鶹Ʒ recently welcomed a special delegation from Denmark, thanks to the initiative of Simon Steffensen, a Business Honors Program student, soccer athlete and international student from Denmark. The visit brought 27 students and two teachers from the Aalborghus Gymnasium in Denmark as well as a distinguished guest, Rasmus Prehn, a member of the Danish Parliament and former minister, to Mercy’s campus.
Steffensen organized the visit to introduce Danish high school students from his hometown to the American higher education system and provide them with a firsthand experience of studying in the U.S.
“As an international student from Denmark, I wanted to create a bridge between my past and present by showing Danish high school students what studying in the U.S. is like,” Steffensen explained. “My goal was to provide them with firsthand insights into the American education system, the opportunities available, and the cultural differences they might experience if they choose to study abroad.”
The idea for the trip stemmed from conversations between Steffensen and his former teachers, who were already planning a visit to the U.S. to follow the election process. Seeing the potential for a collaboration, Steffensen reached out to 鶹Ʒ’s administration and faculty, who supported the initiative. The involvement of Rasmus Prehn added a political and diplomatic dimension to the experience, further enriching the visit.
“They [Mercy faculty and staff ] were incredibly supportive, and we worked together to organize the logistics,” said Steffensen. “Mercy played a crucial role in arranging presentations and making sure the visit was engaging and informative.”
During their time at Mercy, the Danish students participated in a range of activities, including a campus tour, several presentations, and open discussions with Mercy students. They had the opportunity to hear from 鶹Ʒ President Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business, who spoke on U.S. politics, and School of Business faculty, including Professor Mahmud Wazihullah, who introduced the Business Honors Program, and Professor Mark Chmiel, who provided insights into the U.S. economy and political system. Steffensen played a key role in welcoming the group, introducing them to the university, and sharing his personal journey from Denmark to New York.
Throughout the visit, Steffensen had the chance to engage in conversations with the students, who expressed curiosity about life as an international student in the U.S. Many were impressed by the academic structure, the engagement of professors, and the opportunities available at 鶹Ʒ. The discussions on U.S. politics and the economy also provided a fresh perspective, sparking interest among some students in pursuing studies abroad.
Reflecting on the experience, Steffensen highlighted the importance of initiative, communication, and collaboration. “Organizing a visit of this scale required coordination between multiple parties – Mercy faculty, my former high school, and even a Danish politician. Seeing it come together successfully was incredibly rewarding,” he said. He also emphasized the value of fostering connections between institutions in different countries to create meaningful opportunities for students on both sides.
As a Business Honors student and an athlete, his time at Mercy has been transformative. “My experience at Mercy has been incredible,” said Steffensen. “The Business Honors Program has provided me with outstanding networking opportunities, company visits, and academic challenges that have helped me grow. As an athlete, playing soccer has taught me resilience, discipline, and teamwork. Balancing both has been demanding but it has shaped me into a well-rounded individual ready for the next steps in my career.”
Steffensen, a senior, is pursuing his bachelor’s in business administration with a focus on management and finance and recently got a job as project assistant at the Consulate General of Denmark in New York.
From leftn to right, Danish Parliament Member Rasmus Prehn, Almedina Boskailo, professor, Social/Political Science at Aalborghus Gymnasium, 鶹Ʒ student Simon Steffensen, and Louise Nielsen, professor, Social/Political Science at Aalborghus Gymnasium.
Danish high school delegation and Mercy School of Business