Choose the Host Family Stay
Based on past students’ experience, we recommend the host family stay as the option that best accomplishes the overall cross-cultural objectives and benefits of studying abroad. Keywords for the Host Family stay are: Supportive network, Cultural exchange and a Relationship based on trust.
The family option is right for you if:
- You want Danish friends and a Danish network
- You want to immerse yourself into Danish culture and Danish traditions
- You want to make a genuine effort to become a new member of the family and spend quality time with them
- You´re willing to commute every day
- You are willing to take responsibility for cleaning your own room and helping out with the household chores
You will be a real member of the family, not just a boarder. You will share the family´s daily life, learn about their passions and concerns, engage in dinner discussions and participate in festive moments. This is a great way of experiencing Danish culture from the inside. It is also a great way of getting into a Danish network and building new friendships across borders.
Our families live in either apartments or single-family houses. You are guaranteed a room of your own, but will usually share other facilities, like the bathroom, with the rest of the family. Most DIS families live in the quiet and green suburbs of the city. You'll commute to school using the convenient, frequent and safe commuter trains, metros and buses that run both day and night.
Frequently asked questions – and answers
Who are the DIS host families?
DIS offers refreshing diversity within our host families. They may have young children, grown-up children or none at all. They may be young, middle-aged or retired, and some hosts may be single. Also, they may have different ethnic backgrounds though they are Danish citizens. This usually only enriches the cultural exchange between family and student. You may write your preferences in regards to type of family in the registration form and we will do our best to find you a compatible family.
All host families receive a small subsidy from DIS, but they choose to join the DIS program because they value the intercultural exchange that occurs between them and the student, and because they enjoy spending time with their new family member. All DIS families have also been visited by DIS staff.
Can I choose my host family myself?
Yes and no. The DIS housing department will match you with a compatible family based on the personal letters we receive from you as well as from your registration form, so please be as honest and clear in your descriptions and requests as possible. We receive the same kind of information from our host families and match you accordingly.
Our families are as different as the students who join them in terms of lifestyle, interests, routines, age and composition. Therefore please understand that we´re not able to accommodate all requests.
Will staying with a family limit my freedom?
The family will treat you as a grown-up and as they are liberal and down-to-earth, they will be your friends and allies. You are of course free to go out with your friends during the week or to travel on weekends. However: the intercultural exchange is the whole point of the family stay, so you should be prepared to spend some weekends and evenings at home with the family as well.
How does the food issue work?
All food is provided like in any regular family; however, you are expected to make your own lunch and to prepare your own breakfast. Most Danish families eat dinner together and consider this a prime time for discussions, laughs and bonding. Dinner is therefore a good time for you to spend time with the family.
Will I have Internet access in my housing?
The vast majority of Danish households have access to the Internet. This goes for our host families, too. However, we do not guarantee access to the Internet. If this is crucial to you, then you are welcome to write a note about it in your application and we´ll take this into consideration when matching you with a host family. When living in a family without Internet, please remember that students will have 24 hour access to internet facilities at DIS.
How much time will I spend on commuting?
Expect at least a 30-60 minute commute to school. This may be a big change from life on your home campus, but commuting is a natural and defining part of European life, and strong public transportation is one of the most significant differences between typical European and American cities. Studying at DIS means living as the Danes live - and getting around the city as they do. Once you get adjusted to it, you will start enjoying the ride and be able to use the peace and quiet on the train for either a nap or for catching up with some homework.
Note that the cost of commuting from your host family to school and within central Copenhagen is included in the Comprehensive Housing Fee.
Do the Danes speak English well?
The Danes generally speak English very well, though fluency varies. At least one person in your DIS host family speaks English, but you will most likely be able to communicate with the whole family in English, with the exception of small children.
I heard that the Danes smoke a lot – is this true?
We are happy to be able to place more than 80% of our students in entirely non-smoking families. Still in Denmark quite a lot of people do smoke, so unless you are allergic to smoke we cannot guarantee you a non-smoking family. The majority of the smokers are flexible, though, and only smoke in one room in the house, or outside.
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