A total immersion into Danish culture Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/19/2013 to 12/15/2013 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned to be more independent, and it was nice to see the "real world", unlike at Brandeis. I do think it was worthwhile, just not on an academic level.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academic rigor depends a lot on the classes you take and the instructors you end up with. Students seemed to have very different experiences with the level of difficulty. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very professional, and they cared a lot about each individual student. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a dorm-style situation with Danes only, and had a wonderful experience. |
| * Food: |
I had to cook on my own, but I enjoyed it, as it was a very social experience where I lived. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was very integrated, but that was only due to my housing arrangement. Otherwise I would barely have befriended any Danes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was easy for me to find a doctor, and it was covered by DIS. |
| * Safety: |
You have to be smart in Copenhagen as in any bigger city, but it is relatively safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I lived cheaply, but that was also because I chose to make most of my food myself. Going out is very expensive, however, as is shopping. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own food! |
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? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Chose a housing situation with Danes. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That I would not get a lot out of it academically. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
