Evelien Heusinkveld
Study: BSc Molecular Life Sciences.
Destination: Denmark.
Exchange student.
Hi everyone,
My name is Evelien and for my minor I go to Copenhagen! At this page I will keep you updated about my experiences. You can also follow me (@evelienheusinkveld) and other WURldexplorers on Instagram: search for #WURldexplorers!
Going abroad: I'm doing it!
I am going to Copenhagen for half a year, to study for my minor and to have an amazing time. I am in my third year of my bachelor study Molecular Life Sciences. Even before I started this study, I knew I would be spending some time abroad in my bachelor. My sister has done it and now I will do it as well.
København
I started with an introduction, just like the AID, but then a bit different. It consisted mostly of a lot of technical stuff about the university, the site, the campus area, etcetera. But of course that did not mean we wouldn’t do anything fun. There was time to socialise and get to know other international students. There are a lot of people from Germany, the US, Australia and other places.
Hygge and the law of Jante
I will describe some concepts which are very important within the Danish culture. First there is Hygge. The literal translation is cosiness. But it is so much more than only being cosy. It is also being warm, happy and having a good time. When somebody is having a hyggelig time, it can for example be with Christmas. The time you spend with your family. Or just a nice evening with your friends and a glass of wine, probably with some candles lit or in front of a nice fire. That feeling is what the Danish call hygge.
Exams
The first block in the semester has past and the exams are over. I have followed two courses within the first block. The learning methods in Denmark do not differ a lot from those in the Netherlands. At least, that what I have experienced. My courses consisted of lectures and tutorials. I have been told that there would be a lot more groups work in the Danish education. I have not experienced more than I am used to, but I didn’t had any practical work either in this block. Maybe I will have more group work in my next courses.
Trip through Denmark
One of the many nice things of my study in Copenhagen is the fact that I had a week of after my exams. In that week I went on a trip through Denmark with some friends from my classes. Until then, I hadn’t seen much more than my city. Of course, there is still much more to see, but it was a start.
Trip through Lapland
In between al the studying, I have been on a little vacation to Lapland. It was organised by an organisation for international students. A lot of people that I have met here also went. Of course, I met a lot of new people too.
Christmas and New Year
It is a bit late already, but I still wanted to write a blog about the Christmas period in Copenhagen. For Christmas itself I was back home celebrating with my family, but it starts earlier here in the city. Of course, they don’t have Sint-Nicolaas. Thus the decorations and Christmas markets are set up early.
Worst two weeks of my exchange period
So these worst two weeks started at the 12th of January. And why would you ask, well my exams were coming up.
Last week in Copenhagen
The exams are done and afterwards I was free for a whole week. I had a week before I went back to the Netherlands. Of course, a lot of my friends left earlier. They had to leave their rooms, or needed to start classes immediately the next week. So, right after my exam I had a nice farewell diner in a restaurant with everybody.
Goodbye Copenhagen
After my fun trip to Stevns Klint, the end of my stay in Copenhagen was there. I only had a few days left to pack my stuff before I went back to the Netherlands. My transportation back to the Netherlands was very nice, because I didn’t have to go with a plain or train. My dad picked me up with the car. My sister went with him, to see the place where I lived for half a year. Everybody had to know, of course, where I lived during my stay and where I studied. For me, it was my last opportunity to go to the university and say goodbye.