Kollegium Kollegium – A Danish Residence Hall

What is a Kollegium?

At a kollegium, you will live with Danish and international students in a set up similar to an American residence hall or dormitory model – but with some significant differences:

• Danish universities do not have campuses with university housing, so independent kollegiums house students from several educational institutions in Copenhagen, making it a great way to meet a variety of students from many backgrounds.
• The level of your interaction with the other residents will vary per kollegium. Some are very social, but in others, people mostly keep to themselves. As in any case, the responsibility lies with you to be outgoing and make an effort in getting to know your neighbors.
• Kollegiums are located outside the city center, usually within a 30 to 40-minute commute on public transportation, or a bike ride away. This is average for a Danish student’s commute.
• There are two types of kollegiums, international and traditional. In both options you might be placed with three up to 45 DIS students who will be spread throughout the building to ensure plenty of opportunities to meet Danish and international students, while still having a close DIS support system.
• Danish students tend to be older than the typical American college student, even undergraduate students. It is normal in Denmark to be around 30 and still be in school.
• All kollegiums are co-ed. This means that you will share common facilities, such as kitchens, and also sometimes bathroom facilities with the opposite sex.

The Kollegium Option Is Right For You If:

• Outgoing and good at taking the initiative in meeting new people
• Independent and self-reliant
• Willing to commute
• Willing to cook and grocery shop for yourself (kollegiums do not have cafeterias or meal plans)
• Responsible and willing to clean up after yourself and work out cleaning responsibilities with the other residents (kollegium kitchens are self-governed)

Why Pick a Traditional Kollegium?

This choice is best suited to you if you would like to have a common kitchen and other facilities, and where there is typically a great possibility for social events and informal get-together with both Danes and other international students. These kollegiums are typically older – hence the traditional aspect – and you should therefore not expect a high standard in furnishing. In most cases you will have your own room and bathroom, but there is also double rooms shared with another DIS student.

Why Pick an International Kollegium?

Here you live in a kollegium with international students from all over the world and get to add an even more international aspect to your time in Denmark. They tend to have a good social atmosphere as the other international students are also away from home and looking for new friends and adventures.

Each international kollegium is different. You may be living in an independent apartment-style setting with your own kitchenette and a bathroom shared with DIS students, or with your own bathroom; in a room where you share the common facilities with other students or; in a facility where you share the kitchen and bathroom with three other DIS or non-DIS students.

Interest Groups: An Additional Benefit of International Kollegiums
DIS has created an exciting new option for students living in international kollegiums - Interest Groups that house DIS students with similar interests together! This allows you to bond with DIS students, and get to know other international students, in a creative and active atmosphere, while you explore your interest in a new environment. You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience in your preferred Interest Group, but you need to be willing to spend some time to explore and learn more about it once you are here.

The following Interest Group themes are available for you to request in the housing registration:

• Sport Interest Group: Hit the fields and courts and organize soccer, basketball, handball, and other sports activities.

• Art Interest Group: Get creative by sharing passions for drawing, painting, and/or photography.
• Performance Interest Group: For students interested in music, acting, or dance – explore your talents together, and enjoy Copenhagen’s local performance and theater highlights together!

Note: Opting to participate in an Interest Group is encouraged but not mandatory if you are living in an International Kollegium.

Is an International Kollegium Interest Group right for you?

• Expect to spend around three to five hours on a weekly basis in an Interest Group.
• Interest Groups are self-governed by you and your fellow students and specific activities you decide to do together will be decided once you have all settled into your housing situation and met. Your SRA will help facilitate initial meetings.   
• You are still required to sign up for at least one of the six DIS immersion opportunities to ensure cultural engagement during your time in Denmark.

Note: The International Kollegium option involves living mainly with other international students, so broader cultural integration into Danish life can be more challenging. If you choose the international kollegium option, you must participate in at least one intercultural immersion experience so you get a unique taste of Danish life.

Additional DIS Benefits for Students Living in Kollegiums

• DIS Danish Social and Residential Advisor (SRA): DIS has a Danish Social and Residential Advisor (SRA) at most kollegiums to ensure that you are safe and comfortable, and to answer questions. They help you with the practicalities of kollegium life, and arrange a couple of DIS social events each semester.
• DIS Transportation Stipend: DIS will provides students you with transportation passes that cover the commute from DIS to your kollegium. 
• DIS Food Stipend: To help offset your food costs in the kollegium, DIS offers kollegium studentsyou a partial food stipend. You can also ask the Housing & Student Affairs office for cheap places to buy food, or you can read more in the student handbook.

Registration Process

When you register for the kollegium housing category on Online Student Registration, you will be allowed to choose maximum of one kollegium type in your three preferences.