Cultural Immersion at DIS
Enhance your Major, Immerse and Engage
You are entering a highly globalized world 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.
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 and competencies that will give your future a competitive edge. Immersion starts with engagement, without you taking action, you will not immerse. So get out there and meet others, try new things, and make your semester abroad unique!
DIS Intercultural Leadership Award
DIS takes pride in helping our students become true global citizens, with an understanding of other cultures and the ability to make informed decisions. We do this through intense immersion in Danish society and culture, be it through different housing options, classes that reflect global and local trends, and by offering to students ways in which they can step out of their comfort zones on their own while always knowing that DIS is there to support them in their explorations.
For DIS, leadership means being able to make informed decisions, being able to negotiate life based on practical experience and being able to tell a positive story. Intercultural leadership is actively using your head, heart, and hands to create a positive experience for yourself and your peers.
To read more about this opportunity, visit the Intercultural Leadership Award page.
Here are some of the cultural immersion and engagement options available at DIS:
Activities & Immersion 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, and so forth, 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. Click here to read more about volunteering options.
The Visiting Family Program
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.
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.
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 Activities & Immersion 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.
Learn more here.
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 Activities & Immersion Fair. Learn more about LGBTQ life in Copenhagen here.
DIS Social Events
DIS-arranged events include a welcome social, Midterm Party, Halloween 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.
Student Activities Council
The Student Activities Council plans and executes events throughout the semester and develops proposals for student-initiated immersion activities, such as sporting events, museum outings, guided tours, theatrical performances, concerts, and other engaging events throughout Copenhagen. Members will take a key leadership role in planning a total of 10 semester events.
Learn more here.
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!
