DIS is a great introduction to living and traveling abroad! Past Review
By A student (Macalester College) - abroad from 01/18/2009 to 05/26/2009 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about what I wanted out of life and how I fit into the world. I am now on a completely different path than I was before I studied abroad, and I owe part of that to my experience at DIS. It definitely taught me some very worthwhile life lessons.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Danish Institute for Study Abroad København Universitet |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As far as I know DIS is far more rigorous than most other study abroad programs in Europe. While I had friends who barely had to go to class all semester because of only one exam at the end of the semester or because of nation-wide strikes, I had assignments throughout the semester and mandatory class attendance/participation. However, the program was fairly easy compared to my home university's standards and work load, but that helped me be able to enjoy my semester more than if I were spending the entire time locked up in a library. The best part of the academics of DIS was that I was able to take courses that weren't offered by my college and was thus able to get a unique minor. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS runs very smoothly! The staff is always helpful and welcoming, the facilities are great, and it is clear that the people who work at DIS are truly invested in making every part of a student's experience unforgettable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with all Americans in an apartment during my semester. While I had fun and enjoyed the people I lived with, it made it hard to integrate into the local culture. However, my friends who lived with host families all loved it. |
| * Food: |
There was no food offered by DIS, but Denmark has some amazing bread, cheese, and pastries! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
A lot of the time I didn't feel very integrated with the local culture since I was at school and living with all Americans. That being said, there were a lot of opportunities to integrate - by taking classes at KU, through visiting families, by taking Danish, etc. - that helped a lot! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues, but all students are on the national health care plan so if issues arise they are very easily addressed. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is one of the safest places I know - people even leave their babies in their prams on the street while they go inside for a coffee!! And as far as I've seen, any time there is an issue the Housing and Student Services Office tries to deal with it in a professional and timely manner. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approx. $150 (on a week with a tight bueget) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Copenhagen is very expensive, and all people preparing to ilve there should know that before hand. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had taken Danish. |
