Realistic happiness Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/21/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about myself and what sort of quality of life I want. I also learned international communication skills and gained close friends with different cultures and backgrounds. This was the best decision I have made in my entire college experience, it was 100% worthwhile!
Personal Information
| 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. |
The courses were as rigorous as Brandeis courses and definitely more stimulating. I really enjoyed my classes! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living at a folk high school! |
| * Food: |
I got most of my meals through my housing, the only tough part was that I wasn't always home for lunch but it was easy to take food from breakfast and eat it for lunch or buy a sandwich. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was living with international students so it was difficult to meet many Danish people, but I did get exposure to a lot of other cultures besides Danish culture which I am happy about. I had a Danish family which I got to know well and visit, and I really liked this! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
Denmark is an expensive country to live in. |
| * 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? | I think around $100-150. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The Danish course encouraged you to learn the language and try to use Danish when you were out and about. Mostly I used Danish with my visiting family to speak with the young girls and just get some fun practice in. |
| 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 in Danish, Advanced in Spanish. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | N/A |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That Denmark is relatively expensive and I wish that I realized that I would be spending all of my time at school with Americans. |
