she had hoped to secure was not obtained.

Hagedorn said classes at Aarhus are much different than at Purdue. Less time is spent in the classroom. Optional projects are a part of most every class. "Nothing is graded except my final paper (only 8-12 pages), which is basically just like all the optional projects we've been doing except I have to do it on my own instead of with a group," Hagedorn said.

Hagedorn also is making progress toward her thesis on public relations in the European Union.

"I got to go to the EU headquarters in Brussels with a group from school, and we all got to speak with representatives from the different branches, and we got to look around the main meeting halls. That was pretty cool and very educational," she said.

In her spare time, Hagedorn has visited some resort sea towns in Northern Denmark and Copenhagen; Amsterdam and Volendam in Holland; Brussels, Belgium; and Stockholm, Sweden.

"I can just stroll to the beach, sit on the shore and mellow out, or I can hike through the forest, or I can sit in a cafe along the canal downtown and sip very expensive coffee," she said. "You can't help but to be relaxed here. It was a much needed change of pace and perspective."

Overall, Hagedorn said her semester in Denmark has been a remarkable experience. She strongly suggests studying abroad to all who have the chance, especially at Aarhus.