26 august 2018
So why Copenhagen and why DIS? Officially this process began almost two years ago. Unofficially it’s been three. I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa - living in the same house for 21 years. Attending Iowa State in Ames, a short 45-minute drive north, wasn’t exactly a huge change. I always knew study abroad was something I wanted to do and after 21 years in Iowa I thought it was time to see something new.
Three years ago, I attended the fall study abroad fair as a computer science major. I stumbled across DIS when trying to find programs that had a computer science program but also would have opportunities to travel to museums in Europe. By March I had switched majors to design and studying computer science in Copenhagen and DIS had slipped my mind.
Towards the end of the fall 2016 semester I had decided on choosing graphic design as my first choice and began looking at study abroad options for the major. Quickly I found out the College of Design only had one listed option for graphic design: Rome. While the Rome program looked incredible, I wanted my study abroad experience to be a place to learn from people I wasn’t previously seeing in class four times a week and somewhere that had more history with graphic design. The Netherlands didn’t have anything design related so I began going through the study abroad catalog trying to find somewhere that checked all the boxes. After looking through programs in Norway and Sweden I came across DIS Copenhagen. They offered courses that would easily transfer back, had a strong design focus, and I would be in class with non-ISU students. After many meetings, emails, applications, and an 8.5-hour plane ride I made it to Denmark.
As the first graphic design student from Iowa State to go through this program, documenting the experience is a must. This blog will allow me to look back on my experiences and allow other graphic design students insight into a second study abroad option. Working with the Study Abroad Center at Iowa State will put all this information in an accessible place and allow the greatest number of students to
benefit from it.
It’s only been a week but I already love it here. I’ve experience tons of new things and been surprised by just as many. While there’s definitely been more, here are seven things I’ve enjoyed or been surprised by in my first seven days in Copenhagen.
1. No Driving
Everyone who knows me can attest that I don’t like to drive. Unfortunately, central Iowa isn’t exactly a public transportation haven so driving is the main way to get around. Between bikes, buses, trains, the metro, and walking there’s always a way to get around in Copenhagen.
2. The Architecture
While there are parts of the city that have built up skyscrapers and modern buildings, city center has keep the visual low profile of the buildings that have stood for hundreds of years. I love walking around and seeing all the interesting details and different colors of each building.
3. Jaywalking
When it comes to crossing the street, everyone follows the rules. People cross at the crosswalks and wait until the little guy turns from red to green.
4. Everyone Smokes
With the Smokefree Air Act in Iowa you don’t see people smoking outside of public places and you definitely don’t see people smoking inside of them. Here there’s someone smoking just about everywhere – while walking, outside of restaurants, and inside of bars. Also, the cigarette packaging seems to really push the idea that smoking is bad for you.
5. The Danish Design Museum
I’ve already been to the Danish Design Museum twice this week. It has lots of incredible posters, tons of furniture, and is free for anyone under 26. The museum is small enough to where it’s not overwhelming but big enough for a good few hours of wandering. Some great posters not pictured: Per Arnoldi's posters for Lincoln Center and Ernst Lohse's DSB series.
6. Fold-Down Metro Seats
Now maybe this exists everywhere and because I’m from Iowa where public transit just isn’t a thing I’m in awe, but on the metro there are many seats that fold down from the train walls similar to the seats in movie theaters. This seems like such an obvious design where people can sit when there’s space and the seat folds up to the wall to fit a stroller or when it’s crowded so more people can stand, but I’d never seen anything like it.
7. The Weather
Despite all my summers in Iowa I still am not a fan on the heat. Ever since arriving the daily high has stayed between 60-70°F which has been ideal. Maybe I’ll feel differently in a few months when it’s constantly dark but for now I’m not missing the 90° days in Ames.