In Denmark studying is a job. But is Denmark a student’s paradise? Continue reading to find out.
In countries like Germany higher education is free, but in Denmark, not only studying is free, but also the students are paid to go to college if they work while studying.
The program is known as Statens Uddannelsesstøtte – SU (State Education in Danish). If a student lives with his parents he receives about 2,935 Krones (about 349.78 GBP) per month, but this rate may increase depending on his family income. If the student lives alone, the state gives him a monthly allowance of 5,903 Krones (about 703 GBP). This financial support is aimed to help university students over 18 for a maximum of six years.
Unlike other countries, Denmark does not require students to be excellent. In addition, young people are free to choose the career they want. The Danish system is so flexible that students can give up their career and they will not be indebted to the State.
The absence of talent could limit both the growth of the economy. For this reason, the Danish government needs to be smart about the type of education it funds. They need more engineers and science students.
Despite the criticism, among the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Denmark has the highest rates of students who finish their degree and graduate. The unemployment rate for young Danish people is around 11 percent, in Germany it is 7.2 percent, in France it is 25.2 percent and in the United States, it is 12.4 percent.
According to a recent OECD study, lack of access to education and inequality delayed the growth of more developed countries between 1990 and 2010. Figures show that this has not been the Danish case.
For many, the education system in Denmark is enviable. But analysts point out that this is viable thanks to the tax system of that country, one of the most demanding in the world. On average, a Danish citizen earmarks about 60 percent of his income to pay taxes.
But subsidies are only part of the benefits. Foreign students also do not have to pay much to access Danish universities. In addition, university students have special rates for public transport, museums, bookstores and even to go to the cinema.
Sara Lopez Alaguero, ICT Engineering student at VIA University and marketing manager at trendhim, a Danish fashion company of men’s accessories, explains:
“It is very difficult to get a job in Spain, and almost impossible to find a job when you are a student and therefore you don’t have any experience. I have never imagined I would find a student job related to marketing, and even less that I would be responsible for an entire market. It’s hard to hear from the ones back in Spain, who have lots of experience and are struggling to get a low paid job.”
This demonstrates how in Denmark, the number of experience one has and the field in which one is specialized is not the only thing valued, as they give everyone a chance to improve themselves. If you don’t know something, it’s only a matter of time until you learn.