When junior Lydia Doherty first arrived in Copenhagen as a study abroad student, she noticed it immediately. The people there didn't shy away from the cold Northern European weather. Quite the opposite. In the middle of winter, city dwellers happily sat bundled up outside at cafés, chatting, and enjoying warm drinks.

Doherty, a psychology major, decided to research why the country is consistently ranked in surveys as one of the happiest in the world. What she found informed her final paper for a Positive Psychology class. "The Danes prioritize being outside, and they emphasize the importance of their relationships with family and friends. They always make time for them," she said.

In addition to embracing their environment, one of Doherty's professors in Copenhagen pointed out that Danish people tend to prioritize being present in the moment, which is another factor that can influence the perception of happiness.

"In that class, technology was nowhere to be found," Doherty said. "Our teacher would say, ‘Savor the moment.’ He encouraged us to walk down the street or travel to school without checking our phone."

Doherty said her experience abroad provided her with a fresh perspective when she returned to campus, including an improved ability to balance schoolwork and socializing with friends.

"Obviously school is so important, and most of my time is spent going to class and doing assignments," she said. "But a huge thing the Danes did that has carried over for me is when I'm spending time with friends, I'm not doing other things. If I get a notification on my phone, I think, 'Do I really need to answer that text right now?'"

Adam Stanaland, a Richmond professor of psychology, offered some context about what Doherty found during her studies in Denmark.

"Lydia has been engaged and thoughtful in my social psychology course, so her insightful hypotheses don't surprise me," Stanaland said. "From my understanding of past research, there are also important economic and cultural factors at play. For example, Denmark's robust social safety net provides citizens with a sense of security during the hard winter months. In turn, Danes are able to embrace this season not as distressing, but rather as a natural part of the year with predictable, manageable challenges. Danish culture emphasizes warmth, comfort, and togetherness during the winter, so much so that there is a term for it — hygge."

Doherty said there's no direct English translation for the Danish word (pronounced hyoo·guh), yet she was able to experience it.

"That was my favorite part, honestly. In the cafés, there's nice, inviting lighting. People come together for hours to have a drink or coffee, and the pastries were out of this world. Even the outdoor spaces were made to be hygge, with blankets and space heaters."

Doherty found that an inherent resilience in facing challenges and a sense of realistic optimism are among the factors contributing to emotional well-being and life satisfaction in Denmark. The culture also encourages a healthy work-life balance.

In her final paper, she noted that students in the country were encouraged to find meaningful work based on their interests. Doherty plans to pursue a career in speech pathology.

Ellen Sayles, an associate dean at UR and director of Education Abroad, said Doherty's time in Copenhagen illustrates how experiential learning benefits students. "Through close observation, careful attention, and thoughtful reflection, she exhibits the important growth and maturity that comes through immersion in another culture," she said.

"It’s a great example of how students can reflect on their own culture and experiences as well," Sayles said.