Okay folks-son did not get his first choice for overseas study in Edinburgh(only 4 slots) so we are now scrambling for another location. Its down to the Copenhagen Business School or the University of Turin in Italy as these schools have the courses that would transfer.Any thoughts from those who have been to these two cities as to which you would pick in terms of living,the people,location,etc.? Thanks so much for your imput!

I've studied abroad three seperate times (i just graduated from college), and without a doubt i would choose Italy. I would choose Turin because its proximity to other cities. If he wanted to, and had the chance, he could travel on the weakend and his options are limitless. He could go to Cannes, Nice, Interlaken, Rome, Florence. I would definitely choose Turin.

Thanks Lucy! Where did you study when you went abroad and how do you rate them ? What is your major? Was there anything that made the experience horrible ?

I was a Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs major and the first time I went abroad I was in High School and studied in France. The second time I was in college taking a course on the European Union and I studied in France, Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, and England. The third time I studied French in Dijon, France. I really cant say that there was anything horrible about any of the times. I had some of the best times of my short life ( i'm only 25)! Every place was great, and like i said before traveling on the weekends to other places was great. You just have to have an open mind, and you will learn to really appreciate and admire different cultures. I cant wait to go back.

Italy is wonderful, but if he ends up in Copenhagen, it's a great city with really nice people. It might be more expensive than Italy though.

Hi<BR> I suggest that, unless Jr is majoring in business, U of Turin would provide a better cultural experience.<BR><BR>

Copenhagen is a great city and I would opt for the Copenhagen Business School. I have an acquaintence that graduated from there several years ago and is now a very successful business man with a health services company based in Denmark, Novo Nordisk. In all honesty, he would've been successful had he gone to school in Turin . . . <BR><BR>I may not be unbiased in this regard, however, because I don't feel that Turin or Italy in general holds cultural superiority over Scandinavia. As for location, seems like that ought to be &quot;junior's&quot; call. There's no lack of things / places to see at either location.<BR><BR>If languages are a consideration, he's probably better off learning Italian, Spanish, French than Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish. Although it would be tough to learn a Scandinavian language because English is ubiquitous there.<BR><BR>As to whether the Italian or Danish people are . . . what? . . . easier to live with . . . they are no different from anyone. Like all people they tend to be a reflection of what they see.<BR><BR>How long will he be there?

Thanks for the replies everyone! My son is planning on spending the whole year(two semesters there-Oct. through June).Our family has traveled in Italy but not to the Turin area(although I have just found out that the 2006 Winter Olympics will be there). I have been to Copenhagen but not the rest of the family.The cost of living and &quot;the experience&quot; of living in a nonspeaking English area keeps coming out on top-the Italian school will provide an intensive 4 week course in Italian prior to the first semester starting.Copenhagen will give you 4 days of intensive Danish language study?Okay everyone-where would you prefer or go?

Hi dutyfree,<BR> 4 days of studying any language, particularly Danish with its interesting phonics, is not sufficient.<BR><BR> Snoopy, I did not intend to suggest that Italy is culturally superior to Scandinavia. My point was that from Turin he could easily visit France, Switzerland, Austria, and the Balkan countries as well as Florence, Venice and Rome. I apologize if I caused offense.

dutyfree - is your son primarily interested in an education or travel. If education then Copenhagen hands down. Surfing the internet I found CSB rated in several in several rating polls, but no mention of Turin. The website for CSB is excellent with many majors taught entirely in English. This may be the reason only a few days of Danish is provided at matriculation. In contrast Turin's website is only in Italian, so maybe all courses are taught only in Italian - could be the reason for the lengthy Italian instruction beforehand. Check out both websites.<BR> To choose Turin because it is closer to Cannes, Nice, Rome, Florence, Venice and the &quot;Balkans?&quot; - one could opt for Copenhagen because it is closer to Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersberg, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and the Baltics.

Ok guys,<BR> Where would you rather spend a year abroad?<BR><BR> Visiting<BR>Turin because it is closer to Cannes, Nice, Rome, Florence, Venice and the &quot;Balkans?&quot; [and Switzerland and Austria]..[or]<BR><BR>Copenhagen because it is closer to Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersberg, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and the Baltics&quot;?

Regarding the language discussion, there is little doubt that italian would be the more usefull language to master. Being danish , I do realise that you will not meet many people outside scandinavia having any need of speaking/understanding danish. The reason for the very short danish course at the CBC is with no doubt because of the fact the english is much more widely spoken in Denmark than in Italy. During the last year I have travelled extensively in Italy and while many italians speaks english well, you will defenitely have to learn some italian to get to know the way of things in italy. In Denmark you will be able to get along fine - educationally and socially-without speaking a single word of danish. English is spoken fluently almost everywhere. But don't get me wrong - in my book that is just one more reason why you should choose Turin !<BR><BR>I'm sure your son will have the experience of a lifetime no matter where he goes. Copenhagen is in no way second to Turin - , standard of education, cultural life and general life quality is top notch. Bare in mind this is written by a native Copenhagener! but a well travelled one ...

Great feedback!Just some extra information-the school in Turin is taught in English by various American profs that are brought over from a 23 university consortium.There are other students from the University of Turin in class with them so it is not isolated.He is majoring in Economics with a second major in History. To the other replies-I think that he is going for not only his economic/history education but to experience European living for a year. &quot;Copenhagener&quot;- is the Copenhagen School of Business more like a commuter school in a big city or is there a sense of university campus? Would you think that the housing in the area would be very expensive for an American? How is it thought of in Copenhagen? Has anyone ever done an exchange in Italy? How was it? Keep those thoughts and opinions coming! Thanks-

Hi<BR><BR>I know nothing about the educational aspect.<BR><BR>But I've spent a lot of time in Kopenhamn and Torino.<BR><BR>Both are super cities.<BR><BR>Torino has better weather, is cheaper to live, and for much of the year has the opportunity to Swim in the Med or Ski a couple of hours away.<BR><BR>So my vote goes for Italy.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR>

Hi again,<BR><BR>Sorry, but I dont have any &quot;hands on&quot; experience with CBS so I cant really give you any good information on your questions. Copenhagen is a city with housing problems,so in general its hard and expensive but everybody somehow ends up living quite ok at the end. I would imagine that the school has special connections and can offer you some sort of help.<BR><BR>As to the general Copenhagen vs Turin discussion, I to would choose Turin. Northern Italy is one the top places in Europe, with charming cities, skiing and great locations all around. But Copenhagen is a close second with lots to offer. <BR><BR>Dont know anything about the educational aspects, but I would prefer Copenhagen/Turin to Edinburgh any day of the week.

You all have given our family some great points to think about although it seems that Turin is winning out big time!(Must be the thought of great Italian food and the mention that maybe he would learn to ski next year?) Anyway,if anyone else has some thoughts I would love to hear them.Would you classify Turin as a scaled down version of Rome or Florence? Thanks!