Copenhagen: Tips and Tricks

Are you a new student, just arrived in Copenhagen for one or two semesters? Or maybe you are planning to stay even longer? Below are a few tips and tricks that will make life easier.

1. Maps and websites: know how to get around

It’s no good being somewhere new and potentially exciting, without knowing how to get to any of the new and exciting places. First off, get yourself a map of Copenhagen at any tourist office - check the box to the right for the address of the main office in the centre of town.

Student house with no students

The rebuilding of the once-popular student café Studenterhuset last semester has resulted in fewer rather than more visitors. This is confirmed by Studenterhuset staff to the University Post, who now call on student volunteers to redecorate.

It has been a long time since the Studenterhuset café has been so popular that it figuratively (and literally) spilled out on to the streets as reported, for example, in the University Post’s 2009 photo gallery from a successful night out there.

Black Diamond responds to party chaos claims

Queues and confusion outside the start-of-semester party at the Copenhagen landmark Black Diamond, Royal Library building were due to fire regulations inside, and not due to a bottleneck at the entrance.

And there were 600 people trying to get in, not 2,000 as stated in the University Post. This is according to the Royal Library's Black Diamond building party organisers in a letter-to-the-editor.

Rector welcomes international students

The traditional Matriculation Ceremony at Ceremonial Hall Thursday drew crowds of new international students. They listened attentively to speech made in English by Rector Ralf Hemmingsen.

In his speech, the Little Mermaid took centre stage. Since she has been sent to Shanghai to be part of the 2010 EXPO, Hemmingsen compared the tiny world-famous statue to the newly-arrived international students.

»Perhaps you have something in common with the Little Mermaid: you will recognise the feeling of being in between two cultures,« he said.

Participation is expected

Top 5 places to get free or cheap stuff

For international students arriving in Copenhagen, housing is the top priority.

But once the key to the anticipated dorm room or shared apartment has been collected, it is time to make the tiny bare space feel like home – a cosy refuge from the social whirlwind and new experiences that lie ahead.

For tips on how to decorate on a budget, the Copenhagen way, here is our top 5 list of places to scavenge, barter or buy cheap stuff:

5. Flea markets

Black humour and culture shock at intro event

High summer means new students in town, and the first introductory meeting for international students was held Monday 9 August.

Around 500 curious students packed into the Christian Hansen auditorium at the Faculty of Social Sciences (CSS) Monday afternoon.

See our photo gallery of the event here.

The first hour of the meeting was highly practical: the Danish welfare state has a lot to offer, but requires a whole list of papers to be filled out. Unfamiliar with these, the audience had to take notes continuously.

Culture shock preparation

Student Café in January

October is Studenterhuset month

Whatever your preferences in music or entertainment, chances are you will be satisfied if visiting the address of Købmagergade 52 the upcoming month.

»International night is always a big thing«, manager of Studenterhuset, Kristian Skjøth Madsen says referring to the bash every Wednesday.

Christmas beer opening

This month, he also wishes to emphasize two other events:

»At the end of the month, on Friday 30 October there is the ‘Christmas beer’ opening. It is a very Danish tradition with free beer and Danish bands«.