Absolutely incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience in Copenhagen Past Review

By (Bentley University) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 06/06/2013 with

Copenhagen Business School: Copenhagen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A totally different perspective of the world, a great amount of independence, a thirst for new adventures and traveling. Extremely worthwhile, wouldn't trade this experience for the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics were not very rigorous, resources were extremely helpful and available!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Amazing!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Really nice - the process was a little hectic, but there was no monitoring of the building (like RA's) so kitchens and hallways got extremely dirty and loud and there was no one to stop the noise. Sometimes, out of control.

* Food:

Community kitchen was disgusting - no one cleaned up after themselves and made me not want to cook. There was also no meal plan or money given to us to eat at the cafeteria, which I would have liked.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

More-so than not integrated. Mostly because I made amazing Danish friends in Denmark that exposed me to the culture and customs.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not sure

* Safety:

Copenhagen is one of the safest and cleanest cities I have ever been to. I did a lot of traveling during my experience and no other city I visited compares.Not to be naive, but I always felt safe walking around, even at night, and didn't feel this way in any other city I visited.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Copenhagen is a very expensive city and Denmark is the 2nd most expensive country. I didn't know this prior to choosing it, but it didn't matter because I very easily balanced my expenses and was totally fine with spending/saving money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Monitor your finances weekly. And keep track of your expenses. Since I am an accounting major, I do this anyway, but it was really helpful abroad. That way, I knew how much I had left to spend and could keep budgeting myself throughout the entire semester. I actually ended up spending less than I thought and saved more! But also don't hold back with spending money - you are here to spend money, so really enjoy, but be watchful.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • **The buddy program
  • Classes
  • International office at CBS
* What could be improved?
  • Housing selection process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How hard the Danish language is

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'