Kobenhavns Universitet (KU)

Buy a used bike to get around. It saves tons of money in bus/metro fares, gives you more freedom and keeps you fit! The bike culture here is insane but I love it. Try to plan your travels ahead of time to get the best rates. And try not go in a really big group! As fun as it sounds its IMPOSSIBLE to make decisions with a dozen people together. Your mobile phone will be your lifeline. Everyone texts each other because its cheaper. The city is notoriously safe, but never leave your bag down at a club! Try not to tie yourself down by just hanging out with people from your home uni or country. Go out, make friends, have fun!!

Cost saving tip: Open a bank account with Den Danske Bank. When you need money, just write yourself a check drawn from your American bank account and deposit it in your Danish account. It will be converted within a day, with minimal fees and is easy to use. ATM cards from Den Danske Bank are everywhere and free to use for members.

Two things: Vandreklub and Studenterhuset. By joining Vandrekluben (the hiking club), I was able to meet other students from many institutes of higher education in Copenhagen, spend time together hiking and at some social gatherings, see many parts of Denmark, southern Sweden and even central Norway. If you like hiking a lot, I would suggest you look up Vandreklubben. Studenterhuset (the student house) is a cafe where students can come to read, meet, get a quick bite, etc. It is in the heart of downtown. Every Wednesday night is International Student night. International students from all over and a few Danish students pack the place, drink a lot, dance some, and have great conversations. I would highly recommend it! Unfortunately it is only during the academic year, so those of us who arrived during the summer for language study really had a hard time finding a place to hang out.

Danes speak perfect English, so trying to speak Danish with them is as frustrating to them as it is to you. Nevertheless, Danish is a fun language and Danes appreciate the interest in learning their language. As fas the bare requirements of class and administrative functions, English will suffice. And one-on-one, English will be used. But if you enter a scene with a couple of Danes, exect the Danish to flow... whether or not you understand it. I did an eight week language course during the summer and I learned the vast majority of what I needed to know to communicate with people, to find my way around, to pass myself off as a Dane rather than an American while travelling, and so forth. I did not, however, ever have to take a course in Danish, compose anything in Danish, or even get very good at reading the newspaper in Danish.