An Amazing and Memorable Semester with DIS Past Review
By oranguthanh (Epidemiology, University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/19/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Enhanced my cultural awareness outside of the U.S./more about Denmark/Europe. I felt empowered with my independence to do things without having my parents totally informed beforehand or hindering me. It was definitely worthwhile because the experience was priceless.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IT department was not very helpful. I had problems with my laptop, and it took them 3 days to fix it when I already knew what the problem was and asked them to do it on day 1. They played around with it and then asked me if they could do what I already told them to do. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great host family! |
| * Food: |
My host family provided delicious meals! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * 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) |
It was very easy if you don't go out every weekend because going out is expensive, but travelling may be a different situation. |
| * 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? | Outside of traveling, probably about $20 maximum each week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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 |
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| 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? | 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? | Having a host family definitely helps |
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? | Maybe invest in a travel book. Don't travel by yourself for an extended period of time because it can get a little lonely. |
