Arizona State vs University of Copenhagen for a global experience: which is better for college students?

For a student whose top priority is a truly international day-to-day environment, the University of Copenhagen is usually the more global-feeling option. Copenhagen is a major European capital with a large international population, easy access to other countries, and a student experience shaped by living in a multilingual, internationally connected city. Arizona State can still offer international exposure, especially because of its size and study abroad resources, but the surrounding environment feels more distinctly American.

University of Copenhagen tends to suit students who want the global experience to come from everyday life, not just from campus programming. You are more likely to be surrounded by students from across Europe and beyond, hear multiple languages regularly, and experience cultural exchange through the city itself, public life, travel, and social norms. Being based in Denmark also makes weekend or short-break travel to other countries far easier, which changes how “global” college can feel in practice.

Arizona State fits students who want an American university experience with strong international opportunities layered onto it. ASU is very large, attracts students from many places, and has the scale to support international clubs, exchange programs, and globally focused academics. But the international experience is more likely to come through intentional involvement, such as joining organizations, taking specific courses, or pursuing study abroad, rather than from the broader city environment feeling internationally immersive every day.

If meeting international students is your main metric, both can work, but in different ways. At ASU, you may meet people from many backgrounds because the university is huge and diverse. At Copenhagen, the international mix may feel more embedded in the culture around you, especially if you value exposure not only to international classmates but also to cross-border European life.