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- College First Year Abroad in Copenhagen
College First Year Abroad in Copenhagen
Dates
-
6 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Dates
-
12 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Dates
-
6 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Tentative Dates
-
6 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Tentative Dates
-
6 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Tentative Dates
-
12 weeks
Costs
Credit
6 - 7 per Block semester hours
9 - 10.5 per Block quarter hours
Your College First Year Abroad program in Copenhagen lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Danish culture. Live and learn in Copenhagen!
Earn Credits From Top Universities
Take in-person or online courses from our Schools of Record, Tulane University and ASU.
Unique Experiences
Experience Denmark’s Natural Marvels
From its 406 islands to expansive coastlines and unique landscapes
Take an Architectural Journey Through Time
through Copenhagen’s blend of historic and modern design
Discover Denmark’s Happiness Formula
And why it ranks among the world’s happiest countries
Your Destination
Copenhagen is Denmark’s forward-thinking capital, known for its innovation, sustainability, and rich cultural heritage. Spend 12 weeks cycling along scenic canals, relaxing in the colorful Nyhavn harbor, and savoring smørrebrød at food markets. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Copenhagen is the perfect place to begin your college experience.
Program Highlights
- Tutoring + Academic Support: Receive personalized one-on-one tutoring to help you excel stay on track with your studies.
- College First Year Abroad Workshops: Develop your communication, self-management, and interpersonal skills. (Required; non-credit bearing; 1.5 hours/week, including dinner.)
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses taught in-person (Tulane University academic credit) and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, Arizona State University (ASU academic credit), that align with your academic interests.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more to embrace your host city's culture, art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- International Community Service: Engage in community service with one of CIEE’s global community service partners to build bridges of mutual understanding and peace, leaving the world a little better place when you return home.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Copenhagen will open doors for you to explore Denmark’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. Each semester typically includes two day trips and one overnight trip.
Samples of excursions and activities:
- Explore the National Museum and see how Copenhagen transformed from a 10th-century fishing village to a world leader in sustainability and innovation
- Visit one or more of the sites listed on UNESCO World Heritage list, like the Wadden Sea or Stevns Klint
- Take a short train trip across the bridge to Sweden and explore the young city of Malmø
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Copenhagen offers two different housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. Housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to efficient and clean public transportation, shops, cafés, grocery stores, and anything you’d need to live like a true Copenhagener.
Standard Housing: Includes a double room at a residence hall located within a 15-minute walk from CIEE Copenhagen or a single room in a shared apartment within a 35-minute commute.
- Residence Halls: The single rooms are equipped with small kitchens and an en-suite bathroom. Residence halls provide shared common spaces with a larger, communal kitchen, multiple study and hangout areas, and gym facilities.
- Shared Apartments: Apartments feature double and/or triple rooms, with shared living areas, bathrooms, and a full kitchen.
Select Housing: Includes a single room in a residence hall or a shared room in a shared apartment, within a 35-minute commute of CIEE Copenhagen.
- Residence Halls: Located in the heart of the city, double rooms are equipped with a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom, along with shared common spaces including a larger, communal kitchen, multiple study and hangout areas, and gym facilities.
- Shared Apartments: Apartments feature single rooms, with shared living areas, bathrooms, and a full kitchen.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Residence Hall and Shared Apartments: Meals are not included. Students prepare their own meals in their own kitchenette or the residence hall’s shared kitchen facilities. CIEE provides basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. There is also a wide range of restaurants and cafes located nearby.
Academics
CIEE Copenhagen: Study in the heart of Denmark's capital, roughly one block from the historic Rosenborg Castle in one direction and the iconic Round Tower in the other. CIEE Copenhagen boasts four classrooms, a library and study space, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Tulane University is CIEE’s School of Record for College First Year Abroad. Tulane ensures that CIEE academic programs meet the highest standards of academic quality and will issue you an official Tulane University academic transcript for courses you complete in-person during your CIEE College First Year Abroad program.
Arizona State University (ASU) is CIEE’s global partner and School of Record for all online courses. ASU is the world’s leading university for online classes, offering over 3,000 courses that align with your degree requirements. ASU will issue you an official ASU academic transcript for courses you complete online during your CIEE College First Year Abroad program.
GPA
2.5 minimum high school GPA
Language Requirements
There are no specific language requirement for this program.
