Day 1 – Arrival and First Impressions of Republikken
I arrived in Copenhagen, jetlagged but excited to be part of a peer-to-peer exchange program at Republikken—a creative working space at the heart of the city. The moment I walked through the door, I felt the energy. Republikken is one of those spaces that has a vibe you can feel—flexible desks, cozy meeting rooms, and a mix of private studios scattered across the building. You can tell that it's designed with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creatives in mind. It’s not just a place to work—it’s a place to collaborate and share ideas.
After settling in, I took a quick tour of the space and was struck by how open it felt. You could see the synergy between people working in different fields, and I was already inspired by the possibility of meeting new people from various creative industries. The rest of the day was spent getting to know my fellow co-workers, including a few startup founders and designers. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, making it easy to start conversations about their projects and exchange ideas.
Later in the afternoon, I headed out to explore Copenhagen a bit. I wandered through the charming streets, grabbed a coffee from one of the cute cafes, and took in the colorful buildings and canals. The city was buzzing with energy, and I couldn’t wait to dive deeper over the next few days.
Day 2 – Creative Collaboration and City Sights
Day two kicked off with a workshop at Republikken focused on business development and creative collaboration. The session was great because it wasn’t just about theories—it was practical, with a real focus on how to get your ideas off the ground. I had the chance to chat with a few entrepreneurs about their experiences and the challenges they faced in getting their creative businesses running. One of the things that stood out was how adaptable everyone had to be—Copenhagen’s creative community values flexibility and innovation, something I definitely wanted to bring back home.
After the workshop, I decided to take the rest of the day to explore more of Copenhagen. I visited Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, right in the center of the city. I also wandered around Nyhavn—the iconic harbor lined with colorful buildings and boats. It felt like a scene straight out of a postcard, and I spent a few hours just soaking it all in, enjoying the calm atmosphere before heading back to Republikken for the evening.
Day 3 – Networking, Ideas, and More Exploration
On day three, I attended a networking event at Republikken. It was all about connecting with people from different creative fields. I met an artist who’s been working on some interesting installations around sustainability and also a few tech entrepreneurs who were incorporating design thinking into their work. The event wasn’t too formal—just an open, relaxed space where we could chat about ideas, projects, and potential collaborations. It felt very natural, and I was able to build some great connections.
Later that evening, I decided to check out Christiansborg Palace, where I spent some time admiring the architecture and the views from the top of the tower. Copenhagen is an easy city to fall in love with—there’s something about the blend of old-world charm and modern vibes that makes it unique. After the palace, I walked along Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, which was packed with shops, street performers, and cafés. I couldn’t resist stopping for a hot dog (a local favorite!) before heading back to the space.
Day 4 – The Final Push: Workshop and More of Copenhagen’s Culture
The last full day at Republikken was a bit of a mix between work and fun. I attended a workshop about interdisciplinary collaboration—how artists, designers, and entrepreneurs can work together in new and innovative ways. It gave me a lot to think about, especially in terms of my own work and how I could push creative boundaries by collaborating with people from different backgrounds.
In the afternoon, I had a few hours to spare, so I visited The National Gallery of Denmark. I spent a good chunk of time lost in the art and took in some stunning pieces from Danish and international artists. The gallery itself was a calm, peaceful escape from the hustle of the city, and I loved the variety of works they had on display.
That evening, I wrapped up my time in Copenhagen by going to Republikken’s Final Event—the culmination of my visit. It was an open gathering with local artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives showcasing their work and projects. There was live music, talks, and a few presentations about some of the projects that had been developed at Republikken. The event was a great way to see all the connections made during the week come to life. I presented some of the ideas I had been working on, and the feedback I received was incredibly helpful. It felt like the perfect way to cap off my experience.
Day 5 – Goodbye Copenhagen, and the Takeaways
On my last day in Copenhagen, I took a walk along the Langelinie Promenade, enjoying the fresh air by the water and reflecting on everything I had learned over the past few days. The visit to Republikken had been a whirlwind, but it gave me fresh perspectives on creativity, collaboration, and the importance of community in any creative space. I also came away with a ton of inspiration, both from the people I met and from the city itself.
Republikken wasn’t just a place to work—it was a space that allowed me to connect with others, exchange ideas, and see firsthand how creative hubs can foster innovation. I’m leaving Copenhagen with a renewed sense of purpose, new connections, and a lot of exciting ideas to bring back home.
