People rides bikes in Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark

January in Copenhagen

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

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Overview

Spend January immersed in Danish culture and earning credits. Coursework is taught in English at CIEE Copenhagen and complemented with immersive co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.

Unique Experiences

Find out why

Denmark is rated one of the happiest countries in the world

Explore

Copenhagen’s unique architectural mix of old and new

Live in a city

designated the world’s first “Bike City;” even in winter

2

Position in the World Happiness Report

9

Out of 10, How Many Danes Own a Bike

29

Number of Islands in Denmark

Experience
  • copenhagen girl with backpack looking out over canal
  • copenhagen bikes parked on street
  • copenhagen black boats in canal

The Destination

Copenhagen has transformed in the past decade, emerging as a "must-stop" destination in Europe. Fine dining, natural wines, and its reputation as an environmentally friendly city have earned Copenhagen top billing from foodies, oenophiles, students, and those seeking refuge in one of "the happiest countries in the world." Despite playing host to more than 600,000 residents, Copenhagen retains an old-world, small-village feel, with more bicycles than cars traveling its streets. In what's widely considered Europe's safest capital city, students discover an endless array of cultural activities, history, architecture, and more.  

CIEE Copenhagen is located in the center of the city, roughly a 5-minute walk will take you to Nørreport station and get you to everywhere you want to go in the city. Being in the heart of the city, an array of shops and restaurants are also within walking distance of the Study Center. CIEE Copenhagen offers a beautiful and very comfortable lounge where students love to work, hang out, people-watch, and take naps!

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Copenhagen.

The Culture

copenhagen students out biking

Excursions & Activities

Ample activities and excursions will be offered to immerse you in Danish culture and historical heritage. Past activities have included:

  • Visiting the Happiness Museum- the first of its kind worldwide!   
  • Touring Nordhavn, which has been named the “sustainable city of the future.” 
  • Taking a trip to explore Hamlet’s Castle in Helsingør - just one of many castles harboring the stories of Scandinavia’s past.  
  • Experiencing Danish hygge – a lifestyle trend described as a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.  
  • Taking a day trip to Sweden!  After a short train trip across the bridge, you will tour and explore the young city of Malmø (where half the population is under 35), where its cobblestone streets, cafes, and shops will delight you. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Shatter Gender Norms During J-term in Copenhagen!

By Nick Hvidtfeldt at CIEE

Maybe you’re already familiar with terms like the heterosexual matrix, queer gaze, and Gaga feminism. But have you considered how language, representation, and power shape your experience of the world... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "It was an amazing experience both academically and socially. The CIEE not only provides us with an enlightening education but, also educates us on the world around us. I learned so much about Denmark, which played a huge role in my adjustment period."

    Jordan M., Colby College

Housing
Academics

Academics

January students in Copenhagen will learn about the concept of “hygge” and find out why the Scandinavians are among the happiest people in the world. Students engage in 45 hours of course work taught by local experts in the subject field. Class time will consist of a mix of lectures, discussion, and experiential learning in and around the city.

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

1 CIEE course

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours


 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE classes are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Each course covers a full semester of content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation for each hour in class. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Copenhagen when classes are in session.

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Copenhagen are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program January 2025 3 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $4,150

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, meals and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $2,445**

Housing = $1,325***

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $4,150

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $266

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $100

Books & Supplies = $25

Personal expenses = $135†††

Total Costs = $1,776

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Robert Cassidy

Center Director

Robert Cassidy brings a background in neuroscience and extensive leadership experience in higher education. Originally from New Orleans, Rob studied biology and neuroscience in Washington, D.C., before conducting research in...

Olsi Kusta

Academic Director

Olsi Kusta has been the academic director for CIEE Copenhagen since March and brings very diverse professional career that blends practice-oriented research skills with problem solving approaches in logistics and...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info