Danish Roommate Living with a Young Danish Person

Here you will live with a young Danish person – approximately between the age of 18-30 – who lives in an often centrally located apartment and who is either a student or a working professional. All Danish Roommates have been visited by a member of the DIS housing staff and they all have a genuine interest in meeting and welcoming foreigners. All Danish Roommates speak and understand English.

What to expect

DIS rents a furnished room in the apartment on your behalf and you will have shared access to a kitchen and a bathroom. You will be expected to do your share of household tasks and clean up after yourself. Living with a Danish Roommate also means you will have to do your own grocery shopping and food preparation.

Social Life

The Danish roommate stay allows you to lead the life of an independent urbanite in charge of your own day, meals, and social life. Your roommate will acquaint you with the local area and help you get settled. The level of interaction with your roommate will vary, so please take this into account when forming expectations of this housing option.

A Danish Roommate is right for you if you:

• are independent and self-reliant
• have an interest in seeing how Danes your own age live
• want a short commute to DIS and the city center
• are willing to treat the apartment as if it were your own and to share domestic responsibilities with your roommate
• are prepared do grocery shopping, cook for yourself, and take on cleaning responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are the Danish Roommates?
• Do the Danish Roommates speak English?
• Where will I be living?
• I have heard that food is expensive in Denmark, how will I cope?
• What level of interaction can I expect of my Danish Roommate?

Who are the Danish Roommates?

Our Danish Roommates come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. A Danish Roommate may be single or may be a young couple - with or without children. You may also be living with several roommates. We usually pair our students with a Danish Roommate of the same sex. However, we sometimes match students of opposite sexes if we estimate that this match is the best. Also, some Danish Roommates may have different ethnic backgrounds. This only enriches the cultural exchange between the Danish Roommates and the student.

Do the Danish Roommates speak English?

Yes, all Danish Roommates speak and understand English.

Where will I be living?

All Danish Roommates live in apartments located within Greater Copenhagen. Even so, do expect some commute to school. This may be a 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. You'll commute to school using the convenient, frequent and safe commuter trains, metros, and buses that run both day and night. You may also be able to go by bike.

Note that the cost of commuting from your Danish Roommate to school and within central Copenhagen is included in the Comprehensive Housing Fee.

I have heard that food is expensive in Denmark, how will I cope?

Food is expensive in Denmark, in particular if you have any food restrictions. To help offset your food costs, DIS offers students a partial food stipend. This amount is intended to go towards your food costs and not to cover them completely. You can ask us in the Student Services office for inspiration towards grocery shopping in cheap places, or look in the Student handbook.

What level of interaction can I expect of my Danish Roommate?

Interaction can vary greatly. You may become close friends with your roommate, or not see much of each other at all. It is all up to you and your Roommate! Also, please keep in mind that your Danish Roommate may be a student or have a full time job, which means that they may not be home much during the day. However, you can expect that your Danish Roommate will do the following:

• Pick you up on your official arrival day within our official hours of arrival
• Make a welcome dinner for you during the first week
• Inform you about public transportation in Copenhagen and how to buy a transportation pass
• Show you around the local neighborhood
• Inform you about the opportunities for cultural activities, sport activities, and library facilities.