The Netherlands - Alumni MSocSc CBP

Jasper Sempel

I originally came to Denmark to do my Erasmus Exchange in Aarhus. After returning to the Netherlands and finishing my Master’s degree there, I decided to do a Ph.d at Roskilde University Center which is just outside of Copenhagen. Unfortunately, the financing didn’t come through but I decided to stay anyway. I had heard good things about Copenhagen Business School, so I applied for the program MSc “Management of Creative Business Processes”.

One of the great things about CBS is that it is so easy find your way around the whole campus, and that it is part of the city and not miles outside of it.

I have become friends with people from my class and I do a lot of stuff with them every week. When I am with my friends or girlfriend, I go out to cool bars and places where you can eat and hang out. Several students from the program work in creative industries and they have often arranged events at bars, etc. We had a very cool Christmas lunch, and many of us got together at the Roskilde Festival.

I am amazed that life balance is so important here. The Danes appreciate the time they have with their family and they have a concept called “hygge”, which can mean anything from spending time with family and friends, eating, watching a movie or simply talking; just as long as the atmosphere is relaxed while doing so. The Danes for sure know that there is more to life than just chasing money.

The food here is quite expensive and it is a good idea to look through the papers for special offers. The most traditional Danish fast food place is the “pølsevogn”. It’s a mobile cart serving hot dogs that you find in the streets everywhere. They taste great!

I managed to find a part-time job in the English language “Copenhagen Post” newspaper. I work in the airport for Hertz car rental which is a well paid job in an international working place.

If you have any queries about coming to CBS, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

E-mail: j.sempel@gmail.com

Last updated by Kasper Due Vendelboe 25/11/2010