For my living arrangements at DIS, I live in a Kollegium dorm. There are several Kollegiums that just host DIS students and other Kollegiums where DIS students are mixed in with other Danish University students. At my Kollegium there are about 15 DIS students and over 100 Danish and international students who are also studying in Copenhagen. To get to school I use a combination of walking and taking the bus (my total commute time ends up being about 45 minutes each way). This may sound like a rather long commute time especially since I was used to a 5-10 minute commute time to get to classes back in the U.S. but I have grown to appreciate the individual time because I can spend it reading or checking my emails or just as personal down time. Also I've realized that I did not come abroad to experience everything the same way as I do back at home. If that was the case I wouldn't grow as a person or get an authentic experience of the new culture.

     In my Kollegium we have an SRA aka someone that we can go to whenever we have questions about DIS or our dorm or just want someone to talk to. In the first couple of weeks she introduces us to the dorm and makes sure that we are adjusting well. Since then she has helped us organize group dinners and events where the 15 DIS students that live in our dorm can all get together and socialize. We have also planned group events outside of the Kollegium including going on a canal tour together and visiting Tivoli (an amusement park).

     Below I have added some photos of a pizza party we had on our floor. I live on a floor with one other DIS student and the other 8 are Danish. We each have our own bedroom that has a private bathroom and shower. We also have a communal kitchen and living area that our floor shares. No matter what kind of living arrangement you end up in while abroad in DIS, my biggest advice is to only use your individual space when you have to. Whenever it is convenient to bring your studying or activities to a public place I would highly recommend it! I met people living in my hall much more easily when I spent time cooking in the kitchen or doing work in the living room space. Our hall has also made it a tradition to have group dinners on Wednesdays for those that are able to come. The group dinners were not a tradition that existed prior to the arrival of the other DIS student and I, but we wanted to make our hall more than just a place where there were students going about their own individual routines.

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