HSA Denmark
Denmark

High School Abroad in Denmark

Tentative Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

$16,500

Extended Deadline

Enroll Now

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Tentative Dates

-

22 weeks

Costs

$16,500

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

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Tentative Dates

-

43 weeks

Costs

$19,750

Extended Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Program Overview
Bike-friendly streets, music festivals, and college-town culture make Denmark a big draw for students from throughout the world. 

With its peaceful atmosphere and friendly population, Denmark is consistently ranked as “the happiest place in the world.” English is spoken widely here and it’s easy to meet international students as well as local peers. Youth from throughout Europe are drawn to its music scene and many festivals, featuring everything from jazz and classical to heavy metal and electronica.

Cobblestone streets, canal boats, green spaces on every corner, and colorfully painted wooden buildings create a picture-perfect backdrop for your studies. Here you’ll live with a local homestay and be fully immersed in the Nordic culture — shopping, helping prepare meals, and dining most evenings together.

Explore amazing food markets, bakeries and cafes all around. Tuck into a traditional Danish smørrebrød (open sandwich), followed by a mouth-watering pastry. Embrace hygge and get cozy with a good book in a traditional Danish woven cardigan. Visit open-air museums and art galleries. Watch artisans engaged in glassblowing, bread baking, sculpting, or whatever floats their boat. Ride a bike, be happy, experience the Danish way of life.

The Take-Aways

Global Citizenship

After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.

Language Proficiency

Our program provides students with 150 language contact hours in just a few weeks, which means they'll be better prepared to make transitions, take control of new situations, and appreciate challenging experiences for what they are: opportunities to learn and grow.

College Readiness

Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.

93%

said their experience made them more aware of global issues.

79%

said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.

96%

said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.

The Destination
  • Aerial view of Copenhagen City
  • High school students posing on cobbled street in Denmark
  • copenhagen-city-hall

The Destination

The “happiest place in the world” is known for its medieval castles, colorful houses, and four-star food scene.

Copenhagen is where our CIEE Center is located. The city is noted for being a very safe, clean city with more bicycles than people! It’s easy to get around and there are many parks for relaxation. Visit Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family to catch the changing of the guards every day at 12 noon. At night, head to Tivoli Gardens, the historic park that inspired Walt Disney, to see its dazzling display of twinkling lights.

Your “home” in Denmark may be Copenhagen or one of the country’s smaller towns in the countryside or on the coast—where Danish hygge is in high supply! Join a local sports team or club and practice your Danish language skills with the locals.

With any placement, our goal is for 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 Denmark.

Your School Experience

Our most common placements in Denmark are in Danish public schools. All CIEE students are placed in an optional grade 10 of Folkeskole or grade 10-11 of Gymnasium depending on their age and availability of placements at the school.

In most placements, the language of instruction will be Danish, so we recommend familiarizing yourself with the language and culture as much as possible prior to your study abroad experience.

These schools are non-mandatory programs for students 15-16 years old. These schools offer project-based learning in specific areas such as outdoor activities, art and media, and music. Danish Efterskoler do not have semesters and you do not typically receive grades.  However, these programs provide a unique opportunity for CIEE students to gain specialized knowledge, and build critical life skills including independence, resilience, language proficiency, and cultural awareness. 

Learn more

CIEE students who are 16-17 years of age can expect to be enrolled in the first or second year of Gymnasium. Depending on how long you are in Denmark, you may be enrolled in study program based around four key fields of study: natural sciences, social sciences, languages, or arts. In many cases, you will be able to choose individual courses in subjects of interest. Depending on your placement, you may get to see what it is like to take an end of year exam, but in most cases you will not receive any credit or a grade for your coursework.

Learn more

Daily Life

Daily Life

"Being an exchange student has helped me become so much more independent, courageous, outgoing, knowledgeable, and responsible."

Read our blogs to learn more about daily life while attending a high school abroad.

Explore Program Blogs

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay, found by Local Coordinator

Local Support

Local Coordinator in area available for support, CIEE support staff available 24/7

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Your First Two Months Abroad In Denmark

By High School Semester Abroad at CIEE

Authored By: Elly Beckman Going abroad is a very scary experience. You’re away from friends, family, and home, to be honest. There can be tough times, but there can also... keep reading

Coast Towns of Fyn

By Rosemary M.

