James: Study Abroad

I went on a study exchange to Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, for a semester and it was hands down the best experience of my life! It gave me the opportunity to make friends all over the world (and hence couches to sleep on for next time), interact and integrate with a different culture, the opportunity to travel all around Europe. During my six month trip I was able to have some of the most memorable experiences of my life, travelling to: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Poland, Germany, France, UK, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Q. Why did you choose to go on exchange?
I wanted to go on an adventure and experience life in a different culture, so I could not only understand Scandinavian culture better, but Australian culture as well.

Q. Why did you choose to go to Copenhagen?
Many reasons! I have had a long fascination with Scandinavian culture and how such a large welfare state can work. Copenhagen currently also has one of the world’s greatest underground music scenes and I wanted an opportunity to be part of such a vibrant scene. Last but not least, I had made some Danish friends when they were on exchange at Monash and having these friends would make it easier to integrate myself into actual Danish culture and not miss out on what the city had to offer. Insider sources are always helpful!

Q. What was the biggest obstacle you overcame on your trip?
Totally removing myself from my comfort zone and support network, and having to start from scratch. Fortunately I was placed with people who were in the exact same circumstances as, so if you are open and friendly it’s extremely easy to make friends.

Q. Tell us about us one quirky activity or memory from your trip.
During Distortion (a four-day festival of street parties) I went on the “rave train”. We were all instructed via Facebook to catch a certain train, and just before the train came into the station, a bunch of guys wearing speakers as backpacks ran onto the platform and we jumped on the standard commuter train and had this massive party in the middle of the carriage!