I'm Catalina, and I am originally from Moldova. Currently, I'm a student undertaking Climate and Supply Engineering at VIA University College. Opting for this programme was a decision driven by my vision of a prosperous career, as well as my curiosity of finding out more about the supply industry and what happens around us.
Studying in Denmark felt like the ideal option for me. As I was approaching my high school graduation, I knew I had to make a decision that would significantly impact my future. My sights were set on the Nordic countries, and after careful consideration, I decided that Denmark was the optimal choice. Its beautiful nature, high standard of living, and its status as one of the leading countries in sustainability made it the clear winner for me.
Embrace the opportunity! Be open to new experiences, build connections with the warm and welcoming Danish people, and don't hesitate to explore all that this remarkable country has to offer. Catalina Lupu
Close student/teacher relationship
What surprised me the most about studying in my programme in Denmark is the warm and approachable relationship between teachers and students, the huge amount of teamwork, which has proven to be an invaluable aspect of real-world professional practice, and the problem-based learning concept which incorporates the study themes in real life practices.
Life in Denmark
The best thing about living in Denmark is the balance it offers. Despite undertaking a full Bachelor’s degree, I still have time to work, travel, hang out with friends, and even take Danish classes - which are free and definitely worth trying out.
The biggest challenge when I moved abroad was to get used to the adult life. A lot of responsibilities came along with moving in a new country - finding accommodation, paying the bills, cooking for myself, and finding new friends. It took some time, but the feeling of being independent made me feel great.
Plans for the future
At the moment, I have a student job position in an audio video company. It is not exactly what my study programme focuses on, but I think taking an engineering degree equipped me with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge that can be applied across different fields.
Currently, I am in my fourth semester, and I'm looking for an internship. Still haven't found the right one, but my heart is set on specialising in drinking water and wastewater treatment. When I find the right internship host, I hope to get a student job there after my internship and keep improving both on personal and career plan.
After I graduate from VIA, I plan to do my master’s degree in engineering management, or similar.