IT University of Copenhagen

I recently completed a global short program at the IT University of Copenhagen – I had been looking into doing an exchange for a while but never went through with it because I was hesitant about being away from home for such a long period of time. I ended up discovering the short program option available in both the summer and winter holidays and decided it would be perfect for me. If you’re looking into doing an exchange program but worried about the commitment of a semester-long program, definitely look into some of the short exchange options UTS has to offer.

Studying in a foreign country is such a unique experience that gives you the opportunity to see the world, learn about different cultures firsthand and connect with people from around the world while receiving credit for your degree.

If you’re looking into going to Copenhagen on your exchange I’d recommend you try planning your stay for summer as it gets very cold and can be dark for most of the day in winter. I went in July/August (summer in Denmark) and still found it a little chilly compared to Sydney (around a max of 20 degrees most days and very rainy so definitely pack a raincoat!). I was also a fan of the long summer days, the sun would rise around 4:30 AM and sunset around 10:30 PM, because it meant I had more time to explore the city and see the beautiful, historic architecture. If you’re concerned about not speaking the language, most people in Copenhagen speak very good English so there’s no need to worry about language barriers.

I stayed at Basecamp (Copenhagen City) and would highly recommend it to anyone coming to Copenhagen. The location is super central and within walking distance to most of the major hotspots. They host heaps of cool events throughout the year which is great for getting to meet people.

It’s an expensive city so keep that in mind when budgeting because it can come as quite a shock. Something to keep in mind if you’re a big coffee drinker like me is that the average cup of coffee costs around $10! That didn’t stop me from partaking in regular ‘fika’ – the Scandinavian version of afternoon tea, often accompanied with some sort of sweet treat like a cardamom bun. I would highly recommend checking out the options at Apotek 57, a cafe near the city centre that does great coffee and pastries. It’s surrounded by stunning Nyboder houses (historic old yellow houses) so it’s a great place to go for a stroll to walk off all the delicious food Copenhagen has to offer!

All in all, I had an amazing time on my exchange so if you’re considering going this is your sign to just do it! You will learn so much about yourself and the world. Truly, the only way to grow is to go outside your comfort zone and this is the perfect chance to do just that.

Ella Brown
Bachelor of Information Technology
IT-Universitetet i København, Denmark
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal