DMJX teaches its journalism students to be curious and connect with the world, yet when it comes to integrating exchange students into campus life, it is falling short. A clear divide remains between Danish and international students, and while the university college holds some responsibility, so do the students. Real integration takes effort from all sides, and right now, students from DMJX are acknowledging that effort is lacking.

There is a subtle but undeniable divide running through DMJX. You have probably felt it, maybe while awkwardly sharing an elevator in complete silence, or glancing across the canteen at two tables that may as well be on separate continents. It is especially noticeable at the friday bar, where Danish students cluster in familiar groups whilst the others cling together like confused tourists who accidentally wandered into a local house party.

What is this mysterious separation, you ask? Who are these friendly but slightly disoriented strangers you pass in the hallway? Oh, right – those are the exchange students.

Yes, they may not dress quite as effortlessly cool as the Danes, and okay, they are still figuring out how to pronounce Aarhus, but let us not be fooled. These exchange students did not come all the way to Denmark just to huddle together in international bubbles.

In fact, after a bit of digging, it turns out most of them do want to make Danish friends. The problem? They are not quite sure how, and the school is not exactly handing out a map.

We are journalists and communicators after all. If we cannot learn to connect with people from all over the world in a school built for storytelling, then where can we?

No lesson for this on Duolingo 

Spanish exchange student Janna Fontbona, currently studying Video Journalism and Foreign Reporting at DMJX, did not expect just how difficult it would be to connect with Danish students beyond her classroom.

“It is not a big school, so I expected to get to know more Danish people outside of my class,” she says.

Despite her best efforts to maintain a 30-day Duolingo streak of Danish, Janna Fontbona admits the language barrier continues to withhold her from mingling with the Danes.

“There are different opportunities and committees in the school, but a lot of these options are in Danish. It makes it really difficult to engage or contribute when you can’t understand the language,” she says.

Janna Fontbona recalls eagerly

approaching multiple committees at the school’s bazaar, excited to get involved. But instead of feeling welcomed, she was met with deflections from some committee members: “Scan the QR code,” “there are only limited spots,” and the particularly cold, “I will explain everything once the other students get here”.

Curiosity take the lead 

During a lunch break at DMJX, Danish student Andreas Faurskov Groes, who studies International Video Journalism and Foreign Reporting on his second semester, let curiosity take the lead and struck up a conversation with an international student he did not know. After just a few minutes of chatting, the student revealed to Andreas Faurskov Groes that he was the first Danish person to speak to her since arriving at the school. He later

admitted he wasn’t sure who was more surprised, him for hearing it, or the student for being

approached by a Dane.

“They have already been studying at the school for more than half a year. I was so shocked that nobody had talked to her because we are a journalism school. We should be curious people talking to each other,” he says.

Recognising that the responsibility doesn’t fall solely on Danish students, Andreas Faurskov Groes acknowledged the school has its own role in

fostering a more inclusive atmosphere.

“I know the exchange students because I’m doing a semester with them, otherwise I do not think I would know them. The school should be doing more for them outside of class so other Danes can get to know them aswell,” he says.

Are you on exchange at DMJX? So am I!

Many international students at DMJX often remain isolated within their own cohorts, a feeling echoed by Turkish exchange student Myra Çağlayan, who noted that outside her classroom where she studies Video Journalism and Foreign Reporting, she is scarcely aware of who the other exchange students even are.

“I do not know who the other exchange students are outside of my class. I wish I did because I would love to be able to compare experiences and courses,” Myra Çağlayan says.

Her experience highlights a wider lack of connection among international students, and to her surprise, she learnt that DMJX offers more than two international programmes. In fact, when asking over fifty percent of Myra’s Çağlayan classmates were unaware that DMJX offered a total of four international programmes at the Aarhus campus. Despite sharing the same building and often studying similar themes in journalism or media, many students remain unaware that others from different countries are navigating parallel experiences just a few classrooms away.

“I know DMJX offers a photojournalism course for international students, but I thought that course and my course was it. I had no idea there were other exchange students outside of those two courses. I would have loved to have met them earlier,” Myra Çağlayan says.

Building a bridge, not just a welcome mat 

International coordinator and student counsellor Anna Kathrine Nejrup plays a key role in supporting incoming and current exchange students at DMJX. Each semester, she warmly welcomes the international classes, helps them secure accommodation, and assists with essential tasks like obtaining their CPR numbers. She wishes she had the capacity to do even more for the students.

“As soon as the exchange students arrive, the next application round is starting, and since I am the only person, I am busy,” Anna Kathrine Nejrup says.

With so much on her plate, she admits that the exchange program relying purely on her is not enough. There is room for the school to build on her efforts by creating more lasting initiatives that help Danish and exchange students connect more naturally.

“We thought integration would happen by itself. It would be nice if the school would recognise, we need to put more resources into the issue such as more and better organised events,” Anna Kathrine Nejrup says.

She also sees potential in student-led initiatives, encouraging both Danish and international students to collaborate on ideas for greater inclusion in everyday activities. She notes that while DMJX offers numerous social events, participation from different student groups varies. Emphasising that better planning and shared responsibility could lead to stronger community ties across programs.

“There are so many different social activities at the school, perhaps some students could take the initiative to brainstorm, what can we do to integrate the international students. It is a problem but it can be fixed,” Anna Kathrine Nejrup says.

“We will take a closer look”

Principal of DMJX, Julie Sommerlund, admits the divide between Danish and exchange students is a “genuine issue,” that the school have attempted to address in various ways over the years.

However, the principal admits the problem is complex, insisting the school are providing inclusive ways for exchange students to intergrade.

“Many international students are already navigating a lot just by connecting with each other. They are, however, invited to participate in activities such as student associations, and for example, there was a dedicated English-language track for them at the April festival,” she says.

Despite this, Julie Sommerlund is open to looking for other methods the school can better support the interaction between students.

“We will take a closer look at how we can better frame and support the interaction between Danish and international students. It sounds like Anna has some ideas worth exploring,” she says.