Hello!
My name is Justė, and I study Architecture at VIA University College in Denmark. I once promised to share my full experience because, before moving abroad, I struggled to find clear and honest information myself.
When I was applying, I considered universities in both the United Kingdom and Denmark. I had already lived and worked in the UK, but studying Architecture there was either very expensive or required a much longer study path.
Denmark offered me a 3.5-year tuition-free programme, so after carefully comparing my options, I packed my bags and moved to a completely new country.
Before leaving, I tried to research every possible detail. The opinions I found were completely different. Some people said studying in Denmark was not worth it, while others described it as the best period of their lives.
Now I understand why the experiences can be so different. Studying abroad gives you opportunities, but it also challenges your habits, expectations, and ability to adapt.
Even after living in London, I had never experienced such a diverse international community. In Denmark, I met people from countries and cultures I had barely known anything about before. Everyone arrived with different habits, personalities, and ways of seeing the world.
Living with and studying alongside such different people teaches you patience, flexibility, and tolerance. At first, cultural differences may feel strange or even frustrating, but over time they become one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
I still remember my first day in Denmark. The town where I was going to study felt much smaller than I had imagined, and the prices immediately surprised me.
Denmark has a high standard of living, so you need to prepare financially before arriving. During the first months, support from family or your own savings can be very important, especially while you are arranging documents, accommodation, and employment.
Administrative processes may also take longer than expected. That can be frustrating when you are eager to start working and building your new life. My advice is to arrive prepared, bring enough savings, and complete all required registrations as early as possible.
The studies themselves are of a very high standard and completely different from the education system I had known before.
In Architecture, we work mainly with computers, professional software, practical assignments, and group projects. The lecturers expect students to cooperate, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.
At first, group work was challenging because many of us were used to protecting our own ideas and focusing only on individual results. In Denmark, however, knowledge is something you are expected to share, not keep to yourself.
This approach prepares you for professional life because architects rarely work alone. You need to communicate with people from different specialisations, understand their perspectives, and create solutions together.
What I especially appreciate is the practical focus of the programme. We spend less time memorising information that may never be used and more time learning skills that are directly connected to our future profession.
However, before applying, I strongly recommend checking the programme structure and possible Master’s degree pathways. You should understand where the qualification can lead and whether it matches your long-term goals.
Living in Denmark also teaches you much more than Architecture.
It makes you completely independent. You learn how to manage your budget, shop more carefully, avoid wasting food, solve everyday problems, and organise your life without relying on someone else.
You will probably cycle almost everywhere, meet people from all over the world, and create an international network that may become incredibly valuable in your future career.
My class includes students with many different interests and professional directions. In the future, I may work with some of them on international projects. That is one of the greatest advantages of studying abroad: the person sitting next to you today may become your colleague, business partner, or connection in another part of the world tomorrow.
Denmark also feels safe, organised, and welcoming. People are active, helpful, and respectful of each other. The university community is supportive, and it is easy to meet new friends if you are open and willing to participate.
Studying abroad is not only a beautiful campus, exciting weekends, and international friendships. There are also expensive months, slow paperwork, cultural misunderstandings, and moments when you miss everything familiar.
But these challenges are exactly what help you grow.
For me, Denmark gave life a completely new perspective. I learned more about my profession, the world, and myself than I could have imagined before leaving.
Think carefully, prepare realistically, and then take the step. The experience may challenge you, but it can also completely transform your future.
With my best wishes,
Justė