Additional Requirements
- Applicants are encouraged to complete their First Year Abroad application during their high school senior year or as a recent high school graduate
- You must be 17 years or older at the time of program departure
- You must be a recent high school graduate (no more than 18 months post-high school graduation) at the time of program departure
- If you are already enrolled in your first year of college, you cannot have completed more than one semester of college post-high school graduation at the time of program departure
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.
Requirements
All students are required to enroll in four courses (two per block) per 12-week program. Students can take a maximum of two ASU online courses (max 8 total credits) and a minimum of two CIEE in-person courses. Students cannot enroll in more than 7 credits per block.
Program Credit
12-14 U.S. semester/18-21 quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester credits; 45-60 contact hours
ASU Online Courses: Typically, 3-4 U.S. semester credits; 45-60 contact hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.
Academic Culture
CIEE First Year Abroad students are assisted by a comprehensive academic support system that helps develop the skills necessary for a successful experience while abroad and after the completion of the program. These academic support services may include one-on-one, group, or online advising and tutoring.
CIEE academic staff support students with resources and guidance on academic norms, study habits, and success strategies for first year students studying abroad. Tutors are trained and experienced educators with expertise in their subject areas. They provide assistance with core course concepts, study strategies, academic writing, research, and time management.
Together, academic support staff and tutoring provide the resources and guidance needed to achieve academic success and make the most of your study abroad experience.
Class Format
CIEE Block Courses: Courses taught by CIEE are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday and meet either two, three, or four times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
ASU Online Courses: Meet in sessions that are 7.5-weeks long in the semester, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end.
Embedded Intercultural Components: Courses have built-in co-curricular and other academic content tailored to your study abroad location. Museums, galleries, visits to local monuments, guest speakers by local experts, and other academic activities bring your studies and the local culture together in exciting ways.
Experiential Learning: Highly trained local instructors guide you to discovery in small classes that emphasize active learning. Short lectures are enhanced with activities that foster inquiry, like creative projects, collaborative problem-solving, case study analyses, panel discussions, visits to local sites, conversations with peers, and reflecting on these experiences. Activities are built to impart knowledge and gain critical skills: academic, social, and emotional.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Our academics include a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusions, including in course design, instructor training, and course content. Emphasis is placed on hearing and considering diverse perspectives on important issues. This also includes comparing how local and home cultures approach key topics. All students are equal partners in creating a community of inquiry and all learning styles are accommodated. Support is offered to those who learn at different rates.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and mid-term and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.
Course Information
Course Notes
Block Numbers
During the Fall semester, the courses below will be listed as available in Blocks II & III, rather than Blocks I & II. This is because the First Year Abroad program runs during the final two blocks of the Fall semester which is otherwise split into three blocks on CIEE’s Academic Calendar.
Language Classes
During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory language course will be instructed to take an online language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Health Professions and Related Programs
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Biological and Physical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Fall Block III 2026
Psychology
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Health Professions and Related Programs
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Biological and Physical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Spring Block II 2027
Psychology
You have the flexibility to choose from a selection of in-person courses taught by CIEE instructors and from over 3,000 asynchronous undergraduate ASU Online courses.
In the table below, you can explore some of the exciting courses we offer. On the left are examples of the in-person First Year Abroad classes you can take with CIEE. On the right are just a few examples of the thousands of ASU Online courses available to you while you're abroad.
| Sample CIEE Courses (in-person) | Sample ASU Courses (online) |
|
|
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework at no additional charge.
Check the CIEE program dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program.
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Interested in an academic year program? CIEE offers exciting customizable First Year Abroad programs in select locations. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator if you're interested in any of these combinations, and please note that visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your chosen program combination.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall Block II 2026 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,750 | |
| Program Fall Blocks II, III 2026 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $15,500 | |
| Program Fall Block III 2026 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,750 | |
| Program Spring Block I 2027 6 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $7,750 | |
| Program Spring Block II 2027 6 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $7,750 | |
| Program Spring Blocks I, II 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $15,500 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Emily Ronek
Center Director
Emily Ronek brings several years of non-profit experience to CIEE, working in different capacities with Danish organizations that focus on youth development.
Olsi Kusta
Academic Director
As Academic director for CIEE Copenhagen, Olsi Kusta brings a diverse professional career that blends practice-oriented research skills with problem solving approaches in logistics and education. He engages with researching...
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