Erasmus Experience in Copenhagen, Denmark by Michelle

Why did you choose to go to Copenhagen, Denmark?

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First of all, I chose this incredible city because the university I wanted was here. Even before I knew the city itself, I was primordially guided by the experiences friends of mine had told me about living here and how much they had learned about life and the constant excitement of being able to meet new people. Another important factor for coming here, was that when I saw the pictures and read about the past of Copenhagen itself, everything just captured me. Also because it's completely different from where I was used to live in. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and start living something I had never lived before. Now I know, Copenhagen was and still is the best choice I could have ever taken.

What is the student lifestyle like in Copenhagen?

Student lifestyle in Europe in its whole is splendorous. Every city has its precious golden stones and exiting adventures. But, from my travels, and from my time here in Copenhagen, I had never met such a diversity of people. People who I can call my friends- who range diversely from cultures, countries, languages, experiences, ages and previous lifestyles completely different from my own, and from every other person I've met. Apart from having a ton of different universities, Copenhagen also is very flexible in creating an amazing school network all by itself without even knowing it! To explain myself better on this: this student network is created by all the student that are studying here in Denmark. Each trip to any place means getting to know new students from schools and universities you had not even heard of. Even careers and degrees you didn't know about, or have heard little of.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Copenhagen to other students?

Copenhagen has many things to offer, and education is never something I could leave behind on this list.

What is the food like?

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To me, it was challenging. Getting to eat everything without salsa or spice. But I found out that you don't need spicy ingredients or a good chunk of taco salsa to make your afternoon dinner spicy! The people and company you get here will do that for you. Since any food never gets left off without a couple of good Scandinavian beers. It surely is something else; but we have the great advantage that Copenhagen is a huge portal to sea food, and believe me, you will never eat salmon anywhere else again but here.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Copenhagen?

From my own personal experience, no. I did not have trouble finding a place- That, I thank my mother for. What would we do without them, right?

But from hearing what many of my friends have told me, it is pretty difficult to find a nice place to settle in in this small but busy city. But don´t worry! Everyone I have met, even with struggle, have been able to find a good place to be settled at.

How much does it cost to live in Copenhagen?

Being a student and living alone without your parents may seem scary. Having to get responsible over money! It's terrifying at first. But you get the hang of it while you go.

Even though Copenhagen is not a cheap city, students always find their ways. If you manage, it can be as cheap as living anywhere else you could imagine! Just... don't forget to hang on tight to that wallet when going out for beers with the Danes! That can cost you a lot.

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Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Yes, there are many language courses in some universities that I know of. But there are also a lot of courses outside universities, like other languages institutions. You will always see adds and posters with information about Danish lessons.

The language itself is very tricky. It sounds funny and may be difficult to pronounce. Not even may Danes can write in their own language since it's always fluctuating! Mostly because the way you write it is not at all the way you say it.

Personally, I have not had any classes away from those my friends have given me over beers and long conversations. But when you get the basics, and if you are reading something in a product at the supermarket in context, I promise, some of it will make sense and you´ll understand.

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What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Copenhagen from your city?

I use the metro a lot, it is very easy and direct. You can learn it and locate everything around all the stops in one week. I also have my bike, which is a big thing here. Even though sometimes it can get difficult or un-charming due to weather circumstances.

The transportation in its whole is very very easy to use and manage, from the bus to the metro to the trains to your bike, any mean of transportation will get you to the place you'll need to be. Trust me, its very clear and easy. You just have to learn the Danish names of where you are going to know where to get off!

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Copenhagen?

Downtown is always a good option. Since options never run out! There are tons of places you can go to. Every night I discover a new hidden place, or a place I did not pay attention to the previous night. Downtown is a buzz on weekend nights, due to all the different options you have there. But of course, Danish people are very prone to house parties or just hanging out at a park or central plaza drinking beer and chatting and singing along with friends. Even once I had a chill night where we got caught up on a train station near downtown just singing and drinking cheap wine singing songs; we did not leave the train station, we made it our party location.

And you don´t even have to go downtown to find a good bar or pub to sit down and relax with a drink. It seems to me that there is one pretty much on every corner. And if not, there is always a Netto or another supermarket to buy beers and drink on the street while you walk to your next party location.

There are also many big clubs all spread out within the city. They are very cool to go to if you want more that just a chill beer.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Copenhagen?

Uf! This is a tough one. Specially because I´m a huge foodie! There are tons of good places to go to. Even if you are at the tourist areas or the areas where everything goes down to cheap Danish coronas, even to the hot delicious hot dog stands you´ll find everywhere!

Copenhagen is also owner of one of the biggest food markets in Europe. It is called Papirøen, also known as the Paper Island, and they have foods from almost any country you can imagine. Every stand is delicious, and the view they have is even better.

Also, Copenhagen is a newly developed gourmet competitor, with its complicated Scandinavian and completely different gastronomy, you can find amazing restaurants that suffice your experimental needs. As you would know or not, Copenhagen has the 3rd best restaurant in the world, "Noma". But even if you are not looking for that, they also have excellent hamburgers, sushi and Thai food. I could go on forever with the description of foods in this city. But, why don't I leave that to you to discover?

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Even though Copenhagen is not the biggest city, it's good because everything is near each other when it comes to turist or cultural sites, starting with Nyhavn.

The pretty coloured houses at the border of the sea surrounded by fairy tale boats and lights. It seems to me that this is every students' favorite place in Copenhagen once you are living here. I know this by experience, my own and the experience of friends I've made that are not Danish. We all love it. And it is so near to some other big, astonishing sites! You have the Opera, which is set down by the sea, when it's lit at night the colors of the rainbow that the Opera engulfs itself with, shine down to the cold water beneath. You have Christiania, your own hippie happy place full with color and taboo like adventure! You have the museums and the castles, resembling the old days where kings and queens knew not about running a country, but only pleasure. Good thing that changed now.

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Also, all the nice parks and stone ways on a cold night here, where if you get lost, you just find yourself standing in front of another mesmerizing monument or building you did not know about (personal experience). You will not be let down by all the sites this place has to offer.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Copenhagen in the future?

Just come! What are you waiting for?

It has already captured my heart, my roomates' heart, and all of my friends' hearts. No one wants to leave anytime soon!

If you want that to be you, don't waste your breath.

Just say "See you soon Copenhagen, my love".