Copenhagen vs Paris - 4 months abroad
Jan 21st, 2012, 11:04 PM
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Copenhagen vs Paris - 4 months abroad
Hi there, I'm an American university student choosing a location to study abroad next fall;
either Copenhagen or Paris.
In Copenhagen I'd be attending the University of Copenhagen and probably living in a kollegium. This is appealing because it's a true cultural 'immersion' and I'd be attending school/living with other Danish and international students. A downside is that your course grade is determined by just one final exam (lot of pressure), but then a good side is that there are no strict attendance policies and you have more time to travel and relax.
In Paris I'd be studying in a program created by my home university, so that means taking classes and living only with other Americans. This is a huge negative for me, but still, it's Paris... There's also an extremely strict attendance policy in which each class session missed constitutes in a half final grade deduction. But the good thing is that the course evaluation is pretty spread out so that's less pressure on just one exam.
I've never been to Copenhagen but am curious. I've been to Paris before but only for a few days and am very keen on returning. I don't speak either Danish or French but am very interested to learn. Of course, I'm more drawn to French as the language sounds nicer and is more useful, but this isn't a dealbreaker.
I'm looking for a vast departure from my current environment and of course somewhere beautiful, artistically and culturally interesting. International vibe and good food. And good airport connections to other parts of Europe as I intend to travel quite a lot while abroad. I'm flexible with weather.
Let me know what you think would be the best fit for me! Thanks. x
either Copenhagen or Paris.
In Copenhagen I'd be attending the University of Copenhagen and probably living in a kollegium. This is appealing because it's a true cultural 'immersion' and I'd be attending school/living with other Danish and international students. A downside is that your course grade is determined by just one final exam (lot of pressure), but then a good side is that there are no strict attendance policies and you have more time to travel and relax.
In Paris I'd be studying in a program created by my home university, so that means taking classes and living only with other Americans. This is a huge negative for me, but still, it's Paris... There's also an extremely strict attendance policy in which each class session missed constitutes in a half final grade deduction. But the good thing is that the course evaluation is pretty spread out so that's less pressure on just one exam.
I've never been to Copenhagen but am curious. I've been to Paris before but only for a few days and am very keen on returning. I don't speak either Danish or French but am very interested to learn. Of course, I'm more drawn to French as the language sounds nicer and is more useful, but this isn't a dealbreaker.
I'm looking for a vast departure from my current environment and of course somewhere beautiful, artistically and culturally interesting. International vibe and good food. And good airport connections to other parts of Europe as I intend to travel quite a lot while abroad. I'm flexible with weather.
Let me know what you think would be the best fit for me! Thanks. x
Jan 22nd, 2012, 01:35 AM
#2
Just a quick thing, if you want to travel a fair bit, Paris would be better. You can catch the train to loads of destinations. I think Copenhagen would be wonderful but it seems to be more isolated.
Kay
Kay
Jan 22nd, 2012, 01:45 AM
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I too would second Paris, KayF makes a really really good point about visiting other places.
Copenhagen is very very small so there is a lot more to do in Paris. However on flip side, if you like more intimate places where you can get to know it better, Copenhagen good choice- its also supposed to be very clean.
Paris is a great city!!, i would not want the pressure of one exam also
Good luck
Copenhagen is very very small so there is a lot more to do in Paris. However on flip side, if you like more intimate places where you can get to know it better, Copenhagen good choice- its also supposed to be very clean.
Paris is a great city!!, i would not want the pressure of one exam also
Good luck
Jan 22nd, 2012, 02:39 AM
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Paris would be better for getting to other parts of Europe, but Copenhagen would be perhaps a more unique experience. Also the lack of Danish is probably less of a problem than the lack of French for an English speaker.
Don't forget to sort out your visa too - no matter which city you settle on.
Don't forget to sort out your visa too - no matter which city you settle on.
Jan 22nd, 2012, 04:21 AM
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"...but then a good side is that there are no strict attendance policies and you have more time to travel and relax."
If this means you're planning to cut classes, then don't count on doing well in that one, all-important exam.
Question: why do you have to stick with your home university for Paris? There are a gazillion education programs in Paris, can't you go to one of those and get transferable credits? Maybe the Institut Catholique, for example: http://icp.moveonnet.eu/moveonline/exchanges/search.php
As valuable as opportunities to travel are, remember that your first and most important obligation is to succeed in your studies.
If this means you're planning to cut classes, then don't count on doing well in that one, all-important exam.
