torytrom

Hi!

I am a college sophomore looking to study abroad the fall of my junior year. I am trying to decide where to go for study abroad, Copenhagen or the South of France (Strasbourg).

I have been to Europe once and went to Paris, London, and Amsterdam. I LOVED Amsterdam and Scandinavian culture, but I really did not like Paris too much (I thought it was dirty, cliche, and crowded). For this reason, I have always wanted to go abroad to somewhere in Scandinavia.

I love how clean it is, how modern, I love the fashion and how friendly people are. I am also a vegan, and the food in Scandinavia (modern food, not traditional Danish food like salted cod) tends to be very healthy and (at least) vegetarian-friendly. I also want to be in a place that is central in Europe, and is easy to travel to other countries.

However, I am in an advanced level French class right now and could (hypothetically) become fluent if I study abroad in a French speaking country , which is a goal of mine. Also, I am an Art History minor, which several people have told me that Strasbourg is a great place to go for art.

Ultimately, I want to know what people think about Copenhagen vs. Strasbourg (or the South of France in general) for study abroad based on these topics:

1. Healthy food/vegetarian friendly
2. Art and fashion dedicated
3. Friendliness of the people
4. Culture and immersion ability
5. General thoughts

Thank you so much!

Sojourntraveller

I always wonder about such posts. Don't you think your decision of where to study should be based on the reputation of the University, in the field you plan to study in? When you write, "for study abroad based on these topics" and then list what you have listed, where does the quality of what you are there to learn come into it?

You haven't even said what you are majoring in! How can anyone suggest where might be the best choice to study if you haven't said what you plan to study?

At least your post is amusing in that it makes clear you are not majoring in Geography. Strasbourg is in the NORTH of France torytrom. Take a look at a map.

greg

Reread your own post.
One way to frame this choice is looking at time frames. The Copenhagen option benefits now. The Strasbourg option offers long term leverage.
Fast forward 30 years. Imaging looking back. Which option would you wish you have taken 30 years ago?

torytrom

Dear Soujourntraveller,

We are alike in that we are both wondering about each other. It takes a *special* kind of person to bully a college student over the internet. Congrats.

That being said, sorry to you (and all the readers) that I made a mistake and Strasbourg is in the north of France! I was trying to ask about that program and the south of France in general.

Finally, these programs are both sponsored by my school, Duke University, so it really doesn't matter which one is better or what I'm majoring in. In the end, I'm still going to have a degree from one of the best universities in the world. You probably can't say that.

Thanks for the "advice".

Huggy

Wow!

Sounds like a veteran of this forum whom already is a "legend in their own mind"!

Diane

Hi Torytom,

My daughter is currently studying abroad in Amsterdam, and she also considered culture/language, friendliness of people, and ease of traveling to other parts of Europe, when making her decision of where to locate. Of course, it's important that the program you enter meets your school and graduation requirements as well, as I'm sure you are well aware.

I've never been to Copenhagen so don't have the experience to know if it will meet your criteria, but I have heard wonderful things about the city. However, I can comment on Strasburg. It is more central to the rest of Europe and I've always found the people there and in the area of Germany just across the border, to be very friendly.

I'm not a vegan or vegetarian but I would say that over the many years that I've travelled in Europe, I've seen an increase in the number of restaurants that cater to specific diets (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). Even in "traditional" restaurants you can almost always get a vegetable-only meal. And, of course farmers markets all over Europe, have fresh local produce.

Regardless of where you choose, I'm sure it will be a life-changing and enriching experience. What a great gift! Good luck.

Diane

Dukey1

Torytrom,

I can see that degree you've decided makes you so smart is sorely lacking. Get over yourself.

KTtravel

I would suggest trying to talk to students at your school who have been to both programs and see what they have to say about their experiences.

I do think considering the academic aspect of each program is important. My daughter was trying to evaluate programs before she studied abroad and, even though both were sponsored by her university, one did offer classes more applicable to her major. She ended up choosing that program as it also offered an internship which ended up being a terrific experience.

Rereading your post, I think you are leaning towards Copenhagen, which I am sure would be a great experience.

