From August until December, I lived and studied in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, as part of my Erasmus semester at University College Copenhagen (Københavns Professionshøjskole). I took part in a program for students in teacher training with other international teacher students from all around the world.

University

The university itself, University College Copenhagen, is very large and modern and offers many different facilities for students. There is a big library, a basketball court and even a play lab, which provides a wide range of games and materials for school and kindergarten use. Especially for teacher education, this was very helpful and inspiring.

The organisation at the university was very good. I especially enjoyed the Welcome Week in August. Many activities were organised for exchange students, which made it easy to meet new people. We went on a boat tour, explored the city together and even had a dance lesson. I quickly got to know other international students from different study programs. Working and studying together with people from many different countries was a very enriching experience in general, as it allowed me to learn a lot about other cultures, different ways of doing things and also about various school systems. This helped me feel comfortable at the university from the beginning.

During the semester, I attended three courses: Cultural Studies, Controversial Issues in School and Society and an International Internship. The two university courses were interactive and varied. We worked a lot in groups, discussed different topics and shared experiences from our home countries. This gave me a good insight into different educational and cultural backgrounds. We also went on several excursions together, such as museums or hikes. One thing I missed was having classes with Danish students, which would have made the experience even more interesting.

The international internship took place at a school outside of Copenhagen. I worked with lower secondary students, which was different from my usual experience teaching in primary school. Together with two students from Germany, I formed a small practice team. We taught German and English as foreign languages. Through this internship, I gained a good insight into the Danish school system, which was very interesting and exciting to observe. Working with this age group was challenging but fun, because we got to use quite creative teaching methods. We were also integrated very well and were able to attend school events. Besides teaching languages, we also had the opportunity to introduce parts of our home cultures. These teaching and working experiences would not have been possible without a stay abroad.

Accommodation

I lived in a student dormitory that was offered by the university. It was located in the south of Copenhagen but well connected to the city centre. The university was only about ten minutes away and the city centre could be reached in 15 to 20 minutes. The dormitory was close to the sea, which I really enjoyed.

The building is new and modern, but definitely not cheap. However, I chose this option because it is very difficult to find affordable accommodation in Copenhagen. I had my own room with a private bathroom and shared a kitchen with other students. This was completely sufficient for my stay of five months. Many exchange students lived in the dormitory, which created a nice international and supportive community.

The City of Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a beautiful city with a relaxed atmosphere. I liked living there both in summer and in autumn and winter. The city is surrounded by water, such as the sea or canals and lakes, which gives it a very open and calm feeling. Even though it is a capital city, it does not always feel like a big city.

Copenhagen offers many cafés, shops, parks and beautiful streets to explore, which makes everyday life in the city very enjoyable. However, life in Copenhagen is quite expensive, especially when it comes to food and coffee or fun activities, which you really have to keep in mind if you consider it for a longer stay such as Erasmus. Despite this, the city can easily be explored on foot or by bike, and public transport also works very well.

The Danish language is difficult to understand, mainly because of its pronunciation. However, communication was not a problem because most people speak English very well. People are generally friendly, but they are often more private and reserved. In general, I really enjoyed the city and I felt comfortable a lot quicker than I had thought.

Overall, my Erasmus semester was a very valuable experience for me, both academically and personally. Living and studying abroad meant leaving my familiar environment, which also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and become more open, independent and confident. This stay abroad clearly broadened my horizons, and I gained many insights that I will take with me, both in my private life and in my future role as a teacher.

Photos & Text: Johanna Lew