Hej!
My name is Ally, I’m a Junior at UNC-Chapel Hill and I’m studying in Copenhagen for session 2 and 3 (June to August). I’ve always wanted to visit Scandinavia and what better opportunity than to get class credit and spend a summer in Denmark? After all, this city looks and feels like it’s right out of a fairy tale.
While I think studying abroad is something every person should have the chance to experience, leaving for a full semester was impractical with my class schedule. When I stumbled across the DIS summer program, I realized how perfectly it fit not only into my academic plans but into my internship plans, too.
DIS is a super unique program. Not only does it allow you to live in Denmark, Sweden, or both for the summer, but most classes include a study tour in another country. In 7 weeks you have the chance to explore up to 4 countries.
I am taking Positive Psychology in Session 2 and Strategic Leadership in Session 3. My first class will be traveling to Edinburgh, Scotland on June 16th and will spend five days exploring the city, meeting professors, going on field studies and participating in cultural activities. My second class will be traveling to Florence, Italy in the middle of July to observe the business and leadership culture in a European city.
So far, my time in Copenhagen has felt like a dream. I was nervous about making friends in a foreign country but everyone here really is in the same boat. None of us know each other and are all looking for new friends and connections.
One of the best ways to bond in a new city is over food. For our first night out, my new friends and I treated ourselves to Italian and spent time talking to the locals.
We spent our first rainy day in the Copenhagen Design Museum enjoying Copenhagen’s unique design preferences and laughing at the Danes’ apparent love of chairs. I hope to spend some more time exploring other museums in the future. My friends and I are most excited to experience the Natural History Museum. Best of all, it is just a few moments walk from the DIS offices.
Even after less than a week in Copenhagen, I can confidently say that I’m in love with both the city and the people. I look forward to the next 6 weeks and getting the opportunity to connect with the locals and see some more of “hidden gems” the city has to offer. One of my loftier goals is to catch a glimpse of a member of the Danish Royal Family but that may be a long shot. Maybe I’ll even learn a word or two of Danish (it’s harder than you think).
Copenhagen is hands-down the most forgiving city I have ever been in. The people are always willing to help you find your way and public transport is easy to understand and extremely clean. Most everything is written in Danish and English and there are students everywhere you look. There is no better place to explore when trying to expand your knowledge of travel.
I am confident when I say that my first week in Copenhagen is the start of a wonderful adventure.
Until later,
Ally