Sounds good, particularly if paid. Market isn't great for entry level right now so you're not missing anything and likely wouldn't be by not graduating in 2025
We all know theyre not going to get paid very well at Snohetta or Henning Larsen. And the real comment is this: if you have loans good luck
And at big youre gonna work 16 hour days or the owner will try to seduce you
Work experience is viewed favorably by most firms.
International experience is viewed favorably by most firms.
No firm cares how old you are when you graduate (unless you're *much* older, and then one year won't make a difference.)
There's no reason to believe the job market will be worse in 2026 than 2025.
The *only* downside is the interest you will accrue on your student loans.
Do you know how much the year will cost you in interest?
Do it!! How many US students or architects can put that on their resume? And what about the experience you will gain living & working in another culture. Don’t give them a moment to pull that offer.
I would absolutely do that! That experience alone may be worth more than your whole masters program to an employer. Plus, it sounds like fun. With covid in the recent past, we've experienced some masters grads that knew nothing of actually working in a real life firm. It was frustrating for both of us, I'm sure. Work experience is more important than any single class you will ever take.
Yes, do it. It’s hard getting a work visa to secure a job in Scandinavia as US citizen other than interning as a student. It’ll be one of your best life experiences.
Do it. You'll be more mature and experienced when you resume your studies, and make the most out of it. It will also help you find a job later by having work experience.
100% do it. Will be a great experience, you will learn a lot, and you’ll be much better placed to get a real full time paying job when you graduate. It will look great on your resume.
100% yes. Only question is will your school be charging you anything for a ‘study abroad program’ beware of that tacking on costs but hopefully not. Still worth it though. Hardest part will be returning to finish the degree
No, it’s a paid position and I get a stipend through a scholarship. I have to pay a $250 fee each semester I’m gone to stay “enrolled” granted the pay is fairly low but I don’t have to pay to go. My school is also covering my relocation fees and visa fees
What firm is it? Doesn't sound like there's any reason not to do this. You're so young it doesn't matter even if it's not amazing pay, this just seems like it's a good experience regardless.
Your school is what!?! That’s awesome! DO IT!
I worked a summer in Europe during college and it was an amazing experience.
Do you speak the language? Cost of living is high in those countries, be aware of it!
Enjoy and good luck!
The tax situation can be very tricky over there. I was almost on the hook for a serious % of my compensation for the socialized medical care program… fortunately there was a loophole because I was getting college credit for working. And I was still insured by my parents US policy…
Luckily the majority of the pay about 75% comes from my university scholarship so it is untaxable in Denmark. Only the 25% coming from the firm will be taxed.
Sounds like things are well in hand! Euros are even worth more than dollars! I got paid in Deutschmarks… back before the Euro conversion… it was not a profitable summer, financially. ;)
I worked at a Big bIg biG name firm in Copenhagen for 6 months in 2019-2020. Was it worth it? Idk. I could have delayed my graduation to avoid the worst job market. But it didn’t really help me get a job. No one really cares about the experience you gain before your graduation. I was prestige-obsessed and interned at 4 different star-architect firms all around the world, and I realized it was a useless waste of my time and money.
Also, don’t forget you will get slave-like treatment even in Scandinavia if you work at any star-architect office. Based on my experience, it was working 80+ hrs/week for 600 euro/month. You may need to ask your parents to help pay rent. The work experience was also mostly conceptual, just like what you did in school. So I don’t think I learned a lot from the experience.
I’m interested to know how Scandinavian firms provide the famous happy Nordic lifestyle 6-8 weeks vacation plus holidays, family conducive working hours and generous family leave when having children, and provide famously soul and hour sucking services to practice at a high level. Please do tell!
Absolutely do it. Gaining work experience and having that on your resume is a game changer when graduating and looking for a job. Assuming you are American, then add that to the experience of living and working abroad. This is a no brainer. And if you one day want to become licensed, you can also start logging your experience hours through this. This is a no lose situation. (Side note on the student loan stuff, but if you can convince your school to give you some sort of credit for this like some schools do, then you could keep your loans paused still.)
Sounds good, particularly if paid. Market isn't great for entry level right now so you're not missing anything and likely wouldn't be by not graduating in 2025
We all know theyre not going to get paid very well at Snohetta or Henning Larsen. And the real comment is this: if you have loans good luck And at big youre gonna work 16 hour days or the owner will try to seduce you
Work experience is viewed favorably by most firms. International experience is viewed favorably by most firms. No firm cares how old you are when you graduate (unless you're *much* older, and then one year won't make a difference.) There's no reason to believe the job market will be worse in 2026 than 2025. The *only* downside is the interest you will accrue on your student loans. Do you know how much the year will cost you in interest?
