During the Spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Copenhagen. Here are some things I wish I knew going into this experience.
Making Friends
It was only when I was walking through the Copenhagen airport with the other study abroad kids, that I realized I was in a foreign country with no one I know. It is a strange feeling to be surrounded by so many people, who were brought together by one common interest, yet feel so alone. It also never occurred to me that people would study abroad with their college and hometown friends. So, the first few weeks were an adjustment period, where I was trying to find my place in a new country. The first few weeks also marked a period where I formed crucial relationships with people. It turned out that I was not the only person who had come to Copenhagen without already knowing other people in cohort. I bonded with people in my residential building about feeling lonely. Among the relationships I formed with these people, I became friends with a boy, whom I adore and keep in touch with every day.
What to Bring
I arrived at the Newark airport with two hefty 50-pound suitcases and smaller third suitcase. I checked the two big bags and traveled with the other bag. However, transporting my luggage from the airport to my residential building was not as swift and easy — I was not prepared to traverse the cobblestone paths in Copenhagen. I wrongly believed I would need every single article of clothing I brought, but I barely touched half of my closet while being abroad. This was made more difficult by the plethora of stores Copenhagen has — some that are popular in the United States as well as ones exclusive to Scandinavian countries, like Gina Tricot and Ganni.
Getting to Know a Culture
Many students whom I studied in Copenhagen with had trips planned for each weekend. I think studying abroad grants people a great opportunity to travel around Europe at an affordable price. Nevertheless, I learned it is okay to stay in the country where you chose to study. I spent four months in Copenhagen and I barely got to check out all the cool food spots, tourist attractions, and night clubs. It was nice to feel like Copenhagen wasn’t merely a place that I studied abroad, but Copenhagen felt like a home. There is something to be said about immersing yourself in the culture to ultimately get the most fruitful experience abroad.
Learning to Take Care of Myself
I only knew how to make grilled cheese going abroad. Unlike college campuses, there are no dining halls at DIS Copenhagen and getting takeout every night gets expensive. However, the program I was at allowed students a stipend for getting groceries. I took advantage of this stipend and learned how to cook with the help of my roommate and easy recipes I looked up. I made things like tomato pasta, tandoori chicken, and pulled pork. Going abroad taught me how to literally feed myself and fend for myself.
Overall, my Copenhagen experience was amazing. I do not regret, for a minute, studying abroad by myself because it taught me how to grow up.