One student who recently spent their summer studying abroad at Copenhagen Business School was Lara Olivia Browne, an International Business BA student. Lara has written about her time abroad – we hope it inspires more students to take the opportunity and experience studying in a different country!
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision; I hadn’t lined up any internships when I came across an email about the summer programme at Copenhagen Business School. It struck me as a fantastic opportunity to expand my horizons, explore Copenhagen, make new friends, and learn something new. I was overjoyed when I received the acceptance to study Financial Accounting, as I wanted to further develop the finance component of my degree, thus broadening my career opportunities post-studies.
From growing up in England, the UAE, Scotland, Vietnam and Thailand, any opportunity to visit a new country was an unequivocal decision, especially considering that the university’s Global Experience Bursary heavily financed the tuition. I applied and received a total of £1,200 at the time and worked part-time prior, assisting with accommodation and living costs (with some help from my family, too). I arrived in Copenhagen in bright daylight; I only had to take a short metro train to get to my accommodation. I chose the 18-student house, Kongens Tværvej, rather than the usual larger accommodation buildings, as I thought it would feel more like a home for the four weeks I was there (which it did!). It only took me an hour of being in the city to rent out a Swapfiets bike for the entirety of my stay; I was determined to immerse myself in the Danish culture.
Meeting new friends transformed each day into a vivid canvas of shared adventures. Cycling to classes on the most stunning campus I’ve ever seen, having lunch with friends, attending jewellery-making classes, and with the zoo just around the corner—every day was filled with something exciting. I was surrounded by friends equally determined to make the most of the experience. Most summer school students purchased a ‘friendsofcph’ pass, ensuring there was an event almost every other day to meet people. Whether it was canal cruises, pub quizzes, or nights out, there was an activity for everyone to enjoy. The friends I made recently came to stay with me in London, too, and we are already planning our trip back to Copenhagen this summer, as well as their hometowns in Mexico, Australia, the USA, and more, for future travels.
I learnt the concept of ‘hygge’ whilst there, and it was integrated into the CBS campus design. It’s described as the Danish philosophy for creating atmospheres that cultivate comfort, contentment, and well-being. The learning environment was an oasis of natural calm and dark and light elements, which helped me focus on a subject as technically challenging as Financial Accounting. The teaching style was unique; the class had about 20 students, which made it feel like a more personal lecture. We were free to ask questions anytime, creating an immersive learning experience. I usually had a four-hour class around three times a week, so enjoying the city and studying was relatively easy, too. The most memorable experience was renting a little boat to explore the city from the water. I assured my friends, ‘Don’t worry, I can drive.’ I mean, how hard could it be, right? We spun in circles as I struggled to navigate out of the port. After about five minutes, a friend took over—oops!
If anyone is considering applying for a summer school programme, DO IT! It was one of the most incredible months of my life; it pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and I’d gladly return to Copenhagen again. Thank you to the University of Westminster for providing this incredible opportunity. As the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen once said, ‘To move, to breathe, to fly, to float; to gain all while you give; to roam the roads of lands remote; to travel is to live.’
