I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it IS possible to get sick while being abroad. Let me tell you getting sick in Copenhagen was definitely NOT included in my travel plans for the semester and while it definitely was annoying, being sick here is completely manageable.
I started off with a common cold that I treated with over the counter medicine I had brought with me from back home in the states. I totally recommend for ANYONE studying abroad in Copenhagen in the future to bring a decent amount of cold medicine and Advil as these are hard to come by here in pharmacies. Most cold medicines similar to what we’re used to in the states require a prescription here in Denmark.
After still being sick with my cold for around two weeks, I decided to inquire about seeing a doctor in order to make sure I didn’t have anything more serious than a cold. There was just one simple problem, I didn’t have my CPR number yet. What is a CPR number you might ask? Well, it is a personal registration number that everyone in who lives in Denmark for more than three months is required to have. When someone has a CPR number it gives you a yellow health insurance card that enables you the right to have access to the Danish Healthcare System.
How was I able to see a doctor without my CPR number? Well, DIS provides a list of doctors that will see DIS students who haven’t received their CPR number (and other really relevant information regarding seeing doctors without a CPR number like that most doctors require you to pay with cash if you don’t have a CPR number so ASK HOW MUCH THE VISIT WILL COST WHEN MAKING THE APPOINTMENT SO YOU’RE NOT SURPRISED). I went to this list and called up a doctor, explained my symptoms and that I didn’t have a CPR number, and was able to make an appointment to see a doctor in under five minutes. It was THAT easy. If I had any questions along the way the DIS Care Team was available for me to email at any time which was really comforting to know.
Going to the doctor without my CPR number was truly super easy and I was incredibly relieved to find out that all I had was indeed a common cold. Honestly, the hardest part about the whole process was finding the doctor’s office.
CopenHANGIN' in Denmark 