Cultural Immersion at DIS

Cultural Experiences in Denmark

Want to have fun while studying abroad? Want to meet the locals and perhaps make friends? Want to immerse yourself? If so, keep on reading.

While some study abroad programs define immersion as just ‘being surrounded’ by the host culture, DIS has a more holistic approach to the term. Immersion is a long process that starts before you leave your home country and continues after your return. The main target of immersion is an exchange of values that leads to a sense of intercultural understanding. All programs listed below are based on the idea that Immersion is more than just being abroad – it also covers the training of intercultural competencies.

DIS Intercultural Leadership Award

The DIS Intercultural Leadership Award recognizes students who have worked actively to immerse themselves in Danish society through classwork, housing and participation in immersion activities and opportunities throughout the semester. You can apply for the Award if you earn a minimum of 50 Leadership points during the semester and write a short essay about your experiences with intercultural leadership. For full year students, you need 80 leadership points to apply and you should apply during your last semester.

All approved applicants will receive an Award Certificate and a Letter of Recommendation signed by Anders Uhrskov, Director of DIS. All approved applicants will also receive honor cords for their home school graduation. All students with 100+ leadership points will win a cash prize. One student will receive a grand prize which will be revealed at the Intercultural Leadership Award Honors Reception on Friday, December 9, to which all recipients are invited.

There will be prizes for select students.

To read more about this opportunity, visit the Intercultural Leadership Award page.

Why Immersion?

A highly globalized world has become a fact and dealing with the burning issues of our time requires that you are able to apply the theories you learn in the classroom at DIS in the real world. Immersing yourself in a foreign culture opens your eyes to the world as well as your own culture and makes you aware of how to deal with the challenges posed by cultures clashing.

Here are some of the Cultural Immersion options available at DIS:

Immerse Yourself Fair

As a part of the Arrival Workshop you are invited to attend the Immerse Yourself Fair. Here you have the opportunity to learn how you can integrate yourself into the local culture and social life during your time in Copenhagen. More than 40 organizations, covering religious communities, sports clubs, LGBTQ groups, etc, are invited to take part in the fair and they are all very interested in you taking part in the community.

The DIS Buddy Network

Have you wondered how the life of people your own age in Denmark differs from yours? Would you like to experience it first hand? If so, you should join the DIS Buddy Network – a very unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn what it is like to be a young person living in Denmark by socializing and hanging out with Danish people your own age.

Sports at DIS

Sport plays a big role in the Danish lifestyle and DIS has built up a contact network covering a variety of sports clubs across the greater Copenhagen area. There are numerous opportunities through DIS for students to participate in local athletic activities from soccer to yoga and even ultimate frisbee. Some activities require payment of a fee to the relevant organization.

Volunteer at DIS

By volunteering in Denmark you choose to engage yourself in the local Danish community in a meaningful and socially productive way. This is a once-in-a-lifetime study abroad opportunity that students can get a lot out of.

The Visiting Family

For students staying at a kollegium, in a DIS Residential Community or at a Folkehøjskole DIS makes it possible to meet and get to know a Danish family. Students interested should sign up for the Danish Visiting Family Program.

The DIS Film Club

Danish films and Danish directors are world-renowned, especially for the unique Dogma style. At DIS you can see what all the hype is about. The DIS Film club meets weekly to view contemporary Danish films (with subtitles, of course).

DIS International Club

The DIS International Club is dedicated to organizing a series of cultural and social events that will help you access the varied cultural opportunities around you, both at DIS as well as the diverse city of Copenhagen.

The club celebrates the multiculturalism of the DIS student body and keeps you updated on other cultural events that the universities around Copenhagen are offering. Some examples of events that the International Club has hosted in the past are: International Film Nights, Panel Sessions, Celebration of International Holidays, Pot-luck Dinners.

DIS Wine Club

The Wine Club is a DIS group for students that are food and wine enthusiasts. Each session focuses on a European region including discussions of their food and wine culture, food preparation, and wine tasting. Together you learn the basics of food preparation, creating simple dishes from high quality ingredients, while discussing how best to procure and judge groceries and wine.

The Choir – DIS Harmonies

Ever had the urge to burst out into song ... in Danish? Our a capella choir rehearses weekly. All voice parts and levels of experience are welcome. This group is student led. You can learn more about DIS Harmonies at the Immerse Yourself Fair.

DIS Ambassadors

The DIS Ambassadors Program is an opportunity to engage in small-scale cultural diplomacy by visiting different levels of Danish schools or other types of academic organizations to discuss the burning issues of our time. These visits have proven not only to be excellent opportunities for DIS students to immerse themselves in Danish culture, but they also challenge DIS students to reconsider their world views and become better accustomed to the complexities of the globalized world.

Religious services and contact

Copenhagen has a rich variety of religious organizations and congregations. A number of these groups will be invited to the Immerse Yourself Fair. You will furthermore have a chance to learn more after logging on to the DIS Forum, which is available once you become a DIS student.

LGBTQ groups

Copenhagen has a number of student-led LGBTQ groups. You will have a chance to learn more about LGBTQ life in Copenhagen at the Immerse Yourself Fair. After logging into DIS Forum (after you become a DIS student), click ‘Student Groups’ and join the Forum group for LGBT Students. It is a great resource to connect with fellow LGBTQ students studying at DIS and any useful information we receive that is relevant to the LGBTQ community will be posted here.

DIS Social Events

DIS-arranged events include a Welcome Party, Midterm Party, Concluding Party, Christmas Lunch, Spring Picnic and informal get-togethers with your instructors & DIS staff. DIS can help with suggestions, getting student tickets, and even giving directions. We also regularly subsidize trips to museums, castles, games, and performances.

Start your own club

Every semester, students organize and advertise their own clubs; they have ranged from competitive running to travel partners, museum buddies to diversity groups. Check out DIS Forum to see what’s on the docket for next semester, or start something of your own!