I'm alive mom! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

DIS is not as academically rigorous as Brandeis, however is also isn't easy. Just like Brandeis, a lot of the difficulty and quality of the classes are based on the teacher. Some classes that may sound interesting or maybe easy, turn out to be difficult or not fulfilling. While classes that may sound dull, turn out to be incredible due to the teaching style. Unfortunately, DIS doesn't offer peer evaluations of the classes from prior years. DIS has a ton of study areas and desks, as well as computer labs and printing available. And even when DIS is full during exam time, there are a ton of cafes such as Studenterhuset (the University of Copenhagen student house) that are close by that you can get a discount and study in.

On-site administration of your program

DIS is a very organized program. There is a help desk open during regular business hours that offer answers to any questions you may have. I always felt comfortable going to my teachers for help, and if they didn't have the answer the program assistants were always available as well as program administrators.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I would recommend this program if only you were to live in a host family. The nice thing about DIS is that it offers a variety of housing options. However, I found the host family option the best. You really get immersed into the Danish culture by living in a host family. I loved my host family! I had my own space in the home, yet I always felt like a part of the family. Copenhagen as a city, isn't that extraordinary and therefore isn't really a city I would recommend traveling to. However, what makes Copenhagen so great is the culture, and that can only be experienced by living there and really immersing yourself with Danish people.

Denmark is a very expensive country and Copenhagen is a very expensive city. Thus, going out to eat is not a very popular custom even among Danish people. Also, Copenhagen isn't really a "foodie" city, there aren't a lot of interesting places to go out to eat. However, lunch is a good opportunity to try out the eating culture. YOU MUST try the delicious danishes, especially from Sankt Peders (they provide student discounts)! There are also some nice, cute cafes around DIS where you can eat a sandwich or something for lunch. I really appreciated living in a host family due to the expensive of food in Denmark. Although the program gives students living in kollegiums a 600$ grocery card, it was just so easy living in a host family. My host mom made dinner almost every night, and would ask me if I wanted anything specific from the super market. It was a very nice luxury.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I lived far away from the city, I had about an hour commute one way. At times this really sucked because this meant I couldn't really go out at night, and I had to make plans very strategically. However, not only did I have a transportation card that let me travel anywhere but I was also given the opportunity to live in a small Danish town where the Queen lives during the summer. This is an experience I would have never been able to have otherwise. I was able to attend the moving in of the Queen, which comprised of the towns people marching towards the castle with torches and greeting the queen. I really felt apart of a small Danish community! Everything has its pros and cons, but it's all about focusing on the pros rather than the cons.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program provides you with a Danish healthcare card. I never needed to use it, so I don't really know much about the system or what it was like going to the doctors in Denmark.

Denmark is a very safe country and Copenhagen is a very safe city. However, surprisingly I heard a lot of stories about theft in kollegiums. Stories about people breaking into rooms through windows, and etc. Thankfully, I heard that DIS reimbursed students for the possessions that were stolen from their residences. I would advise the same safety precaution as any city, other than that I think you will be fine. DIS is also a very safe place, I never heard of any major problems within the DIS buildings. I always felt comfortable asking someone to watch my stuff as I went to the bathroom.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Copenhagen is a very expensive city. Truthfully, I saw people being really cheap and were able to not spend a lot of money, and I also saw other people spending a ton of money. It all depends on you and also the people you surround yourself with. If all your friends want to go out every night and eat out for lunch. you will be spending a lot of money. but if you have friends that are also cheap, it makes it much easier. but its okay to splurge on certain things like danishes :)

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• Short and Long Study Tours
• HOST FAMILY!!!
• organized

• class evaluations avaiable for incoming students
• more DIS student events in neighborhood areas
• more DIS integrations with University of Copenhagen

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer