Johanan Ottensooser

Host university: University of Copenhagen

Winner of the Crown Princess of Denmark Scholarship Johanan Ottensooser went to Denmark as part of the Global Exchange program at UTS this year. During his time in Denmark, he studied at the University of Copenhagen, met the Princess, and was part of the World Trade Law Negotiation competition in Geneva.

Why Denmark?
This is a nerdy answer but it was because the University of Copenhagen taught States of Emergency Law, and it isn’t offered anywhere else. I had work in Sri Lanka and India when I volunteered, and was able to see how states of emergencies were being used, it was very important for me to learn and understand more about it.

What was the city like?
Copenhagen was amazing, even in the wintertime! It was freezing and I had to walk on a frozen canal to get to my Kollegium (Signalhuset College in Oerestadt, which is a Danish residential college). We had our own rooms – four to a unit - and we shared a kitchen and living area. I really felt like my roommates became my family when I was there.

What was it like settling in as a student?
The studying was very different. They don’t have lectures, they just have tutorials and you have to do your readings. But, all this preparations made for really good debates. I think if you’re someone who considers himself as a sharp suit, you’ll love this style of learning. They don’t spoon feed you as much.

The opportunities I got there were amazing. In Australia you would be lucky to go on one study trip, but when you’re in Europe you’re in the centre of it all. You can literally just go on a flight that costs less than a big night out, and have the opportunity to meet the world leaders in these areas. I was sent to Geneva twice, the first time was for the World Trade Law Negotiation competition where I represented the University of Copenhagen, and the other time was to study the rights of the child in international law.

Congratulations on winning the Crown Princess Mary Scholarship! What was it like to meet the Princess?
It was very special. At the meeting, the Crown Princess knew everything I had written in my application. It was a little bit weird but when I went to introduce myself, she said “pleasure to meet you Johanan”.

After all the formal proceedings and the press photo shoot my co-winner and I then had a brunch with the Princess. In our conversations, she commented that we weren’t just studying, and that we were applying what we studied to do good.

I also received 10,000 kroners, (approximately A$2200), which I put towards a trip towards Europe at the end of my semester there. Thank you Princess!

Apart from your study experience, what is your fondest memory from Denmark?
In the middle of summer, whenever you go out you will always come home to the sunlight. Coming home at 4am with friends when the sun was rising is otherworldly and amazing.

Johanan writes Oats and Sugar, a reflective blog on law, economics and development. Read more about his international experiences there.