My Experience with the Visiting Host Program
When I chose my housing type, I decided to rank the kollegium option as my top choice. I'd done a homestay in the past and had a great experience, but I was hoping to spend time with students and get the chance to meet other people all around the same age. Even though I was confident with that choice, I was a little disappointed to miss out on the deep local connection that a homestay can provide. So, when I heard about DIS's visiting host program, I jumped at the chance to apply!
I describe the visiting host as essentially a dialed-back version of a homestay. You don't live with the person or family, but you get together throughout the semester to eat meals and explore the city together. In the application, you could list how often you thought you'd be able to meet; since I knew I'd be busy, I put down that I'd prefer to meet once a month, and they matched me accordingly so that everyone involved had the same expectations.
My Visiting Host
I was first introduced to my visiting host, Jean, via email a bit before departing for Copenhagen. Jean described her take on the visiting host role as being almost a substitute grandmother figure for students studying abroad in Copenhagen. She had hosted DIS students living with her in the past, but had been a visiting host in recent semesters since it was a little more laid back. I was paired with her alongside one other DIS semester student, Ella. It was also a great opportunity to get to know her too, because our paths wouldn't have crossed otherwise.
Getting Together at Home
The first few times we met up, Jean invited us into her lovely, historic apartment. It was so fun to see her home and get to know one another! I was especially excited when she made us a traditional Danish dinner one night, featuring delicious pork as the main dish. Through our conversations, Jean shared so many interesting anecdotes from her life, and taught us a lot about Danish society and politics.
The Museum of Copenhagen
At one point, DIS offered each visiting host group vouchers for their choice from a few activities. We decided to go to the Museum of Copenhagen, which focuses on the city's history. I learned a lot, and it was especially nice to go with Jean, because she has a lot of experience and knowledge in the field of history, so she was able to add extra detail. The museum was a very nice and manageable size — not too overwhelming —, so we explored the exhibits for maybe two hours or so, then got a warm drink at their cafe. I would definitely recommend going, especially in the first week or two in the city, as it helps you get a much better understanding of Copenhagen itself!
The Botanical Gardens
One day when the weather started to warm up, we went to walk around the botanical gardens, including the Palmehuset greenhouse. Jean said she hadn't been in many years, so it was nice to explore someplace that none of us were particularly familiar with. Jean also took us to a nearby tea shop afterwards.
Farewell Brunch
For our final meeting, we had a lovely brunch at a cafe in the old city. With tasty food and great conversation, it was a nice way to close out the semester.
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