A few thoughts and tips that have pop up this September:
Getting together furniture for your new place:
Actually it’s possible to furnish your apartment/dorm without spending that much.
- Many pieces of furniture, especially bigger ones (desks, wardrobes) are given away for free on either facebook marketplace or db.com - these are two most common (and probably only) second-hand platforms used here. I found there glass desk, 160x80 from Ikea and got it for free. If the item is to big to be transported on your own - ask your friends for help. Additionally, it’s possible to rent an electric cargo bike or trailer for free (really) with the Freetrailer app.
- Also, most probably you are living ( or going to) not in a detached house, but in a block of flats. With great success I put an announcement on the board next to the staircase that I’m looking for a few pieces of furniture. This way I got two armchairs and brand new wooden coffee table.
- Thirdly, if you are living (or going to live) in a dorm ask whether someone has just moved out and left pieces of furnitures. This way I got a Full size bed.
Insurance for students?
My school doesn’t provide insurance, but if you are a student of technical field, then IDA offers free one for home/contents. So for your flat, bike or computer. Additionally, in order to obtain this, you need both CPR and Danish SIM card.
Biking: if an inner tube gets flat too many times.
I have got my rear inner tube punctured three time in a row. According both to a bike expert, I had pleasure to meet in my building, and then in bike shop - it was because a) weather was extremely wet and rainy b) my rear tire was completely worn out. This effected in rocks sticking to the tire and because of it being thin - puncturing the inner tube. 3 inner tubes and a new professional tire cost me 418 DKK and 10+ hours on getting home without bike and reparing it.
Considering moving out?
The thing is, probably the first place you land isn’t the one you want to stay for longer. Mine is lovely, but 30mins by bike to University. I’d like to shorten it.
But, the problem is: every contract has a termination period. In addition, when it comes to dorms from SD or KK - you never know when you get an offer. And if you get an offer - you have only a few (2-3 days) to make the decision. And if you reject - after second time you lose all your seniority.
I contacted SD and KK about whether it’s possible to avoid overlaps or gaps between contracts - they told me it’s almost impossible not to pay at least two times.
What’s the solution?
- Probably the best thing is to apply to dormitories which accept applications, because then the process doesn’t go throughout the system like SD or KK so you can negotiate move in date on your own terms.
- If you come back to your family on vacation - do that.
- Gaps in contracts may be solved: It’s important to get to know whether you have a guestroom in your dorm and whether any friends would help accommodate your for a month or so. Of course - it involves hussle, but lessen risk of paying double.
Considering being self-employed in Denmark to get SU?
I planned to create company for my internet hussles and also because I considered working remotely for companies abroad. But in order to get SU grant (829 euro for Oct 8, 2023) you have to either work for Danish employer or be self-employed, so only the second is any option.
I worried that internet business with foreign even non-EU income or remote work for abroad companies would be considered as a try to hack the system (because if you have company on your own, you don’t have to work at least 43h a month). So I reached my school’s SU office and wrote a letter to SU. Response? Completely generic. Fortunately I met at my school a guy who works remotely for Polish company, B2B. He told me that:
- In order to establish company you have to make business account which costs in Denmark approx. 2000 DKK. Also he added, there is unspoken rule your business so as to be considered “serious” (it’s a requirement) must bring 13000 DKK a month. (to be specified).
- If you go with remote work, they might impose on you working more hours.
I have to get more information, but from this perspective it seem to be a more difficult thing.