Living in at the Visual Arts LLC
One of the most defining parts of my experience studying abroad here in Copenhagen has been living at the Visual Arts Living and Learning Community (LLC). Living in a LCC has allowed me to see Copenhagen in a way I would not have otherwise experienced it. My housemates and I attend weekly arts events selected and led by our amazing coordinator, Sophie, who manages to find interesting and underground events. Additionally, since my housemates and I all applied specifically for this housing option, we share a love of the arts. This made it easy to connect over that communal interest when we were first getting to know each other. Since then, we've grown increasingly close and spend plenty of time exploring the arts scene together on our own time.
Here are a few words from some of my housemates about why they chose to live in the Visual Arts LLC and what they have liked best about it thus far:
Julie (my roommate!)
College: Pratt Institue
Major: Interior Design
Core Class: Interior Architecture Studio
Why did you apply to the Visual Arts LLC: Because I've always been surrounded by people interested in art, so I figured I might as well continue living with people that share that interest. And I didn't want to live with people I already knew.
Favorite LLC moment: Experiencing all the events we've been taking to together by Sophie, because one the one hand I wouldn't have gone to these events alone, and on the other I wouldn't have had all these people to discuss them with.
Jordan
College: Pratt Institue
Major: Interior Design
Core Class: Interior Architecture Studio
Why the Visual Arts LLC: I wanted to be surrounded by like minded individuals and experience Copenhagen through art.
Favorite LLC moment: Just the weird little moments at home, us being weirdos around the apartment.
Isabella
College: Washington University in St. Louis, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual arts
Major: Communications Design major, Writing minor
Core Class: Graphic Design Studio
Why Visual Arts LLC: I'm so used to being around creative people at my home university, I didn't want to loose that surrounding, it's an important environment for me.
Favorite LLC moment: I actually really liked going to The Cisterns on our first outing, because I wouldn't have gone on my own or known it was there. It's a good example of art that is specific to this city, so I'm glad I saw it in the space it was built for.
Kelsey
College: Loyola University, Maryland
Major: Communications with a concentration in Digital Media
Core Class: Strategic Communications
Why the Visual Arts LLC: I want to pursue a career in graphic design, so I wanted to learn more about the art side of things while here with the LCC because at home I focus more on the business side of the industry.
Favorite LLC moment: My favorite moment was the Oslo performance art piece we saw during our Art LLC Week-End. I liked talking about it after and hearing everyone's different reactions.
(Kelsey is writing her own travel blog! Here her reflections here)
Makena
College: Colorado College
Major: Studio Art with a minor in Education
Core Class: Graphic Design Foundations Studio
Why the Visual Arts LLC: I've always had a love for the arts and I've never lived in a big city before, so I was excited to be in an art hub where I could go to museums or check out galleries after class, and what better way to do it than with housemates who share the same interest!
Favorite LLC moment: Our random 2am dance party that night when we came home from the Studenterhuset and
decided against going out again. It was so much more fun than going out to the neighborhood bar would have been!
If you're considering applying to an LLC, and have any interest in one of the themes available, I highly suggest doing so! If you have more questions about this housing option as you apply, don't hesitate to reach out.
Learn more about them here: https://disabroad.org/copenhagen/semester/housing/living-learning-communities/
Family photo illustration as cover image was drawn by my housemate Kelsey on our communal white board. It has evolved and taken several iterations since that first one.