focus student magazine - issue 5

Uddannelsesby Herning - Birk Centerpark 40 - 7400 HerningTel: 9626 1111 - Mail: [email protected]

Uddannelsesby Herning welcomes all students, new and returning alike. We look forward to getting to know you, and to make great events together. Whether you want to organise or just participate, wel-come to a study city where your ideas can come true!

Uddannelsesby Herning is an organisation that helps students with theirinitiatives, events and projects, and aims at making study life in Herning the best possible, with a unique and appealing student environment. Follow them on Facebook to learn about their events, competitions, useful links and the latests news: www.facebook.com/uddannelsesby.herning.

News

Links

Competitions Events

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FOCUSStaff & Contributors

Founder/Editor in ChiefEdvard L. Tramsen

WritersValeria Solonari, Marc Ramos Garzon, Sara Constantinescu, Vaida Pakulyte,

Martina Kiehas, Dayana Tsvetkova, Wojciech mijski, Tine Srensen

PhotographersTine Srensen, Sara Constantinescu, Marc Ramos Garzon

Graphic DesignersAlina Vlaicu, Dayana Tsvetkova, Tine Srensen,

Marc Ramos Garzon

Cover and IllustrationsAlexei Patrascu

Sponsors for this issueUddannelsesby Herning, Magpie Lane, Jydepotten,

Herning City Forening, Bakkehuset & Musikskolen Ikast

ContactGeneral enquiries: [email protected]

Advertise with usContact us: [email protected]

Want to get involved?FOCUS is always on the lookout for new contributors,

writers, photographers, illustrators and designers.

Copyright is reserved.Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.FOCUS student magazine uses all the materials with permission from the owners.

2013 - FOCUS STUDENT MAGAZINE

4FOCUS MAGAZINE

Alexei Patrascu

THE CREW

FOCUS student magazine is a non-profit student initiative started in January 2013 with the first issue out in March.

The project began as an entreprise with willing and volunteering young people from the Herning area, who shared an interest in developing and creating a unique Student Magazine, and furthermore to share interesting written content with the students of AU Herning and TEKO.

Through local companies and organisations, we were able to fund printing costs and make the magazine available for free for students.

Vaida Pakulyte Sara Constantinescu Martina Kiehas Marc Ramos Garzon

Edvard Tramsen Valeria Solonari

Dayana Tsvetkova

Alina Vlaicu

Tine Srensen Wojciech mijski

: CREW

5FOCUS MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS10 HEART - Hernings Museum of Contemporary Art12 I am a graduate. What is next?17 Sports in Herning and Ikast - Brande19 Exchange life in Herning22 Eventsjle24 One baggage life28 Alexei Patrascu36 Memories of an intern in Seville40 SOSU School42 Alex Da Silva: perks of graduate life48 Living in Birk Centerpark51 Stereotypes around Campus56 Student Activity Association - Fall 201362 Kontrast65 One mans trash is another mans treasure 68 SKUB Herning - Ski Club72 Career Corner: the Road to Success76 The World at your Feet78 Ausras Photography

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

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EDITORIALWelcome reader, to the fifth issue of FOCUS Student Magazine!

This is a very special publication as it will not only reach our usual followers in Herning, but stretcheseven further out around Denmark in thousands of copies. Through a collaboration with Uddannelsesby Herning, we have created this unique magazine to promote not only our educational institutes and study life but more important to spread ourvision of sharing an inspiring unique student magazine.

This volunteer project was initiated by students of AU Herning and VIAUC TEKO, funded by local companies and supported by Uddannelsesby Herning in January 2013. We set out with the simple goal of creating our own independent magazine, aimed at informing and invigorating students while highlighting and promoting the endeavors undertaken in the local community. This initiative quickly grew within a few months in both size of participants and followers. Our readers came to expect a high quality magazine, which combined valued skills of AU Herning and TEKO: innovation, communication, sophistication, design and last but not least our specialties in different areas.

The benefits and possibilities of aninternational team working together are massive and I hope that our magazine will be useful in some way in shaping or motivating the lives of this generation.

EDVARD LUCIUS TRAMSENEditor-in-Chief FOCUS Student Magazine

Each member of FOCUS origins from a different cultural, personal and national background and as such our content will be quite unparalleled. Entrepreneurship is a theme broadly encouraged both among the students and the educational courses, and it is also where FOCUS draws its energy from. Therefore a lot of our articles will be covering projects that in one way or another can be said to be triggered from independent thinking in this fast-paced, small, yet global community.

In this issue you will find a varied collection of articles from the team of FOCUS. Get up close and personal in interviews with some of our very own and amazingly talentedstudents. Discover new areas of interest with a wide selection of articles covering different local projects and ideas. Be inspired and informed with advice from our experienced writers, who have studied, worked and tried first-hand many of the challenges, that you are likely to face in your life as well. Lastly you can explore some

very unique stories in our creative pieces about study life, students and of traveling in our world. A few previous articles, which we rated highly have been revamped as well and incorporated. In future issues of FOCUS, collaborating with the many local student organizations, we hope to again and continuously keep you connected with an up-to-date and comprehensive event calendar of Herning area. Finally we hope that our readers will carry on in supporting and stimulating our work.

As summation and on behalf of FOCUS Student Magazine, I bid you welcome to our small journalistic world. We hope that you enjoy this issue of FOCUS and your life as a student alongside us in Herning or on whichever path you choose.

All the best,Edvard

: EDITORIAL

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SAMMEN ER VI BEDSTVi synes selv, vi har rigtig meget at byde p her i hjertet af Jylland. Ogs nr det glder om at vre et spndende uddannelses-omrde med masser af muligheder for at skabe et godt fundament for arbejdsliv og karriere.

Noget af det, der er srligt for os, er at vi er gode til at skabe lsninger i fllesskab. Derfor har vi i de to kommuner Herning og Ikast-Brande etableret netvrket Uddannelsesby Herning sammen med erhvervslivet og uddannelsesinstitutionerne i omrdet, s vi i fllesskab kan blive endnu bedre til at tiltrkke nysgerrige og videbegrlige unge, som fr lyst til at komme, bidrage til egnens liv og meget gerne ogs sl sig ned for en lngere periode, s vores erhvervsliv ogs i fremtiden er sikret kvalificeret arbejdskraft.

Vores uddannelsesinstitutioner har tradition for at have et tt samarbejde med erhvervslivet, og derfor har I som studerende her i omrdet nogle unikke muligheder for at komme til at omstte teori til praksis. Ud over at det giver en ekstra dimension til jeres studier, er det bestemt ogs et samarbejde, vi vrdstter.

For vi oplever heldigvis, at flere af de studerende, som for eksempel er i praktik i en virksomhed i deres studietid, ender med at sl sig ned her, fordi de fr fast arbejde i den

pgldende virksomhed efter studierne.

Vi vil ogs gerne have, at I har det godt, mens I studerer. Derfor arbejder vi i Uddannelsesby Herning ogs lbende p at forbedre studiemiljet ved at have fokus p for eksempel gode boligmuligheder, srlige studietilbud og ikke mindst forskellige arrangementer p tvrs af uddannelsesinstitutionerne, hvor I fr mulighed for at have det sjovt og skabe netvrk.

Velkommen som studerende i Herning og Ikast-Brande kommuner. Vi hber, I finder jer til rette med jeres studier . og at I bliver glade for at vre her!

: EDITORIAL : SAMMEN ER VI BEDST

Carsten Kismeyer, borgmester i Ikast-Brande

SAMMEN ER VI BEDSTWE ARE BETTERSAMMEN TOGETHERFlgende er flles borgmester-ord til FOCUS Studieblad til kommende studerende. Lars Krarup fra Herning kommune og Carsten Kismeyer fra Ikast-Brande kommune.

These are the shared words from the mayors to FOCUS Student Magazine for coming students. Lars Krarup from the Herning municipality and Carsten Kismeyer from the Ikast-Brande munucipality.

TOGETHER

Lars Krarup, borgmester i Herning

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHERWe ourselves believe, that we have a lot to offer here in the heart of Jylland (Western part of Denmark). Also when it comes to being an interesting educational area with plenty of possibilities to create a strong foundation for working life and career.

One thing, that is particularly unique to us, is that we are good at creating solutions in unity. Therefore, the municipalities of Herning and Ikast-Brande has established the network Uddannelsesby Herning (Educational City Herning) together with the local business and the learning institutes in the area. Together, we can be even better, at attracting curious and knowledge hungry youth, who is inspired to join, supply their own lives and preferably even move in for a longer period. This way our local business are secured competent workforce even in the future.

