Meet one of our former students here at Dania Academy and read her story.
Romanian Elena Ghinita was just 21 years old when she took the leap from her homeland to Denmark to study. Her immediate impression of Denmark is of a relaxed place full of bicycles.
-I love the Danish mindset and famous hygge (coziness). The Danes are very openminded and I like that. Denmark is a lovely place to live. Quiet. Informal. And everyone has got a bike! It is crazy how many people are cycling. We do not do that in Romania at all. There, public transport is the way to get around, Elena explains.
I love the Danish mindset and famous hygge (coziness). The Danes are very openminded and I like that. Denmark is a lovely place to live.
Elena Ghinita, former student
She comes from the city of Iasi, which resembles Aarhus in size, and it was not difficult for her to settle down in nearby Viborg, where she first chose to study at the Dania Business Academy.
- I had no idea what Denmark was like, but I chose to go to Denmark to study because one of my friends had chosen to go there. In fact, I was training to become a journalist in Romania, but it was impossible to get a job. I have not regretted that for a second, she says in almost fluent Danish
Graduated as Marketing Manager in Viborg
Elena graduated as a marketing manager in 2017 from the Dania Business Academy in Viborg. Marketing management is an international degree programme which is exclusively conducted in English and attracts many students from other countries, mainly from Europe.
The programme was exciting and challenging for Elena and gave her an incentive to further her academic career with a top-up. However, her Danish skills were not up to scratch and she decided to do something about it. Elena explains:
- I took a year off and worked really hard in order to get money and pay for my fee at a language school. I wanted to learn Danish! I am in a foreign country, and it is important to be able to communicate in the local language as it helps you to become a part of the society. Even if the company is international and English is the spoken language – you still need to speak Danish at coffee breaks with your colleagues.
Dreams about becoming a project manager
After her sabbatical, she began her top-up in “Innovation & Entrepreneurship“ at Aarhus Business Academy. Her ambitions are to work with export and sustainability. Elena finishes her studies in January 2020.
-My dream is to stay in Denmark for a few years and develop my management skills. I have become increasingly interested in ecology and sustainability, which has become popular in Denmark. I would like to bring the Danish “green” mindset back to Romania in the future.
After the summer holidays, three exciting months await as a project manager in Organic Denmark. She is responsible for creating an event in Sweden with 10 participating countries. The focus is on ecology.
I have learned so much in Denmark. I want to give my knowledge back to the Danish society by working. Then the world calls. However, not on a bicycle….
Elena Ghinita, former student
Not on a bike…
Elena considers herself a global citizen and she would like to experience other countries. She is grateful for having had the opportunity to study and stay in Denmark.
-I have learned so much in Denmark. I want to give my knowledge back to the Danish society by working. Then the world calls. However, not on a bicycle, the 25-year-old woman laughs.