Details

• Denmark
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

My selection process at WU consisted of an online interview together with two other candidates. The questions were very closely linked to what I had written in the application sheet beforehand and were clearly structured around the same three main sections (social and intercultural competence, motivation, extracurricular engagement; not 100% sure about the titles of the sections anymore). One important piece of advice I would give future outgoing students is to apply for courses at CBS as early as possible. I noticed that students who applied early had a much higher chance of getting their preferred courses. Since I applied quite late, I often ended up with my second-choice options or did not get some courses I was very interested in. In addition, I would recommend thinking strategically about course formats. From my experience, courses with a take-home assignments as the final exam are much less time-consuming compared to courses with a sit-in exam at the end.

2. Accommodation

My accommodation search was very straightforward. As part of the application process, I had to rank the housing options provided by the university, and I ended up receiving my first choice. I would strongly recommend completing this step as early as possible. Even though it is officially stated that the allocation is not based on a first-come-first-served principle, our experience showed that students who applied closer to the deadline were much less likely to receive housing through the university and often had to search on their own, which can be significantly more challenging. I stayed at the Tietgen Residence Hall, which is located near Islands Brygge. While it is around 20 minutes by bike from CBS, I really enjoyed the location, as it is close to the water, about ten minutes from the city center, and right next to a large park. For me, as someone who enjoys running, this was ideal. One important aspect to consider is that Tietgen is a shared-kitchen dorm and also the only residence where mostly Danish students live. This creates a very social environment and offers a more local experience, but it also means being part of a very active community. There are regular common dinners, social events and celebrations such as Danish Christmas. For students who value a lot of privacy, this might not be the best option, but for those who enjoy being socially involved, it can be a great experience.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Copenhagen Business School differs in several ways from what I was used to at WU. One of the main differences is that the campuses are spread across Frederiksberg rather than being located in one central area. In general, the academic culture is quite relaxed. Most courses are taught in a rather frontal lecture style, but there is usually no attendance requirement. Another major difference is the assessment structure: in most courses, the final grade is based solely on one final exam. There are usually no continuous assignments or mid-term assessments throughout the semester. Courses typically carry 7.5 ECTS, which means that students usually take fewer courses overall. This also means that there is less continuous workload during the semester. This system allows for a lot of flexibility during the semester, especially in terms of time management.

5. Every day life in the host country

Overall, Copenhagen feels very safe, which makes daily life easy and comfortable. Public transportation works extremely well and runs 24/7, but it is also quite expensive, costing around 80 euros per month. A great alternative is renting a bike, which I would highly recommend. Renting a Swapfiets cost around 20–25 euros per month and is not only much cheaper, but often also faster than public transport, as the city is very bike-friendly. There are many opportunities to stay socially active, for example through various run clubs, which I joined regularly. There are also many student organizations and clubs at CBS, although I personally did not join any of them apart from the running community. In addition, Copenhagen offers a strong social culture around activities such as ice bathing, which makes it easy to meet people in an informal setting. CBS also plays an active role in helping exchange students connect, especially during the Introduction Week. During this time, many social events and trips are organized, which makes it easy to meet new people and settle into life in the city.

6. Testimonial

At the end of the day, what truly made my exchange special were the people I met along the way. Sharing everyday moments, traveling together, and experiencing a new culture with people from all over the world made the experience incredibly meaningful. These connections and shared memories are what turned my exchange into something truly unforgettable