Hej from København!

On January 2^nd I said an emotional farewell to my family and friends in Sydney as I prepared for my departure to Copenhagen. Although thinking back, the hardest goodbye was almost definitely to the sun. Leaving Australian summer for Danish winter suddenly seemed like quite a crazy idea. Nevertheless I hoped on my flight fuelled with excitement for my next adventure. 30 hours later and 30 degrees colder, I arrived in Copenhagen.
I always like to arrive in new places in the day so that I can really get a feel for a city and try to get my bearings. In saying that, my flight budget didn’t allow for the privilege of being so selective. Arriving in pitch black (5pm) I was met by my mentors who very kindly picked me up from the airport. We took at taxi to my college or kollegiet as they say here only to discover that the office was closed and I couldn’t pick up my keys. Feeling very sorry for my self I contemplated spending my weekly budget on a night a hotel, but Sine (one of my mentors) generously said I could sleep on her couch. I thanked her weeks later with a bottle of yellow tail Shiraz. Hopefully she appreciated the sentimental value.

Waking up the next day I was overcome with excitement. Not least because I could see the city I would be spending the next six months in. It was a beautiful sunny day and I couldn’t wait to get to my kollegiet. I took an Uber (something I’ve been trying to cut down on since being here) to my place. It was defiantly worth the wait. It’s called Tietgenkollegiet and has won many architecture awards. It’s quite an incredible building and I was so glad to be living in it.

We have communal kitchens and there are twelve people to a kitchen; 10 Danes and 2 exchange students. This was perfect for me as I was wary of being in an exchange bubble and not meeting any actual Danish people. They were all incredibly kind and welcoming. And still are.

Three months in and I can’t believe I’m already half way through. Time is certainly flying. I’ve learnt a lot about Danish culture, namely the famous ‘hygge.’ I’m also loving the bike culture, although that definitely took some adjusting to, being slightly uncoordinated. Its spring now and the temperatures in double digits! Sometimes.

I highly recommend Copenhagen for anyone thinking about going on exchange. It’s such beautiful city and the people are amazing. The best advice I would give is, learn to grind your own coffee. Unless you want to fork out $8 for a flat white.

Flora Fraser

98137654

Bachelor of Communications (Public Communications)

University of Copenhagen