Study in Denmark! You will not regret it :D Past Review
By A student (Health: Science, Society, and Policy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/18/2013 to 12/15/2013 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
You can make friends ANYWHERE. There are wonderful people all over the world. You just have to be warm and open and don't let fear hold you back from meeting people and making friends in a different culture. You also learn so much about your study abroad country from making friends with local people. Go forth, and make friends!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics are pretty serious for a study abroad program, but it is not as rigorous as if you were at an American college during a "typical" semester. However, I think many teachers at DIS recognize that study abroad is a time where many students travels during breaks and weekends, and tend to be pretty fair with assigning work. It is difficult to keep on top of work with a week long break every two weeks in the middles of the semester, but the academic experience I had was pretty positive, and I did well without being too stressed about work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS is very organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a Danish hojskole and absolutely LOVED it. I was able to interact with Danish students my age, and made some wonderful friends. I was able to learn about the Danish culture because I was immersed in a very unique type of living environment where many young Danes go to socialize and grow as people during their pre-university gap year(s). I had most meals included (whenever I was home, I was fed), and got a transportation pass because the hojskole was an hour commute outside of CPH. It was an amazing experience and I would not have wanted to live anywhere else. |
| * Food: |
The good at the hojskole (Grundtvigs) was super! And they make fresh-baked bread every day. It was the best bread I've had in my entire life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As I mentioned above, I lived in a hojskole so I really was immersed in the Danish culture. I lived with around 80 Danish youth between 18 and 25, and learned so much about Denmark and Danish culture from my friendships with the Danes I lived with. Also, DIS is in CPH, so I also happened to meet some University of Copenhagen students and got to see what life as a university student is like. I felt very exposed to Danish culture and life as a young Dane by the end of my time in Denmark. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't ever need to use my Danish Healthcare care but we as DIS students and temp residents all get one, and I was thankful for that in case I needed some medical care. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. I was always vigilant, and took public transport instead of walking from the bus stop later at night in the city I lived in in Denmark, but I always felt safe. I heard a lot of pickpocketing and bike theft stories though. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I only ended up spending a few hundred dollars extra on food in Denmark (at the end of all 4.5 months) because the hojskole fed me most meals. Some weeks, I hardly spent any extra money on food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you live in a situation where you can pack lunch for days where you have class, do it! Eating out in CPH/ Denmark in general is expensive. Getting a sandwich can be around $9, but pizza is fairly cheap at some places in the DIS area. |
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 |
You only had to use Danish in a DIS course if you took took Danish language and culture. Everything else was exclusively in English. I took that class, and used Danish with my Danish friends I lived with, but you could have gone through DIS completely without using Danish at all if you chose. |
| 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? | No experience in 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? | Live with Danes, or make Danish friends to practice with. |
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?
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| 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? |
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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? | Netto is the cheapest and best place to get groceries! Even cheaper than Fakta :) You're welcome. |
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.' |
