Erasmus: Denmark

Monday 29 Sept 2026

Our first day began with a short walk to Karolinelund Park in Aalborg. There, we met the students from the partner school Fjelsø Fiskole, with whom we are doing the Erasmus project. Our first goal was to get to know each other, so their principal and teacher, Christian Nabe-Nielsen, had prepared a few games. For example, we had to find a partner who was about the same height as us. With this partner, we exchanged things we had in common and made short videos in which we introduced each other. We also searched for important places or statues in the park in small groups and took selfies there. This park is famous for its street art and is a venue for concerts in the summer.

After the warm-up games, we went to the Aalborg Conservatory of Music, where we spent almost the rest of the day. There, we met the Head of Studies, Esben Elvstroem, as well as Peter Pham and Vibeke Brohm. Together with them, we had a guided tour, learned how to lead a choir, made music, played drums, and danced to a song called “Jemie, Jemie.” The focus was on how to make music in groups and create a small “masterpiece” together.

We also got to know some students:

• Alex Robert Bundo from Romania, who performed for us on electric guitar and drums. He even has his own band called Closed Book.
• Lurz, a student from Germany, who introduced us to TouchDesigner and Ableton and explained how electronic music is produced.

We learned that the conservatory not only offers regular study programs but also music therapy. Even people with dementia can participate. The university is international, and many courses are taught in English so that students from abroad can take part. During a tour of the building, we saw sound studios, concert halls, numerous instruments, and even the administration area. From the balconies of the building, we had an amazing view of the harbor of Aalborg.

After the lunch break, we met again in Kildeparken at the „De Syngende Træer“ – the singing trees. There were numerous music stations in front of the trees; if you pressed one of the buttons, a song would play. Each loudspeaker displayed the artist’s name and the year of their concert in Aalborg. You can find 97 different artists, e.g., Shakira, Beyoncé, Luciano Pavarotti, Guns N‘ Roses, Sting, Hansi Hinterseer, The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and many more. The park was established in 1986.

We had to choose three interpreters and collect information about the artist, the music genre, and the songs. It was an interesting first day where we met many new people and learned a lot about the importance of music in Aalborg. (Rita, Tamara)

Tuesday 30 Sept 2026

On Tuesday, as part of our Erasmus project in Denmark, we spent the day at UCN, a school where students learn to become music teachers for children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. We were welcomed by a few students named Nicole, Rocco, Jannick, and Ruma, who were practicing their teaching skills with us. Their headteacher, Helle Vinther Hansen, observed the activities to provide feedback to the students.

We kicked off the day with a fun clapping activity to help us learn each other’s names. Then we enjoyed a sing-along of „Bruder Jakob“ (the „Jacob Canon“) in several languages, including German, Danish, and English. After that, we split into small groups for a clapping choir activity, where each group created its own rhythmic pattern.

We also had a cultural exchange of songs: we shared the German hit „99 Luftballons,“ and they introduced us to a popular Danish song. After a short break, the highlight was definitely playing and singing „YMCA“ together, with some of us on instruments while others danced and sang along. Finally, we wrapped up with a tour of the school, viewing some art projects, and had a bit of free time afterward.

Back in the city center of Aalborg, we participated in a photo challenge based on music-related topics like music and nature, street music, dance and movement, and musical architecture. We took many pictures and turned them into a piece of art. (Galin, Kamilla)

Wednesday 1 Sept 2026

On the third day of our stay in Denmark, we visited the school in Fjelsø, which has around 60 students aged between 5 and 16 years. The building itself is modern and inviting. Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the students, and the principal, Christian Nabe-Nielson, greeted us personally. The younger children performed a welcome song and said a prayer. Afterwards, they invited us to participate in their daily school activities, which was a very special experience for us.

The students then gave us a tour of their school. While we waited for the other groups to return from the tour, we played a song together using Boom whackers. We began rehearsing a song by The Weeknd for our upcoming concert, scheduled for Thursday. Some of the students played instruments such as the piano, guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums, while others sang. During the break, we took a walk to the nearby lake.

Later, we continued rehearsals, practicing both singing and playing instruments to prepare as best as we could for the concert. The visit to Fjelsø left us with many wonderful memories and a deep impression of the openness, friendliness, and strong sense of community at this school. At the end of the day, we all gathered in the sports hall and played dodgeball together with the Danish students. (Martina, Azra)

Thursday 2 Sept 2025

We took off early for the school in Fjelsø, where we participated in the usual morning songs, with all the students gathering to sing together. We had a concert planned, where we and the other students from Fjelsø Fiskole were set to perform. After rehearsing our songs for a while, we got ready for our performance, singing „Blinding Lights“ by The Weeknd. The school awarded us diplomas for our participation in the Erasmus project. Afterwards, we had lunch together before heading off to Vesterbølle.

Upon arriving at Vesterbølle “Afterschool,” we were introduced to the concept of how boarding school differs from other educational institutions. Throughout history, Denmark has experienced many losses, which led them to focus more on internal politics and the importance of education. Boarding schools were originally established for “special students” who struggled to fit in. More recently, they have been used by students who complete the 9th grade and wish to take the optional 10th grade in a setting that helps them decide on their life paths.

Afterward, we had the opportunity to try out different sports and even tackle a climbing wall. Most exciting of all, we played a laser tag game where we were divided into international teams. As a farewell, we and the Fjelsø students enjoyed a traditional Danish beef and potato stew together. (Yuliyana, Madina)

Friday 4 Oct 2026

On Friday, we started our journey early in the morning. We had to say goodbye to our Danish hosts and traveled from Aalborg to Copenhagen by FlixBus (green travel), which took several hours but was a comfortable and pleasant ride. During the trip, we enjoyed the view of the Danish countryside and small towns along the way. When we finally arrived in Copenhagen, everyone was excited to start exploring the capital city.

After arriving, we walked to our hotel, the Wake Up Hotel, which is located only one station away from Tivoli Gardens, one of the city’s most popular attractions. We checked in at the hotel, went to our rooms, and left our luggage there so we could move around more easily. The hotel was modern, clean, and located conveniently close to many interesting places.

In the afternoon, we decided to visit The Little Mermaid, one of the most famous landmarks in Copenhagen. The walk from our hotel to the statue took quite a while, but it was a great opportunity to see more of the city. On the way, we passed by some beautiful parks, historical buildings (Amalienborg, Nyhavn, Designemuseum…), and the Copenhagen harbor.

When we finally arrived at The Little Mermaid, we took some time to look at the statue and take pictures. The statue was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale `The Little Mermaid` and was unveiled in 1913. It shows a small bronze mermaid sitting gracefully on a rock, looking out toward the shore. Even though the statue is not very big, it has become a symbol of Copenhagen and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Standing there and seeing it in person was an interesting experience, especially because it is such an important part of Danish culture and history.

After visiting The Little Mermaid, we decided to go back toward the city center. We took the metro back to Tivoli Gardens, where we spent the rest of the evening. Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, having opened in 1843. It is famous for its beautiful gardens, fun rides, restaurants, and magical evening atmosphere. The park is filled with colorful lights, music, and people enjoying themselves.

Inside Tivoli, we walked around, tried some rides, and enjoyed the scenery. Some of us bought souvenirs or snacks. It was nice to see how the park combined modern attractions with old-fashioned charm. As it got darker, the lights around the park made everything look like a fairytale.  At the end of the day, we were tired but also happy because we had seen and learned a lot of Danish culture and people. It was a great last day of our mobility before we had to go home. (Savita, Kamilla)