Discovering Copenhagen: A Year Abroad
Parsons Paris students have the exciting opportunity to study abroad in various cities during their third year. We had the chance to speak with a current Parsons Paris SDM Junior who is spending her year in Copenhagen!
“As for my time at Copenhagen Business School the biggest shock was the school’s size. Coming from Parsons and small classes, being in an auditorium with 400 others was a great change. The University consists of more than 8 buildings spread around the Frederiksberg neighbourhood. There is a canteen with really good and cheap food in almost all of its buildings. It feels very much how I expected a business school to be.
I am really enjoying the independence we are given as there is no expectations on our side except for the end of semester exam. In my opinion, this is teaching me to keep up with school by myself as no-one is checking in on you. It can be challenging for some people, and I can see it with some friends that can never make themselves attend class, or do the readings. Nevertheless, I am taking it as a challenge on discipline that’s training me for the job market when we will sometimes need to keep ourselves accountable.
As for the city it is very enjoyable during the warmer months, and you get another nice experience during the colder ones. Beware of the weather as it starts to get dark at around 15:30 and it can be quite challenging to get yourself to do anything with only so little daylight. Everyone here bikes everywhere, but I personally, now that it’s getting colder, chose to get the monthly metro card. I am living at a CBS accommodation with a full small apartment for myself. My neighbours are all students at CBS which was nice when I arrived as they are all exchange students as well to get to know people.
There is also a great sense of community while being here. When you are anywhere and you see someone from CBS they will want to talk to you and see it as a conversation starter. There is I think more than 50 clubs that you can join: a running club, cross-fit, and even some wine tasting clubs for those who like it. The uni organises a semester start party too and there are talks every week from industry experts and university sponsor businesses such as JP Morgan, Maersk, PwC, etc.”