Copenhagen, Denmark

Caroline Platkiewicz (IMJR in International Relations) spent the second semester of her Junior year in Copenhagen, participating in the University of Copenhagen's International Study Program (DIS), "European Politics and Society" option.

I am especially grateful that I chose the European Politics and Society program, which is anchored by a core course on the European Union. With this program, I spent a week in Brussels and Luxembourg visiting the EU institutions and having one-on-one conversations with European politicians, lawyers and parliamentarians. I even had the chance to sit in on an international summit concerning world water preservation. Living on my own, in the capital of a small European state has really made me feel as though I am in the midst of global traffic. I live among international students of all different backgrounds. I have teachers who are professionals in the field that they teach, with real life experience working with the EU, Danish Intelligence Service or an international business consulting firm. I can actually see the political theories and practices that I had previously only read about, at work. For example on my commute to and from classes everyday, I observe the interactions between native Danes and immigrants from the Middle East, the majority of whom arrived in Denmark as political refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq. I have gained a deeper understanding of the effects of the US wars abroad that I had never considered before. Caroline's advice to students considering study abroad: Do it! If you put the time and effort into finding a program that is right for you and incorporates your major, you will have no regrets. As much as I love my classes at UConn, I can say that I have learned more this semester than in all my other semesters combined. I have learned so much more about myself and the world of International Relations than I could ever imagine.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/807769 (8/27/07)

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