Incomplete Past Review

By (Providence College) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that "the happiest people on earth" is a hilarious facade maintained by Denmark to ensure that their tourism industry thrives. I understand now why the Nordic countries have such a high suicide rate.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Copenhagen
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.

I found lectures to be disorganized. Points were not well emphasized and the quizzes and tests were difficult to study for as a result. Classes were largely opinion based and were lacking in substantial factual evidence.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Housing and Student Services were concerned for my well-being, but not very effective in helping me. There was not enough programming for students provided. The facility was well-kept and very historic looking. Communication with various departments were courteous and prompt.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There is a very significant disparity between the housing options, which I believe is unfair. I believe Providence College should permit students to stay in the DIS Residential Communities. Although I was in an international kollegium, I very rarely encountered international students, nor was there any substantial effort by our SRA's to encourage DIS and international students to interact. I was also disappointed that the international students did not have access to our two common rooms, as they were only available for the DIS students. The housing quality was very poor, with little storage space and insufficient heating during a very cold winter. I found Hoffmans to be a deplorable facility, and was disappointed that changing to a host family could not be arranged.

* Food:

I found that the food stipend lasted for an appropriate amount of the semester, but groceries were still very expensive. Eating out in the city was largely impossible owing to ludicrous prices caused by a poor dollar to kroner exchange rate.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My kollegium was located in a suburb of Copenhagen populated largely by older people, and there was very little to do there. I became involved with a local church that I found somewhat fulfilling. I signed up for the Buddy Network, which was very poorly run with few events successfully planned. I also was paired with a Visiting Family that only wanted to meet a few times and were neither very warm nor very interested in me. I found that in this area, there was much left to be desired.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had several mental health issues that were covered in cost by my health care and DIS, which I was pleased about. I should not, however, that the psychological services outside of DIS were not helpful at all and solved few of my overarching issues of depression and loneliness

* Safety:

The DIS facility and kollegium were completely safe, and I never once in Denmark felt threatened in any way.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would suggest not going to Denmark.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 study tours were enjoyable and well-planed.
  • My professors were very knowledgeable of the cities we visited.
* What could be improved?
  • The quality of living disparity between DIS Residential Community/Host families and kollegiums should be addressed.
  • More activities and clubs should be offered by the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How unpleasant Danish people are, and how ridiculous my core program was so that I would have picked another one.