Interview session: doing an ERASMUS internship in Denmark.
- July 15, 2026
Strolling with Elena had the pleasure of hosting Irene during her Erasmus internship in Denmark. A month-long internship in Copenhagen flies by. Below, you can read a short interview about how Irene embarked on this experience and her thoughts.
What inspired you to choose this experience, and how did you end up working with a freelancer like Elena?
I honestly thought it was a great opportunity to spend a month abroad, and I chose Copenhagen because I'd never been there before. Danitacom (the Danish Chamber of Commerce in Italy) then assigned me to Elena for my internship. No funny anecdotes yet, it's been a very smooth start!
Working for a freelancer often means reinventing your schedule. Before leaving, what was your biggest concern about managing your life so independently?
I'm a creature of habit and love having my own routines. My biggest fear, knowing I'd have such an open and flexible job, was that I wouldn't be able to create my own daily stability. That's why, from the beginning, the idea of finding a library as a point of reference was my priority.
Your office was itinerant between Black Diamond and the Islands Brygge campus. What was the impact of these spaces like? Are we used to libraries like this in Italy?
The impact was strong because I wasn't at all used to seeing such modern libraries. In Italy, we have beautiful, historic buildings, but they often retain the exact same style as when they were built. Finding myself in such contemporary spaces, designed for digital work, was inspiring.
Is there anything about the lifestyle or approach to studying in Denmark that struck you, or are there any particular differences from Italy?
In fact, by frequenting libraries a lot during exam season, I saw exactly what happens in Italy: exhausted students everywhere! So honestly, no, there's no cultural difference shock here: after all, the whole world is the same, and we students are all equally exhausted.
Tell us about your typical day in Copenhagen. Did you get around by bike like the locals, or did you prefer public transportation?
My alarm went off at 8:00, and by 9:30 I was already in the library and stayed there until 2:30 or 3:00. Then I'd clock out, go back to the hotel, and with the other girls on the mobility program with me, we'd set off to explore the city. We always got around on foot or by metro. Bikes in Copenhagen whizz by at breakneck speeds; for me, cycling is synonymous with relaxation, not an obstacle course to get to work!
Since you often work alone, did you still manage to socialize?
Absolutely! Despite the moments of studying and working alone, I made lots of friends, both with Danish and international students, especially during afternoon rides and activities.
What are the limitations of a one-month internship like this?
The main limitation is time. In just four weeks, it's difficult to start and complete longer, more complex, or structured work projects. Consequently, I had to focus on fairly simple tasks and activities.
In hindsight, would you recommend a "nomadic" month in Copenhagen or a longer period?
I definitely recommend a longer period! A month flies by, and if I could do it again, I'd prefer to have more time not only to experience Copenhagen, but also to travel and explore other cities in Denmark.