I ate croissants errrrrrday and fell in love with public transport! Past Review
By Lindsey B (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/17/2013 to 05/17/2013 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
If I could do it all over again, I would choose DIS in a heartbeat! I am considering interning there after graduation because i've enjoyed the way they teach there so much and how they choose to see and portray the world in classes. I studied the most abstract courses while there, but was taught how to actually apply what I was learning to the real world. The Danes are very blunt and down-to-earth and I loved exploring the culture in Denmark. My host family was the best part and the travel trips were very generous. I got to travel to the Greenland Ice sheet and drill ice cores as part of a science program, for heavens sake! Where else can you find all of these amazing features and experiences in one program. Ultimately, the experience is what you make of it. Take advantage of every moment! There are always things to be learned and worthwhile experiences to be had!
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. |
Very informative courses; well-organized is highest rating; intense to a fair point for a study abroad program; academically rigorous or light, depending on how much you participate and put into your coursework; i got a lot out of the program, both as a study abroad experience and educationally. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very attentive administration; very well organized and attentive to student's concerns, especially compared to how university administration and student-questions are handled in the states. I was very impressed at the attentiveness and willingness to offer assistance that DIS provided. They also actually review and adjust their courses based on course review from students, which makes me respect their program even more. They take course evals very seriously, which is a refreshing change from the states. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose to live with a Danish host family and was very grateful to have had this opportunity. The family was helpful, took care of us, treated us like their own children, and taught me so much about life and danish culture. It was an absolute blast! |
| * Food: |
The program paid for many nice dinners, that i wouldnt have paid for on my own, which I appreciated. It is nice to have all-inclusive tuition and to actually be able to see where your money goes within the study abroad program. DIS gave a lot back to its students and this creates a mutual respect between those administrating and those attending. I appreciated DIS splurging a bit on dinners and travel tours so that all students could attend events equally, regardless of finances. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I still was not a danish citizen, but met many danish friends and explored the city with them. My host family also helped me adapt and meet other danish people. After conversing with the Danes, I understood their culture and mentality better, and felt more integrated in their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I am impressed by their welfare and healthcare system in the nordic countries, but had no experience with danish healthcare or hospitals while visiting. |
| * Safety: |
Nordic countries seem relatively safe. I discussed with my danish host dad that Denmark doesnt have the shooting/guns issue that Texas and the rest of the US does, however, we periodically saw stabbing incidents appear in the local news. However, I never felt threatened while abroad. |
| 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) |
Im poor, and Copenhagen is one of the most expensive travel cities, so that was discongruent. However, I did not overspend while there because the host family situation was very economical. Also, DIS is an all inclusive program so all of my housing, food, dinners, trips, textbooks, etc. were included in the initial tuition, so I was able to save money on all of these miscellaneous expenses which you would encounter with a regular school. It was cheaper than my home institution. Still, Copenhagen is expensive. You cant buy much excess on a student budget. I would not not visit the city because of that though. Just shop lightly and pack your lunch. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25-30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | -eat with your host family -pack smorbrod or your own lunch everyday -reuse clothing -go to clothing co-ops at Studenterhusset to get really cheap clothing that the Danes are giving away, for very cheap, such as snow boots or whatever you may need for trips. ...otherwise, clothing is very expensive. -also, it gets very cold, most of the time (SPRING) so bring a huge coat and warm warm shoes, wool socks, gloves. Definitely gloves. |
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 |
Danish class for everybody and spoke bits and pieces of Danish with everybody. Buddy network friends helped in studying danish as well. |
| 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- Danish |
| 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? | -start actually speaking Danish right off the bat. The pronunciation is the hardest part. -practice with your buddy network. -read street signs and try to decipher them with what you've learned of Danish in class. |
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? |
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? | About the country of Denmark, but sometimes its fun to arrive there and find out things as suprizes. -Bring a warmer coat and wool socks/good boots...its freakin cold! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