Our leaning institutes have a tradition for a close cooperation with the local business because of this you as students in the area have unique opportunities to experience transitioning theory to practicality. Luckily we do experience that many of the students, who for example have had an internship in a local company during their studies, end up living here, because they are offered permanent, steady work in this company after graduation.

We also want that you enjoyyourselves while studying here. That is why we are working steadily with Uddannelsesby Herning to improve the study environment by focusing on, for example, good living conditions, special student offers and even various events across the educational institutes, where you will have the opportunity to have fun and network.

Welcome as a student in Herning and Ikast-Brande. We hope that you will fit in nicely with your studies and will enjoy being here!

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For more than four years camera-toting tourists gazing at the both beautiful and clean surroundings of Herning or students running on bicycles around the citysuniversity campus, have been snapping pictures of a one-level, gleaming-white and nameless building. Years later after its release, here I stand in front of this relatively new museum and my stomach thrusts out like the one of a little girls, knowing that this is merely the understated representation of what the artistic future will hold.

The HEART Museum of Contemporary Art, the citys gloriously modern 21st century custom gallery, covers a good 60.000 square feet with a serene landscape that had languished in a state of solitude until several years ago.At the plea of the Danish and foreign curators, theAmerican architect Steven Holl roused himself to recoverthe image of the site. He managed not only to offer a certain consistency to Birk Centerpark, but also to consecrate it as a mark of the conceptual map that describes the contemporary Danish artistic domain. Hernings prominent relationship with textiles and art formed the inspiration for the design concept, as a fabric theme has been carried throughout the project; from the shape of the building resembling a collection of shirt-sleeves viewed from above, through its wall finishes, which again yield a fabric texture to its exterior.

Since 2009, it stands as the only institution in Herning devoted to art, and it is intended to be an innovative forum combining visual art and music, ranging from masterpieces of abstract expressionism and pop art, to recent works by young and emerging artists. Both permanent and temporary exhibition galleries also hold place for a 150-seat auditorium, music rehearsal rooms, a restaurant, a media library and an active landscape, all intended, truth be told, to offer as much entertainment as possible to the tourist-hungry Herning.

Making excellent use of the wide open spaces of Birk Centerpark, this vast gallery displays the work of the worlds finest artists, while also holding an important position in the area of promotional activities of contemporary Danish art. Being oriented towards the public and envisaging a highly free and innovative selection of works, it fulfills the need of being both a vital arbiter of new art, architecture and design, presenting groundbreaking exhibitions dating early 1930s till today.

The HEART Museum showcases the most ambitious and challenging art of our time by emerging mid-career artists, such as Paul Gadegaard, Bjorn Norgaard, Joseph Beuys, Mario Merz, Knud Hvidberg, John Korner, Piero Manzoni and Troels Worsel among others.

HEART

Herning'sMuseum of

Contemporary Art

TEXT VALERIA SOLONARIIMAGES MARC RAMOS GARZON

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HEART is a perfect snapshot of a certain stratosphere of both au debut and fin-de-siecle art world, with hits that either defined eras or promise to do so. Among them we have powerful artistic abstractions by the late mad genius Pope of Pop from the United States, Andy Warhol; Piero Manzonis quirky straw sculpture; childish and colorful themes of imprisonment by Korner, to the impressive works of art by Sven Dalsgaard and Joseph Beuys.

Already uniquely positioned with a program focused on contemporary art from all over the world, Herning, a dynamic and rapidly transforming territory, is now presenting the contemporary art with such novelty and dynamism that is not regularly exhibited or represented within the mainstream of either European art fairs and international exhibiting institutions. Herning strives to be different.

The city has, now for many years, looked outwards, in unexpected directions, and invited the best of the worlds art and artists to be involved in the citys cultural life. Therefore, HEART promises nothing less than the exquisite with this years special showcases: John Korner Caught and Super 100 100 Super Works from the Collection. These top-quality exhibitions are a vital source for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.

Having already covered the grounds on where to marvel at these works of art, now the issue remains on how to better understand contemporary art and come to appreciate their dexterity. It is a frequently heard and

repeated comment, and sometimes complaint, that contemporary art is created by artists who dont actually know how to paint; that they somehow manage to get away with simple abstractions and explanations without offering the full-spectrum of design and art. The idea behind this type of artistic manifestation comes from the simple theory of creating blindly and thoughtlessly. There is no doubt that technique is very important, but without thought, an artwork will have no idea or soul, which means in turn that it would not touch modern viewers in a meaningful or lasting way.

An authentic piece of artwork has many levels of perception and association. If different viewers have different reactions to the artwork, it just underlines the artistic quality of it. Abstract art requires you to have an open, inquiring mind; you must enter the painting and see where it takes you. Understanding abstract art does not come naturally for everyone. It is the kind of art that makes some people scratch their heads and say: My 5-year old brother could do that.

What people do not realize is that the best abstract artists have excellent drawing skills, a finely honed sense of composition and a deep understanding of the workings of color. Most abstract artists have the ability to draw a perfectly rendered rose or a realistic portrait, but they choose not to. Instead they choose to express their creativity by creating a visual experience that is more free and unencumbered by the weight of objects. Abstract art gives you the freedom to explore the art and assign your own meaning to the piece, thereby enriching a viewers experience on that particular work of art. The principal goal of most contemporary artists is to push the public to think!

Conclusively, even though you may not be the most eligible art lover and appreciator, Stevens renovation of HEART is itself worth a trip to the city: cool, light and with a touch of modern elegance, with lofty rooms giving postcard views. HEARTs naked ensemble, unbowed by the crystal splendor around it, holds center stage outdoors declaring its presence, like it or not. Inclined towards an era of cynicism, with a premium on concep-tual art and refinement, HEART serves up another kind of very local cocktail a chilly mix of minimalism and irony. Enjoy!

HEART MUSEUM : LEISURE :

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: CAREER : GRADUATION

I AM A GRADUATE.WHAT IS NEXT?

Certification is in hand. Exams are over. Most of us think it is a ticket to a better life or a new beginning a new student life, job or different experiences. The opportunities that lie ahead are countless and everyone picks their own path, so there is no universal formula of what should be done.

FOCUS student magazine decided to interview two AU Herning students to discover what will they do next. ICM graduate Sigita decided to go straight to the job market and get more practical experience and HAIM graduate Skirmantas is ready to continue his studies at AU Herning.

SIGITA PLYSKAITYTEGraduate, International Communication & MultimediaNext Stop - London

You have just graduated from AU Herning. How does it feel? I guess nobody will be surprised if I say that it feels surreal. The last week of exams were crazy. My thesis defence in Visual Design and Print Production was on Tuesday, thegraduation on Friday and I left the country a few days later. So, I am still trying to realize what happened.Some weeks you just chill on the couch, sleep and eat junk food, and some weeks you turn your life around in every possible way.

What are your plans now and why did you choose this direction? In the middle of July I am going to start working in a leading e-commerce company based in UK. After I did my internship it was pretty easy to decide what to do next. I know I love what I do, I am good at this and also I enjoyed England and London very much. Since I had no ties to Lithuania or Denmark, I decided to try and take over the black tea and muffin country.

Can you recall any funny things or memorable stories about your time as a grad student at AU Herning? No particular story comes to my mind; except maybe my latest awkward incident, when after my bachelor oral exam presentation I asked for a glass of wine, instead of water. It just slipped out probably from nervousness or habit.

What is the biggest difference for you now that you are out of the university and into the real world? Definitely less time I work office hours from 9 to 17.30. Since I am not a morning person, free time is mainlyevenings and weekends. So I always trying to plan ahead and get best out of it.

Graduating from a university is a big milestone in anyones life.

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Do you think that nowadays a Masters degree is a necessity or a matter of formality? Depends on the education. I can only talk from my perspective - ICM graduate, Media orientation - for us it is possible to graduate and find a jobwithout masters degree, because factors like experience and portfolio are often more important.

Do you plan on studying again? I do for sure. I even have PhD in myplans! However before that I will take a Masters, but right now I am giving myself some time to really think about it and choose the right study program.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? It is very hard to talk about future, particularly with everything that happened during the past years. But I am sure whatever I will be doing I will be happy. Therefore I am open to see what life brings me.

What recommendations would you give to AU Herning to improve graduate education? In general, I am happy with our education. However, I was missing some more integration with real life companies and real cases. If that is successfully fulfilled, students would be more ready to go and work in real companies afterwards.

Some weeks you turn your life around in every possible way

GRADUATION : CAREER :

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SKIRMANTAS LETUKASGraduate, International ManagementNext stop - Herning

You have just graduated from AU Herning. How does it feel? This semester was hectic as any other. We worked on the thesis a lot and time passed so fast, that when I look back now, it seems somebody has pressed the STOP button. Other than that it feels great, as now I have time to breathe in before carrying on with my career.

What is your next plan and why did you choose this direction? Well my plan is rather straight forward and highly impacted by the circumstances. I am planning to continue studies in AU-Herning in Master program, namely Marketing and Business Innovation. Moreover,I will carry on with my job as student assistant job. Sounds pretty feasible to me. Frankly, I thought over different options and this seemed to be the most optimal.

Where do you hope your degree will lead you? Well my expectations are always high so I would prefer to keep it for myself.

Can you recall any funny things or memorable stories about your time as a grad student at AU Herning? In general, I enjoyed my time in AU Herning a lot, both professionally

Be open to new things. Your degree is just the start of the rest of your life

: CAREER : GRADUATION

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and personally. But, if I have to point out one significant event I would name the day in the second semester. It was the day when I got the highest grade for the third time in a row and I found out my precious girlfriend got admitted to AU Herning. That was great and everything happened in one day. I just love the feeling when hard efforts pay out. What is the biggest difference for you now that you are out of the university and into the real world? I guess I am so much attached to the university that my real world will stay the same, as I will continue with a Maters degree. I have developed my personality, strengthened a number of s competences such as English, my knowledge within particular subjects, understanding of businesses and so forth. To conclude, I have become more competitive in the market.

Do you think that nowadays a Masters degree is a necessity or a matter of formality? I would say that it does not matter what you study, though it is always creditable that you seek for knowledge and that you show that you are eager to learn. What makes you competitive is your willingness and capability of creating somethinguseful or relevant. I am talking aboutthe quality work and performance. A diploma will be something nice to have but the essence is beyond that, your quality.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Too long to foresee; weather forecasts sometimes fail to guess what will the weather be tomorrow, so it is a rather difficult task for me. Everything is so dynamic that I would not dare to imagine that far. However, I know that I will be utilizing my opportunities.

What recommendations would you give to AU Herning to improve graduate education? Hmm, there is always place for improvement. I am thankful for the rewarding experience that was provided by AU Herning.

Graduating is advancing from one stage to another not only from an educational perspective. Years after finishing school, university students will look back and see how they built both their educational and personal skills.

TEXT VAIDA PAKULYTEIMAGES SARA CONSTANTINESCU

GRADUATION : CAREER :

MICHAEL EVAN GOODSITEHead of Department, AU HerningOn Graduation

When I graduated from University, I was excited to get out into the real world - I swore to myself that I would never set foot onto a University again! But, I was wrong! Success in life and experiencing something new many times go hand in hand together.

As I studied more, I found the University as the place where I wanted to make my career. So my advice for new graduates is simple: be open to new things. Your degree is just the start of the rest of your life. No one says that it has to define you. Just let it help you open the first door to the rest of your career. I am proud of you all and wish all the best in the future!

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inviterer FC Midtjylland traditionen tro ALLE studerendetil studiestartsfodbold p MCH Arena - GRATIS!

SDAN KBER DU DIN STUDIEBILLET

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STUDIETILBUDSTPLADS (p Unibet Tribunen) 60,- STUDIEPRIS

www.fcm.dk

Studiebilletter kan kbes i billetboderne ved Unibet Tribunen p MCH ArenaStudiebilletterne slges kun i lssalg

Der er IKKE mulighed for at forudbestille billetterneDer tages forbehold for udsolgt

VI DYRKER TALENTETOGS UDENFOR BANEN

VS

(Billetter kan afhentes i billetboderne p Unibet Tribunen mod fremvisning af gyldigt studiekort)

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SPORTS IN HERNING AND IKAST-BRANDE: WHAT CAN YOU WATCH?Herning is not only work and study, there are plenty of free time activities you can choose from, specially when talking about sports.

Our municipal authorities definitely know how to attract people with sport possibilities. However there are not only the possibilities to watch sport events, you can also join one of the clubs and move from a sitting place into the middle of the field. A great deal of sports are covered,

some widely popular, some less, like football, basketball, rugby, american football, lacrosse, handball, boxing, hockey, golf, cycling, horse riding and more. Indeed all kinds of sports at every level: from amateur to professional.

The best thing is that there is always a place for new people. No need to be shy or scared, you are always welcome to start playing or running or shooting in any sport club.

Let me take you for a small tour around the stadiums and sport arenas in Herning and Ikast. Places where you can meet players from all over the world, already known in Europe, but also young future superstars, taking the first steps in professional sport. Very important to mention is that all clubs in Herning and Ikast are trying to attract students with discounts, free drinks at the stadiums and other perks.

FCM FootballFootball, the most popular sports discipline in Europe, obviously has a presence in Herning at the highest Danish level.

FC Midtjylland, the football team with the best academy in Denmark, that focuses not only on sport, but also school and social life. If you study in one of the schools in Ikast, most likely one of your classmates is a European football star.

FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football team from Herning

and Ikast. The team was the result of a merger between Ikast FS and Herning Fremad.

FC Midtjylland competes in the Danish Superleague and plays in a small, modern stadium called MCH Arena with a capacity of 11.800.Some well-known players in Europe, like Winston Reid, Victor Fisher, Simon Kjr and Sune Kiilerich made their first steps here in Ikast and Herning. The club is a whole region club, because they cooperate with more than 150 teams from the region.

FCM FOOTBALLMCH ARENA

Kaj Zartows Vej, 7400 Herningwww.fcm.dk

SPORTS IN HERNING AND IKAST-BRANDE : LEISURE :

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HERNING BLUE FOXIf you like cold and pure fight on the ice, KVICK Arena is a place where you should definitely have a look. The Blue Fox is a Danish professional ice hockey team playing in the top Danish ice hockey league. The team has won the Danish championship 16 times with the latest title coming in 2012.

OTHER SPORTSStudying in our region also gives you the chance to watch pretty big sport events over the year, like the Swimming European Championship (December 2013), Volleyball European Championship (September 2013) and Handball European Championship (January 2013).

The place with the most events, not just sports but also concerts and such, is Jyske Banks Boxen, right next to the MCH Arena. Check out the site at www.mch.dk.

TEXT WOJCIECH ZMIJSKIIMAGES NIELS HUSTED,EDVARD L. TRAMSEN

HERNING BLUE FOXKVICK ARENA HERNING

Holling Knudsen 1, 7400 Herningwww.bluefox.dk

We cannot compare them to NHL teams, but our city team is one of the best in Denmark and you can be sure that each season they are playing for the championship. Some players are part of the National Team.

The important thing for us students is that the club offers us discounts when you want to buy tickets for a game. All you need to do is bring your study card.

OTHER SPORTS

FCM HANDBALLOne of the best European handball clubs is right here in Ikast, do not hesitate to visit the Ikast-Brande arena. FCM Handball is the pride of the whole region, Danish champions in season 2012/2013, playingregularly in the European Champions League.

They have players from all over the world and are known to most

FCM HANDBALLIKAST BRANDE ARENA

Stadion Alle 2b, 7430 Ikastwww.fcm.dk

handball fans. Often playing in Ikast, where we have 2550 seats and 300 standing places. Ikast-Arena is the best place to go if you want to see Olympic Champions, World Champions and European Champions in one place.

Something of a phenomena, is that in a small city like Ikast you can meet those players, but not only at the stadium but also during your casual

Monday shopping, shopping for groceries just like you. In my opinion FCM Handball match is a must-see activity in the region, even if you are not a big fan of handball.

The best thing about handball is that it is pure action all the time, no time for breaks. If you need some time to rest from the books and see some action, check out handball in Ikast.

: LEISURE : SPORTS IN HERNING AND IKAST-BRANDE

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Few can argue that an exchange semester abroad is one of the greatest periods in the student life. Being an exchange student in Herning is not an exception. Lets meet and get to know a couple of them!

Danny from the Netherlands and Stephanie from Canada are two Erasmus students who decided to spend a some study time abroad in Herning, where they discovered

other cultures, a different study environment and new places.

Both Stephanie and Danny stayed in Herning until last June, and FOCUS student magazine asked them about their experiences.

EXCHANGELIFE IN HERNING

EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN HERNING : CAREER :

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DANNY GROOTHUISTHE NETHERLANDS, 23

Someone who inspires me.Since music is an important part of my life, I choose DJ Derric May, one of the creators of techno, the music genre I am really dedicated to. What is more surprising is that he turned 50 and he stills plays in clubs all over the world. His energy and passion are truly inspiring and drives me to keep on doing what I love the most; play my music, LOUD. The quote that describes me Carpe Diem is the best motto for me at this point of my life because I really want to enjoy every day of this exchange semester.

My next destination.Backpack trip in USA which could become part of my internship in IKEA, once I am back to Holland.

What is your opinion about student life in Herning? Life here has two sides: 1. study life and 2. Erasmus life. I enjoy both for sure. The fact that the classes I attend are much more practical and motivating to participate in, is what keeps me constantly engaged. Plus, I am surrounded my fellow exchange students with whom everyday isdifferent and memorable.

Are there any differences between education systems in Denmark and Netherlands? I noticed more than a few. The great side of the education system here is that it is much more practical and personal. - I like that teachers know my name, everything is open for discussion and its not just A or B, I am learning to be more critical in my thinking. In Holland, for example, you might end up sitting in anauditorium with 700 people and have no chance to ask a question that concerns you.

What was the best moment you have had here?My birthday party on 5th of April. It had everything I could wish for and when the clock turned 12 I realized how many great people I met here.

How is your every day life different here in Denmark? My life is much more busy cause I am actively involved in the campus life the university is just few steps away, I volunteer as a DJ at local parties, play football in the Birk League, travel and explore Denmark.

One thing you are bringing back home from Denmark? The memories is the most important, nothing compares to that. Other than that, I will fill my luggage with knowledge I gained, my improved

English skills, the basics of Danish and a piece of LEGO something that represents Denmark.

How has the exchange semester benefitted you so far? It has opened my eyes in terms of cultural understanding I find it really important to communicate successfully and a multicultural environment is the best place for practicing that. Plus, I made a lot of awesome friends and we are already planning a reunion all over Europe!

: CAREER : EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN HERNING

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STEPHANNIE MATTECANADA, 22

Someone who inspires me.Guy Lalibert, the co-founder and current CEO of Cirque du Soleil.

My next destination.I will have a short trip back to Canada and then I am planning to move to Copenhagen a bit bigger city life is waiting for me.

What is your opinion about studentlife in Herning?The fact that Herning is a pretty small city that really enhances the student life atmosphere. It also helps that there is an abundance of academic and social activities offered

contributes to a rewarding student environment. Meeting people coming from all around the world made me broaden horizons, which I found very interesting.

Are there any differences between education systems in Denmark and Canada?The biggest difference in academic terms would be the language. I used to study in French at my hometown university. If we really stick to the education system itself, I would say that I feel it is more theoretical here. However in both places I do feel that teachers are interested in students opinions. Discussions represent a major part of most of my classes, which is nice and challenging. One

last thing concerning evaluations, then it is new for me to have only one exam on which your whole semester will depend at the end.

What is the best moment you have had here?Its hard to choose one moment. Maybe one of the first nights I spent with exchange people, I mean when I realized the experience was really starting or perhaps a weekend I spent with 9 other friends in Copenhagen. It was just me-mo-rable!! We really enjoyed the moment.

How is your every day life different here in Denmark?I do not have a part time job, I am not living with my parents anymore, I have the opportunity to travel a lot during the semester, and cannot complain about it. Besides that, I have also learn that opening myself fully to a new cultures and embracing a new way of living can also mean: feeling lost while doing simple things, like groceries!

One thing you are bringing back home from Denmark? might not bring food, because my taste is just different. But a ton of good memories and pictures! Maybe it sounds cheesy, but I really enjoy the time here and want to remember everything.

How has the exchange semester benefitted you so far?It has been a great experience in terms of life and learning. I have improved my English and I adapted myself to anew way of studying, but especially, Ive met great people and opened myself to plenty of new things. I am even planning to move in Copenhagen next year! That is a big step that I am looking forward to.

TEXT VAIDA PAKULYTEIMAGES SARA CONSTANTINESCU

EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN HERNING : CAREER :

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EVENTSJLEEVENT SOULSMost people have some kind of passion: be it tennis, singing, pottery or whatever you can think of. For around 10 students in Herning, who belong to a group called Eventsjle, this passion is devoted to events in our fast developing city.

I asked Bente Nybo, one of these ambitious young people, to answer some questions about this group she is a member of. Top reasons for becoming a part of Eventsjle

Eventsjle was started in 2013 and its aim is to give students in the area the opportunity to gain some valuable experience. The tasks the members have to develop have to deal with fundraising, marketing and project management.Members of Eventsjle also have a larger network than many other graduates. This means that they might be a step ahead of others who are also looking for a job. Another main objective is to make Herning a more lively, attractive city by organizing fun events.

Eventsjle welcomes any young men and women with initiative and energy who would like to join.

When I asked Bente why she wanted to become a member of this group, she mentioned not only the value for her CV, but also that she meets really interesting people that she would not have met otherwise. She gets access

to relevant lectures and, maybe most importantly, that it is fun and she enjoys her time with all the other people.

Eventsjle is valued in Herning and therefore supported by MCH, Uddannelsesby Herning and City-foreningen - lets see an example of the great work the students do.

The revitalized cinemaAlready in the 1930s Herning had a cinema. However it has been closed for a long time, until Bente and her friends revitalized it this year as part of the Herning 100 celebration. From meetings with a lady from the local history archive, to layouting posters and tickets, finding sponsors and selling popcorn the Eventsjle members covered a variety of tasks in this project.

Interested?Eventsjle is interested in new, committed members. So if you too have a passion for events, you should definitely get in touch: www.facebook.com/Eventsjaele

As a member, you can bring in your own ideas and knowledge and the more members there are, the more events can be arranged.

TEXT MARTINA KIEHASIMAGES BENTE NYBO,DEVIANT ~COLAJA

EVENTSJLE

FIND EVENTSJLEON FACEBOOKGet in touch with eventsjle

www.facebook.com/Eventsjaele

and let them know you are interested in joining!

: CAREER : EVENTSJLE

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FOCUS MAGAZINE

Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag. Alexander Solzhenitsyn

One Baggage LifeTEXT VALERIA SOLONARIIMAGES ALEXEI PATRASCU

: LIFE : ONE BAGGAGE

As usual, summer flies by in the blink of an eye, and everyone around me is getting back into the groove of working and interning except me, who still has a little more time to prepare for becoming a world traveler and an expert packer. Des-perately trying to fit both my shoe collection and dreams and hopes into one baggage.

Two weeks from today, as I will leave for London to intern at one of Eng-lands most coveted fashion maga-zines, I will embark on a series of firsts. First time living abroad alone. First time living in an apartment alone. First time fitting my whole life into a suitcase, which is already pretty difficult for someone who never even attempted feng shui-ing her life be-fore. I will approach a minimalist life however, trying to embrace the stu-dent life for as much as I can, while having the time of my life on a side note.

For every aspiring minimalist, the Holy Grail is living within one suit-case. Its a lifestyle that comes from being able to reduce everything you have to only what you need and reaping all the rewards of not being weighed down by junky, excessive baggage.

First, it should be mentioned that this way of living isnt for everyone, just in case people start to think Im advo-cating to everyone and their mothers start throwing stuffed backpacks on their shoulders and hitting the road. Nor am I saying its a permanent way to live although I know it is possi-ble to live long-term this way. I real-ize theres something about the words living out of a suitcase that scares people. It has bad connotations, as if one has no stability or adequate in-come or that someone is just unable to settle. For me however, these words have come to mean something com-pletely different. They have come to mean freedom, fun, exploration and discovery!

One baggage doesnt necessarily mean a concrete measurement like 1x 30 inch suitcase or a carry on. Es-sentially, it means reducing your stuff down to a level thats right for you, which all depends on what moment of your life are you in, how much you can handle, where you want to go and what you need for your interests or studies and so on as long as you get everything down to only. what. you. need. Its also not necessarily about fishing rolled up shirts from a zip-up suitcase or hotel-skipping, although it can be about that as well.

Imagine for a moment that you got to start over. A clean slate. For some rea-son you got a rare chance for a fresh start, and then somebody gave you one suitcase and you could put every-thing you needed in it for two, three months, or even longer. How would you pack? What would you choose? What did you realize you really had no need for?

So here it goes

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B. Downsize your wardrobe

Clothing is usually the most difficult area to tackle when it comes to downsizing. Trust me! When you have fewer garments, its important that most items can be worn in most kinds of weather and occasions. It helps to choose neutral colors (which you can brighten up with one or two accessories) so that you can pretty much mix and match whatever tops and trousers you would like to wear.

