Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable Past Review

By (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/18/2013 to 12/14/2013 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence and maturity. It was definitely worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

* Food:

Had to cook for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try not to go to the bakery every day, and definitely pack a lunch from the groceries you buy. Also, cook your own meals as much as possible.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Order food in Danish, and practice it with your friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Traveling
  • Friends
  • Living in Copenhagen
* What could be improved?
  • Scheduling
  • Language Barriers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing to add

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language
Course Department: Danish
Instructor: Mogens Larsen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was not too challenging, as we only learned some conversational Danish. I enjoyed the field trips around Copenhagen, learning more about the culture. There was a language barrier between the class and the teacher, but he was very knowledgable. I participated in class as often as I could. The assessments included a group project, a paper, homework, a written exam, and an oral exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Conspiracy Theories and Historical Controversies
Course Department: History
Instructor: Matthias Bjørnlund and Torben Jørgensen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was not challenging, and they did not take attendance, or seem to care whether or not people showed up and participated. I did enjoy the field trips. The teacher led a great discussion, but people were not required to participate. I would normally participate more. We only had one group project at the end, where we had to make a powerpoint on a conspiracy theory of our choice.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach
Course Department: Science
Instructor: Anita Linde and Jakob Terkelsen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was challenging, but the material was so much fun to learn. There was a lot of material given and tested. This was my core course, so we traveled to different hospitals and practitioners in a few different places in Europe, and we learned a lot of relevant material for the class. The teachers were very well prepared, and were able to answer all questions. I participated a fair amount, even when I didn't necessarily know the answer, because I felt comfortable enough taking a chance. We had three exams altogether for the course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Immunology
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Susana Dietrich and Richard Karlsson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was very challenging. The field trips weren't too relevant. The teachers were knowledgeable, but their lectures were very dry, and hard to understand sometimes, and they spoke in a monotone way. I liked the material, just not the teaching style. I did not participate in the class at all, as I did not know the answers to the questions posed. We had three exams, and a group project as our final project.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Psychology and Criminal Behavior
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Anne Okkels Birk and Lars Rossen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was challenging, but very interesting. The field trips were very relevant, and helped me apply the material to real world situations. The professors were both very knowledgeable, and came well prepared to teach us and answer our questions. I did not participate in class as often as I normally do in classes. We were assessed with a group project, an essay, reflections, and a final take home paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: