I am Arianna Pegoraro, I come from Italy and I am 22 years old. I completed my bachelor degree in Italy and then I decided to start my Master in Denmark. I am a double degree student: I have taken the first year of the MSc in Environmental and Resource Management at the University of Southern Denmark, I will take the second year at the Università degli Studi di Ferrara in Italy and at the end I will earn two diplomas from the two universities.

I decided to take the Environmental and Resource Management programme because it is interdisciplinary, including two different approaches, one from Social Science and one from Natural Science. In addition, being a double degree student is an opportunity to study in a foreign country, Denmark in my case, for one year. My class at the University of Southern Denmark was composed of international students so I had the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and thanks to a lot of project groups, I worked and studied with them. In my opinion, this makes the programme more challenging and I definitely improved my English skills, my leadership and teamwork skills.

What I really like from the studying approach in Denmark are all the activities such as workshops and seminars that help students to have a practical point of view, not only a theoretical one and to work in a team. The campus in Esbjerg is perfect because it is not very big and this makes easier the contact with professors and students: in every moment, you will find a student, a professor or a member of the staff ready to help you.

Finally, I would certainly recommend choosing a double degree programme to see the study environment and approach of two universities in two different countries, make an international experience and improve a lot of skills. In particular, if I had the choice, I would choose University of Southern Denmark again as the place to study because it allows you to study in an environment that is international and familiar at the same time and to make an experience that you will never forget.

Hi, My name is João Tudella, I am 24 years old and I come from Lisbon, Portugal. I am taking my full Masters degree in Denmark.

Why did you choose to study Environmental and Resource Management?
I've chosen to study Environmental and Resource Management due to a long and intense contact with Nature, through ocean and land activities that lead me to a permanent sense of protection and concern about it.
I've been witnessing several consequences of human behaviour towards our nature since an early age, which lead me to this master degree with the objective of developing skills in many areas and actually do something about what is happening today for a more Sustainable consciousness and Nature-friendly future within our populations.

How do you like the study environment at the campus?
I feel that the study environment in the campus is very open and friendly, where you can easily communicate with colleagues and teachers for any study related matters.

How is studying in Denmark different than in your home country?
I guess it is more mind challenging, as well as a mind opener for any foreign student to go abroad and experience different study's methods, new approaches are always a plus for institutions such as SDU and for individuals like me.

How was your arrival to Denmark?
My arrival was perfect, sunny weather and warm welcoming from the university which provided me with the perfect accommodation, and a very informative master description, institutional bureaucracy's we all needed to be aware and many other crucial pieces of information for a better adaptation in SDU and in Esbjerg.

What would you like to say to someone who is interested in studying at SDU in Denmark?
I would say that is recommendable to spend at least one semester underneath this University's wings, where a good and open relationship between students and professors is actually a reality.
The student environment within the city is very warm and welcoming, where you can easily make friends.
I would also recommend any foreign student to travel around Denmark and experience what this country has to offer whenever you have some free time from your studies.

I studied M.Sc. in Environmental & Resource Management at the University of Southern Denmark from 2014-2016. Before that, I completed my bachelor degree in the same study program.

Why I chose the study 

Originally, I had planned to attend law school to study environmental law, but I stumbled upon this educational program after reading about it in a newspaper. It immediately appealed to me.

The interesting part for me was that the program was centered on the fields of natural and environmental resources, respectively, constituted by interdisciplinary aspects.

I liked the fact that on one hand one is educated to understand and interpret applicable legislation, and on the other hand one is educated within the same scientific field that may become a part of revising that very same legislation in the future. This program is more “hands-on” than my original choice.

How my time studying was
I have appreciated the content and quality of the study program at SDU in Esbjerg. I do not regret my choice of study. I have acquired a variety of great tools and insight into the legal, social, technical, and natural scientific aspects of environmental issues.

The study program is very holistic in nature, and hence, aims at thinking in terms of interdisciplinary relations. Many international students attend the master program, contributing to an environment with many different perspectives and cultural diversity.

At the same time, one pillar of the program focuses on problem solving in groups, which can really challenge and develop your own perception of things. There are many relevant and great jobs for students and graduates in Esbjerg within this field. The Municipality of Esbjerg is making a great effort to become an Energy Metropolis because of its great offshore and wind industry. For this reason, the location of this program is particularly suitable. Before my study partner and I completed our Master Thesis’, we were both contacted regarding jobs, which is how we both are employed today. 

Where I am now

I currently work at FiberVisions a/s as a Product Safety Engineer where I assess raw materials in relation to product safety for polyolefine fibres, which are sold to other businesses that sell the end-products for nonwoven, textile, and industrial applications. The requirements from legislation and consumers are very high, therefore, I help ensure regulation and customer compliance by meeting the increasing magnitude of requirements.

In my position, I consistently use my analytical skills that I acquired from the study program to solve problems and evaluate specific issues by looking at alternative scenarios. I always try to think in terms of risk scenarios, which I think is mainly derived from my educational background.

The academic mindset becomes a crucial part of you and what you do for the rest of your life. At times, one does not choose the most obvious, but the safer and more sustainable solution. 

I have studied Environmental and Resource Management for five years, in Esbjerg (B.Sc./M.Sc.), and finished my degree in June 2016. 

Why I chose the study

I chose this subject due to my interest in the conflict between environment, economy, and society; knowing that complex environmental problems needed complex, and multidisciplinary solutions. Hence, I chose this study because of the interdisciplinary approach; combining social science at SDU and natural science at AAU, Esbjerg – being (at that juncture) the only program in Denmark offering that level of necessary alignment.

How my time studying was

I originally come from the countryside in Southern Jutland. Hence, Esbjerg was a really great city for me - not too big, or too small.
Even though I did not know anyone at first, the university and social programs were really good at offering both study-relevant and social events, making it really easy to create and engage in a social network. 

Furthermore, getting a study-relevant job seemed easy for the majority. I was a research assistant at the research group MERE (Management and Economics of Resources and Environment).

Where I am now

Two months before I handed in my thesis, I was offered a job interview through LinkedIn, and in the beginning of June 2016, I started working as a R&D Coordinator in Energinet’s research and development section. Now I work in a small team, managing the state-funded R&D program, ForskEL, trying to enable an effective green transitioning of the electricity sector towards a fossil fuel free Denmark in 2050. 

Furthermore, I just became the Danish representative in the European smart grid cooperation, ERA-Net smart grid plus. My job is to Meta-manage green research projects.

I can really use the broad knowledge that I have gained during my studies, in regards to energy technologies, the economies behind, as well as the understanding of the impacts on society; a holistic approach is needed to secure the future (green) energy-sector. 

Francisco is a 27 years old student from Argentina and enrolled in 2017. 
I have chosen this Master program because of the importance of facing the new world’s environmental, social and economic challenges in an innovative and efficient way. Along the courses we have been provided both with tools and theory in order to understand how to better manage resources in diverse circumstances.
What I have enjoyed the most from the program is the diversity of backgrounds within the class. This condiment made classes much more interesting as well as when group-working (which is an essential part of the program!). Furthermore, the University always support and encourage study trips that help to create tighter bonds while learning and travelling at the same time. We had an incredible time when visiting Amsterdam for the Utility Week 2017!
The relationship with professors is very close and informal. They are always willing to give a helping hand and you can always knock on their office doors. We have even been invited for barbecue at one professor’s home in Fanø Island. That is something I would have never imagined before coming here!
I was lucky enough to work as a Research Assistant for the University, where I could work side by side with the professors/researchers from the very inside. SDU is full of opportunities to be part of different projects even if not being hired by the University like myself. It requires self-motivation, networking and approaching the right people to make things happen, but it is definitely possible to engage into cool projects and gain practical knowledge.
I am currently in the second year of the program (from summer 2018), working in Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as a Cost Manager. There are many opportunities for international students in Denmark even without speaking Danish (this does not mean you should not learnt it!).
I definitely recommend taking this Master education and suggest seeking for opportunities to engage into projects inside or outside the University that fits your personal interests. Finally, my personal advice: read, read, read!

I completed my bachelor degree in Environmental & Resource Management in 2011, and then continued with my MSc, which I will finish this summer.

Why I chose the study 

When I chose the program, I had already been studying Biology in Aarhus for two years, but I found it to be too detailed for me. I wanted to learn more about how to improve nature’s conditions and the role of communication in relation to that. I looked for an educational program that had these elements and found the Environmental & Resource Management program in Esbjerg.

How my time studying was

The program is a good mix of nature, economics, and working with projects in groups. All the way through, the people I have studied with, and the teachers, have been very inspiring and enthusiastic.

Where I am now

I used to work for Esbjerg Kommune on project Tjæreborg. Tjæreborg is a test city for recycling household refuse. My job was to collect and analyze data. During my work period, it became clear to me that my academic skill of analyzing data, had proven to be useful, and I was commended for that ability. I also carried out quantitative questionnaire surveys, that targeted the residents of Tjæreborg, and analyzed this data. 

On Monday, I will start as a Project Manager at Offshoreenergy.dk while I complete my MSc. I have found a great interest in energy, and the Environmental & Resource Management program has allowed me to specialize in this area which I can use in my new position.