C. Go digital

Whilst eliminating, you might find that a lot of the things you have can be replaced, so you wont have to lose them forever. Paperwork, pho-tos, CDs and books are just a few of the many things you can keep if you can get them in digital format. My less-than-half-an-inch thick kindle has replaced dozens and dozens of my books (and made them instantly searchable!) and my external hard drive replaces boxes of lecture notes, shelves of CDs and albums of photo-graphs.

D. One in, one out

Just because youre down to less stuff, it doesnt mean that you have to stop buying altogether. Theres nothing wrong with getting something new if you swap it with something you al-ready own (preferably by donating it away) since youre not actually gain-ing in quantity. Think carefully before you buy how long will it last? How useful will it be? Is it worth looking after it?

Lastly, it is important to remember that situations and people change, and that not many people can live a single kind of lifestyle forever, whether it is living out of a suitcase, or living at home with ones parents, or even leading a country lifestyle. People crave excitement and this lifestyle can give it to you, but do not be surprised if you see yourself looking for a change again maybe a change of wardrobe or maybe a change of scenery. HellYou are a student!e

Life is everything you want it to be! So dont let it be overcrowded by material possessionsfill it up with exciting experiences, beautiful memories and brilliant new ideas!

A. Basic de-clutter

The first, most important step is to get rid of everything you dont need. Things that youve kept just in case, extras, backups, things that dont work or fit, things you dont use or have forgotten about or simply dont like its all got to go. Most people have more things they dont need than they do, so a sensible approach that might make it easier would be to mentally get rid of everything, then bring back one by one things that are most essential to you. Be strict and firm and ask questions such as how often you actually use it and what reasons youre really keeping it for.

: LIFE : ONE BAGGAGE

Se hele programmet og kb billetter p: www.fermaten.dk

Smallegade 4 7400 Herning Tlf. 9722 5510 www.fermaten.dk

[ 30.08.13 ] Fermaten All Star [ 31.08.13 ] Magtens Korridorer [ 05.09.13 ] Mother Lewinsky[ 06.09.13 ] Kirstine Stubbe Teglbjrg[ 06.09.13 ] Fldeklinikken[ 14.09.13 ] Tudsegammelt [ 17.09.13 ] Comedy Zoo On Tour: Carsten Bang, Christian Fuhlendorff & Geo[ 20.09.13 ] Shaka Loveless [ 24.09.13 ] Teitur ( FO ) [ 27.09.13 ] Mercenary & Essence[ 04.10.13 ] Ulige Numre[ 05.10.13 ] Folkeklubben[ 08.10.13 ] Comedy Zoo On Tour: Torben Chris & Thomas Hartmann [ 11.10.13 ] NOAH[ 17.10.13 ] Carpark North [ 18.10.13 ] The Eclectic Moniker[ 24.10.13 ] Maceo Parker ( US ) [ 26.10.13 ] Sebastian Lind [ 01.11.13 ] Rasmus Walter [ 02.11.13 ] Fallulah [ 08.11.13 ] Thomas Dybdahl ( NO ) [ 09.11.13 ] Ginger Ninja [ 15.11.13 ] Specktors [ 22.11.13 ] Go Go Berlin [ 29.11.13 ] Pretty Maids [ 30.11.13 ] Linkoban[ 05.12.13 ] Mikkel Nords Band[ 06.12.13 ] Panamah [ 07.12.13 ] Dicte & Claus Hempler[ 12.12.13 ] Boho Dancer & Dangers Of The Sea

Untitled-1 1 17/07/13 08.36

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Alexei is our in-house illustrator and a number of articles feature his artwork. Alexei is 25, lives in here in Herning, and has recently started an Branding & Marketing at TEKO. He draws, paints, illustrates and makes music, and is passionate about arts, sports, music and advertising.

How do you describe you artwork?My art work is a clean, detailed, imaginary interpretation of subjects, ideas, concepts that I like or develop myself. In my art work I am in a quest of reflecting my emotions and understandings upon the world in a most unusual yet proper visual way. My work is a mixture of realistic and imaginary vision, made on the base of a concept that I create. I am always trying to add new ideas to my drawings, so the visuals can have an evolution.

What is the inspiration for your ideas and concepts?Usually inspiration comes from the wish of finding a new idea. Then it can be different, it can be an event or a simple discussion with a friend. I just need to grab on to something. Sometimes ideas give birth to other ideas completing each other. If I have a good idea it is a good base for several works which I can flavor with different subjects and themes.

ALEXEI PATRASCU

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What are you favorite techniques?Techniques are fun to play with. When you get tired of one you try doing something new, try out something you did not do before. I work traditionally for my personal art works but often I do illustrationsin digital media; I enjoy doing both because I learn and bring knowledge that I get from drawing on computer to drawing on paper or canvas and vice versa... I also enjoy animation, which in my opinion can be seen as a technique of drawing.

Tell us something about your animations and how you starteddoing them.I started doing animation several years ago; two of my friends needed a video presentation on a given theme, for a project. That is when we had a week of non-stop drawing, so in the end we came out with our first stop-motion animation made out of 500 drawings in water color, on paper. After that I made several more short films and composed the soundtracks for them. Lastly, the

years 2012 and 2013 brought me 2 prizes: AnimEst International Fes-tival Best Romanian Animation and Festival International des Trs Courts Prix pour lanimation.

So where do you show you work?When it comes to animation I takepart in film and animation festivals, from time to time. As for my drawings and paintings, most can be found on my webpage. I hope to soon start showing some of my work live in an exhibition or an event.

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What do you work on now?I am working on a series of personaldrawings and paintings, based on concepts like human relationships, spiritual appearance and emotions, that are illustrated in different media, but I try to keep a certain visual style for them.

Several weeks ago I launched my graphic design and arts studio called VLAPA Studio (www.vlapa.com). It is a creative studio where we make still or moving visuals. We create for artistic, personal and business projects, and can do graphic design, animation, illustration and sound for the videos that we produce. We are a fresh and young team of creative professionals with lots of good ideas and skills. Feel free to check us out.

The works in this article.On the left is a piece commissioned by the hard-core band WALK ALONE for the launch of their limited edition EP - Strangle Hold, released in 2013 on audio cassettes. They are really good friends of mine and I did my best to express their extreme music style. On the right, a poster and main theme of a short animation for an entrepreneurship project in Aarhus.

What keeps you going in drawing?The passion for art is the main source of inspiration and motivation. It is hard not doing what you like and the more you do not work, the more you miss it. I can never get bored of it even if it is a job. It is a source of fun, so why stop doing it?

Tell us something funny about yourself.Do not tell anyone, but I like doing free-style hip-hop in the shower!

FOCUS magazine is really happy to have Alexei in our team, we are always stunned by his amazing artwork. Remember to check out the VLAPA studio at www.vlapa.com and his portfolio at www.pyxius.com.

TEXT ALINA LILIANA VLAICUIMAGES ALEXEI PATRASCU

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ALEXEI PATRASCU : PEOPLE :



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Gld digover udvalgetaf cafer ogrestauranteri midtbyen!

Memories of an intern in

Seville

TEXT & IMAGESSARA CONSTANTINESCU

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INTERNSHIP IN SEVILLE : CAREER :

Unlike many students, the arrival of July hasnt marked the start of the usual, carefree and lazy summer holiday. Instead, for me it meant the scary, exciting and thrilling start of my first internship, which took me from Denmark all the way to Spain, in a magical city called Seville.

Seville would become my new home for three months and already after one day spent there, the beginning of my summer adventure couldnt be more promising!

The destinationBefore taking my official role as an intern, in a seri-ous and hectic office, filled up with stressed yet posi-tively energetic sevillanos, I had an entire free week to explore the surroundings of the beautiful place that would become my new home for 3 months!You might have already guessed what I am about to tell you, but I will say it anyways: This city is magical! And its not only the touristic areas that mat-ter, but even the most hidden, silent and nar-row streets which all ooze energy and passion!

Despite the almost unbear-able heat, Seville welcomes you with a breeze of beauty and mystery from your very first encounter with its exotic parks, with the intimidating Cathedral and Giralda, or with the spellbinding Plaza de Espana, which will liter-ally leave you speechless!

On a side note though, if you are looking for a quiet travel destination, then Seville is not for you. Not only are the locals the loudest people Ive ever seen, but the city is also filled up with curious tour-ists that you should definitely

expect to interfere with your moments of relaxation. Then theres the hectic (almost dangerous) traffic, which to me was indeed a bit scary at the beginning, as I was com-ing from Denmark where everyone obeys the traffic rules. Horse carriages stroll-ing around the paved streets day & night, scooters, bikes, motorcycles, cars, runners and strollers, all build up a vivid painting of energy and continuous movement which seems to slow down only around 6 AM, when I discovered I could have my (almost) quiet morning run.

