Melanie Callas Studies Abroad in Copenhage

Melanie Callas Studies Abroad in Copenhage

Hello! My name is Mel Callas and I am a Studio Art major with double minors in Art History and Sustainability at the University of Maryland, College Park. This past Spring 2025 semester I had the opportunity to study abroad at DIS Copenhagen in Denmark, focusing on design and art history. My time studying in Copenhagen was truly unforgettable and evolutionary in my educational and personal growth.   

Copenhagen offers an abundance of art and design opportunities, including its iconic ‘Scandinavian Design,' revolutionary architecture and urban planning, and over 50 museums in the city alone. Copenhagen is also home to thriving contemporary art galleries, public art installations, and innovative fashion, jewelry, and furniture design studios. Studying with DIS Copenhagen not only let me experience the city's rich artistic culture firsthand, but also gave me the chance to learn directly from the designers and artists behind it. Many of my professors are also practicing professionals, offering a unique platform to discuss career goals and real-world insights. 

One of the highlights of the DIS program is the ‘core course,’ which serves as your main area of study and includes class travel throughout Denmark and Europe. I chose the art history core course, “Modern Frames: European Art and Cinema.” Not only did we discuss art and film in lecture, but we would travel to continue our discussion viewing the art in real time. As a class, stayed overnight in Aarhus, Denmark to visit the ARoS Museum and meet with an Oscar-nominated Danish director. Later in the semester, we flew to Vienna, Austria to continue our studies on the Vienna Secession movement and see works by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele in person. Later, followed by a trip to Prague, Czech Republic to explore the local film scene and meet with producers and film studios. As a visual learner, these experiences helped me absorb and connect with the material in a much deeper way than I ever could in a traditional classroom. They also introduced me to a range of creative fields I had never fully considered before, and new connections across Europe and back in the USA.

Throughout the semester, I visited over 25 art museums in and outside of Denmark and had the privilege to meet with 14 artists and designers. These experiences not only expanded my artistic knowledge but also exposed me to different cultures, creative communities, and ways of thinking. I would highly recommend DIS Copenhagen to anyone studying or interested in art, art history, or design. Returning to the USA, I feel inspired to implement my studies into my creative work, and excited to see where my studies in art history might lead me next!