Denmark: Avery Meierdirk (Food in Copenhagen)

When I was first looking into Copenhagen before arriving, I saw everywhere saying that Denmark has some of the best restaurants and food in the world, and so far, I can say that most of the food I have had here has been AMAZING. However, the food does come at a cost because eating out here is very expensive when comparing it to home in Wisco or other European countries. So usually, I do just cook and eat at home to save money, but I have made a list of the places I would highly recommend that I have tried out so far.

• Gasoline Grill: THE BEST BURGER I’VE EVER HAD!! The rumors are true about the world-famous burgers made at Gasoline Grill because from the burger I had they are doing something right. They open until they are sold out of burgers for the day and have multiple locations throughout Copenhagen. The burgers are pricey, but the classic cheeseburger and fries filled the hole and then some missing from the food in Madison. I will be going back there soon because that burger is always on my mind.
• Theo: Fine dining at a cozy little downtown restaurant with food that was delicious (Probably what got them the Michelin Star). We went there for a valentine’s day/birthday dinner and got one of their preset menus that was around $60 for a three-course meal that left us with smiles on our faces. We had an array of appetizers from scallops and beef tartare to delicious oily bread. The main course was cod with some patatas bravas with a desert of a coffee cake and ice cream which I barely finished due to how stuffed I was. I do not know if I will be going back because it seems a little extravagant for more than special occasions, but I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Copenhagen and looking for a nice little date night. I recommend making a reservation well in advance though, as the place is small, and tables get booked out quickly.
• Andersen and Millard: Minimalist Cafe with delicious pastries, but careful they sell out quick! I am by no means an early riser, so when we stopped by around 4:00pm most of their goodies were sold out. However, I tried their Cinnamon Croissant, and it was delicious with a latte it made a great afternoon pick me up. on a dreary day. The vibes were a little more modern than your average cozy cafe, but it was nice, and I look forward to trying their other pastries such as their famous cube pistachio croissant.
• Apotek 57: Don’t let the maps fool you though the entrance to the place may be a little confusing with the front being a home goods showroom this cafe was so comfy and a perfect place to sit, read, and enjoy a classic Danish breakfast of sourdough bread with jam and butter, cheese, and a soft boiled egg. This paired with a coffee has become my go to brunch option that is easy to snack on while reading or getting some work done. The cafe is fairly small so you may have to share a table, but in a quiet part of town I loved spending some time there in the morning to relax and start the day.
• SMK Kafeteria: A cafe inside a museum is the perfect place to get some studying or computer work done, but it is no library. This cafe is teeming with life from students to meetings to family lunches. Everyone knows this is the spot to come. Located in the city center, this Cafe is open to the public and has plenty of space for anyone who comes to find space to chat, read, or work. With huge windows it makes even a rainy day feel brighter. I also had a Danish breakfast plate here as well and though I missed the soft-boiled egg the latte was so good, and the cheese was super soft and delicious.

Copenhagen Culture

The culture of Copenhagen has been the largest thing to get adjusted to in my life studying abroad. If America is the country where life moves in the blink of an eye Denmark is the country where life seems to slow down and take a breath. It might have a little something to do with the chilly weather in the winter, but here staying in and tucking in early is the norm here. This sometimes makes it hard to motivate yourself to explore the city or meet friends in the cold and oftentimes rainy weather, but it also gives you time to breathe and give yourself time to take care of yourself and recharge, which I have enjoyed. I find myself less stressed about missing things such as back at college where I always felt the need to be doing something or seeing people. The culture of biking also brings this overall sense of leisure and peace to the city instead of honking and noisy cars bustling to get to the destination as quickly as possible. This culture has really allowed me to slow down and think of doing things that will add joy to my life and not to do things just for the sake of doing them. This has really helped shape those I met and the things I have done so far, which have all been super enriching and amazing experiences. If your ideal day is curling up with a coffee and a good book on a chilly day, I would say that Copenhagen is the place for you! However, this does not mean that the city is not active, the biking and running paths are always occupied and I find it easier to explore your surroundings without so much pressure to exercise for results rather than for enjoyment.

Housing while Abroad

Housing was my biggest fear before starting my study abroad journey, and it has turned out to be better than what I hoped for. In attending Copenhagen University, I was in charge of finding my own housing with the help of the Housing Foundation, but that did not guarantee me a spot in any dorms they listed. However, I ended up renting a shared student apartment in the neighborhood of Nørrebro which is about a 10-minute bike ride from the city center and city campus. My roommate was completely random which scared me beyond belief, but I could not be happier with how it turned out. My roommate is a master’s student from Portugal who is writing her thesis on AI’s impact on radiologists training. She had already been in Copenhagen a month before I arrived, so it was nice to have someone to guide me on my arrival in the city. She also introduced me to ESN which is an exchange students club that is popular in Europe, but American students are more than welcome to join. You can pay for a discount card for Ryanair, and they have so many social and cultural events to attend which has made meeting people and getting to my roommate so easy. I am so thankful she introduced me to this club and would look them up on social media if you are studying abroad and are looking for somewhere to get involved. They also have numerous volunteer opportunities, which can be great to add to your resume and to meet more people while studying abroad. The dorm building I am in is pretty quiet, so I have not met too many people who live there, but with a dorm group chat there is an opportunity to invite people to meet them which has happened on a few occasions. My room is bright and airy, which has been great, but there are some things in Scandinavian living I needed to adjust to. However, I do think that the housing provided has been great, and I really have come to love my apartment. Making it feel like home is essential to make yourself feel comfortable and gives you a place to recharge after a long day. Doing this has really helped me feel less homesick and has allowed me to find shops that I have enjoyed going through in my neighborhood and in the shopping streets of Copenhagen.

 

Avery Meierdirk

Hometown: Pardeeville, Wisconsin

Major: Psychology & Social Welfare

Program: University of Copenhagen Exchange