Guenmai

" have been to Europe once and went to Paris, London, and Amsterdam. I LOVED Amsterdam and Scandinavian culture"

First, Amsterdam isn't Scandinavia. Second, I lived in Copenhagen for a good 20 years of summers and was also of student age when I first started going there. There's a very young culture there and friends who studied there loved it. I wasn't there to study formally as I was doing that at my U.S. university. But, for many summers, I did attend intensive, Danish language school out of my own interest. I've always loved the vibe of Copenhagen and for 10 years of summers lived in a kollegium (dorm), so 95% of my friends were Danish university students.

As for France, I've been there a lot, but have never been to Strasbourg and therefore can't comment on it.

Happy Travels!

nytraveler

Torytrom -

If you go to either France or Denmark with the attitude you're showing here I fear you will have a very difficult time.

People are trying to help correct your weird misconceptions - and provide real advice. If all you want to do is jump up and down shouting Duke! Duke! Duke! people who have attended universities that are MUCH better known - and many hundreds of years older - will think you extremely provincial - as well as a PIA.

Guenmai

I forgot to add, as for being vegan in Copenhagen, it shouldn't be a problem these days. I stopped eating meat in 1976 and poultry a few years later, but will eat fish occasionally. I started first spending my entire summers in Copenhagen in 1973. But, I have a tendency to go totally vegan for weeks on end and then throw in some vegetarian (occasional egg or two).

When I was in Copenhagen in either 1974 or 1975, one of my best American friends, who was with me, was vegetarian then. I was still eating meat at that point. We used to go to the 7th Day Adventist vegan/vegetarian restaurant in Copenhagen to eat even way back then although was lived in a kollegium where we had a kitchen and could cook our own food as kollegiums have a kitchen or two on each floor and students cook together.

I was last in Copenhagen in simmer of 2009, and was able to find vegan dishes. I've been eating at a restaurant called Riz Raz ever since it opened in the 80s, I think it was. It's Mediterranean food and the all-you-can-eat buffet bar is vegan, unless it's been changed since I last ate there in 2009. I'll be going back to Copenhagen this coming summer and my Danish friends and I will check out some different restaurants.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai

Typo corrections: "...although we lived in a kollegium....".

Also: summer, not simmer

Happy Travels!

justineparis

Wow .. you are so rude its stunning,, and no one "bullied " you .. they may have been abrupt in correcting your rather stunningly obvious mistakes( a high school grad who can't read a map and considers Amsterdam to have a "Scandinavian culture".. ) and then throwing around your "Duke" college.. ha ha .. this is an international board little dude.. you will have to do better then that to impress a few of us..

Anyways..some practical points.

Copenhagen will likely be more expensive to live in then Strasbourg.

Copenhagen will be colder and darker for a much longer winter then Strasbourg.. this may not bother you, but I dislike winter in general so it would bother me.

Gaining the experience of using your French and hopefully fluent in it is a long term advantage.

Your time in Paris was likely very short.. and its not really wise to judge an entire country by its biggest and busiest city.. is your country all like New York and are all the citizens like New Yorkers..

Think outside the little box fellow.

justineparis

Wow .. you are so rude its stunning,, and no one "bullied " you .. they may have been abrupt in correcting your rather stunningly obvious mistakes( a high school grad who can't read a map and considers Amsterdam to have a "Scandinavian culture".. ) and then throwing around your "Duke" college.. ha ha .. this is an international board little dude.. you will have to do better then that to impress a few of us..

Anyways..some practical points.

Copenhagen will likely be more expensive to live in then Strasbourg.

Copenhagen will be colder and darker for a much longer winter then Strasbourg.. this may not bother you, but I dislike winter in general so it would bother me.

Gaining the experience of using your French and hopefully fluent in it is a long term advantage.

Your time in Paris was likely very short.. and its not really wise to judge an entire country by its biggest and busiest city.. is your country all like New York and are all the citizens like New Yorkers..

Think outside the little box fellow.

BigShoulders

Torytom,

I have been to both Copenhagen and Strasbourg. I found Copenhagen to be frightfully expensive, even compared to other major European cities. That is not to say I did not like it, because I did. I think both places have a great vibe and are modern cities. I would recommend Starsbourg primarily due to its proximity to so many other great places. I also think that given your French language skills and the potential to further develop those, Strasbourg is the natural choice.

