International Student Spotlight: Hörður's Journey at CADA
Hörður Fannar Þorvaldarsson’s JOURNEY at CADA
At CADA, we are proud to have students from all over the world who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our community. Today, we’re featuring at the 3D Digital Artist education, who shares his journey from Iceland to Denmark and his thoughts on studying at CADA.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, and how did you find CADA?
I’m Hörður Fannar Þorvaldarsson from Iceland. I first heard about CADA from a fellow student at my previous school. We were both searching for a program that aligned with our specialization goals and offered a higher education environment, such as a Bachelor's degree.
Why did you choose CADA?
There were several reasons why CADA stood out to me:
- The internship at the end of the program - it provides a great opportunity to secure a job afterward.
- The Bachelor's degree is always a nice credential to have.
- Building connections within the industry is crucial, and CADA offers a great network.
- At the time, I didn’t feel quite ready to enter the professional field with my existing skill set, so I wanted more time to develop.
Was it your first time in Denmark, or had you visited before?
I visited Denmark for the first time in March last year to attend CADA’s Open House. I wanted to explore whether applying would be worth the 3.5 years of study. Before that, I had never been to Denmark.
What was your experience finding a place to live in Denmark?
I had some help from family members who had lived in Denmark before, so it didn’t take me too long to find a place. Additionally, there are also a lot of Icelandic Facebook groups dedicated to living in Denmark.
Right now, I live in a rental through LifeX. It’s quite pricey in the city center, but the further you move away, the more affordable it gets.
What is life like in Denmark and Copenhagen?
It’s a lot like Iceland - just with more rain, less wind, and slightly warmer weather.
How does life in Denmark compare to life in Iceland, both in daily life and in education?
Honestly, there aren’t too many differences. But one thing that stood out to me is the overwhelming number of milk options - even for Icelandic standards!
How do you finance your education?
Right now, I’m covering my expenses from my savings. I’ve had some trouble opening a Danish bank account, which has delayed my ability to apply for a job and receive SU support. But once that’s sorted, SU will help with financing. All Icelandic and EU citizens studying in Denmark are entitled to receive 1,300 EUR per month in student grants from the Danish State.
If I could give my past self one solid piece of advice, it would be: Get a Danish bank account before arriving in Denmark! It would have saved me a lot of trouble.
How has the social aspect been for you after moving to another country?
The social experience has been great! My fellow students are fun and easy to talk to, and my flatmates are great as well. Of course, I do miss my friends and family back home, but I regularly FaceTime or play video games with them to stay connected.
What is the funniest, strangest, or most surprising thing about Danish culture?
What I find both funny and surprising is how similar Danes are to Icelanders! In retrospect, it makes sense, but it still caught me off guard.
Read more about CADA's 3D Digital Artist education and what it takes to become a student.