After I surpassed my tour-ist stage, I was fully adopt-ed as a temporary local by this heavenly place, also thanks to my modest Span-ish skills, which have slowly improved. The Andalusians are extremely helpful and friendly to foreigners, mak-ing sure that their visit to Seville wont be the last one.

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The office So after getting my proper cultural introduction to the Sevillian paradise and after a generous portion of as-tonishment, I was ready to finally be introduced to the office - the place where I was about to spend 3 months as an intern. Let me start by saying that going to work every day at 8 AM is definitely different than going to university. There is no room for de-lays or for Facebook updates while pretending to do your work on the computer. The office has all eyes on you, and as a small, inexperienced

intern, you need to let the others know that you deserve that extra desk in the room. So being serious, punc-tual, committed and obeying your su-pervisor are a few key touch points to keep in mind while doing an intern-ship, together with an extra pinch of spontaneity and initiative of course. Although the work I was given at the beginning was mundane and uncrea-tive (fancying Excel much, anyone?), it slowly became more complex and challenging. More and more respon-sibilities came along the way, and I was also given the chance to develop

my creative. In the end though, the essence of the experience was far be-yond the actual tasks I was given. It was about the productive and ener-gizing atmosphere from the office and about the wonderful colleagues who surprised me with an unexpect-ed birthday present, making me feel extremely happy, although far away from home. I honestly feel incredibly blessed for having had the chance to live so many priceless moments while gaining my first work experience!

TAKE RISKS!

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My internship company is called EME Catedral, a 5 star hotel-boutique in Seville which has a really fascinating story and a fashionable appeal. I was immediately drawn by its un-conventional luxury and uniqueness therefore I decided it would be very interesting to ex-plore my university department (Branding & Marketing) within the hospitality and tour-ism industry. After all, fashion will always be a part of my life and I am sure I will end up pursuing a career within this field, but my adventurous self decided to try something new!

One thing I learned from my own experience is to always seize any opportunity that al-lows you to do something new and different. Career-wise, I am positive that exploring, tak-ing risks and working hard are the must-dos that will surely bring some magic to your life!

FOLLOW MY STORY AT WWW.SARACONSTANCE.COM

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: CAREER : SOCIAL & SUNDHEDS SKOLEN

SOSU SKOLEN: MULIGHEDERNES SPRINGBRT

Yasemin vidste ret tidligt at hun ville vre sygeplejersker. Jeg vidste bare ikke, hvordan jeg skulle blive det, og hvilken vej jeg ville g, fortller Yasemin Baser Poyraz, som har opfyldt sin drm om at kunne trkke i den hvide kittel. Faktisk er hun get skridtet videre og har ogs uddannet sig til sundhedsplejerske.

Guld vrdSocial- og sundhedsuddannelsen var det rigtige for mig, fordi der er en god vekslen mellem teori og praksis. Jeg har tilegnet mig den professionelle tilgang til mit fag, lrte om medmenneskelighed, og hvordan man mder andremennesker, siger Yasemin Baser Poyraz, som har bragt sit frste mde med social- og sundhedsfaget videre frem i sit uddannelsesforlb.

Den viden og de erfaringer jeg havde med mig, da jeg bagefter lste til sygeplejerske, var virkelig guld vrd. Jeg kunne bruge mine krfter p at koncentrere mig om teorien og om mine opgaver, for det hndvrksmssige havde jeg med mig fra Social- og sundhedsskolen og fra mine praktikker.

Godt alternativYasemin Baser Poyraz blev erk-lret egnet til at tage en HF, men en samtale med en studievejleder bnede hendes jne for et alternativ.

Da jeg sagde, at jeg ville vre sygeplejerske, fortalte han om den grundlggende social- og sundhed-suddannelse, som mske var noget for mig. Jeg synes selv, at det ld spndende, og det var ogs et plus, at jeg kunne f ln underuddannelse, fordi jeg var ved at flytte hjemmefra, forklarer Yasemin.

P skolen oplevede jeg succes, fordi jeg havde mulighed for at prve mig selv af, og jeg havde mulighed for at udvikle mig gradvist og i mit eget tempo. Desuden var der et tt forhold mellem elever og under-visere, og man fornemmede virkelig, hvordan underviserne tager hnd om os, siger Yasemin Baser Uddannelse, der udviklerYasemin Baser Poyraz, hber at mange andre unge og uddannelses-sgende vil se igennem fordomme og forventninger og vlge lige netop den uddannelse, som passer til dem og deres kvaliteter.

Hvis man er et sted i livet, hvor man tnker, at man ikke magter at tage en HF eller en anden gymnasial uddannelse, men gerne vil udvikle sig fagligt, men ogs personligt, s er en social- og sundhedsuddannelse et rigtig godt bud. Det gode ved uddannelsessystemet p social- og sundhedsskolerne er, at man kan bygge videre i trin alt efter, hvad man nsker og evner, siger Yasemin Baser Poyraz, som ved

prcis, hvad hun taler om. Sidste efterr blev hun nemlig ansat som underviser p Social & Sundheds Skolen, Herning, hvor hun nu deler ud af egen viden og egne erfaringer.

Yasemin Baser Poyraz er et levende bevis p, at mulighederne ligger bne med en social- og sundhedsuddannelse i bagagen. Efter uddannelsen til social- og sundhedsassistent har Yasemin taget yderligere to uddannelser. - Uddrag fra artikel skrevet af Tania Fogh Srensen

TEKST EDVARD L. TRAMSEN,UDDANNELSESBY HERNINGBILLEDER SOSU SKOLEN

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Yasemin Baser Poyraz knew early on that she wanted to be a nurse.I just did not know how it was going to happen and which way I wanted to go tells Yasemin, who has fulfilled her dream of wearing the white coat.

Golden opportunityThe social and health education was the right choice for me, since there was a balanced exhange between theory and practicality. I aquired the professional approach to my subject, learned about compassion and how to meet other people, says Yasemin Baser Poyraz. The knowledge and the experiences I brought with me, when I was studying to become a nurse, were truly worth gold. I could spend all my efforts on focusing on theory and assignments, because I had the practical experience from the social and health education and my internships.

Good alternativeYasemin Baser Poyraz was declared eligible to take an HF (degree to pre-pare for higher education) when she had to choose her youth education,but a discussion with a counsellor opened her eyes to an alternative.

When I said I wanted to be a nurse, he told me about the basic social and health education. I thought it was interesting and it was also a bonus that I would get a salary during my studies since I was moving away from home Yasemin explains. At school I experienced success, because

Yasemin Baser Poyraz is living proof that the opportunities lie open with a social and health education in the suitcase. After graduation as a social and health assistant, Yasemin has finished two more courses.- Excerpt from an article written by Tania Fogh Srensen

SOSU SCHOOL:A SPRINGBOARD FOR OPPORTUNITIES

I had the possibility to try myself out and with the opportunity to develop myself gradually in my own pace. Moreover there was a close connection between students and teachers, and you really got the feeling the teachers were taking care of us says Yasemin.

A developing educationYasemin Baser Poyraz hopes that many other young and education seekers will look through the prejudice and expectations, and choose exactly the education that fits them and their competencies. If you are in a place in your life, thinkingthat you are not up for an HF or an-other similar degree, yet still want to

develop yourself professionally and personally, then a social and health education is a really good offer.

The good thing about the system at the social and health school is that you can build on with steps depending on your wishes and competencies says Yasemin, who knows exactly what she is talking about. Last autumn she was in fact hired as a teacher at Social & Sundheds Skolen Herning, where she now shares her own knowledge and experiences.

TEXT EDVARD L. TRAMSEN,UDDANNELSESBY HERNINGIMAGES SOSU SCHOOL

SOCIAL & HEALTHCARE SCHOOL : CAREER :

My eyes opened to completely new ways of living I had never thought of...

WORDS TINE SRENSEN

Alex Da Silva: perks of graduate life

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As I am sitting here in the sun, sipping my cup of coffee, I feel relief after handing in the bachelor project that is almost surreal. I spent the last months of my life atuniversity, looking out of the window at the people BBQing and sunbathing, knowing I would not make it home till midnight. Well that is if I was lucky and as hand-in got closer, surely I was not the only one noticing how the university fridge filled up and the couches in the hall got occupied by sleeping people. It is a tough process, and I am happy it is over.

