Storytelling for a Changing Planet
Copenhagen, Denmark
Faculty Leader
Thomas Schmidtt1schmidt@ucsd.edu
Thomas Schmidt is an associate professor in the Department of Communication. He teaches classes in journalism and digital media literacy. Originally, he is from Austria and before his academic career he worked there as a journalist for major national news organizations (e.g. Austrian Public Broadcasting). As an undergraduate student he spent a semester in Copenhagen and fell in love with the city and the people there. While at the University of Oregon, he helped organize a Study Abroad program in Vienna, Austria, and found it extremely rewarding to introduce students to work, life and play in Europe.
Courses
- SYN 100GS: Synthesis (draft PDF)
- COMM 30GS: Global Digital Media Literacy (draft PDF)
Why you should go
This program invites you to learn about the craft of storytelling while reflecting on one of the most pressing challenges of our time - climate change - as you explore one of the greenest cities on the planet. Copenhagen offers an amazing environment for studying potential solutions to address climate change. The city wants to become the first carbon neutral city on the planet, and it is a rare European capital city where the harbor is clean enough to swim in. There is a green energy power plant with a ski slope on top of it and bicycling is the most common form of transportation. In the classroom you will learn about storytelling skills and then you will go out into the streets to investigate and craft your own stories. You will learn about the role of the news media in a global system, and you will meet experts who can tell you more about journalism, urban planning, digital advocacy and science communication.
Who should go
This global seminar combines a focus on digital media literacy with a project-based learning approach for developing storytelling skills related to addressing the climate crisis. Although it is open to students in any college, it is designed for students in Seventh College who would be able to satisfy both major and GE requirements and have a high-impact experience. This program will also be of particular interest to students in the new media industries and communication major.
Prerequisites for SYN 100 include SYN 1/1R and 2/2R (or SYN 150/150R for transferring students).
Information Sessions
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 3 - 4:30 pm
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
- Information session presentation (pdf)
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., June 28, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., June 29, 2025 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| First Day of Class: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., August 1, 2025 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 2, 2025 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
$7,030.02 | $7,030.02 | $7,030.02 |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,514.43 | $2,564.43 | $3,574.43 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
$9,544.45 | $9,594.45 | $10,604.45 |
Budget Sheet
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Local Site Visits
- Guided tour of Amager Resource Center and free time at Copenhill, a power plant turned into an artificial mountaintop for skiingand climbing
- Visit to Danish Broadcasting, the country’s public broadcasting corporation
- Visit to Politiken, the leading Danish quality newspaper
- Guided bicycle tour of Copenhagen
- Visit to the Danish Council on Climate Change
Possible Guest Speakers
- Associate Professor of Ethnology at the Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen
- Professor of Communication, University of Copenhagen
- Professor of Sociology at the Centre for Digital Citizenship, Roskilde University
- Associate Professor of Sociology, Copenhagen Business School
- Press and Communication, Danish Council on Climate Change
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Double room in apartment with kitchenette and Wi-Fi at CABINN Copenhagen
- Location near the city center, central station, shopping, and restaurants
- Fully equipped shared kitchen and fitness room available
- Self-service laundry facilities and rental bikes available for a fee
Included Meals
- Welcome meal upon arrival
- Daily breakfast included
- Farewell meal at end of program
Classroom and Computer Access
- Classroom space at CABINN Copenhagen Conference Center
- There is no computer lab available - plan to bring a laptop.
Transportation
- Transportation by private bus to and from Copenhagen Airport to the student housing is included in the program. Two different pick-up times will be arranged based on the most common flight arrival times.
- A local transportation pass for the entire city of Copenhagen, DSB zones 1-4, will be provided for each student.
Phones
- Information about how to obtain a local SIM card will be provided at the pre-departure orientation.
- Students will be responsible to purchase their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- Comprehensive insurance package with CareMed. Students must save receipts for reimbursement. The on-site partner will handle insurance paperwork during the program.
- An in-depth orientation will be given on the morning after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
- Program partner staff will be available by telephone after hours.
- All students will be registered for UC travel insurance This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
