Pre-Denmark Planning: Money, Phone, etc.

Ok, so most of my posts so far have been regarding travel; I figured I should include some more practical information for living in Copenhagen. This post will cover some of the basics for getting set up before you leave for Denmark, such as what to do about money, data plans, etc. Let's get to it!

Cash: In case you weren't aware, Denmark uses the Danish krone instead of the euro. But, honestly, there is very little need for cash while living in Copenhagen; there has never been a time where I needed to use kroner. But, it could potentially be useful if you go to a smaller market or a craft fair, or something similar (I haven't gone to one, so I can't confirm or deny this, it's just my best guess). I would get some kroner, but not that much; it won't be worth it trying to convert it back to USD at the end of your stay. Honestly, I used most of my kroner at the currency exchange at the airport, to get euros!

Credit Cards: Because business in Copenhagen is very credit-card friendly, it's important to look into your card's foreign transaction fees; the fees may seem small, but they add up over time! Considering the length of your stay in Denmark, it can be worth it opening up a different account. For instance, Charles Schwab offers a co-branded card with American Express that offers no international transaction fees. I know that opening a different credit account might seem like a hassle, but it's definitely something to consider!

Data Plans: The need for a different data plan will vary greatly based on which US provider you use. But, not all US providers will offer an international plan that will be sufficient for the length of your stay; this was the problem I experienced. To get around this issue, there are a couple options:

1. Use an e-SIM (I've heard Saily offers both pre-paid and monthly plans)

2. Get a data plan from a Danish provider (this is what I did, I use YouSee)

3. Get a pre-paid SIM card in Denmark (LycaMobile, you can get these at the airport)

UH Registration: Unless you're studying abroad for your final semester at UH, you'll need to keep in mind class registration and student housing applications for the next semester. If you get a different SIM card to use while in Denmark, you will have a different phone number. Make sure this phone number is added to your UH account for the Duo verification system (also something to consider for any mobile banking apps). Know when your registration is; due to the time difference, it might be in the middle of the night! For example, mine opened at 3am since Denmark is currently 12 hours ahead of Hawaii.

That's all for now, thanks for reading!