Handing in this year however felt different than any other semester. I did not just pass another project; here comes summer and then back to university again. No, this is the end of my AU Herning university era and that also leaves me a bit nostalgic and insecure. What now?

I am sure that some of you newly graduates already have future plans laid out, some are changing those as we speak and some of you do not have any at all. Today I ran into a former ICM student, and it is his story I am about to share with you, since it reminded me of why we sometimes have to stop ourselves from worrying, planning and stressing too much about the future. The only thing certain about the future is that nothing is certain at all.

Alex da Silva, as many may know as the former ICM student counselor, experienced his plans going perfectlyopposite to anything he had ever expected. In 2012 he handed in his bachelor and was more than ready to graduate. Plans of backpacking Australia and an anthropology master study were already set for the year to come. But as the semester came to an end, something else happened. He did not pass his bachelor project.

ALEX, GRADUATE PERKS : PEOPLE :

Alex Da Silva: perks of graduate life

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Naturally I felt bad about the situation Alex said, my plans and dreams got turned upside down in an instant. This also affected my job, which I lost soon after. I did not know what to do, and I was not go-ing anywhere with my life.

As life took its turn on him, Alex received a phone call from an old friend who just moved to Copenhagen. Having nothing to hold him back, a simple visit to his friend was the start of a completely new beginning.

The biggest thing of 2012 Alexexplained, was finding out about Retro caf (www.cafe-retro.dk). This is a place where over 200 people with different backgrounds volunteer. The caf itself is run by internationals and the profit donated to a good cause.

It became the place where I would live, sleep and volunteer throughout the rest of the year. People at the caf opened their arms and accepted me straight away. It was a shortcut into a social group, which introduced me to many new places and interesting spots around.

By being in this environment my eyes opened to completely new ways of living I had never thought of. I starting doing yoga and meditation as well as attend a Buddhist center. After I got to know people fromdifferent groups, I got to discover more alternative ways of living outside the conventional way of consumerism and capitalism. Ironically this was in fact what I wanted to do in the beginning, to study anthropology and to get to know more people living as a part of the system but with a twist.

One of the things I discovered by volunteering at Caf Retro is that it does not feel like work. I enjoy it because it is like hanging out with your friends. For me volunteering gives work meaning, and I feel I am contributing to the greater good.

My big question became, how could I sustain a living like that?

Being inspired is easy, but to make a change you have to conceptualize what you need.I learn at the Buddhist center that by lowering my needs and by understanding that my beliefs and expectations are simply creations of my mind, I can think outside the box and learn to be happy about myself in whatever situation.

Culture and traveling are passions of mine, that is why I work for theAU Rolling University twice a month. It gives me enough money to cover my living cost for one month.

But other than that, I have cut most of my expenses. I live on a couch at the caf, I enjoy the free activities and offers around Copenhagen, I travel by hitchhiking and through the use of couch surfing and I get most of my food trough dumpster diving.

Other than saving money, these actions alsohelped me become more aware about myself and the world I live in.

Take dumpster diving for example; this is becoming more and more popular among the young people in Copenhagen. Not for the lack of money but for political reasons, to sustain a better environment!

: PEOPLE : ALEX, GRADUATE PERKS

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Everyday supermarkets throw out 40% of their goods. This would be enough to save the whole world from starvation. Things are wasted, not because they are bad but because a packaging is broken or because a product is out of season. When you think about it, it is ungrateful that, bananas picked in Colombia, shipped all the way to Denmark, transported into super-markets, placed and handled by theemployees are thrown out when they are still good. There is something very wrong with a system like that!

Some people may feel embarrassed that I go trough trash, but I am proud of not participating to the system.

People ask me how I can live like that, and what about my private life? - But to be honest, I get so much in return from these experiences and the people I get to meet that this have become much more valuable to me than any material possession I have had previously.

All in all I failed my bachelor, but because of where it got me, I am very grateful for that. I did not get to do the things I had planed, but what I got to experience was much better.

I got to study my interest in real life situations and be a part of it myself. I have learned much more about the reality we live in every day

and understand better how I can help to improve it. I no longer desire the dreams I had previously and after handing in my bachelor again this year, I will continue to volunteer. This time I am joining European volunteer services in Iceland, where I will improve conditions for homeless people.

To the newly graduated students: Do not worry if you passed or failed, if you do or do not have plans. Sometimes the unexpected aspects of life are what breaks the conventional way of thinking and opens you up to something even better, something that you did not think of, but was exactly what you needed. There is a great Indian saying; everything ends well, if it is not well, it has not ended yet. Therefore, go out embrace life and celebrate what comes next. At the end of the day the right or wrong, good or bad situation will be a matter of your perception.

ALEX, GRADUATE PERKS : PEOPLE :



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LIVSSTILSBUTIK

I T OE T A G E RBy Marlene BirgerDieselIlse JacobsenSandGustavPiroBitte Kai RandUldahlFrench ConnectionGina BaccoriMasaiCarmakomoInFrontMongulLuxzuzEInWearSoaked in LuxurySaint TropezIsayManstedJonny QKn & MnOnstageAuluraFonnesbergLB DKStylesnobRudi & HaraldAmustSoNizeDepecheFalkeDecoyRnhoffUnited NudeFitflopYeti

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BIRK CENTERPARK:WHERE? WHAT? WHY?

: LIFE : LIVING IN BIRK CENTERPARK

WHERE?Different names, including Birkistan with lot of different nationalities (Birksters) and small white houses in the middle of nowhere. If youre expecting a campus like the ones from American movies, then unfortunately, or fortunately, our Campus will not fulfill your expectations. Birk Centerpark has its own way of campusing: Welcome to Birk, please have a look around!

It might be quite confusing. It is not really centrally located, you sort of have a park, except its more like a grassy labyrinth however it is definitely the Centrum of everything happening when you are a student at AU-Herning or TEKO.

WHAT?Having lived in 3 different places in Herning in the past 3 years, I can say from experience that you can best be part of all the socially active events, when you are closest to the source.

The advantages to living right where everything begins are its a lot easier to commute to and from and be the first one to participate in all things fun around. And there are a lot of things going on.

Starting off with just the fact that the average age of most tenants in Birk is between 18-25 years. Most of the students living here are international, so you find yourself in a tiny campus community composed of a broad

national diversity and mix of traditions adapted to the cold Danish weather. You dont have anyone complaining about too loud music or too many parties - unless it is exam time or you forgot to invite them.

If you are just freshly arrived and havent had time to really get to know your neighbors, Birk Campus has a yearly tradition called Tour the Chambre. In this event everyone shows their houses to visitors and prepares some snacks and drinks. To participate you sign up as a host and there is sort of a planned route with visiting times.

At the end of the day, everyone, participants or not meet at the Student House for a big party, sort of Good to see you after holidays party.

After you are settled in, you can start exploring. Although the campus is situated ca. 4 km from Herning downtown, you will quickly find out that going to the center by bus or bike becomes an evening workout, when you really need to get there.

There are enough occasions to socialize within the premises of the campus.

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For one, you have the Student House two steps away and there are always parties happening somewhere close by. The Student House is open twice a week, showing Champions League, Eurovision and other important events happening around the world.

At least once a month there is a huge party with a specific theme, free entrance, cheap prices and a great atmosphere attract more people than just those living in Birk Centerpark. The nature is another astonishing thing that strikes you. After you get used to the somewhat isolated and very silent area, despite the noisy tenants, you will find it quite pleasing that you will not have to wake up in the morning, open your window and face a nosy neighbor starring at you across the street. There are no tall buildings, no urban noise, nothing to disturb your studies in your spare time.

WHY?Birk Campus adapts to you as you adapt to Denmark. If activities hap-pening around AU-Herning and TEKO are not fulfilling enough for you, the Danish environment offers many possibilities: bike roads,jogging, and volley during summer, lakes with sandy beaches for picnic and the rare summertime hot days.

One of the most awesome things about this place is that there are so many beautiful and fascinating people that have brought along from their home country a small piece of magic, and you get to share that. You can make friends and enrich your life experience through more than the bachelor or master programme that brought you here in the first place.

The people in charge of activities here in Birk Campus are trying to keep you occupied all year with events, for example Birk League,

the is the biggest football tournament in Herning, and many other activities.

In my opinion, even if it sounds clich, Birk Centerpark is the place to be, while studying in Herning. Arguments against say that is isolated and far from the city or shops, but after a few weeks of biking to Bilka or Hammerum, itll take just minutes. See you in Birk!

