Jeg elsker dig, Copenhagen! Past Review

By Wen H (Swarthmore College) - abroad from 08/19/2012 to 12/17/2012 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

As cheesy as it sounds, being abroad really opened up my eyes to life outside of America and my college bubble. If possible, I think every person should go abroad, and Copenhagen will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's easy to immerse in Danish culture, and before you know it, it'll feel like home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in a kollegium about 30 minutes away from the city, and the people there really defined my study abroad experience. I've heard mixed reviews about some of the other kollegiums, but I loved hanging out and going out with both the DIS and international people there.
* Food:	Eating out regularly is expensive, but DIS provides a $600 food stipend that can be used at certain (very cheap) grocery stores. Alcohol aside, the money lasted me the entire semester.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	It's definitely possible to fully immerse yourself in the Danish culture, and I never felt like I had trouble doing so. I didn't end up really befriending that many Danes, but I plan on keeping in touch with certain people.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	No issues, but it's 'free' if you need it.
* Safety:	Very well-lit streets no matter where you go.
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)	Eh, it costs as much as you're willing to spend. Like I said, the food stipend is definitely enough to buy groceries, but I spent a lot more on eating out/going out and shopping.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	You'll spend all the money and you have and probably more-but it's more than worth it to sacrifice some things now or later so you have enough money to enjoy your trip abroad.

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
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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
* 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?	Travel breaks Copenhagen People I met there
* What could be improved?	Internet accessibility in some places
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Four months in Copenhagen will pass so much quicker than expected-savor every moment (good and bad).

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Terrorism and Counterterrorism
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Comments:	Favorite course I took. Jesper is great, and the readings/discussions were the most interesting out of all the classes I took.
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Course Name/Rating:	European Politics (EP)
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Comments:	Funny professor-gets repetitive and not very challenging, but the study tours were fun and informative.
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