Kobenhavns Universitet (KU)

Danes speak perfect English, so trying to speak Danish with them is as frustrating to them as it is to you. Nevertheless, Danish is a fun language and Danes appreciate the interest in learning their language. As fas the bare requirements of class and administrative functions, English will suffice. And one-on-one, English will be used. But if you enter a scene with a couple of Danes, exect the Danish to flow... whether or not you understand it. I did an eight week language course during the summer and I learned the vast majority of what I needed to know to communicate with people, to find my way around, to pass myself off as a Dane rather than an American while travelling, and so forth. I did not, however, ever have to take a course in Danish, compose anything in Danish, or even get very good at reading the newspaper in Danish.

In Scandinavian country I was really pleased by the high level of language in every spheres. Teachers running the courses have really fluent english and mostly also some other language skills. Danish people and namely teachers were very open to communicate with students and also study department of the university was very students-friendly. I was very satisfied with these matters at University of Copenhagen.

I speak English fluently, so therefore the language of instruction never posed a problem. I have taken Danish classes prior to coming to Denmark, and I am currently enrolled in a Danish language school in Copenhagen. Most Danish people speak English, but it seemed important to me to learn the local language in order to be able to communicate better.

I knew no Danish at all before I went. Although my classes were in English, I felt that I had to learn Danish because I was living with Danish students and it was frustrating not understanding them all the time. It is also very useful for everyday life in Denmark to be able to communicate in Dansih. Copenhagen University provide Danish courses for all foreign students and they are great! I left Denmark with a pretty good knowledge of Danish.

The main problem is that in Denmark everyone (also kids, bus-drivers etc) speaks English. As the courses were in English just as well, one had no motivation to learn Danish. Fortunately my host-family decided to talk to me in Danish (only) so "I had to" learn the language. And I'm really glad because of it!

I should had tried to take some danish classes. that is the thing I regret the most of my period of studies in Copenhagen. I just learnt some basic sentences with the locals. Regarding English, it was obviously a chance to improve it as the Danes are quite proficient in speaking it.