Why have you chosen Denmark as exchange country?
We got the opportunity to choose between Denmark and the US. With my age in mind, I thought Denmark would be the best fit of the two: in the US the students are quite young, whereas the student scene in Denmark is much more mature, which I preferred.
Besides that, I’ve always been very curious about Denmark and the Danish and Scandinavian lifestyle – so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to experience it firsthand. I also really wanted to see how the health system works in Denmark where everyone has the same access to healthcare and see in action how everyone is treated equally.
What is the biggest difference you have experienced with the healthcare system?
There is such an equal level to everyone in the Danish system. In Australia, we have public healthcare and private healthcare and there are lots of different ways for people to begin their journey in the healthcare system, which is not the case in Denmark. Here, everyone comes in regardless of who they are and are treated the same, which is really lovely. Another difference is the digital system – in Australia, documentation is still primarily paper based, whereas here, it has been electronic for a while, which is efficient – but it took some time getting used to.
What has been the biggest cultural difference for you?
The teaching is different – it is a bit more independent learning here. For example, you have to read and understand the pre-readings before class, because you have to be able to work with it in groups, whereas in Australia, we often run through the readings in class before we work on it. But the things we are learning are very much on path with our degree back in Australia.
Besides the teaching, the Danish people have made a big impression on me. Everyone is so lovely and happy all the time. It doesn’t matter whether it is cold or rainy, everyone kind of embraces life, and got a love for life here, which is so nice.
Have you visited different places in Denmark?
Yes! We have done lots of bus trips and seen a lot of Denmark already. We have been to Skagen, the top point of Jutland, which was very beautiful and when I had some friends visiting from the UK, we went to Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark. There are lots of things to do there, especially for students, and the city is great fun. I’ve also spent a lot of time in Copenhagen which is such an amazing city to explore.
In general, the cities feel really safe here. It feels like you don’t have to worry about being out late at night which is nice.
What would be your advice to future exchange students?
In the beginning, it can be a bit overwhelming because you don’t know anyone or how to get around. But you make such good friendships so quickly and the teachers are so friendly, which makes it easy to make a new home for yourself. My advice would be to go easy on yourself, and not expect too much of yourself, especially in the beginning – you don’t have to know everything straight away.
But my overall advice would definitely be: Do it! It is an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new environment and you see so much more of a country and its culture this way.
It has been one of the best travel experiences I have ever had. It is such a unique experience to be able to live in another country, without limiting your life back home, since you are still progressing with your degree. Amelia Dianne Hopkins
What is your dream for the future?
At the moment, I would really like to work with critical care and trauma patients. But as I am discovering getting further with the degree, nursing is kind of endless – you can work in so many different environments, with very different types of patients, and I am still discovering new areas. So, I might change my mind in time, but at this stage, I find critical care the most interesting.