My initial reaction to Copenhagen and Copenhagen Business School was how lively and beautiful everything was here. The student housing in Frederiksburg provides everything that a university student might need within walking distance. By simply walking, the lovely architecture and abundance of greenery makes every simple place like the grocery store, restaurants, or local thrift stores feel vibrant and special. The history that encompasses each building, in both residential and commercial neighborhoods, provides a different aspect of Danish culture, which is a unique experience that can’t be replicated in the United States. Leaving Frederiksberg and entering Copenhagen central city just enhances the liveliness of Denmark, since there is so much to explore. One highlight in my first week was taking a canal tour at Nyhavn Port and learning about the different landmarks I would not have visited on my own. The charm of the city doesn’t end after sunset either, with numerous well-rated restaurants and parks available for young university students to frequent. These popular student-friendly spots create a welcoming environment and feeling similar to one felt at College Station, which was a great feeling to have so far from home.
So far in my time in Copenhagen, the two main cultural differences I have found were with the transportation and education systems. Growing up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, I have always relied on my car, from commuting to school or completing errands. With the exception of my freshman year in college, where I walked often, it was a culture shock for me to switch from solely using a car to learning about public transportation. Since I have no experience with it, I expected there to be a huge learning curve, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it is incredibly intuitive. Since navigating myself was an intimidating undertaking, I have been able to improve my problem-solving and planning skills through this process, making future daunting tasks achievable.
Lastly, the education system that Copenhagen Business School uses has very minimal structure, with the exams being a few open-ended questions that can be tackled in any way the student chooses. This is very different from Texas A&M, which has specific exam times and only right or wrong answers. This switch in learning made me reorient the way that I looked at my lectures, using them as a foundation for my own analysis, rather than looking for a correct answer. This lack of structure, though initially challenging, allowed me to revel in the freedom of engaging with the material in the way that supports my learning the best. These cultural differences have only broadened my viewpoints, while honing skills I have never had to use. This growth better equips me for future opportunities out of my comfort zone.
