Forming Lasting Friendships in Copenhagen

The following blog was written by a student intern on a Summer 2026 CIEE high school abroad program in Copenhagen. Read on for a first-hand account of what it's like on program. 

Over the course of the three-week CIEE high school summer program in Copenhagen, students from different backgrounds come together with a shared interest in global learning for the Engineering & Sustainability program. While most of them begin the program as strangers, it doesn’t take long for connections to form through shared experiences both in and outside of the classroom. 

The Engineering & Sustainability program encourages collaboration from the first day the students get to Copenhagen, until the day they fly back home. Whether discussing sustainable solutions, participating in site visits, or working through engineering-related challenges in the classroom, teamwork becomes a natural part of the experience. These collaborative moments give students the opportunity to learn from one another while building trust within the program. 

Copenhagen itself plays a significant role in bringing the students together. Known for its friendly culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and commitment to sustainability, the city becomes an interactive classroom and turns into a new adventure. Students explore iconic locations such as Nyhavn, navigate public transportation (with staff supervision), explore Danish cuisines, and discover local traditions. Writing as a former CIEE college program student, these mundane everyday experiences become some of the most memorable moments of the program. Many friendships are built through small moments between scheduled activities. Conversations over a group meal, bonding in the student lounge, or a shared experience while exploring the city can help students form these meaningful friendships in a place that is foreign to them. Living and learning abroad created opportunities for connection that does not tend to happen in the confines of a traditional classroom setting. 

This high school program in particular encourages students to step outside of their comfort zones, especially when it comes to full days of educational and cultural excursions throughout different parts of Denmark. For many participants, studying abroad is their first time spending an extended period away from home or interacting closely with locals and educators with a different background from their own. By embracing new experiences and engaging with those around them, students often discover greater confidence in themselves and a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives. What makes these friendships especially meaningful is the common passions and interests that brought them to this program. Discussions about environmental advocacies, innovation, and global challenges often extend beyond class hours, leading to conversation about future goals, personal interests, and aspirations. Through these interactions, students build connections rooted in shared curiosity and respect for each other and the culture they are now a part of. 

As the program comes to an end, students fly out of Copenhagen with more than new knowledge about engineering and sustainability. They go home with experiences that broadened their perspectives, memories of a city that inspired them, and lasting friendships that span across the United States. 

The impact of this program extends beyond the three weeks spent in Denmark. Before they know it, reunions will be in order to visit one another, and the curiosity sparked in the program will bring them back to Europe whether through higher education, or personal interest. In a city celebrated for innovation and sustainability, students discover another powerful form of connection: a global community of peers who share their enthusiasm for learning and aspiring to make a combined difference in the world. 

Thank you to the Engineering & Sustainability 2026 Session II cohort for a fantastic three weeks, we hope to see you back in Copenhagen soon. Tak for i dag!

Are you a high school student interested in spending a summer abroad with CIEE in Denmark? Browse our program options in Denmark today!