I always walk to Sorgenfri station and see a faces of one of the 48 members of the Outdoor LLC. Something so special about this group of humans is that they all CARE so much about each other and our feelings. I always walk through the multiple kitchens in our living situation (Basecamp Lyngby) and see people just laughing, cooking food, watching survivor/funny movie, and just hanging out.
“I personally chose to the LLC because I wanted to be surrounded by like-minded people who go on spontaneous adventures. I was so pleasantly surprised on the first day when everyone was so friendly and excited to just do things. It made me motivated and free to express my ideas and think of some fun events. I may have initiated some things this semester but the LLC really went above and beyond in participating and going all out. For example, we did our version of trick or treat at our rooms and everyone was so creative. I couldn’t be more appreciative in the LLC created for each other. I really hope to bring this sense of community back with me!”– Hanako
“I chose the Outdoor LLC because I knew that I would thrive with people and making friends who wanted to go on adventures. The Outdoor LLC went above and beyond my expectations … it absolutely is WHAT MADE MY SEMESTER ABROAD AND IS THE BEST THING TO HAVE EVER HAPPENED. I mean how lucky am that out of all 48 people that I like every single person here and consider myself friends with everyone. I truly loved every single event we did together and I am really going to miss this community.”- Claudia
So now that I have reeled you in with the sweet sense of community I will now explain what’s it like living in the Outdoor LLC. The Outdoor Living & Learning Community is one of the four options of a special kind of housing focused on having weekly outdoor activities to bring students together and to explore Denmark! This semester (Fall 2023) we had a total of 8 official activities together (ALL PAID BY DIS) and this doesn’t account for the numerous unsponsored hang outs we did as a community. I will present and rate my experiences on all the events down below
1. Games in Fælledparken (6/10)
This was the first event we had and we played capture the flag bur European style. The idea was there was different European countries with different ranked powers to steal from other teams. We also played frisbee, ate plums and chips, and explored the nature. It was really fun getting to know everyone for the first time and I could already tell this was a good community. (8/20/23)
2. Kayaking at Kayak Bar (9/10)
I love Kayaking so this wasn’t really difficult for me to enjoy. I really enjoyed how we got to see Copenhagen through all the canals we went through. It was my first time seeing the city from the water view but most importantly it was a great bonding experience with my kayak partner. We delve into some nice conversations, enjoyed the breeze, and admired the beauty architecture. What makes this group so special is that afterwards people wanted to jump in the water near Island Brygge (and so we ALL WENT) I love the community spirit and the fun energy. (8/29/23)
*Our Person Troll Hunting and Barbie Party Experience* (check out my previous blog)
When I look at our timeline of events.. troll hunting is definitely a favorite amongst the group because we got to see Albertslund (new part of Denmark for us).
3. Bouldering at Bison Boulders (Søborg) (9/10)
I’ve done bouldering only a handful of times at my home university so I wasn’t really prepared for this experience. Although it was challenging there were so many climbers in our group who helped us learn the basics. In just under 2 hours I was able to move up three different levels. I had so much fun that I stayed an extra hour beyond our timeframe to keep practicing and hyping people up. It was a really good work out which I missed. (9/18/23)
4. Mindfulness/Forest Bathing and Campfire (10/10)
At this point of the semester, things have started to pick up with projects at DIS so having a mindfulness activity is something I definitely needed. We went to Geel Skov, a park just off of Holte Station (so a new place for all of us to explore). We started off having a competition where we split off into two groups and see which one of us could build the biggest campfire. I barely remembered how to make one so I was immensely grateful to the other members and DUH my team won (just by a slight margin haha because everyone is so talented in this LLC). We then spent 30 minutes to and hour going into the woods (forestbathing) with no thoughts (very hard thing to do but worth trying) and no phones just observing nature. Afterwards, we had a Danish Smore (with no chocolate) and it was very lovely. I think the marshmallows here are less surgary and felt light on the stomach. As the night grew, most of us had deep cozy conversations until the fire went out around 9:30pm. A growing theme here is despite most of our events being from 6-8pm we went up spending extra time hanging out and savouring the moment. (9/25/23)
5. Big Hike across Denmark (27 km hike in Amma) (10/10)
This was a huge event for the Outdoor LLC (not mandatory) but it was a lot of fun. It was a crazy challenge to hike 27 km even if Denmark is flat for the most part. The views from the sea near Dragør was absolutely stunning. During the hike we played games and had riddles which was very entertaining. I think many of us got to bond with people we might’ve not have a proper chance to. “It was really long and my legs felt like hot dogs afterwards.. I could barely walk home but it was totally worth every second of it. I am so proud of myself.”- Charlie (10/10). We even got to see another troll Bjarke Cirkelsten af Thomas Dambo! (8/30/23)
6. Run Copenhagen (7/10)
We met up at the Black Diamond Library in the pitch black and cold nights to basically run all over the city. We were given over 20 places we could visit across the city in case we haven’t been there before and the challenge was to go to as many places as you can in an hour and half. I teamed up with some people and we RANNNNN all over the city hitting up Glyptotek, Tivoli, Kobenhavn Central Station, DIS, Kongens Nytorv, Christiansborg Palace, and more. Who knew we could sweat so much in this intense cold weather… I had a lot of fun and I am so glad to see the city more. Afterwards, we hit up the Kayak Bar and got hot chocolate together (see spending more time). (10/30/23).
