Incredible growing and learning experience full of adventures. Past Review
By A student (International Policy Analysis., Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/18/2014 to 12/15/2014 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned so much... it's hard to explain briefly. I learned a lot about traveling, living independently, navigating new cities and cultures, and immersing myself in ways and places I am interested in. I loved this experience and would recommend studying abroad to anyone even slightly interested.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Great learning experiences, many field trips and experiential learning opportunities. I loved that. Some courses were not so rigorous, others were moreso, but the program is more geared towards understanding and exploration, not just traditional classroom learning and homework. I appreciated that. I loved the focus on traveling! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helpful, available. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved both of the places I lived in, but my first roommate and I were a horrible match. I ended up moving out, which was difficult, but I was so happy to move, and found a great community to live with, so it all worked out for the best! It was just too bad I couldn't have lived there at first. I was at first 20 minutes out of the city by bike, then right in the middle of it. |
| * Food: |
In my housing, we had to cook for ourselves, which I enjoyed! The food stipend card covered almost the whole time there for me. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was difficult to immerse myself in the culture, because we were surrounded by American students all the time. But, it was great to meet a "visiting family" since I didn't have a host family! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was difficult to navigate at first, but worked out fine. I got what I needed. |
| * 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Utilize your food stipend wisely, if you get one. |
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 |
My course and professor encouraged me to speak in Danish, but that was where most of the encouragement came from. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It's really not necessary to take a full Danish course while abroad in this program, because you rarely use it. I would have liked to use it more, but being surrounded by Americans limited the will to make that effort. Also, so many people speak English well or fluently, so it feels unnecessary to take a full course in Danish. I really appreciated learning about the culture, and some basic words and phrases, but that's what I got most out of the forieng language related experience/course. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The difficulty of immersion while in this program. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
