I’ve always had a natural interest in how the legal system works. The idea that generations of lawmaking, enforcing, and structuring can build a prosperous, functioning society like the United States government has always fascinated me. But as much as I respect the systems I grew up with in Texas, I also knew I needed to step completely outside of them.
I actively look for ways to shock my system. I love being forced to adapt to the unknown because I believe that seeking out discomfort is the only real way to grow and reach heights you never thought possible. That drive to get deeply out of my comfort zone is why I chose to spend my first semester of college in Copenhagen, Denmark, through the Take the World by the Horns program.
The transition to Denmark delivered exactly the shock I was looking for. Everything from navigating public transit for the first time to biking through busy cycling lanes in the pouring rain has forced me to adapt.
Living in the heart of the city has immersed me in a culture that genuinely prioritizes work-life balance, a stark contrast to the constant hustle I fall victim to back home. Even my downtime looks different, whether I’m running along cobblestone streets, learning a new skill like classical piano, or hiking to decompress.
Academically, this semester has given me a whole new perspective on policy and governance. The most impactful shift happened during our study tours to Samsø Island and Stockholm, Sweden, where we studied sustainable development in northern Europe.
The Samsø Energy Academy impacted me heavily. We learned how the island uses Viking-inspired architecture with natural airflow and a hyper-local district heating system powered by leftover hay. Coming from a place where economic progress often dominates the conversation, Samsø completely shifted my perspective.
I realized that environmental issues and sustainability matter as much as economic issues. Without balance, a prosperous society isn’t actually sustainable. Economic growth doesn’t mean much if the environment it relies on collapses; for the first time in my life, I saw how the two must work hand in hand.
Our week-long study tour to Stockholm took these concepts even further. The itinerary was packed with hands-on cultural and academic learning. We dug our fingers into the soil to learn about urban biodiversity at Boodla, visited ReTuna in Eskilstuna, the world’s first recycling shopping mall, and analyzed how the city works with ecosystem services at the Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Seeing a society actively integrate sustainability into its economy and daily life showed me that a balanced system is entirely possible.
Of course, stepping into the unknown also means fully immersing yourself in the environment. During that same trip to Stockholm, our group headed south to the Paradiset nature reserve for a hike and an outdoor dinner in the forest. Coming from the Texas heat, navigating the chilly Scandinavian weather in a remote reserve was a literal shock to the system.
But eating out in the woods, completely disconnected from the city, reinforced the balance I had been exploring. It was a moment of forced adaptation that became one of the most grounding experiences of the trip, reminding me that sometimes the best way to understand a society’s environmental policies is to step out into the nature they are working so hard to protect.
Studying abroad challenges your baseline. The independence I’ve gained here, from managing a rigorous academic load in a new system to navigating completely unfamiliar environments, has been invaluable. For any Longhorns considering taking the leap to study abroad, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace the discomfort. You will face challenges, but the perspective you gain on the world, and on yourself, will elevate you to heights you never would have imagined.
Hook ’em from Copenhagen!
This blog was contributed by Oscar Castillo, Global Ambassador for Fall 2026. Oscar is a College of Liberal Arts freshman participating in Take the World by the Horns in partnership with DIS Study Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.
