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My name is Hannah Auckland, I’m an English Language student, and I’m currently halfway through a life-changing year abroad in Copenhagen.
Despite a winter that felt a little longer and harsher than I expected, Denmark has been nothing short of unforgettable. My personal highlights so far have been the unique beauty of the Deer Park, the serenity of the local beaches, and the quirky charm of Tivoli Gardens (which inspired Disneyland due to its unique architecture!)
One of the biggest perks of this year has been using Copenhagen as a launchpad. Thanks to the Erasmus Student Network, I’ve been on some incredible subsidised trips, including a week in Norway. Standing by the fjords was easily a highlight of my life, let alone my trip! I’ve also ticked off Berlin, Malmö, Lund, and Dragør. Plus, I have trips to the Netherlands and Barcelona planned soon- one of the best parts of an exchange is making friends across the globe, which essentially means a lifetime of free accommodation!
Culturally, I’ve hit a few roadblocks. While the public transport is flawless, I haven't quite mastered the intense cycling culture yet; I usually only brave the bike lanes if I’m buffered by friends! Luckily Copenhagen is also very walkable (weather permitting). And while I’m trying my best with the language, Duolingo definitely hasn’t prepared me enough to eavesdrop on my Danish flatmates just yet.
I’ve also dealt with the pangs of missing my long-distance friends back home, but it’s taught me that those connections are resilient and they’ll be waiting for me when I return. I am also very grateful for choosing Copenhagen for this reason- my amazing friends were able to fly out to visit me for my birthday as it wasn’t too far!
For now, I’m just waiting for the sun to stay out so I can get back to swimming in the canals and exploring this wonderful city.