*Our Personal Trick or Treat (👻 )*
An amazing member of our LLC (queen Hanako) organized a halloween event where we all hosted in our rooms a little trick or treat event. It was so much fun seeing everyone decorate SO MUCH to the point people had character names and accents ready. It was so fun to see everyone SO PASSIONATE and it was really amazing… I nearly cried because I love this community so much. Afterwards we went to Proud Marys (nightclub DIS tradition on Tuesday) as a group and it was the best experience I had there.
*Our personal reality game show: Survivor*
A lovely member of our LLC (Emma) organized a huge game of survivor (most members of the LLC would meet up in D,C, or F kitchen to watch this show weekly)… so she thought it’s only fair if we do our own version of it. For weeks, they had challenges where they played outside, did scavenger hunts, and did trivia.
*Our Friendsgiving*
Our very own Addi (icon), organized a huge friendsgiving dinner which exceeded all my expectations. The meal was absolutely delicious and gourmet. We spent hours just chatting over this meal and really enjoying each others company. Check out my blog if you want to hear more about my gratitude for this community.
7. Winter Bathing and Sauna (11/10)
What a crazy Scandinavian thing to do.. I finally feel like I belong here. I was so nervous to jump into this water because it was -5°C but I did it like 7 times! We would go into this Sauna room with a huge glass outlooking the dark waves. It was so calming to just sit there and talk or be in silence sweating so much. Knowing that this is really good for your health is what eased my experience so much more. The constant heat and then freezing limbs was such an unreal experience. I just loved we did something so daring together. CAN YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A 7 YEAR WAITING PERIOD TO THIS PLACE?! THANKS DIS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY (11/27/23)
8. Ice Skating (8/10)
Such a bittersweet way to end our official events together. We went to Broen’s Ice Rink which is located near the Island Brygge. One our way to the ice skating we walked through the beautiful Christmas Markets and had a lot of free Gløgg! Then we got to skate for around 2 hours (I suck at skating so I was getting taught by so many people in our LLC.. at least I knew someone was there to catch me if I fell). We got breaks and had indulged in Æbleskiver (Danish Christmas Donuts), Hot Chocolate, and more Gløgg. We spent hours just talking and reminiscing about all our events together. A very cozy way to end it for us … but of course not the real end. (11/28/23)
*Singing & Secret Santa & DIS Festival*
My Love of Our Living Space: Basecamp Lyngby
“Living in Basecamp allowed us to be secluded from the main city of Copenhagen and really spend time together. We spent a lot of time walking around our neighborhood where we often would go to the lakes, visit the cemetery, see Sorgenfri Palace, and see some cows!! Basecamp Lyngby is so incredibly gorgeous with great places like the main kitchens, the core, gym, and of course shout out to Lalina Cafe.”- Claudia
I think it’s safe to say that we all loved living here this semester (to prospective DIS students .. not sure if you will live here). I think what made our experience so worthwhile was being in building that allowed us to meet many other students from schools like DTU. It gave us another social circle that we could gain and get perspectives from. I loved having my own space where I could host events and really challenge myself socially. The commute from DIS was around 40 minutes but I loved every minute of it because we got to see pretty nature from the S-tog. Also the architecture of this building is so amazing that it was mentioned in the Danish Architecture Center (super cool field study where I got to learn about the very place I live in!)
Check out this messy youtube video I made showing my Bascamp Room and commute to DIS!
My favorite memories of Basecamp comes from the roof where I would love to walk with my friends, drinking tea, playing games, and watching the sunset over the neighborhood. I love Basecamp so much that I got my first tattoo of it. Fun fact around 20 ish of us got a tattoo from the same one lady in her apartment. (you could maybe call that another unofficial event of the LLC … getting tattoos related to our time in Denmark).
It’s sad to say goodbye to such a wonderful part of my semester. If I am going to miss something SO MUCH then I have to consider this a mission success for my study abroad journey. The Outdoor LLC was the perfect choice for me where I got to explore outside of my comfort zone, learn new skills, and expand my connections. I am going to miss everyone all 48 members including our lovely instructor Mette ❤
Check out our LLC video we played at the DIS Festival
From now on I will be playing… “In the land of Copenhagen lived a small group in Basecamp…” in my head.
I love you guys and the experience this community had on me so much
Let me know if you have any questions about the Outdoor LLC 🙂
It’s not a goodbye but a see you soon ❤
Stay Tuned to more of my final thoughts about study abroad 🙂
Finding the Shanti(ka)~ 
Leave a comment