kc91

I'm a college student trying to decide whether to study abroad in Copenhagen or Florence. Both programs seem great and have classes that would be interesting/actually relevant to my academic interests (although Copenhagen slightly more so). I've never been to Europe and don't know much about the cities besides what you can read about online. I don't speak any Danish or Italian, just some Spanish.. though would be taking language classes wherever I end up. I feel like a full immersion in any study abroad experience is nearly impossible if you don't speak the language, but I would like to try to break out of the American student bubble and would love to be in a place where that's actually possible. So those of you who have been places - where would you pick??

Michael

If you can get away from your fellow English speaking students, Italy is more likely for the acquisition of a foreign language. Scandinavians tend to know English very well, so that it may be more difficult to get away from your native language.

crefloors

My niece studied in Copenhagen for the full class year in 2005-2006. She was required to take Danish all year, but had a difficult time because the Danes would be too impatient to talk with her.

She tired to get board with a family so she could speak the language more but all the families were taken by the time she was making inquiry so she has to live in one of the dorms.

The Danes speak excellent english, and I found usually "American" english. You would have no problem getting around and communcating with almost anyone, in the city.

My niece would try conversing with her Danish friends in their language and they were always impatient and would say, "you don't speak danish very well and we speak english so lets just speak english.

I have not idea if you will run into that in Italy. Personally, I think Italian would be easier to learn because we are more familiar with the letters and the way things are pronounced.

Copenhagen is very expensive, food especially. That was another reason she was hoping to be able to live with a family. She had to cook for herself in the dorm..that wasn't a problem as she loves to cook, it's just that food is very expensive, especially meat. She can go without meat, but now and then had to get a chicken and it cost a lot of money.

None the less, you will have a great experience where ever you decide to go.

Sassafrass

Haven't been to both, so can't give a fair comparison.
Pose this question to you? How much interest do you have in Roman history, archeology, architecture, Art, etc? What kind of food do you like?

Florence is so centrally located, you can easily visit Rome: Sistine Chapel, Coloseum, Borghese Sculpture Gallery, Pantheon, etc., etc. You can take two days down to see Pompeii, and do day trips to the hill towns of Siena, Assisi, & others like Bologna, weekend to Venice or to CT.

In this case, I'm not so sure the program is any more important than all the other things in the area. Get a good guide book for each country. Try to rent a good video of each country.

I do know, from personal experience, that Italians will bend over backwards trying to help you speak their language.

jaja

And since you speak some Spanish, Italian would be much easier than Danish.

sarge56

kc91- How fortunate you are to have such an opportunity! I hope you will value the experience.

I have never been to Copenhagen. But I have been to Florence several times and it is one of my favorite cities in the world. I think a student here would have an incredible experience. And, as noted above, you are a short hop from other great cities (Venice, Rome, Milan) and not far from weekend trips to Croatia, France, Switzerland, Austria, etc.

I don't when you are planning to go, or how long you are staying. But consider if you are there during "winter", you will need a "winter" wardrobe for Copenhagen.

Have a wonderful time, no matter where you choose!

Guenmai

I've been to both places, but lived in Copenhagen during the whole summers for 20 years of summers. Then after that I would go back to visit for shorter, extended visits. I was spending time there, first during the time I was of university age and then well after that,too. I was last there in August 2009.

The family that I stayed with, the first two summers, didn't speak English. Then I moved to a kollegium (dorm) the other summers as I needed my own space.

I loved my time in Copenhagen and when I go back, I still speak Danish when I'm out and about, although it's rusty now. I have found Danes to be really happy and appreciative that someone has taken the time to learn their language.

While there, I enrolled in language school to learn Danish. My Danish friends and I had a rule that I would try to speak Danish most of the day and then I had a rule that at 8PM, I would start speaking English again. By then, I needed to switch back to my native language.

I had no problem speaking Danish with people. And speaking it really came in handy when trying to communicate with the young siblings of friends who were too young to start speaking English. And I would also speak Danish to the grandparents and great grandparents of my friends. Two great groups to practice on. And both groups love to talk.

Because I made such an effort, I was invited on a lot of family trips and to a lot of family summer houses as they knew that they wouldn't have to speak English all the time if they wanted to speak their native language. So, where there's a will, there's a way. I also made it a point to speak Danish when out and about in town; supermarket, train station, post office, department stores, bakery, etc.

As far as Copenhagen being expensive, it's never been cheap. But, at the kollegium where I lived, all 16 people on my floor would get together and two people, a week, were assigned to grocery shop and cook for the people on our floor and side of the building. Then we would divide the cost out, per person. Each group of two people would cook for 5 days straight, Monday-Friday. Then we'd rotate. No one went hungry. Happy Travels!

mamcalice

I've been to both - Copenhagen once and Florence 7 times. If I had a chance to spend time in Florence, I would jump at it. The Italian language is much easier to learn, especially as you already know Spanish which has similarities. And the Italian people love to speak their language with Americans.

Florence would be less costly and also provide the opportunity to easily see other parts of Italy, a wonderful country.

While I enjoyed my stay in Copenhagen, I have never been enticed to return. Italy is so much warmer in many ways - both the climate and the people are sunny and the days are longer. Finally, the food (which is very important to us) is the best anywhere.

Aduchamp1

My niece did a semester in Florence and loved it. Of course, we went to visit her and make sure she was OK. She visited a number of other places without much trouble.

Most university programs are not designed for language immersion unless specified. They are designed to give the kids time to do other things.

While I love the inanimate objects of Florence, it is the tourist epicenter of the world. Near Il duomo, you will think that the cathedral is the last tourist attraction standing.

But here is the one word that will convince you: gelati.

kc91

Thank you for all the input! I was leaning towards Florence and I think this has helped. I'm definitely excited and lucky to have this opportunity.

ChallengerGrey

You're right. It's a great opportunity which ever city you decide to home base your studies in. Having been in both and just getting back from Copenhagen, we found it very, very expensive to eat there. In addition, the entire city is torn apart for the next few years while they put in a new underground subway system. We found it difficult to get around.
For those two resons alone, I would choose Florence. But Florence is an Amazing city and I would jump at a chance to study there.

Good luck on our decision.