Why is Studying in Denmark so Challenging?

By Caitlin Birkholz, Foster Undergraduate who participated in an exchange with Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

The Danish education system is very independent which makes it challenging for American students. As an American student, I grew up thinking extensive testing, homework, projects, grade pressure, internships, and extracurriculars were the way to academic success and I relied heavily on my peers and teachers to judge my success. This is not the common belief in Denmark yet the education available at CBS is recognized throughout Europe. In Denmark extracurriculars are few and far between, students get paid to study so student jobs are uncommon and midterms are voluntary. I was puzzled by how a university could produce such capable students without placing them under any external pressure.

It turns out this lack of structure can be its own challenge. Without external motivation students must prioritize the readings themselves and take their academic success into their own hands. No one is telling you what to do. This was very challenging at first and I had to learn how to self-manage properly. In the end, I found it extremely fulfilling and I believe it made me more prepared for life after college.