For students thinking of studying abroad in Europe, Denmark is a great place to spend a semester, year, or summer, regardless of language ability beforehand. Denmark, located in northern Europe, is a country of approximately 5.5 million people, and is home to two major university cities, Copenhagen and Aarhus. Many students from around the world choose to complete a portion or all of their studies in Denmark.
A Few Tips About Studying Abroad in Denmark and Using the Danish Language
Students should remember that while many people in Denmark speak English fluently, it is still important to learn Danish prior to arrival or shortly after arrival. It will come in handy at some point!
Plus, it is always a good idea for a student to learn the native language of whatever county he or she is studying in, especially if that student's native language is English. Not doing so is just pure laziness! Most study abroad programs in Denmark offer some sort of Danish language course.
Study Abroad Programs in Copenhagen
One of the top universities in the world, the University of Copenhagen is an excellent place to study for a semester or year. The Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) is an excellent resource for studying abroad in Denmark. DIS offers programs in a variety of academic fields.
At the University of Copenhagen alone, there are 38,000 students. Add to that the 7,000 at the Technical University of Denmark, the 1,500 at the IT University of Copenhagen, and the 16,000 at the Copenhagen Business School, and the result is that students make up a significant portion of Copenhagen's population.
Study Abroad Programs in Aarhus
Aarhus University is another top university in the world. Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city with just under 300,000 people. There are 37,000 students at Aarhus University, which has an excellent support system for international students.
Here are just a few interesting things to do in Aarhus, by no means a complete list:
- Visiting museums like the Clausholm Manor, Danish Firefighting Museum, Occupation Museum, or the Danish Museum of the Sciences
- Take a stroll through the Botanisk Have, or botanical gardens
- Attend one of the many musical events the city hosts throughout the year
- Take an Aarhus Harbor Tour
- Visit the old town
- Enjoy one of the many restaurants, bars, cafes, and more
For more information, check out the Aarhus International Student Guide.
Other Places to Study Abroad in Denmark
There are universities in Odense, Denmark's third-largest city, and in Aalborg, Roskilde, and Esbjerg, among others. The University of Southern Denmark has campuses in several locations.
Roskilde University has a particularly significant international student population, and is close to Copenhagen.
With two major university cities, plus several other locations to choose from, Denmark offers a variety of options for international students. Copenhagen and Aarhus are very international student-friendly cities, with many students from around the world choosing to spend a semester, year, or even the entire duration of their university studies in Denmark.
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