Every Moment Worth It Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 05/20/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
It would do this program a hundred times again. During my stay in Copenhagen, I was able to travel with friends to Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Holland, Finland!, Portugal, and Belgium. I learned more about Europe, living in a welfare state, architecture, and making foreign friends for a lifetime than I could have ever imagine. It has been the most exciting semester. Most of all, it has been incredibly hyggelig, and that is something I will keep with me forever. Skål!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The study tours were amazing! I loved how they incorporated study and travel into their curriculum. It was a very unique program. |
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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? |
Choose the kollegium option! It's the best! I made so many Danish friends. In fact, one came to visit me in the US today. |
| * Food: |
It's expensive. You have to cook for yourself. I suggest not just relying on Netto for you food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You can't be completely immersed if you don't know Danish, but you get quite close. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It's Denmark. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Copenhagen is a very expensive place. But if you use your food stipends wisely, you should be able to pass by fine! I, unfortunately, was not wise enough with it. But... The Nutella in Europe: WORTH IT. |
| * 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? | $100 plus |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use that food stipend (if you are in a Kollegium), take advantage of any shared costs that might be available, and scrounge around! |
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 |
Almost everyone in Denmark has fantastic English. There are only a few essential words you need to know: 1. TAK! (thanks!) 2. TUSIND TAK (a thousand thanks!) 3. Hygge (best word ever.) 4. Skål (cheers!) |
| 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? | Danish I |
| 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? | Talk with your Danish friends! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Use your time wisely and don't sign up for everything! Sometimes the best experiences come when you are doing nothing but sitting and watching the water. You never know who you might meet on the pier. |
