Come back to your Scandinavian home and rediscover the magic of Copenhagen
Share Scandinavia with your loved ones and join us at the next Homecoming Tour. Whether you were a DIS student 5, 10, or 40+ years ago, the annual Alumni Homecoming Tour will broaden your perspectives and deepen your connections, through four days of carefully curated activities guided by our expert DIS faculty.
“Thank you DIS for allowing me to revisit my younger self and share what a significant influence DIS had on the rest of my life.“
Rocco Giannetti, DIS Copenhagen – 1984
Tour Itinerary
Find that passport, dust off your suitcase, and come visit us in June!
Opening Reception Get to know fellow tour participants while enjoying an iconic Danish hotdog!
Canal Tour After a bite to eat, hop aboard for an evening cruise through central Copenhagen hosted by local drag icon Chantal al Arab—award-winning performer, author, debater, and all-around queen (portrayed by DIS faculty and historian Anders Larsen). Known for her perfect mix of real history, tall tales, and campy comedy, Chantal guarantees a night of laughs and lively storytelling.
Danish 101 Welcome back into the classroom to freshen up your Danish while learning about current key aspects of Danish culture and what studying at DIS is like today.
Tour of DIS facilities See some of the innovative learning and meeting spaces DIS has created for students and staff in recent years in and around Vestergade.
Afternoon options:
Flødebolle Workshop Danish cuisine has many delicious treats, but an all-time favorite is the fluffy and chocolate-covered flødebolle. Join the winner of the Great Danish Bakeoff Klaus Andersen, who will teach you how to make this yummy treat while sharing some of his pro-tips on how to master the art of baking.
Copenhagen Then and Now: Reflections on Cities and Life Stages Urban Planning Workshop Stroll along Copenhagen’s ever-changing waterfront with Jeff Risom, local DIS Alumni & former partner and Chief Innovation Officer at Gehl Architects, to explore how both Copenhagen and your own life have evolved since your time as a DIS student, tracing connections between personal milestones and the city’s transformation.
Regenerative Urban Ocean Farming Visit a regenerative ocean farming site in the Copenhagen canal to learn hands-on about just one of the many sustainable initiatives in the city today.
Evening options:
Reunion Dinner Gather former classmates and fellow alumni to enjoy your very own reunion dinner as part of the Homecoming Tour. Contact our team if you’re interested in having dinner organized for your semester cohort!
Hygge Dinner Enjoy an evening meal in the home of a local! Hygge dinners are hosted by DIS staff, faculty or host families and are a great chance to chat with someone who calls Copenhagen home.
Tivoli Enjoy the evening in one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, as you stroll through the beautiful park, whizz around on one of the rides, or enjoy a tasty bite to eat!
Early-morning wellness Do as the locals and join us for some early morning wellness to get those jetlag aches out with a bit of morning yoga stretches & a hop in the Canal!
Late-morning options:
Postcards from the Past – Writing Workshop Take a short trip past the lakes to the Nørrebro district, to capture the spirit of Copenhagen. In addition to a small writing exercise, this workshop aims to open your senses and search for a connection between memories and current observations, between the past and the present. By using tools from nonfiction writing, guided by DIS faculty member Tommy Heisz, come find and share the stories we each carry inside.
Copenhagen’s LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour In this walking-workshop, you’ll have a chance to learn from Diversity & Inclusion expert Finn Ferjá about some of the key historical events that have impacted the Danish LGBTQ+ community, including the history of the Pride flag.
Afternoon options:
Architectural Bike Tour Explore the city like a local as you cycle through the newly developed neighborhoods of Nordhavn, Carlsberg, Jernbanebyen & Postbyen with local DIS alumni & faculty member Courtney D. Coyne-Jensen, who will share how these new areas contribute to Copenhagen as a human-scaled city of innovation.
Mitigating Global Complexity With a global workforce of over 100,000, the Danish company Mærsk is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. From its headquarters in Copenhagen, join local DIS Alumni Danny Giordano who is the Head of Global Threat Intelligence, to hear how he supports the company’s intercultural organizational culture while mitigating complex geopolitical realities.
History Walking Tour With a history stretching over more than eight centuries, Copenhagen hides a story on every street corner. This walking tour, guided by DIS faculty and historian Anders Larsen, will take you through the winding streets of the city where the poorest Copenhageners lived, to the private residence of the builder king and reformer of Copenhagen, Christian 4 (Rosenborg Castle). The tour will also include coffee & cake in one of the city’s (and DIS’s) iconic courtyards.
Evening options:
Tivoli If you didn’t make it to Tivoli the night before, why not spend Wednesday evening strolling through the beautiful park, whizz around on one of the rides, or enjoy a tasty bite to eat!
Watercolor & Beers Sip some of Copenhagen’s best micro-brews while tuning into your inner artist alongside fellow alumni, as you create a watercolor masterpiece of your favorite Copenhagen scene, guided by DIS faculty & artist Andrea Homann.
DIS History Panel Take a trip down memory lane as former & current DIS staff and faculty share what DIS was like decades ago –while also learning what it’s like learning & working here today.
Afternoon options:
Smørrebrød Cooking Class Whether you are a food enthusiast or just keen to try the most popular Danish food, this hands-on-workshop with Culinary Living & Learning Community Coordinator Maj Spildsboel is the perfect introduction to traditional smørrebrød with a modern twist.
American Pie Company of Copenhagen What’s it like being a food-entrepreneur in a city considered one of the food capitals of the world? Join local DIS Alumni and restaurant owner Erin Chapman as she shares how her DIS story impacted her life & career while enjoying some of her famous sweet & savory pies!
Time on your own Enjoy the afternoon shopping or exploring.
Early Evening Concluding Reception We’ll gather once more on the beautiful Copenhagen canal for a fun reception and chance to say ‘farvel’ (goodbye) to the city and your old & newly formed friendships.
Gather together for your own reunion dinner
The Alumni Team can support you in finding former classmates and organizing a special event for your group during the Homecoming Tour.
Yes! The Homecoming Tours are designed so that alumni can revisit Scandinavia with their loved ones. Program activities are designed for children 12+. If you’re traveling with younger children, don’t hesitate to reach out to us so we can discuss the options with you. DIS does not provide childcare.
All tour participants must be in good health to participate on a tour. There will be extensive walking (and for some activities, biking), occasionally on uneven surfaces. Please consider this before registering any younger children or elderly guests. Medical conditions needing special assistance must be reported to DIS at the time of reservation.
If you have concerns about your ability to participate in tour activities, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to discuss our recommendations.
All tour participants must have their own travel insurance. This is required, but not covered, by DIS. Travel insurance should cover medical expenses, accidents, theft, and personal liability.
We understand that sometimes plans change. If you’re unable to join the tour after registering, please email us and we’ll initiate a refund process according to the below policy:
100% refund if you inform us more than 90 days before the tour
50% refund if you inform us between 90-30 days before the tour
Within 30 days of the first tour date, there is no refund
“Outstanding! The experience exceeded my expectations in all dimensions. Each day was well orchestrated with much attention to detail. I built new relationships with fellow alumni. I reconnected with my host family. The tour was a walk down memory lane, and an opening of new potential.”
Joe Gigliotti, DIS Copenhagen – 2008
“Being part of DIS back in 1971 was a turning point in my life. Now, these three days in June were the icing on the cake! I have spent a lot of time in Copenhagen over the years but found there was so much that I had never experienced before this Tour.“
Tom Shull, DIS Copenhagen – 1971
Register today and reconnect with friends, old and new