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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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Trips from Bergen – Exploring Norway and Further Afield
By Charlotte Hussey, University of Bergen, Norway A year abroad, in my opinion, is the perfect opportunity to travel. There are so many opportunities provided, whether through organised trips by different organisations like ESN (Erasmus Student Network) or simply by meeting many likeminded people. I have found that my new friends are like me because they really love to travel. It also helps that I seem to have much less work to do here than in Manchester meaning I have more free time to travel!
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A Storybook Adventure: Lyon and the Little Prince
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France Just a few days before leaving for the holidays, I finally set up a day to trace the footsteps of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of the renowned The Little Prince. Recalling the first time I researched Lyon, the city where I would be living for my study abroad program, my heart leaped as I discovered that it was the hometown of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Immediately, I was embraced by a soft and familiar comfort as I built a connection to my childhood memories of reading The Little Prince. As it was one of my mother’s favorite books, I had already…
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A Trip to Berlin
By Will Fisher, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands The travel options during a year abroad in Europe are practically unlimited. The density and variety of cultures just outside your door practically beg to be explored, and no exchange would be compete without at least a little extra travelling. Over January, me and some of the friends I’ve made in Amsterdam were lucky enough to get a chance to visit Berlin.
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Market Marvels – a visit to the Saturday markets in Lyon
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France Have you seen the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast? It’s the moment when Belle walks through her hometown, greeting the morning crowd on her way to the library. Showered by the morning freshness, she makes her way through the market, saying good morning to the baker, the food merchants, and the housewives sitting by the street, chatting about this “bizarre” and unusual girl. In the background, Belle opens the scene with a light and joyful tune, which crescendos into a more intense symphony as the townspeople gradually join in.
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A Trip to the Arctic
By Charlotte Hussey, University of Bergen, Norway A few weeks before Christmas, I took a trip to Tromso – one of the northernmost cities in the world. Situated in the farthest reaches of Norway into the Arctic Circle, it reached -12 degree Celsius. I travelled with the new friends I made during my first semester of my exchange in Norway. It was a once in a lifetime trip – I had never seen anywhere like it before and was the perfect place to visit to get in a Christmassy mood!
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A Comprehensive Student Guide to life on a Year Abroad in Rennes
By Isabelle Hatton-Williams, Universite Haute-Bretagne Rennes 2, France So, you’ve made it through your first year. You’ve figured out the balance of student life: cooking semi-decent meals, living with housemates you actually like, and maybe even settling into some sort of routine. Maybe you’re on the hockey team, or maybe you’re on the committee for chess society. And just when you’ve started to feel comfortable, along comes the next big leap: a year abroad. I get it. I was you. I was in love with my routine – knowing where to get the best coffee, where to brunch, knowing where was hot, and where was not. The thought of packing…
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Lights Throuhg Time: La Fête des Lumières
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France As we entered the festive month of December, vibrant neon lights and sparkling snowflakes appeared on apartment doors, shop windows, and streetlamps overnight. Just a few weeks before the long-anticipated family gatherings and holiday feasts at the end of the month, Lyon invites its residents and visitors to another flamboyant spectacle: La Fête des Lumières.
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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…
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Football and Festivals in España
By Annabelle Henderson, Esade Business School, Barcelona Living in Barcelona has so far been an unforgettable experience, especially with the incredible food, culture, and vibrant city life. There’s always something happening, and I feel so lucky to be living in such an energetic place. Recently I have attended lots of festivals and done many cultural activities.
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
