Copenhagen - Happy, Expensive, Unique, and Personable Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/08/2016 to 06/10/2016 with

University of Copenhagen: Copenhagen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to navigate public transportation like an expert while traveling, and you are able to travel to another country with a round-trip ticket for under fifty dollars...you cannot do that anywhere else in the world, and it is an amazing experience during your time at university.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are not compulsory...no assignments throughout the semester besides your final examination, which is either a research paper or an oral exam...really have to take charge and see what interests you in the subject.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

If I ever had a question or needed something, the university was extremely helpful...slow at answering e-mails though...

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Make sure to research where in Copenhagen you want to live before...my housing (Krimsvej) wasn't even complete when moving in so we have had constant construction noise and issues with the building...Signalheuset is where a lot of my friends lived and it is a very social, international student housing complex.

* Food:

Danish food isn't the best type of cuisine, but there is every type of food you can imagine in Copenhagen.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since everyone speaks English, the culture shock really isn't too intense...Danes are nice & friendly, but it is difficult to get to a higher level of friendship, but once you get there, they are GREAT

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

You do not have to pay to go to the doctor...and your coverage extends to any country you visit while a resident of Denmark...it is AMAZING.

* Safety:

I have always felt very safe in Copenhagen...never have to watch your back or feel unsure in certain areas...very trusting atmosphere and most at ease places I have been to throughout Europe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Copenhagen is unlike any other Scandinavian city...it is has a fun nightlife as well as an interesting culture and history...the people are happy and life is good here...

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Everything is extremely expensive in Copenhagen...from food to public transportation to drinks...so be ready for hefty bills if you decide to study here.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250 EASY...
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pre-game before going out...like anywhere else, but here it is extremely important. Even buying groceries instead of eating out doesn't make too much of a difference...it is really expensive to live in Copenhagen.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Getting to really know Copenhagen - it is small enough where you can feel like you have really discovered the entire city
  • Christiania is one of the coolest hippie towns you will ever visit
  • The trust professors place in students to take charge of their own learning in the course
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Clearness about final examinations at the beginning of the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is SO COLD until May...so brace yourself...also really find out what interests you in the course at the beginning so you can prepare throughout the semester by focusing your reading and thoughts on that component of the course...Sky Scanner allows you to become a world traveler...

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.