Details

• Denmark
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

For travel, I went by train, which worked really well as it allowed me to visit friends along the way and avoid airline luggage restrictions. Worth considering if you're not in a rush. When it comes to preparation, look into any administrative tasks you'll need to complete upon arrival and book appointments as early as possible, as waiting times can be long. In Copenhagen specifically, EU students need two separate appointments: first to obtain a document confirming EU residency, and then a follow-up appointment to register for a CPR number, which can only be done once the first document is in hand. Since these are sequential, delays in the first appointment push everything back, so getting these booked before you arrive makes a real difference. Also arrange key pickup for your accommodation in advance.

2. Accommodation

Dorm spots at CBS are limited, so don't count on for sure getting one as there is less capacity than applicants. Most CBS-offered dorms are close to campus and are a great social environment as they're filled mostly with exchange students. Many of my friends lived in Nimbusparken, which was a fun place to hang out, though it could get noisy at night and you're assigned a random room with no say over your floor or floormates. I ended up applying for CBS Private Housing, which matched me with a landlord based on my budget and preferences. You fill out a profile with general information about yourself and your preferences, and CBS matches you with available landlords. Once you receive an offer with basic details about the room and apartment location, you have three days to respond. The offer doesn't always include photos, so I'd recommend contacting the host directly before accepting to ask for pictures and anything else you want to know. I found a room in a shared apartment near Valby station, around 10 to 15 minutes by bike to campus, and was really happy with it. If you don't secure either option, it's worth joining Facebook groups and registering for private student dorms. Demand is high but there are also a lot of offers, so it's a viable backup worth looking at. On safety, Copenhagen is a very safe city and I personally never had any concerns. General tip, start the accommodation process as early as possible and explore all options in parallel rather than waiting to hear back from one before moving on to the next.

3. Academic life at host university

In my experience with the specific courses I took, the academic culture at CBS felt noticeably different from WU. The focus is much more on practical applicability than on theory, with a lot of interactive, group-based work done in class. There were little to no presentations, and exams were structured around connecting theory to the group project, but assessed individually. At WU, a similar setup would typically result in a group assignment or group exam, so this was a meaningful difference. My courses had no attendance policy, though most of the core group work happened in class, so showing up still made sense in practice. I took two courses that felt most comparable to a studio-based or "garage" course format: Business: Concepts and Prototypes and Entrepreneurial Processes. Both followed a similar structure: theoretical input sessions followed by hands-on application, where we built our own businesses from scratch in teams. By the end of each course you could genuinely see what you had learned reflected in your own project, which made the experience feel worthwhile. Exams were individual take-home assignments of around 10 pages with a 72-hour window, connecting theory to the project work, and required proof of fieldwork, a showcase, and project documentation. One thing to be aware of: you receive continuous feedback on your project throughout the course, but your grade is based solely on the individual exam, not on the project itself. Feedback on the exam is not provided afterward, and grading can feel somewhat opaque. I also took a project-oriented internship and anthropological field study course run through the Copenhagen Entrepreneurship Centre (CSE). This required either working at a startup or developing your own startup idea. I worked for a local startup, attended mandatory check-in sessions at CSE, and wrote an approximately 30-page report connecting theory to the internship experience, supervised by a preassigned academic supervisor. It was structured similarly to a bachelor's thesis. This format does not exist at WU, so if you're interested in entrepreneurship, want to build your own business, or want a more applied academic experience, it's genuinely worth considering. CSE is there to support you with all kinds of services to help you develop your business or idea.

5. Every day life in the host country

Getting around in the city I rented a bike from Swapfiets for the whole duration of my stay and used it every day. It is genuinely the best way to get around, and everyone bikes so there is no pressure to rush. The public transport system is also very good, with a metro, buses, and S-Bahn connections operating on a zone-based system. I mostly used it for day trips or when I had visitors, as it is generally quite expensive. Safety Safety was never a concern throughout my stay. I have always felt safe. Social Life & Leisure Copenhagen has a culture of slowing down, and during my stay I really leaned into that.Copenhagen has a culture of slowing down, and during my stay I really leaned into that. During my stay I spent most of the time in the city, exploring new places on my bike, hanging out with friends, trying out great bakeries, visiting museums, and enjoying evening drinks. The city also has an active club scene, but personally I preferred the bar culture. And of course, a quick dip in the sea after sauna is a must. Absalon, a community centre in the city, hosts all kinds of events (sports, craft, cultural) and their beloved community dinners held everyday open to everyone. I went multiple times and it is a great way to experience local Copenhagen life beyond the student bubble. Copenhagen is also well connected for day trips. There are many scenic places to visit around the island, and Malmo in Sweden is so close it is an easy and worthwhile trip across the border. CBS offers many student clubs (investment, sustainability, wine...) and sports options including yoga clubs, a campus gym, a run club, and volleyball... I joined the CBS International Choir, which I really enjoyed. The Erasmus Student Network organised a wide range of events, from sightseeing and cultural programs to parties and travel, and is a great way to meet people and get to know the city and Denmark.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at CBS was defined by the people I met: internationals with similar interests, locals in the startup world through my internship, and friends from all over the world. Through my program and internship I got to put my creativity and knowledge into practice and build something I am genuinely proud of. Even when I was busy, I was happy, because I was passionate about everything I was doing. It was also a chance to get to know a new culture, explore a new environment, and learn a bit more about myself along the way.