Internship in Copenhagen, Denmark
Carlotta, Medicine student
My experiences in … searching for an internship placement and applying
Overall, I sent 30–40 emails to all surgical departments at Danish hospitals that are approved for the PJ (practical year) by the LPA in Saxony. Often I received no reply or a rejection. It is important to choose the summer period, as there are no Danish students in the hospitals then, which makes it easier to get an internship placement. From the end of September onwards, the semester starts again in Denmark, and it becomes more difficult to get a place. So my recommendation is definitely: keep at it!
My experiences in searching for accommodation and traveling there
Getting there is easy by train from Hamburg. I was lucky with the apartment search, as a friend of mine had also done her PJ in Copenhagen two years ago and was still in contact with her flatshare, so I was able to rent the room as a sublet for the 8 weeks. In general, however, finding accommodation in Copenhagen is difficult and rents are expensive.
My take away:
I benefited greatly from the 8 weeks, both professionally and personally.
My Experiences During the Internship
I had a wonderful 8 weeks. I was given such a warm welcome on my very first day and felt welcome at all times. Because my stay coincided exactly with the Danish summer holidays, many doctors were on vacation, which meant there was plenty of room for me in the operating room. As a result, I was permanently scheduled as first assistant and learned an incredible amount. Everyone was very interested in why I was there, the atmosphere was always great, and since I only understand a little Danish, for example, the X-ray conference was held entirely in English during the 3 weeks I was assigned to spinal surgery.
My Experience with Daily Life and Leisure Time There
Right at the beginning, I rented a bike, which I can highly recommend. It’s the fastest way to get around Copenhagen, and it also lets you experience a bit of the local everyday life. In my free time, I took a trip to Bornholm and also visited Sweden, which is super close to Copenhagen and easy to reach by train. Denmark is generally quite expensive—you notice it especially with leisure activities and eating out. I really appreciated living in a shared flat (WG), as it quickly gave me contacts on-site and simply helped me get to know the city faster.
My Conclusion & Tips
My overall conclusion is entirely positive! I benefited greatly from the 8 weeks, both professionally and personally. My most important tip: apply early, ideally about 2 years in advance, because the placements are in high demand and otherwise you risk not getting accepted. It’s also worth deliberately choosing the summer period (see above). Erasmus funding is important for financing your stay and should definitely be applied for. All in all, I can highly recommend experiencing the Danish healthcare system from the inside. You get to know many new perspectives and are welcomed warmly everywhere.
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