My Final Week in Copenhagen

 To make the most of my last weekend in Copenhagen, I packed my days with as much as I could. On Saturday, I took the train north to visit two incredible castles. First up was Frederiksborg Castle, built in the 17th century by King Christian IV. The architecture and ornate interior rooms were stunning and definitely worth the trip. After that, I headed to Kronborg Slot, also known as the Hamlet Castle. Of the two, this one was my favorite. It was so much fun to explore, especially the underground dungeons. There were a few oil-burning lamps providing light, but most of it was pitch black, which made the experience even more exciting.

On Sunday, I went on a full-day adventure to Møns Klint. It was about three hours each way by public transport, but the views made the journey worth it. After climbing down the steep staircase to reach the beach, we noticed people searching through the pebbles. It turns out they were looking for belemnite fossils, extinct squid-like creatures. I  was able to find quite a few fossils along the way, which was really cool. 

Monday’s highlight was climbing the spiral staircase at the Church of Our Saviour. It’s about 400 steps to the top, but the panoramic view of Copenhagen was more than worth it. It was especially cool to point out all my favorite spots across the city, places that now feel surprisingly familiar.

The rest of my final week was spent showing my family around the city, since they came to visit. I got to play tour guide, which made me realize just how much I’ve gotten to know this place. It was fun introducing them to the spots and routines that had become part of my daily life during the last five weeks.

We wrapped things up on Friday evening with a farewell dinner at Koefoed, a Michelin Guide restaurant. The food was incredible, and the dinner itself was a little bittersweet. As a group, we shared stories and reflected on some of the best moments from our time abroad. It was a nice way to close the chapter.

Looking back, I’m really happy with everything I’ve gotten out of this experience. I’ve grown a lot both personally and academically. I managed to stay on top of my coursework, work well with my classmates, and navigate the challenges that come with living in a foreign country.

If anyone is considering doing this program in the future, I’d absolutely recommend it. I’d also be happy to chat with anyone who has questions about what it’s really like.