TEXT WOJCIECH ZMIJSKIIMAGES FRUEHJGAARD

At the heart of Birk Centerpark you will find the Student House, ready to provide you with good entertainment and a cold beer, or another drink of your choice, if you prefer another poison.

The Birk campus Student House opens Tuesdays and Thursdays from 20 to 23.Also open select Fridays andSaturdays for special events.

THE STUDENT HOUSE

Stay tuned in Facebook: facebook.com/BirkCampus

For special events, offers, and pictures of the parties.


BNINGSTIDER


Oplevdet hele

i Herning!

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FOCUS MAGAZINE

Stereotypes around campus Let me give you a tour!

Innovation. Inspiration. Creativity. We toss these words around daily. Are they just fancy ways to say I have had an idea? Those of us who are marketers, designers and engineers are often labeled as creative. But what do people mean by that?

There is a widely-held and poorly-articulated image of the stereotypical creative person floating about in our culture. Is it Daniel Libeskind? Albert Einstein? A fellow student who I sat next to yesterday?

After meeting and interacting with many creative types over the years, I have had to continually expand my definition of what creativity looks like. Sure, sometimes it manifests itself in the traditional way: creating something out of nothing. That lightning bolt of inspiration, or ideas from out of the blue! But other times, being creative is a

slogging, noodling process that develops at a snails pace. This is not to denigrate the classical creative mold, or to lower the bar in defining what we see as creative. It just means that there are different types of creative people and methods out there, and that we do not all fit into the same mold.

To sow the seeds of discussion, I have identified, with the help of my awesome student friends and colleagues, eight unique types of creativity, knowing full well that these people exhibit multiple facets and bleed into different categories. But given the stereotypes our school departments custom, tell me, have you found yours yet?

TEXT VALERIA SOLONARIIMAGES ALEXEI PATRASHCU


BNINGSTIDER


Oplevdet hele

i Herning!

THE FASHION DESIGNERWhile good fashion design will never bring about world peace, it can make a person feel better and empowered. It was only obvious that fashion and appearance would be a logical progression from these descriptive words.

The Fashion Designers are able to keep one foot firmly planted in the real world, while poking their heads through the looking glass of fantasy. They crane their necks to see beyond the boundaries of reality, and then snap back to the world as we know it and share their fashionable insight. This creative types output has afocus in detail, high quality, bordering on perfectionism. Moreover, when they feel like their creative juices are drying up, or when they are prevented from expressing themselves artistically, they may fall into a deepintroversion. Always caught in sown-at-the-crack-of-dawn personal designs, they are the ones who people want to be friends with and share ideas with. Hell, some even want to be like them! But not all of us are able to, I am sorry. Not everyone can tell the difference between lawn and cambric.

THE BRANDER & MARKETERA mobile game that has topped the charts, tests whether brand recall exists without a brands defining characteristic - its name. It poses an interesting question for marketers, too: Is your brand identity so strong that people can identify it merely from the trade dress, without seeing the name? What about the people studying Branding and Marketing? Can they be identifiable without any book titles, like Building Strong Brands peaking out of their bags?

It seems so, by only with their look of I-can-make-you-rich-lets-run-a-business-together after only seeing your napkin doodle. It seems that fashion research and marketing, and creating unique brand identities that are recognizable and desirable to the public, is what Branders and Marketers do best.

They compile their findings, opinions and ideas into graphs, charts and written explanations like no other, and can pursue you into doing something, even if it does not benefit them personally. They are progressive, stubborn and supreme idealists. And also the CEOs of their own company: Me Inc.

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THE PATTERN DESIGNERWhen you look at one of these people, you might not see a traditional creative type. There is no genre-inventing or trendsetting happening in front of them. Instead, the Pattern Designer is someone who draws on the knowledge, styles, and thoughts of others - remixing,reworking, and building them into better structured things.

But make no mistake about it! These creative mindscombine playfulness with antithesis of endurance,doggedness, and perseverance. Having as a second mother tongue programs like Gerbers Technology Accumark, Pattern Designers can immediately picture the high-level design in their heads, after referring to the name of a particular pattern.

Being the technical backbone to the manufacturing process that goes around in design, they are also great at maintaining a more efficient communication between designers. They tend to be both conservative and rebellious, traditional and extraordinary. They recognize that failing to stretch ones boundaries causes stagnation, leaving the world unchanged, while at the same time, knowing that constant risk-taking rarely fosters novelty or improvement.

THE PURCHASERThe majority of this creative type is exceptionally passionate about what they do, while at the same time, they can display an extreme degree of objectivity. Without passion, they lose interest in difficult creative tasks, and without objectivity, the task lacks credibility and may end up not very good.

Those combining education in fashion merchandisingand business are needed to held accountability and profitability of stores, negotiating with suppliers and orchestrating the sales force, back office support staff and security departments into a cohesive and successful team.

Oh, hello! In need of a supplier? A statistic? A pat on the back? The Purchasers are viewed as little brainyaccountants, the glue that holds everything together. They give, they struggle, they find a way to make it happen and they keep their head focused no matter what.

So whenever there is an important project that ends with finances and budget plans, we can all admit to the craziness that is revolving around finding an available purchaser. Do no t take it the wrong way; is it only that you are so much better than the rest of us?

THE RETAILERThe only creative type drawn a little bit more into interior design than the rest of the fashion pack. The Retailers arethose engaged in the sale of goods and services directly with the ultimate consumers; they are those also in charge of designing the stores windows and plan the layout of it in order to appeal customers, and those who are determined to communicate their design skills, education and business acumen as professional visual merchandisers.

Drawing by day and carving wood by night, as some would say, this creative type is expected to learn the views of what the design process entails and how to justify the selection of a variety of finishes, taking into consideration the value of the field of interior design.

Always on the watch for innovative interior aesthetics, from wall colors, window treatments to pillow patterns,that would be just scratching the surface of what a retailer can add to the designer-customer relationship.

They go beyond cosmetic concerns to ensure that a space feels harmonious through and through, as much in retail channels as they do in life, for the people around them.

THE BUSINESS ECONOMISTWell, well, do not these Business Economists look very dapper indeed in their fancy little suits and shiny shoes as they head to these big important business meetings? Ahem, not really, because these are still infant business-men and women, still running around from lecture to lecture and class to class in their frumpy little sneakers, with no appearance of any cufflink whatsoever. But their strong presence surpasses any fashion rule. Economics is not a collection of facts to be written down and memorized, in the same way as they cannot be judged on the basis of the right shirt and trouser.

They have the ability and knowledge to combine economic analysis with the practical aspects of business, while working daily with high-levels of calculus and linear algebra. Business Economists study the ways that society distributes scarce resources and conducts research and learn how to advise all sorts of organizations and trade associations, on issues such as inflation, interest rates and employment level. So yes, if you are looking for the ones who walk with numbers and equations above their heads, it is them. But if he tells you to get tea instead of coffee in the morning, you should better listen. They are the people of tomorrow after all.

THE MANUFACTURING ENGINEERAdmit it. From the day you peered into Steve Jobs frameless spectacles, you have ached to look more like him, as if I am brainy and brilliant and you are not. Well, luckily this stereotype has already mapped the essential strategy to be considered hip, innovative and a tad more intelligent than the rest of the crowd, by only with their look of angst, as if the technological fate of the world lay in their not-so-moisturized hands.

The Manufacturing Engineers combine mathematics, science and economics to solve technical problems facing society, while baffling maintaining a deep fascination and love for Star Trek. For them all that matters in the universe can be placed into one of two categories: things that need to be fixed and things that will need to be fixed after they have had a few minutes to play with them.

They like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own. Other people do not understand this concept; they believe that if it is not broken, do not fix it. Well, Engineers believe that if it is not broken, it means that it does not have enough features yet. For them, the world is a box full of sub-optimized and feature-poor toys.

THE MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATORMaster writers and communicators 3.0 for print, online, social media and multimedia a person to grab someones attention for a change nowadays.

Multimedia Communicators and Creators use digital communications methods to create any variety of entertainment, graphic design, or artistic productions. You may not see them in a museum if there are no video installations and interactive works of art, or devouring hardcover paper volume of obscure French philosophy, unless it is on an e-book.

They see beyond what is normal and regular, everything is a 3D virtual reality for them. This new, exciting and continually evolving field is nearly impossible to define or set bounds for it, as it is the land of creative ideas and experiments. And who is best at connecting the creative message and technology, with a strong dose of vigor, discipline and passion, than those who are trained to combine aesthetics, user-centered desig

focus student magazine - issue 5

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