Kollegium Kollegium – A Danish Residence Hall
Kollegium housing offers many exciting and different ways of living close to Danish and other international students. A kollegium is the Danish equivalent of an American residence hall or dormitory model – but there are some significant differences. As European universities usually do not have campuses, the rooms in the different kollegiums used by DIS are shared between many Danish universities and colleges, thus allowing you to meet a variety of students from many disciplines and backgrounds. Something to keep in mind is that Danish students tend to be older that the typical American college student.
It is normal in Denmark to be around 30 and still be in school. Second, kollegiums are not operated by universities or colleges – they are free standing organizations. This means that they are not located on campuses but rather outside the city center area. Please also note that all of our kollegiums are co-ed. You will never share a room (if you live in a double room) with someone of the opposite gender, but you will in some of the kollegiums share the bathroom and you will always live in co-ed halls.
What Type of Kollegium Should I Choose?
In order to give you a better overview of the varied kinds of kollegiums where DIS rents rooms, we have subdivided the category into three different types. When you register for the kollegium housing category during Online Registration, you will be asked to prioritize these three types according to your preferences. DIS places between three to 45 students in the different kollegiums. All of the rooms are spread out in the buildings to ensure our students get the best opportunity possible to meet Danish and international students, whilst at the same time having other DIS students close by to provide a solid support system.
- International Kollegiums: If you would like to boost your study abroad experience in Copenhagen with an international influence, then you should choose to live in kollegiums where international students from all over the world are predominant. These kollegiums tend to have a good social atmosphere as the other international students are also away from home and looking for new friends and adventures. If you choose to live in an International Kollegium, you may find yourself living in an independent apartment-style setting with your own kitchenette and a bathroom shared with other DIS students; 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 students (both DIS and non-DIS students).
- Traditional Kollegiums: If you would like to live in a kollegium that offers a common kitchen and other facilities, and where there is typically a great possibility for social events and informal get-togethers with other tenants, then you should choose a traditional kollegium. There will be both Danes and other international students living in the traditional kollegiums. These kollegiums are typically older – hence the traditional aspect – and you should therefore not expect a high standard in furnishing. In most of these kollegiums you will have your own room and bathroom, but we also have a few double rooms where you will be rooming with another DIS student.
- Independent Apartment-style Kollegiums: You should choose to live in one of the few apartment-style kollegiums that DIS rents if you would like a room with your own bathroom and kitchenette and if you want to lead a more independent lifestyle. These kollegiums do generally not offer a high degree of social activities as there are typically no common facilities.
DIS Representative
DIS has a Danish Social and Residential Advisor at most kollegium to ensure that you are safe and comfortable and to answer any questions. He or she will help you with the practicalities of kollegium life, and will also arrange a couple of social events for DIS students each semester.
The kollegium housing option is right if you:
• are outgoing and good at taking the initiative in meeting new people
• are independent and self-reliant
• are willing to commute
• want to go grocery shopping and cook for yourself, since kollegiums do not have cafeterias or meal plans!
• are responsible and willing to clean up after yourself and interact with the other residents about cleaning responsibilities (kollegium kitchens are self-governed, and it is up to the residents to work out a cleaning schedule).
Frequently Asked Questions?
• What will the room set up be like?
• Will I meet any Danes at the kollegium?
• I have heard that food is expensive in Denmark, how will I cope?
• How much time will I spend on commuting?
What will the room set-up be like?
Overall, living in a kollegium allows you to be independent, while also giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in Danish culture by living side-by-side with Danes and other international students. Kollegiums come in all shapes and sizes regardless of the categories mentioned above. In many of them, you will have your own room with a private bathroom and share a common kitchen with about 15 other students. In others, though, there are no shared kitchens. Students will, in these cases, have a kitchenette in their rooms. Some kollegiums are similar to sharing an apartment.
In these kollegiums, you will share a kitchen and common area with three other people, and a bathroom with one other person. In some instances, students will share a small kollegium apartment, including a bathroom and a private kitchen, with another DIS student. DIS also has a limited number of double rooms, where you will share your room, kitchenette, and bathroom with another DIS student. Lastly, some kollegiums are similar to older dorms on American university campuses. This means you will have your own room, and share the bathroom with the other students living on your hall.
Will I meet any Danes at the kollegium?
Staying at a kollegium gives you the unique opportunity of getting to know young Danes and international students who study a wide variety of subjects. In some cases, the other residents will mostly be Danes, in other cases there will be a majority of international students. Depending of the type of rooming, the level of your interaction with the other residents will vary. Some kollegiums are very social, in other places people mostly keep to themselves. In any case, the responsibility lies with you to be persistent and make an effort in getting to know your neighbors. Living in a kollegium will be a great opportunity to learn to be outgoing!
Most kollegiums offer different social events that you will be invited to participate in, like parties and homemade dinners. To help you get adjusted to kollegium life, DIS has employed a resident at each kollegium as a contact person for DIS students. In addition to helping you with the practicalities, your contact person will plan social events for DIS students living at the kollegium. More about DIS Social & Residential Advisors.
In addition, you can sign up for a Danish Visiting Family. The Visiting Family program is flexible and it is up to you and your family to decide the frequency of visits as well as the types of activities you get up to. Usually a visiting relationship starts with a nice dinner at the family´s house. You can sign up for the program during online registration, after you have been accepted to DIS.
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 offer kollegium students a partial food stipend. This amount is intended to go towards your food costs, but will not cover them completely. You can ask us at the Housing & Student Affairs office for inspiration for grocery shopping in cheap places, or look in the student handbook.
How much time will I spend on commuting?
You will commute to school using the convenient, frequent, and safe commuter trains, metros and busses that run day and night. 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 safe and reliable public transportation is one of the most significant differences between typical European and American cities. Studying at DIS means living like the Danes - and getting around the city the same way that they do. Once you get adjusted to it, you will start to enjoy the ride and be able to use the peace and quiet on the train for either a nap or for catching up on homework.
Note that the cost of commuting from your kollegium to school and within central Copenhagen is included in the Comprehensive Housing Fee.