Sojourntraveller

Well torytrom, let me enlighten you.

You as a college student don't know much yet. That's why you are a student. I as an adult who does not need to work for a living and hasn't had to do so since age 43, do know a fair bit. Or do you think people who can retire in their 40s do so by being stupid perhaps?

One thing I know is that if you can't learn to focus on what is important, you are not likely to get far in life. You say this is about your education but still don't say what you are majoring in and which Universities you are choosing between for what courses. At a guess I'd say it's probably some liberal arts program.

As for, " In the end, I'm still going to have a degree from one of the best universities in the world. You probably can't say that."

All I can say torytom is that having a degree is only the first step, the question is where will you really be 'in the end'? I know where I am.

traveller1959

Dear torytrom

I find your questions very reasonable and try to answer them. I know both cities pretty well.

1. Healthy food/vegetarian friendly

Generally, the food in France is MUCH better than in Copenhagen. However, you find more vegetarian restaurants in Copenhagen. There are at least a few in Strasbourg:

http://www.happycow.net/europe/france/strasbourg/

But I assume you will prepare your meals by yourself most of the time - and then, what French grocery stores have to offer is way better than anything you find in Scandinavia.

2. Art and fashion dedicated

Both cities are excellent in these respects. But from Strasbourg, you have many more options for daytrips into Alsace with a wealth of arts and history, to Basel (some excellent museums there), to Vitra Design Museum on the German side, to Freiburg and the Black Forest, and even Paris is just a 2:30 train ride away.

3. Friendliness of the people

Copenhagen wins. The French are not unfriendly but more reserved. However, you will go along with fellow students easily in both cities.

4. Culture and immersion ability

The French language makes it. After you stay in Strasbourg, you will be fluent in French. And during your stay, you will make yourself understandable easily. In Copenhagen, many people speak English, but you will not learn speaking Danish more than a few words. And why would you want to learn Danish?

5. General thoughts

- Geographically, Strasbourg will be the better place for you. Strasbourg is centrally located in the middle of Europe and you have easy access (by train or by bus) to Germany and Switzerland. Copenhagen is a fine city too, but there is not too much to explore in the surroundings.

- Historically, Strasbourg has much more to offer. Alsace is full of history. Nearby Colmar has spectacular museums. You have the Alsation Ecomusée of historical farmhouses and townhouses and on the German side a similar open-air museum (Vogtsbauernhof). You have picturesque villages on both sides of the Rhine (e.g. Riquewihr in Alsace and Gengenbach on the German side).

Finally, both cities are good places to go. Understanding your preferences, Strasbourg would probably win the game by a margin because of geography, history and - mainly - because of the language. You will profit from this stay for a whole lifetime. But this is my view as a university professor. Sorry for that.

Nikki

My daughter spent a summer in Copenhagen studying through the DIS program. It has a relationship with different US universities, and yours might be one of them. If so, you are taking their courses and not Duke's. The programs were given by the DIS program rather than by a Danish university.

She did not have a great opportunity to mingle with Danish students. She did stay at a residence hall somewhere in a suburb but the other students there were almost all from other countries, not Denmark. There were some students who opted for home stays, and they probably had more interaction with locals.

That said, she enjoyed her time in Copenhagen and believed her program was valuable for her.

I agree that Copenhagen is extremely expensive. The young people there speak English better than I do. Language won't be an issue, but it won't be the same as getting to know the people with their own language.

Since you are studying French, there will be much more opportunity to speak to locals in their own language in Strasbourg. By definition, your concerns about culture and immersion ability will bet better met in a place where you can speak the local language. Also, you may never get as good an opportunity to learn French by living in France as this one.

Your concern about being in a central location is more easily met in Strasbourg than in Copenhagen. However, if you want to do most of your traveling in Scandinavia or northern Europe, you will be able to do this from Copenhagen as well. And with cheap intra-European flights, centrality becomes less important.

torytrom

Thank you so much for the kind responses Nikki, traveller1959, big shoulders and guenmai!