My Town
Copenhagen, Denmark
UBC alum Kim-Sa Ngo at the Church of Our Saviour in Copenhagen, a famous landmark with a serpentine spire that offers panoramic views of the city. Photos courtesy of Kim-Sa except where noted.
Kim-Sa Ngo (BA’20) works in risk management at a large Nordic bank and has been living in Copenhagen since September 2023.
What three words best describe Copenhagen?
Cozy. Enchanting. Effortless.
How did you come to live in Copenhagen?
I was actually born in Denmark but moved away when I was five, so I don’t remember much from my childhood. However, when I was at UBC, I had the opportunity to return to Denmark as an exchange student and fell in love with Copenhagen. After a few years working in Canada as a new graduate, I decided to come back to the city to do my MBA at Copenhagen Business School and have stayed ever since.
What do you like most about living there?
Definitely the lifestyle. It is so true that the Scandinavian way of life is working to live, not living to work. People make time for their hobbies, loved ones, and interests outside of work. It is so refreshing to see people commit to living their best lives. The absence of hustle culture has been really good for my own mental and physical wellbeing. I also love how active people are here—you see runners and bikers all around the city, and it’s super motivating!
Kim-Sa enjoys a stroll in Bispebjerg Cemetery, located on the northwest side of Copenhagen. The cemetery is a tranquil space that attracts many visitors when its famous cherry trees bloom in April.
Describe your favourite neighbourhood.
Frederiksberg is one of my favourite neighbourhoods. It has a lovely park named Frederiksberg Have (have means garden) full of cute little animals and beautiful green spaces. It’s also home to charming cafés that serve the best pastries and coffee. The area is a wonderful blend of vibrant city life and quiet, scenic nature. Copenhagen Business School is right in the heart of Frederiksberg, and I absolutely loved studying and living on campus when I was a student.
If you could change one thing about Copenhagen, what would it be?
The long winter months. It gets dark way too early and the sun doesn’t rise until much later in the morning compared to the height of summer. The lights at Christmas help, but after the holidays are over, it’s nothing but dark and cold winter evenings until spring arrives!
What might surprise a visitor about Copenhagen?
The abundance of grocery stores in the city. Fun fact: Denmark has the highest number of supermarkets per capita in the EU!
What are your favourite hidden gems or activities that only locals know about?
Swimming in Copenhagen Harbour during the summer. I think this activity has gotten more popular with tourists, but it’s not the first thing they think of when they visit Copenhagen. I highly recommend it!
What’s the most overrated tourist hotspot?
The Little Mermaid statue. Don’t try to see it from the shore. Instead, take a canal tour. That way, you can still see the statue but you aren’t vying with a million other tourists to spot or take a photo of it.
How easy is it to meet new people?
Danish people have a reputation for being more reserved, but I have found it quite easy to make friends through school, work, and at the gym. Also, because I am taking Danish classes, I have picked up a few phrases here and there, and it’s been great getting to practice speaking the language with locals.
What issues are particularly important to the people of Copenhagen?
Social welfare is a key issue. Copenhagen is a high-trust society and people really depend on each other to ensure a safe and secure environment. It is so safe that people leave their babies in the stroller outside when they go grocery shopping!
What is one local custom that every visitor should know about?
Danish people are super humble and don’t brag! There’s an underlying social concept associated with Danish culture—known as janteloven—which emphasizes humility and conformity over individualism, meaning you shouldn’t boast or think you are better than anyone else.
Known for its colourful buildings, Copenhagen’s historic Nyhavn waterfront is a "must-see" attraction, says Kim-Sa.
Frederiksberg Have in springtime, a picturesque park in Kim-Sa’s favourite neighbourhood.
Copenhagen's best cultural experience? Enjoying pastries at any of its fine bakeries, says Kim-Sa. Pictured here: sweet treats from Hart Bakery.
Kim-Sa digs into a flæskestegssandwich—a popular Danish sandwich featuring roast pork and crispy crackling—at the bustling street food market known as Reffen.
Some of the food stalls at Reffen, the largest street food market in the Nordics.
Looking to connect with your UBC alumni community?
If you live outside our campus communities in the Lower Mainland and Central Okanagan, visit the Global Alumni Network page to see if there’s an alumni ambassador or social media community where you live.
Alumni volunteers also host fun My Town Meetups in locations around the world. Check out our Meetups page to see if there’s a gathering near you—or sign up to host one in your location!
