Good program for traveling, not immersion Past Review
By Emma K (Environmental Studies., Fort Lewis College) - abroad from 08/21/2014 to 05/18/2014 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot by traveling independently and living somewhere where English wasn't the first language. I loved my experience and made some lifelong friends but, personally, I don't know if it was as much of an immersion experience as I wanted. Denmark is safe, trendy, progressive and fascinating but in my opinion, it was a safe choice. I don't feel I had a true immersion experience because it's near impossible to integrate into Danish culture if you didn't grow up there. However, the travel breaks provide excellent opportunities to travel around without missing school, which was a huge benefit of DIS. It is a worthwhile experience but you have to really push yourself to make the most of it and get through the sub-par classes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers are great as people, but not as teachers. They hire people who are experts in their fields and some are good at being teachers as well but most aren't. They mostly give a lot of busy work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very well organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my folk high school so much. It is definitely one of the best options! I would not recommend a host family if you do not like living at home with your parents. |
| * Food: |
Most Danish food is amazing (not a fan of the pickled fish). The food at my folk high school was always great; we even had a vegetarian table. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is very hard to befriend Danes and become integrated into their culture. This can be intimidating and isolating at times. I had some Danish friends but it took me the entire first semester to truly befriend them. My advice is to just put yourself out there and take advantage of every immersion opportunity you receive. Get a visiting family, join a buddy network or live in a host family or a folk high school or with a Danish roommate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Free health care in Denmark! |
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| 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) |
Denmark is very expensive, particularly eating out and going out to bars. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pack a lunch; don't go out every day. |
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? | high school |
| 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? | You can get by in Denmark without learning Danish but I would highly recommend learning some because it's fun and Danes like it when you try to use their language. I learned a lot by spending time with Danes and using the little bit I learned in my Danish class in real life (e.g. ordering things in Danish). |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | How hard it is to make Danish friends. |