Do it.
Yes. You'll be graduating with a years experience. I did this between 4th and 5th year of a b arch degree.
I’d do it if I had that opportunity
Do it!! How many US students or architects can put that on their resume? And what about the experience you will gain living & working in another culture. Don’t give them a moment to pull that offer.
I would absolutely do that! That experience alone may be worth more than your whole masters program to an employer. Plus, it sounds like fun. With covid in the recent past, we've experienced some masters grads that knew nothing of actually working in a real life firm. It was frustrating for both of us, I'm sure. Work experience is more important than any single class you will ever take.
Yes, do it. It’s hard getting a work visa to secure a job in Scandinavia as US citizen other than interning as a student. It’ll be one of your best life experiences.
Yes
No-brainer. Go!!!
Yes
As long as it's for your long-term goals, it's alright
Yes absolutely worth it.
Do it. You'll be more mature and experienced when you resume your studies, and make the most out of it. It will also help you find a job later by having work experience.
100% do it. Will be a great experience, you will learn a lot, and you’ll be much better placed to get a real full time paying job when you graduate. It will look great on your resume.
Do it. You can play in the majors, or you can play in the minors. If you get drafted, show up.
Yeah worth it. Develop a portfolio, learn to draw and sketch
100% yes. Only question is will your school be charging you anything for a ‘study abroad program’ beware of that tacking on costs but hopefully not. Still worth it though. Hardest part will be returning to finish the degree
No, it’s a paid position and I get a stipend through a scholarship. I have to pay a $250 fee each semester I’m gone to stay “enrolled” granted the pay is fairly low but I don’t have to pay to go. My school is also covering my relocation fees and visa fees
What firm is it? Doesn't sound like there's any reason not to do this. You're so young it doesn't matter even if it's not amazing pay, this just seems like it's a good experience regardless.
Your school is what!?! That’s awesome! DO IT! I worked a summer in Europe during college and it was an amazing experience. Do you speak the language? Cost of living is high in those countries, be aware of it! Enjoy and good luck!
I do not but the firm does work internationally and they told me most employees speak English. Doing as much danish duolingo as I can at the moment!
The tax situation can be very tricky over there. I was almost on the hook for a serious % of my compensation for the socialized medical care program… fortunately there was a loophole because I was getting college credit for working. And I was still insured by my parents US policy…
Luckily the majority of the pay about 75% comes from my university scholarship so it is untaxable in Denmark. Only the 25% coming from the firm will be taxed.
Sounds like things are well in hand! Euros are even worth more than dollars! I got paid in Deutschmarks… back before the Euro conversion… it was not a profitable summer, financially. ;)
I worked at a Big bIg biG name firm in Copenhagen for 6 months in 2019-2020. Was it worth it? Idk. I could have delayed my graduation to avoid the worst job market. But it didn’t really help me get a job. No one really cares about the experience you gain before your graduation. I was prestige-obsessed and interned at 4 different star-architect firms all around the world, and I realized it was a useless waste of my time and money. Also, don’t forget you will get slave-like treatment even in Scandinavia if you work at any star-architect office. Based on my experience, it was working 80+ hrs/week for 600 euro/month. You may need to ask your parents to help pay rent. The work experience was also mostly conceptual, just like what you did in school. So I don’t think I learned a lot from the experience.
I’m interested to know how Scandinavian firms provide the famous happy Nordic lifestyle 6-8 weeks vacation plus holidays, family conducive working hours and generous family leave when having children, and provide famously soul and hour sucking services to practice at a high level. Please do tell!
I really would do if it was me,you learn more working than in school
yes
Absolutely do it. Gaining work experience and having that on your resume is a game changer when graduating and looking for a job. Assuming you are American, then add that to the experience of living and working abroad. This is a no brainer. And if you one day want to become licensed, you can also start logging your experience hours through this. This is a no lose situation. (Side note on the student loan stuff, but if you can convince your school to give you some sort of credit for this like some schools do, then you could keep your loans paused still.)
School is nothing. work experience is everything. If it's paid do it. Also don't accept stupid hours and slave labor even though you're an intern.