Hej, Velkommen! I’m Aaren, and I’m a Summer Writer for the DIS blog for the next ten weeks. I’m a neuroscience and biology major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I’ll be in Copenhagen, Denmark for the next six weeks performing neurodegeneration research in the Microbrains Lab before finishing up my summer in Stockholm, Sweden studying Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. I’m so excited to share my summer with everyone!
Why Choose DIS and Scandinavia?
I chose the DIS Summer Study Abroad program to help me achieve my goals for the summer: engage in scientific research, gain course credit for my major, and travel! When I was looking for study abroad programs, I was looking for research-intensive opportunities that would enable me with the skills, knowledge, and experience applicable to my research lab at my home institution. I was ecstatic to find these opportunities at DIS!
I’m currently an undergraduate researcher in a brain cancer lab, studying the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy on brain cancer cells using brain slices as ex vivo tumor models. My academic interests lie largely in translational research: using scientific discoveries in the lab and applying them in clinical practice to improve human health. The Microbrains Lab fit perfectly with my research goals—I’ll be working with human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). These are special cells that we can turn into other types of cells, like neurons or brain organoids (also known as microbrains), which are then used to model neurodegenerative diseases.
I also chose to take Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience in Stockholm. Stockholm is one of the best places in the world to study neuroscience—it’s home to the prestigious Karolinska Institute, one of the world’s foremost medical universities, and it’s where the Nobel Prize is awarded every year. I’m looking forward to visiting the Nobel museum to explore the history of neuroscience and learn how the major advances from the last century have shaped the field. I’m also excited to be performing more experiments in the lab, where we’ll be using immunofluorescence techniques to study protein distribution in brain material.
This study abroad program is not only an excellent research opportunity but also a transformative learning experience that expands far beyond the walls of a classroom. Studying with DIS has allowed me to mix and match locations and explore Scandinavia as a region. Studying abroad in two cities is an opportunity like no other—it’s the chance to learn continuously and navigate unfamiliar challenges, which can only be discovered outside the comfort of a familiar learning environment.
Outside the classroom, my goals are to immerse myself in the culture and pursue my interests, like music, alongside the locals. I look forward to biking in Copenhagen, a city built with sustainability in mind, and enjoying the concept of allemansrätten in Sweden, the unique right to roam freely in the countryside. As an avid musician, I’m excited to bring my violin to play alongside local musicians and engage in Scandinavia’s rich music culture through live concerts and performances.
My First Week in Copenhagen
First Impressions of the City
The days here seem endless—light pours through my open window at 4 AM, and night finally begins to settle near 10 PM (or 22:00, as I’m now calling it). With seemingly endless daylight comes equally endless opportunities for exploration. From the moment I arrived in Copenhagen, I felt this invigorating energy stemming from the excitement of exploring a new place and meeting new people. With Copenhagen’s efficient public transportation system, I found it so incredibly easy to explore the expanse of the city. I was astounded by its walkability—I often found myself willing to wander around the city’s streets with no particular destination, allowing me to discover some of my favorite places to eat, study, and relax.
The vibrancy of Copenhagen’s streets reflect the city’s colorful culture—I was immediately drawn to the city’s museums, fashion, music, shops, and cafés. I’ve amassed a huge list of activities just by asking local Danish residents about their favorite things to do and places to visit. Much of what I’ve learned of Copenhagen’s culture I’ve learned from my Danish flatmates, who are year-round residents in my housing location. Every night, we just enjoy each other’s company while we sit on our balcony and watch the sun set. These enlightening conversations have been my first taste of hygge, a Danish concept of cozy contentment associated with warm feelings of comfort and togetherness. It’s a celebration of the small and simple things in life, and I greatly look forward to more moments like these.
Some of the best places in the city to explore are nearby, easily accessible, and best of all, free! Nyhavn, for example: when you first think of Copenhagen, perhaps the image that comes to mind is the picturesque, iconic Nyhavn. The collection of colorful townhouses and boats that line the canal is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights.
One of my favorite aspects about exploring Copenhagen is being able to delve into its rich historical heritage. After class one day, I decided to tour the Christiansborg Palace, which was a mere 15 minute walk from the DIS Student Hub. The palace, which was once home to the Danish kings and queens, now houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of State.
This expansive castle has intricate ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, and richly decorated floors and walls. The Great Hall in particular is covered in various historical paintings and tapestries that depict pivotal moments in Danish history, showcasing the splendor of Danish artistry and elevating the room’s majestic ambiance.
First Impressions of Danish Academics
Here, there is a strong emphasis on learning by doing. Our curriculum comprises two main parts: theory and practical. For our theoretical portion, we are introduced to background knowledge for our experiments and the latest research within the field. However, the majority of our class is spent on the practical portion: performing experiments in the lab.
Our classroom is located in the libraries and labs of Københavns Universitet, or Copenhagen University, a prestigious public research university in Denmark. In our class, we perform hands-on experiments under the direct supervision of KU’s postdoctorals, doctoral students, and research technicians. We began our first week in class already donned in lab coats as we prepared LB-broth/agar suspension media for our plates, which we will use for bacterial cultures and streaking bacteria with episomal plasmids.
Words cannot fully express the immense joy I’ve experienced so far. My blog post certainly couldn’t contain the hundreds of photos I took on Day 1 alone, much less everything I did this week. I absolutely loved diving headfirst into something new, fully immersing myself in the excitement and unfamiliarity of my new home. And although much of my learning during my time abroad will come from daily challenges, I’m looking forward to reflecting on these experiences and sharing what I’ve learned with others. Thanks for joining me!
Mange tak,
Aaren
P.S. if you go to a café, get the cinnamon snails. Trust me.