1/3 of full degree students in Copenhagen homeless on arrival

A whole 29 per cent, almost a third, of full degree students do not have a place to live upon arriving in Copenhagen.

This is according to a recent study that also shows that three out of every five full degree students must find their accommodation in Copenhagen on their own and three out of five full degree students are forced to move during their stay.

The housing difficulties in Copenhagen for international full degree students have been covered extensively in this media. Full degree students have protested what they see as unfair treatment, and their plight is exacerbated by an overheated Copenhagen housing market.

(Editor’s Note: Need help finding housing? Here is our 2014-updated Guide to housing in Copenhagen)

Less picky, less lucky

According to the study, the housing situation looks much better for exchange students. Just 10 per cent of the exchange students do not have a place to stay upon arrival, and only 16 per cent of exchange students must move during the course of their stay.

A larger percentage of full degree students think it is important to know exactly where they will be living prior to arrival, compared to exchange students. On top of this, full degree students are less picky: They prioritize the location of their housing lower than the exchange students.

Overall, this lands the University of Copenhagen nine per cent under the International Student Barometer (ISB) satisfaction rate for assistance in finding housing from the receiving university.

Dissatisfied full degree students

In general, there is higher dissatisfaction with housing among full degree students, even compared to exchange students.

A typical dissatisfied profile is thus a full degree female student, who lives in a student dorm or rented shared apartment. She is unsatisfied with her housing condition, possibly has Danish neighbors, but has not lived with Danes. She is dissatisfied with the friendship atmosphere at her place of study and generally experiences loneliness.

In general the study found that dissatisfaction with the social atmosphere at their place of residence was correlated with a negative experience of Danes and a dissatisfaction with the social atmosphere.

No Danish roommates

According to the study, more full degree students live with fellow nationals than exchange students. This, of course, could be because many exchange students live in dorms. A greater percentage of full degree students prefer to live alone in rented apartments.

The study reports that 45 per cent of exchange students are happy with the social atmosphere between Danes and internationals at their accommodation. This is true for only 34 per cent of full-degree students.

More exchange students have tried living with Danes. Most of the students that have lived with Danes, prefer to do so again in the future.

Look out for the parties

While as many as 70 per cent of all international students claim that it is important for them academically and culturally to have a good friendly atmosphere with Danish and international students, a massive 62 per cent state that it has been difficult for them to become friends with the Danes.

All in all, Denmark is 15 per cent below the ISB average in terms of student satisfaction with a friendly atmosphere with the locals.

Both exchange and full degree students point to social activities such as parties, concerts and sports, as being most helpful towards creating a friendly atmosphere.

Polina.chebotareva@adm.ku.dk

Stay in the know about news and events happening in Copenhagen by signing up for the University Post’s weekly newsletter here.