There is a new club for students interested in Danish culture or studying abroad in Copenhagen.

According to the founder of the club, Ellen Hietsch ’17, the Scandinavian Society was originally created as a Danish language club, but changed due to lack of student interest in the language. Now, the club is a culturally centered club.

Currently, about 25 freshman and sophomores are signed up to the club, says Hietsch.  She is working with psychology Professor Marie Helweg-Larsen to create a Danish culture table where members could gather to host events and discuss future plans. As of Tuesday, Nov. 15, there are no set meeting times, but Hietsch wants to host a few events per month.

Hietsch, who studied abroad in Copenhagen in spring 2016, said she was nervous about studying abroad last semester. Despite this, she said that she instantly “fell in love with the city and was in awe with everything that I saw and it never died down.”

Hietsch hopes that this club will expose students to Danish culture and basic language skills so that when they study abroad, they are aware of certain traditions and mannerisms. Hietsch stated that some of her friends who went abroad to Copenhagen had a difficult time due to a lack of knowledge of the Danish culture which made it hard to befriend locals.

Hietsch has already hosted a Hygge dinner, which Hietsch translated to “comfyness,” with the Global Gastronomy group where participants gathered to celebrate Danish culture while cooking traditional Danish meals.

Nine members of the club recently took a trip to Rockville, NY to attend a Danish Christmas Market where hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Danish culture. At the market  traditional meals were served such as fried fish on rye bread as well as classic Danish liquorice. Also at the market was a variety of Danish Christmas candles, ornaments, and Danish flags.

Hietsch is applying for an internship job at Study Abroad in Scandanavia (DIS), the program she participated in during the spring. She said she hopes to live back in Denmark after graduation.

“Going abroad is something that every student should do, and to a place that will actually benefit them.”

Those who are interested in or would like to join the club can email Hietsch at [email protected]