Coast towns of Fyn I’m living on Fyn(foon) this year, it’s the central island of Denmark, located between Jylland (you-land) and Sjæland(shelland) I live in Odense(o-en-suh), the biggest city on... keep reading

What to Take?

By Rosemary M.

Essentials in Denmark After being in Denmark for 2 ½ months, I think I have a pretty good idea of some of the essential items. -A chip card-every card reader... keep reading

Activities

Sample Activities & Excursions

Orientation will take place upon arrival and will be based in the historic and beautiful city of Copenhagen. During orientation, you will meet up with your program peers. CIEE Center staff in Copenhagen will facilitate a three-day and two-night orientation designed to prepare you for your program and provide access to all the wonders of Copenhagen through a series of activities and tours. 

Most students will be placed outside of the city of Copenhagen in communities located throughout the country. Danish high schools do not offer extracurricular activities. Instead, students enroll in sports, clubs, and activities through their local community. Don’t fret—your homestay, friends, and Local Coordinator will be happy to help you get involved!

Looking for adventure? Tuition for this program includes the cost of one day trip and one overnight trip per semester. Trips take place at different times in the semester. These trips vary every semester and may also be adjusted to mitigate COVID-19 risks. Examples of possible excursions include:

HSA Aarhus Denmark

Aarhus, Denmark (Overnight Trip)

Visit the second largest city in Denmark on the Danish peninsula of Jutland. Founded in the age of the Vikings, Aarhus is home to Aarhus University, along with major cultural institutions. You can explore the ARoS Kunstmuseum art museum and walk along its rainbow walkway in the sky! Or learn about history through the evolutionary stairway at Moesgaard Musuem and interact with the locals in the streets and shops of Den Gamle By.

HSA Odense Denmark

Odense, Denmark (Day Trip)

Explore the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen! As the largest city on the island of Funen, Odense boasts a deep history dating back to the Iron Age and the Vikings. In 2021, Odense also opened the H.C. Andersen House, designed by the Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. You can find the magic of H.C. Andersen’s tales cast around the city, including in the historic district and along the FairyTale Garden. 

HSA Malmo Denmark

Bornholm, Denmark (Day Trip)

Travel by ferry to the idyllic Danish Island of Bornholm. Explore the largest castle ruin in Norther Europe at the medieval fortress of Hammershus. Walk the cobbled streets of Rønne, a lovely harbor city, and take in the historic architecture.

What People Are Saying

  • "It's hard to realize right away how much you grew during an exchange, but now, slightly over a year later, I can really appreciate how my time overseas opened me up not only to others but also to myself. Being in another country, completely out of my comfort zone, helped me recognize which of my opinions and values are at the core of my personality, and which are mainly influenced by my surroundings. I feel more comfortable overcoming obstacles or adjusting, because I can be flexible while still staying true to myself."

    Jacqueline R., CIEE High School Abroad Alumna

  • "I learned things that aren’t taught in schools: what is really important to me, what I want out of life, and how to be more open-minded and confident."

    Sophie R., CIEE High School Abroad Alumna

  • "Everyone is shocked to hear that I studied abroad when I was 15 years old. I’m shocked myself — yet, quite frankly, I’m shocked that it isn’t more common to study abroad in high school. CIEE gave me an opportunity that most people have never heard of. The program transformed me into the person I am today, with impeccable people skills and the ability to adapt to any environment. I owe a huge thanks to the CIEE program. I am proud to be a CIEE alumnus!"

    Alex A., CIEE High School Abroad Alumnus

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Eligibility

  • Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
  • Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • Demonstrate, through the application process, their flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
  • Although there is no language requirement for this program, students are encouraged to practice their Danish prior to departure.

High school abroad participants are NOT authorized to volunteer, take jobs, or seek employment during their stay.

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Application Fee

$50

Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.

Program fee includes iNext travel insurance. Full inclusions are found online.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Fall 2024 18 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $16,500
Program Spring 2025 22 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $16,500
Program Academic Year 2024 43 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $19,750
Our Staff

Our Staff

Brittany Perry

Interim Center Director

Brittany Perry has been the academic director for CIEE in Copenhagen since December 2021, and brings extensive teaching experience with her from several US institutions of Higher Education.

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