Copenhagen and beyond Past Review
By umichdis (Program in the Environment, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 01/16/2011 to 05/15/2011 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I took advantage of the Scandinavian-themed classes and loved it. It was the one semester I did not focus on science/engineering classes and I'm glad I branched out. Professors are amazing for the most part and very knowledgeable.
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. |
Much easier than University of Michigan classes, but harder than other study abroad programs. Each class had approximately one test and one paper/project. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Because it's a large program, they have a large staff. There's always someone willing and ready to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing options vary a lot. I'd recommend DIS housing or staying with a host family. |
| * Food: |
Vegan/vegetarian food is difficult to find. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Danes keep to themselves, so it was difficult to make Danish friends. Plus you take classes with only American students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Danish healthcare is unbelievably easy. Once you arrive in Copenhagen, you are assigned a doctor based on where you live. And it's cheap too! |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is incredibly safe. Mothers leave babies outside and unattended when they are eating in a restaurant. Crime rate is super low and I never felt threatened in any way. |
| 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) |
Most expensive place ever |
| * 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? | Far too much |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Accept that you will come home broke. Traveling is so worth it, and you won't regret spending every last cent you have. Everything is crazy expensive and there's no way to avoid it if you want to integrate yourself and see as much as possible |
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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Danish is a weird language. It is next to impossible. Everyone speaks next to perfect English, so don't fret. |
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? | 0 |
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? | DIS housing has better locations than kollegiums, private apartments, and other housing options. It allows students to become closer to one another, and structured Danish immersion is required if you choose this option. |
