Before starting my Top-Up degree in Denmark, I had already been living and working there for some time. At one point, I looked at myself as a young person and thought: what if I could do more with my future?
That question encouraged me to explore university opportunities. I contacted several students studying at UCN in Aalborg and began researching the admission process.
For me, applying was a real challenge. I was already 25, had taken a long break after my previous studies, and no longer felt confident about my English. A friend gave me access to an online English course, which helped me refresh my knowledge and prepare for the required language test.
Unfortunately, I did not achieve the necessary score on my first attempt.
After that, I started doubting myself. I wondered whether I was too old to return to education and whether university was simply no longer for me.
But I decided to try again.
The second attempt went much better, and I passed the test. That moment reminded me that one unsuccessful result does not define what you are capable of.
I believed that passing the English test would open the door to all my preferred universities. In reality, I was accepted only to the programme I had placed third on my priority list because my previous diploma did not contain enough credits for some of my other choices.
Today, I am genuinely glad that things turned out this way. Sometimes the programme that was not originally your first choice can become exactly the opportunity you needed.
Throughout the admission process, I stayed in close contact with the Kastu team. They explained how to prepare for the language test, what details to pay attention to, and why patience was so important.
Even after receiving my admission offer, another problem appeared: the wrong study programme was written in my acceptance documents. Resolving the issue was not easy, but Kastu helped me contact the right person and confirm my place in the correct programme.
That support saved me a lot of stress at a moment when I did not know how to solve the problem on my own.
Today, I am happy with my studies. One of the things I value most is the practical approach.
We are currently completing a project in cooperation with a real company. We had to find the company ourselves and convince its representatives that our team could help them solve a real business challenge.
Everything we learn during lectures is directly connected to this project. We analyse the company, apply new methods, and immediately see how theory works in practice.
Here, you do not study only to pass an exam. You study to use your knowledge in a real professional situation.
This was something I had missed in my previous studies. Working with a real organisation makes learning feel meaningful and shows you how your skills could be used after graduation.
Of course, studying in Denmark also requires realistic financial planning. Life here is expensive, so I would recommend arriving during the summer, finding temporary work, preparing your documents, and getting to know the country before your studies begin.
Student financial support may sound attractive, but receiving it usually depends on having a job. Finding part-time work can take time, and some international students search for many months.
For that reason, it is important to prepare financially and not assume that everything will fall into place immediately.
My strongest advice is simple: be patient and do not give up after the first difficulty.
I failed my first English test, did not enter my highest-priority programmes, and experienced problems even after receiving my admission offer. At several moments, it would have been easy to stop.
But I continued, and today I am studying in Denmark, building practical experience, and creating a completely new direction for my future.
It is never too late to return to education, challenge yourself, and choose a life that gives you more opportunities.
