Things I Did That Made Copenhagen Feel Like Home

The moment I stepped outside the airport, with the cold wind hitting my face, I knew I was not built for this weather. I had logically known Copenhagen would be colder than Egypt. Emotionally? Completely different story. The only solution, of course, was layers. As many layers as possible. Still, the cold made everything feel unfamiliar, like my body hadn’t agreed to this life decision yet. So here are the things I did over the past two weeks to slowly feel more in place; not just as someone staying here, but someone living here.

Going on long walks alone

Cold and darkness make it very easy to develop a strong emotional attachment to your bed. But in a new city, staying in is the fastest way to feel like a visitor in your own life. I made it a habit to go on daily walks, even short ones, just to learn my surroundings. I located the nearest grocery stores, metro and bus stations, and tried memorizing routes so I could stop depending on Google Maps and start pretending I’m a local. But beyond logistics, walking helped me get used to the rhythm of the city: the quiet streets, the bikes, the pace. Most importantly, it helped me make peace with the weather instead of constantly fighting it.

Finding the nearest Egyptian food place

This was non-negotiable. I needed to know where my emergency koshari would come from on emotionally unstable days. Knowing that I can still access familiar flavors, even far from home, is weirdly comforting.

Taking public transport alone

When I’m in a group, I tend to switch my brain off and let others lead. So I made it a mission to use buses and the metro alone. Getting slightly confused, missing a stop, figuring it out anyway: it all made me feel more grounded.

Groceries and cooking

Eating out is easy, but it keeps you in tourist mode. It took me over a week to cook my first real meal (salmon pasta!), but sitting down to eat something I made grounded me instantly. Grocery shopping, though? A full Google Lens production. I probably stood in aisles longer than necessary scanning labels. But once you know your staples, a routine slowly forms, and the supermarket starts feeling less like a maze and more like your place.

Classes and field trips

This is what anchored me most. Sitting in class discussing things I genuinely care about, or being out in the city chasing stories and sounds, reminds me daily that I’m not just passing through — I’m here for a reason. That sense of purpose makes a place feel less foreign.

Doing something new

New city life is a mix of restoring old routines and creating new ones. I booked an aerial yoga class I’ve wanted to try for years. I underestimated the commute, got lost, arrived 20 minutes late, and couldn’t join. Humbling experience. But now I know the route.

Doing laundry

You don’t truly live somewhere until you do laundry there. I procrastinated because it made everything feel very real, plus, the system was unfamiliar. But now that I’ve figured it out, I can officially say I’ve entered my “I live in Copenhagen” era.