How to Hygge: Observations from a Semester in Copenhagen

When I departed for Copenhagen in August, I knew just two things about Denmark: it gets a lot of rain, and it consistently ranks among the world’s happiest countries. 

Halfway through my semester abroad, I can confirm that the rain rumors are true; I never leave the house without triple-checking that I packed a raincoat and umbrella. However, I was more interested in the happiness statistics. I set out to discover what, exactly, makes Denmark so happy, and whether such a culture would be contagious enough for a chronically stressed American to embrace it. 

I am thrilled to report that I have never been happier. It certainly helps that most of the daily stressors I experience at home are completely irrelevant here. Danes also benefit from a welfare system that provides free education and healthcare to all, fostering high social cohesion, low crime rates, and strong gender equality. Beyond these logistical benefits, however, I believe Denmark’s high happiness ranking has roots in cultural values. I’m still learning about the Danish way of life every day, but from my informal observations, two key concepts have stood out: Janteloven and hygge.

Janteloven, or the Law of Jante, is a nearly 100-year-old Nordic social code from Aksel Sandemose’s A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks. It originated in fiction and sarcasm, listing rules such as “You’re not to think you are anything special” and “You’re not to think you know more than we do.” It remains relevant in Danish society today as a set of unspoken rules discouraging individual success and promoting modesty and humility. 

I learned about the Law of Jante almost immediately upon arriving in Copenhagen. On the first day of classes, my professors asked us to call them by their first names, referring to the “flat hierarchy” in Danish education and the workplace. This is just one manifestation of Janteloven: there are low power distances in classrooms and boardrooms, and while formal titles do exist, mutual respect, informal communication, and collaboration are encouraged. 

In the following weeks, I heard both direct and indirect references to Janteloven. One Danish university student jokingly said, “It’s cool to be a bit ugly here”; showing off and standing out are looked down upon in Copenhagen. A professor explained that you will never hear Danes talking about how much money they make or bragging about their accomplishments. As someone who grew up attending high-achieving schools — in DC, Palm Beach, and New England, no less — I was both surprised by and grateful for this cultural difference. When concerns about being the smartest, richest, or best dressed are removed, the potential for genuine connection and learning grows. 

Perhaps the best-known Danish term is hygge. It is often translated as “cozy,” but it is a broader concept that permeates through Danish culture as a noun, adjective, and verb. Hygge is about intentionally taking time away from the daily rush to unwind — with close friends, family, or oneself — and appreciating the quiet, good moments in life.

Sometimes, hygge is formally planned, consisting of a meal or drinks with friends or taking a break from work to explore the city. But it also shows up day to day in numerous ways. Danes place a high value on their green spaces and time outside, no matter the weather. They prioritize peaceful moments of togetherness. And in general, the pace of life in Copenhagen is slower and more relaxed. I still have my “American moments” — I’m often fighting the urge to fly down the Metro escalators, as nobody seems to ever be in a hurry here — but little by little, I am learning the art of hygge. 

I spent the first month of the semester jumping in the harbor whenever the sun was out. I make time for daily conversations with friends in coffee shops or dorm common spaces. I often complete my homework by candlelight. Recently, I’ve been bundling up and journaling or reading on the benches in my local park. And when I have free days in Copenhagen, I hop on a commuter train to explore castles, museums, shops, and nature in the suburbs. I’m walking more slowly, laughing more genuinely, sleeping more deeply, thinking more consciously, and living more intentionally. 

I am eternally grateful for my semester in Copenhagen and all I’ve learned and experienced. At the same time, as I near the home stretch, I am eager to return to America with a fresh perspective and a refined set of priorities. Janteloven and hygge do not need to be exclusive to Scandinavia, and I believe we can all learn from the Danes. I only hope that as I readjust to the hustle and bustle of my life at home, I remember to continue cultivating the values that made Copenhagen such a happy place.