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So Long, Copenhagen: Reflections on Study Abroad
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark As I write this, I’m surrounded by four blank white walls and a year’s worth of belongings packed into two measly suitcases. On the one hand, I’m riding the high of an amazing final month in Copenhagen, soaking up the sun after surviving another exam season; on the other, I’m feeling a creeping sense of doom as I realise that this city will soon no longer be mine to call home. So, I wanted to take a moment during my final week, to reflect on my study abroad year at the University of Copenhagen. 2 things I recommend 1. Mobile Pay As I…
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Reflecting on my year at the University of Copenhagen
By Ellen Sleeuw, University of Copenhagen, Denmark I could write a dissertation on my year abroad. I still think back to it and can’t quite believe it happened. I learned so much, met so many people, and gained the most amazing memories that I will cherish forever. There were of course also challenging times, but I think learning from these made the experience even more rewarding.
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Maximise Your Study Abroad Experience: Volunteering in Denmark
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark One thing you might not know about Denmark is how volunteering is deeply rooted in Danish society. One of the most common examples you’ll encounter at the University of Copenhagen is the famous Friday Bars—makeshift bars on campus, entirely run by student volunteers from various university organisations. When I first arrived in Denmark, I was honestly surprised by how eager Danish students were to give up their free time to volunteer. Copenhagen is packed with things to do, see, and explore, so I couldn’t imagine choosing to give my time away on a Friday night. However, when I returned for my second semester,…
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An Itinerary for Visitors
By Ellen Sleeuw, University of Copenhagen, Denmark I had a few friends and family come to visit me in Copenhagen over the year and by the end I think I found a great way to show them lots of Copenhagen, visiting the tourist attractions, whilst also showing them some of my favourite spots. I was living in Ørestad, so this was my starting point, but it is easy enough to switch up the routes!
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One of the happiest countries in the world?
By Ellen Sleeuw, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Denmark is the second happiest country in the world, and having lived there for almost a year, I can agree that I felt very content. I think the Dane’s have a very balanced, social, healthy and relaxed way of life that contributes to this.
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A Guide to Housing in Copenhagen: Housing Foundation, Mariendalsvej and more
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark When you apply for study abroad, the pressure to find accommodation can be extremely daunting. And rightfully so, as housing in Copenhagen can be difficult to find. Prices and demand are high, housing foundation accommodations are first come first served, and turning to Facebook runs the risk of being scammed. I’ve created this guide, to be used alongside the information from the placement team and help you feel more prepared.
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A weekend in Aarhus
By Ellen Sleeuw, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Aarhus is the second most populated city in Denmark, located on the Jutland peninsula’s east coast. Two friends and I decided to take the Flix Bus from Copenhagen for the weekend and I couldn’t recommend it more! Saturday We got the bus at 8:50am, which did mean an early rise in order to cycle over to the bus station with plenty of time. However, with the bus journey being 3.5 hours, an earlier bus was ideal! When we arrived in Aarhus our stomachs were rumbling and fortunately there is food market, called ‘Aarhus Street Food’ located right next to the bus stop; this…
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Settling into the Second Semester
By Ellen Sleeuw, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Whilst it took some time, I managed to feel really settled by the end of the first semester. I had made some great friends, I felt like I knew the city I could cycle without having to stop every 2 minutes to check google maps, I was enjoying my classes and had gotten used to new teaching methods.
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Academic Culture Shocks: Is Copenhagen The Right Fit For You?
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Once you get past the initial excitement of biking through Copenhagen and feasting on all the amazing pastries Copenhagen has to offer, reality sets in… you actually have to study during your study abroad. There is a lot I didn’t know about Denmark’s education system, for better or worse, and I think a guide like this could have really helped me prepare for some of the unique quirks that the University of Copenhagen offers. While I can’t speak for everyone’s experiences, if you’re a social sciences student (especially in psychology) this guide may help you navigate academic life at KU a little easier.
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Exploring Copenhagen On A Budget
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark The Economist has just rated Copenhagen the 8th most expensive city to live in the world, ahead of other notoriously pricey cities like San Francisco and London. If you are thinking of studying in Copenhagen, this may sound daunting. And I won’t lie to you– it is expensive here. The price of a single metro ticket or a weekly grocery shop does occasionally bring a tear to my eye. However, Copenhagen also ranks as the 2nd best city to live in the world. This is largely due to its rich culture and environment, much of which costs little to enjoy. To settle your…
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A Guide to Exploring Sweden From Copenhagen
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark One of the great things about Copenhagen is its proximity to the rest of Scandinavia, particularly Sweden. It is so close to Sweden, in fact, that from areas (such as the Louisiana Museum), you can actually see it from across the Oresund (a waterway which forms the Danish-Swedish border).
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Adjusting to Copenhagen: What Shocked Me Most Upon Arrival
By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Before coming to Copenhagen, I anticipated some differences to the UK. I had been deep in research to settle my nerves and feel prepared, watching countless ‘Day in my Life’ videos on TikTok and YouTube and perfecting my Danish with a 100+ day streak on Duolingo. Yet, experiencing firsthand both the big and subtle differences was a whole other story. Quickly, I realised the reality of living in Copenhagen and being on a study abroad year did not meet my initial expectations. After a few weeks of reflection, I have put together a list of two types of differences I’ve had to navigate–cultural…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
