Denmark--TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! Past Review
By A student (University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned so much about a culture with which I had previously been extemely unfamiliar. I felt so immersed in the culture by the end of my study abroad experience. All of the traveling that you do as a part of your program gave me the knowledge and confidence to do independent travel after the program. Copenhagen is an incredible city, and I fell completely in love with it during the semester I studied there! It is so historic and small enough to feel manageable and like home. It's gorgeous there, everyone is so nice, and it was the most worthwhile thing I've ever done in my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were interesting, challenging, and very hands-on. It felt like I was learing so much valuable information and cultivating skills that I can use as I continue on to the working world, but I never felt overwhelmed by the workload. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family and had an absolutely incredible experience. I was so immersed in the culture and really got close to my host family. I even enjoyed the commute! The only downside was being a bit isolated. |
| * Food: |
I LOVED Danish food! It's not for everyone, though. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Taking a Danish class and living with a host family helped to totally immerse me in the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everything's covered in Denmark, and DIS makes it SO simple to get your healthcare card! You don't have to worry about visas or health coverage before you get there because you take care of that on the first day. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is one of the safest cities in the world. I never felt unsafe the entire time I was there--not once! |
| 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) |
Living with a host family was a GREAT decision in terms of expenses. I never paid for food, spent time with the family instead of going out a lot, and was able to save MUCH more than my peers in dorm-style living arrangements. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $0 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | LIVE WITH A HOST FAMILY! Pack a lunch, and don't eat out a lot. Instead of splurging frequently on little things, really try to save save save so that you can spend your money on things like additional travel or amazing souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
You're not required to take a Danish class, and even if you do, there is not a ton of speaking practice in the class. It's basically to familiarize yourself with the language, not to master it conversationally. EVERYONE in Copenhagen speaks perfect English, so there's really no motivation to use the language. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | If you really want to use Danish, I highly suggest living with a host family and taking a Danish class. (They offer an accelerated Danish I & II class.) |
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 knew to pack warmer clothes! The winter was COLD! |
