Life at the dorm
At Tietgen Dormitory, we have a truly unique community.
We are 390 students living together, with a rare view into each other’s daily lives. The round shape of the building creates the perfect conditions for togetherness.
When you move in, you become part of a vibrant community in beautiful surroundings. Living here means you’ll naturally experience student life with many other inspiring people, creating bonds that often last long after your time at Tietgen.
THE KITCHEN – A SMALL FAMILY
“My second family” – that’s how many residents describe their relationship with the people they share a kitchen with. A big part of dorm life happens in the kitchen, where there’s much more going on than just cooking. But as in any family, people are different, and challenges do arise – challenges we face together.
Community is built on openness
At Tietgen, 12 rooms (including one double room) are connected to each kitchen. Living this close together is something special: you share not just meals, but also cozy evenings, fun, study sessions, and movie nights.
There’s always someone there to greet you with a smile in the morning, or to ask how you’re doing. We genuinely care about each other – and that can be a huge support in everyday life.
Of course, when up to 13 people with different backgrounds, opinions, and habits live together, challenges are bound to come up. Many kitchens hold regular kitchen meetings, where both big and small issues are discussed and resolved. This is simply part of dorm life – something to be prepared for, and something you grow from.
The best thing about living here? The community! We meet for morning swims at Islands Brygge, play dye in the courtyard, sweat together in the gym, and go for runs along the waterfront. There’s always something to do – and always someone to do it with.
“Honestly, I thought it was a bit too far out. But it’s only 3 km to Nyhavn and 2.5 km to Tivoli, where we often go for Friday Rock. Still, the best thing about living here isn’t the location – it’s the people I’ve met. Friends for life.
Community dinners on Tuesdays, Friday bar with beer pong, and spontaneous movie nights in the common room. You get to know people quickly here – it feels more like a home than just a place to live.
EACH KITCHEN HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONS
Even though all kitchens are built the same, they take on the character of the people living there. Every kitchen has weekly shared dinners, but also their own unique traditions. For example, Day of Fun – outings where the whole kitchen goes somewhere together just to have a good time.
Then there are bigger dorm-wide traditions, like the classic Tour de Tietgen (known as TDC), where everyone tours the rooms of the dorm, each decorated with its own imaginative theme for the night.
TRADITIONS
When you live with 389 other young people, there’s always something to do – whether you’re into sports, board games, music, cozy evenings, or big parties.
ACTIVITIES
Tietgen has a variety of activity groups that bring residents together around shared interests. These include several sports committees, such as a running club and of course the dorm’s football team, which proudly represents Tietgen in the inter-dorm league. There’s also a cycling club, a climbing group, and regular workouts in the gym. And there’s always room for new ideas.
BLOKBAR
We often host Friday Bar, known as Blokbar, organized by the Blokbar Committee. Here you’ll find good vibes and fun activities – everything from life drawing to music quizzes. It all takes place in the great hall, which is also used for Dorm Council meetings, board game nights, music cafés, and good old-fashioned ping pong.
Parties
Semester Kick-off Party, Tour de Tietgen, New Year’s Party, and countless friend parties! Every year, Tietgen hosts several big dorm parties organized by the Party Committee. These are fantastic opportunities to hit the dance floor and have fun across the whole dorm.
THE Tietgen festival
At the annual Tietgen Festival in late August, residents, neighbors, and friends are invited for a weekend of music and fun activities. For two days, Tietgen transforms into a stage for creativity, with concerts and performances put on by the residents themselves – giving friends and neighbors an unforgettable experience!
The dorm’s architecture is brought to life with a 360-degree laser show that lights up the building during nighttime concerts, visible both from the ground and from the shared kitchens above.
Performers and activities are announced on social media and our website – follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
The Tietgen Festival is for all residents, friends, and neighbors – and tickets can be bought through the residents.
INTERNATIONAL CULTURE
Life at Tietgen has an international flair thanks to the many exchange students who come to Copenhagen from all over the world. Around 60 international students live here, meaning up to two of the twelve rooms in each kitchen may be home to exchange students. Most stay just one semester, but because they’re eager to join the community, they often build close friendships that last long after their stay.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Danish can be a difficult language to learn, and while many exchange students take the recommended university Danish course, most everyday communication happens in English. This includes kitchen life, where notes in the kitchen book are often written in both Danish and English, and where everyone makes an effort to include exchange students in shared dinners by switching to English.
DISCOVER YOUR OWN CULTURE
One of the hidden perks of living with international students is gaining a fresh perspective on your own life in Copenhagen. Many residents say they discover new and exciting parts of the city because they want to show it off to their international neighbors.
COMMITTEE WORK
Voluntary committee work and resident democracy are at the heart of a thriving dorm – and Tietgen is no exception. The dorm is constantly evolving, and all residents are expected to contribute – not because you “have to,” but because it’s fun and because it makes Tietgen an even better place to live
A VOICE AND A BETTER DORM LIFE
Resident democracy and committee work give you real influence over life at Tietgen. If there’s something you want to create, change, or support, there are always good opportunities to make it happen.
NEW SKILLS – NEW FRIENDS
Committee work is never a chore. On the contrary, it’s a great chance to dive into something you’re passionate about or to develop new skills. And by working on projects across kitchens, you constantly meet new people, strengthening your sense of belonging at Tietgen.
THE DORM COUNCIL – THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY
The Dorm Council discusses matters that concern all residents, exchanging experiences and opinions across kitchens. Officially, the council consists of 30 representatives – one from each kitchen – and is led by the Dorm Council Board (KRB), made up of five elected residents.
COMMITTEES FOR EVERY INTEREST
The committee structure at Tietgen is always evolving, shaped by the people involved. This means there are plenty of opportunities to contribute in whatever way excites you. Some committees are more formal, like the Admissions Committee (ISU), which carefully reviews applications. Others are more social, such as the knitting club Knit n’ Hyg or the Music Café run by the music committee.