By Halla Ehssan El-Jechy, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photos: Halla Ehssan El-Jechy, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

First impressions at AAU

When Amit Kumar Mishra arrived in Denmark in December 2024 to begin his PhD programme at the Department of Energy at AAU, he felt well prepared.

“I have lived in areas with mountains, deserts, and seas – places with different languages, food, and cultures,” says Amit Kumar Mishra.

But it didn’t take long before he noticed how different the working culture at AAU was compared to his university in India.

“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is the emphasis on collaboration and practical application at AAU. The university encourages students and staff to work together on real-world projects, which fosters a more hands-on and engaging learning environment,” says Amit Kumar Mishra.

“At my university in India, we had a more theoretical approach,” he adds.

It is not only the work itself but also the way people collaborate that has made an impression on Amit Kumar Mishra. In particular, the meeting culture has been eye-opening.

“In Denmark, meetings are very structured, and everyone is encouraged to openly voice their opinions. That was new to me, because I was used to more hierarchical meetings in India where decisions were often made by senior staff. It took some time to adjust to this more egalitarian approach, but it has been a valuable learning experience,” he emphasises.

A valued part of the team

Although the transition to a flatter structure and practical approach took Amit Kumar Mishra some time, he now clearly sees the value in the Danish way of working. He especially sees these values reflected in everyday life with his colleagues at the Department of Energy.

“My Danish colleagues are very supportive, respectful, and open-minded. The work culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on teamwork and mutual respect,” says Amit Kumar Mishra.

“This environment has made it easier for me to fit in and feel like a valued part of the team,” he adds.

The international work environment at the Department of Energy is also something Amit Kumar Mishra highlights as positive. Meeting colleagues from different countries has given him new perspectives and experiences.

“Before coming here, I hadn’t worked with many people from different nationalities. So working in an international environment is actually a new skill I’ve developed here,” he says.

Settling into life in Aalborg

It’s the small things that have made Amit Kumar Mishra feel at home in Aalborg.

When he arrived in Denmark, his flight was delayed and he missed his train to Aalborg. On the next train he managed to board, he had to ask for help along the way, and a fellow passenger offered not only directions but also money for the bus.

The experience made a strong impression, and the next day he began his new life in Aalborg, starting with buying a bicycle on the first day.

“I brought my bike helmet from India because I knew Denmark is famous for cycling. On my first day of work, I rode my bike to the office. It felt really good,” he says.

For Amit Kumar Mishra, it is important to embrace the challenges and opportunities of living and working in a new country. In particular, he points to the Danish balance between work and personal life as the most surprising aspect.

“Danish colleagues prioritise their personal time and well-being, which is reflected in the flexible working hours and the emphasis on taking holidays. This balance has had a positive impact on my productivity and overall happiness,” says Amit Kumar Mishra.

The rhythm of life he has encountered in Aalborg aligns with his own values. And he has quickly settled in, both professionally and in everyday life outside the university.

“I love this place. People say the climate isn’t good, but I think it’s the best. I’ve lived 32 years in India with constant sun, I don’t need to see any more sun,” he emphasises with a smile.

Aalborg is not Copenhagen

When Erin Daina McClellan moved to Aalborg in the summer of 2020 with her family, it was her second time living in Denmark. The first time was in 2018 when she was invited to Copenhagen as a visiting researcher.

Today, she is an associate professor at the Department of Culture and Learning where she teaches in the bachelor’s programme in Language and International Studies and works with the University Pedagogy programme in English language certification at AAU.

“We thought it would be a good experience, and then we would go back home,” she says. But the stay in Copenhagen left an impression, and when her husband was offered a position as associate professor at AAU, the family decided to return. This time to Northern Jutland. Later, Erin Daina McClellan was also offered a position at the university.

The move, however, required some adjustment.

“Our friends in Copenhagen said to us: You do realise it’s not Copenhagen, right?” she recalls.

The family moved to central Aalborg and assumed they could get around with bikes just as they had in Copenhagen. Erin Daina McClellan points out that the family received valuable help during the move from Chanette Hemdrup Jakobsen, International Staff Partner at ISU.

“I remember Chanette looked a little sceptical and pointed out that Aalborg isn’t that flat, and that it’s also windier here. So first, we invested in an e-bike and eventually we ended up buying a car, which was the right choice,” she adds with a laugh.

New expectations

Several of Erin Daina McClellan’s experiences at AAU have revolved around how one understands and aligns expectations in a new work culture.

She entered her first performance and development review (MUS) with experience from the American university system where such conversations typically focus on outcomes and goal fulfilment. She had therefore prepared a list of completed activities, but the conversation took an unexpected turn.

“My supervisor explained that it was my opportunity to share how she could best support me. No supervisor had ever said that to me before, let alone asked it as part of an annual meeting,” she says.

Another situation that left a mark happened during a meeting when a colleague asked her to explain her research in Danish: “You’ve been here a while. We should be able to do this in Danish.” The comment was not something Erin Daina McClellan had expected.

“I was hired to do research in English, and I’ve never talked about my research in Danish. I can introduce myself and hold a general conversation, but explaining my research in a language I’ve never used in that context was like asking a third grade Danish-speaker to explain a university research project,” she explains.

These experiences have shown her how important it is to have conversations about expectations.

“I find that Danes are generally good at saying what they expect. And if you can live up to it, that’s great. But if it feels like you can’t, or that expectations might need to be renegotiated, then it’s important to be able to say that too,” she states.

She highlights her colleagues as an important source of support in everyday life.

“My colleagues mean a lot to me, because I feel they help me understand Aalborg, Danish culture, and what it means to be part of the Danish university system, especially at AAU,” she concludes.