1

Danes are not unfriendly, but YOU will be the "newcomer" = "you will be the one taking initiative for contact!" - that's normal custom in a big city in NEurope.
So you have to get out WHERE the Danes are - (like sport club) - take active contact - do not press, but see how thing develop. Accept that some have all the good friends they can manage and other do feel it too tiring to speak a foreign language all the time (guess you do not know and will stay too short to learn Danish?)

Note that an foreign student is in no way something rare or interesting in Denmark and especially not in Copenhagen.

2

Danes are in general friendly and like to have a good time!! Try to learn some basic Danish, like greetings and thanks and such things, also how to explain that you do not speak Danish very well.
If you have a hobby or an interest try to come in contact with someone with similar interests. For instance, scouting is a true door-opener, fellow scouts all over the world will open their door!! Maybe you're into collecting stamps, playing chess, folk dance, racing.......... Or, you could simply try 'Hospitality Club'!

Enjoy Copenhagen, it's great!!

3

thank you!

4

Congrats on studying abroad in Denmark! You will have a great time. The Danes are very kind, friendly and welcoming people. Like Bjoern said, it will require that you take the initiative to reach out (as is the case in many countries), so be prepared to step out of your comfort zone.

Does your study abroad program provide the option of living with a host family? This is the #1 best way to get to know Danes. I studied abroad in Copenhagen in 2006 while living in a home stay, and we have continued to stay in touch and visit each other.

Another suggestion is to reach out to the local Couch Surfing community in Copenhagen. Many CSers are willing to meet up for a coffee or a beer, which will help you learn about Danish culture and may even lead to a great friendship.

Best of luck and enjoy DK!

5

As said before I would recommend that you live with a host family or couch surf for a start.
It is easier to get here in the summer, the seasons have a great influence in Denmark, when it is summer people are friendly and open - in the winter not so much.
Also be sure that the education is not all lectures, but classes as well. Denmark is wonderful - so enjoy.

6

Thank you everyone!

7

I know a couple of Swiss people who have studied abroad in Copenhagen or done semester internships etc. They all loved it. I'm from DK myself and spent two years in a larger dormitory-like student housing in Odense where we'd typically have 2-3 exchange students per kitchen of 15 people. If exhange students expressed interest in being part of the fun, they were more than included was my experience. It might take a little more work to get included into groups of people as Danes do have a tendency to go with their own as they're used to, but if you take a natural interest in them and are an easy going person I can't imagine it would go wrong. Student bars and organisations are great too.

8

Drinking is perhaps the easiest and most important way students in DK socialize so the pub-crawling and the obligatory friday-beer is essential. I'm from DK myself and many of my friendships have formed over a beer (or more).

9

Another way to meet locals is to join relevant groups on Couchsurfing.com. Often local courch surfers arrange to go to concerts, hikes, dinners etc. I think there are many danes (myself included) who likes meeting new people and make their time in DK as pleasant at possible :o)