Enlightening, Challenging, and Fulfilling Travels Past Review
By jessica m (English and Gender and Sexuality Studies, Tulane University) - abroad from 08/18/2013 to 12/12/2014 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The best way to benefit from studying abroad for me was to let go of expectations and allow myself to become present, aware, and accepting of new experiences, people, and cultures as I traveled and began to understand many in many new contexts. My outcome was very different from my goals, and that has taught me a lot. Definitely worthwhile.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If you have the opportunity to live in a folkhojskole, DO IT! It was the most meaningful part of my time abroad. I truly gained a family. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living in the folkhojskole and removed from the city helped with immersion and acceptance of new challenges whilst abroad. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pack lunches and never buy coffee. Also, 7-11 is incredibly expensive. |
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? | 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? | Talk to the 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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 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? | My academic experience would become secondary to the cultural and social experience. So, it is useless stress about academics because even if I poured my heart and soul into assignments, DIS teachers refused to give me A's on assignments that were clearly not well thought out and relatively trivial compared to my assignments at Tulane. The academic component is not only disappointing and underwhelming, but altogether unrepresentative of student efforts- mine included. |
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! |
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