Study start 2025: AAU welcomes new students
Nyhed
Lagt online: 02.09.2025
The beginning of the new academic year at AAU, as is tradition, kicked off with breakfast, speeches and communal singing at Honnørkajen in Aalborg where the new students started their time at AAU. The campuses in Copenhagen and Esbjerg also welcomed new students who are currently starting their journey at AAU.
By Line Nyrup Odgaard, AAU Kommunikation and Public Affairs
Photo: Lasse Møller Badstue, Emil Kragborg Eriksen, Duc Phung, AAU
After a quiet, grey morning, the weather begins to clear up just as the first new students arrive at Honnørkajen in Aalborg. It is Monday, 1 September and the beginning of the new academic year for all new students at Aalborg University. In the warm late summer weather, they flock to the waterfront – excited, curious and with butterflies in their stomachs. The freshers’ buddies are ready with banners and broad smiles, and at the long tables, breakfast bags and coffee are handed out while the first conversations spring up.
Greetings, names and backgrounds are exchanged, and the area exudes excitement. Then, communal singing fills Honnørkajen with energy, before Rector Per Michael Johansen officially welcomes the new students to AAU.
"With that choice, you have set a course. You’ve shown that you are so curious about the world around you that you will devote the next few years to investigating it. You made a choice to expand your horizons. And the world desperately needs people like you," says the rector in this year's welcome.
The study start programme at Honnørkajen features not only breakfast and communal singing - it also puts into words what it means to be a student at AAU.
In his welcome address, Aalborg's mayor, Lasse Frimand Jensen (Social Democratic Party), emphasizes problem-based learning (PBL) as a strength that goes far beyond the curriculum:
"It's not just about books and exams, but also about being able to collaborate and find solutions together – and that makes you both skilled and relevant," he says.
Chair of the Student Society, Frederik Andersen, and student political spokesperson, Sebastian Bøgvad, round off the programme with an invitation to get involved in the social life at the university and remind the new students that community is an important part of their studies.
After breakfast at Honnørkajen, the study start continues with shuttle buses transporting the new students to campus – ready to start their first day and the beginning of a new chapter at AAU.
Patricia Josephine Ankersen Høltermand will study to become a social worker, while Axel Manasse Amon Kanga will start studying political science. They are both looking forward to embarking on student life where the social aspect in particular plays a major role.
"Well, to be honest, I'm probably most looking forward to the freshers’ period so far – but I'm also really looking forward to the programme itself," says Patricia Josephine Ankersen Høltermand with a smile.
For Axel Manasse Amon Kanga, study start is especially a time to meet new people.
"I'm really looking forward to getting started and meeting a lot of new, fun and interesting people," he says.
For Ida Thorsted Anderson, who is going to study Psychology, both the study environment and the city made her choose AAU and move from Viborg.
"I chose AAU because the study environment here appealed to me the most, and I just think that Aalborg is a really nice city. In addition, it is also somewhat easier to finance living here in Aalborg than it is in Aarhus, for example," she says.
Poul Bisgaard Ahrenfeldt, who will pursue a BSc in Business Economics, adds that PBL influenced his choice.
"The PBL project work seems exciting, I think. It sounded a little different from, for example, Aarhus University, so that was probably also what helped attract me," he explains.
For Emil Hougaard Oppelstrup, Oliver Sandager Jørgensen and Rasmus Kaasgaard Lillie, it is clear that it is not only about the academic aspects when you start at AAU. If you ask them what they look forward to the most, there is no doubt that the social aspect is important.
"I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and to see what it is I've actually signed up for," says Rasmus Kaasgaard Lillie, who will be studying Biomedical Engineering and Informatics.
Oliver Sandager Jørgensen, who will be studying Global Business Systems, adds: "I'm also looking forward to getting started, getting to know the people and seeing what the field is about."
Emil Hougaard Oppelstrup, who is going to study Sociology, nods and adds:
"Well, I agree – enjoy the study start and hopefully meet a lot of good people. It’ll be good."
Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