Question: why do you have to stick with your home university for Paris? There are a gazillion education programs in Paris, can't you go to one of those and get transferable credits? Maybe the Institut Catholique, for example: http://icp.moveonnet.eu/moveonline/exchanges/search.php
As valuable as opportunities to travel are, remember that your first and most important obligation is to succeed in your studies.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 04:09 AM
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From a Copenhagen native who knows a bit of Paris.
If you're only doing a semester and don't speak French, the fact that virtually everyone in Denmark speaks English, well and with no reservations, is a definite upside. Don't have any ambitions to learn Danish though, its not useful, extremely hard to learn, sounds horrible, and as mentioned, everyone speaks English.
Its much easier to attain a feeling of belonging in mid-sized Copenhagen than in massive Paris. And while Paris cultural scene seriously dwarves Copenhagens, there is a lot more going on than most casual visitors see.
As for isolation, most city breaks in Europe these days are done with low-cost carriers anyway, and Copenhagen has its fair share, so that shouldn't be much of an issue - especially with the price of train tickets in France these days.
Something important for students to consider, Copenhagen is massively more expensive than Paris when it comes to food, drinks and transportation (though 50% of Copenhagernes bike to work and school which is free, and the city is build for it). Rent is on par for the central parts.
The weather is better in Paris, in Copenhagen you'll have a 50/50 chance of an awesome summer or a wet windy miserable one.
I've lived abroad a couple of times, latest stent was in Tokyo, and there is just something about the human scale, simplicity in the urban design and focus on livabilty that makes Copenhagen thorougly unique, in a way that challenges your world views.
If its the DIS program you are considering (http://www.dis.dk/) all the students i've talked to, says its awesome. I also think the Danish academic environment is a lot better than the French, but that might be cultural.
If you're only doing a semester and don't speak French, the fact that virtually everyone in Denmark speaks English, well and with no reservations, is a definite upside. Don't have any ambitions to learn Danish though, its not useful, extremely hard to learn, sounds horrible, and as mentioned, everyone speaks English.
Its much easier to attain a feeling of belonging in mid-sized Copenhagen than in massive Paris. And while Paris cultural scene seriously dwarves Copenhagens, there is a lot more going on than most casual visitors see.
As for isolation, most city breaks in Europe these days are done with low-cost carriers anyway, and Copenhagen has its fair share, so that shouldn't be much of an issue - especially with the price of train tickets in France these days.
Something important for students to consider, Copenhagen is massively more expensive than Paris when it comes to food, drinks and transportation (though 50% of Copenhagernes bike to work and school which is free, and the city is build for it). Rent is on par for the central parts.
The weather is better in Paris, in Copenhagen you'll have a 50/50 chance of an awesome summer or a wet windy miserable one.
I've lived abroad a couple of times, latest stent was in Tokyo, and there is just something about the human scale, simplicity in the urban design and focus on livabilty that makes Copenhagen thorougly unique, in a way that challenges your world views.
If its the DIS program you are considering (http://www.dis.dk/) all the students i've talked to, says its awesome. I also think the Danish academic environment is a lot better than the French, but that might be cultural.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 04:14 AM
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My daughter studied at the DIS program in Copenhagen one summer while she was in college and enjoyed it very much. It does not sound like the program the original poster is considering though, if he or she describes it as a total immersion, since my daughter's classmates were not Danish. If classes at the University of Copenhagen are conducted in Danish, then the student will have to learn Danish.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 04:17 AM
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I am half Danish and every time I spend time in Copenhagen I get mind numbingingly bored cold and run out of money. Parisvoice.com way better for me 3ducks.fr virtualtourist.com
WAY warmer more vibrant cheaper and culturally interesting.
Good luck!
WAY warmer more vibrant cheaper and culturally interesting.
Good luck!
Jan 23rd, 2012, 05:22 AM
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Some random thoughts:
- Paris is cheaper.
- Paris is more central to the 'rest of Europe' - more train options, more cheap flight options, more direct flights
- Copenhagen is 'easier' in that you can get by with only English.
- Copenhagen has a better drinking culture.
- The academic program in Copenhagen certainly sounds much better.
As far as weather, neither are anything special during the fall term months, but Paris will be marginally warmer.
- Paris is cheaper.
- Paris is more central to the 'rest of Europe' - more train options, more cheap flight options, more direct flights
- Copenhagen is 'easier' in that you can get by with only English.
- Copenhagen has a better drinking culture.
- The academic program in Copenhagen certainly sounds much better.
As far as weather, neither are anything special during the fall term months, but Paris will be marginally warmer.
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