Copenhagen: The Happiest City on Earth Past Review

By Elizabeth V (Biology, General., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/19/2014 to 05/17/2014 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

This was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. I learned how to allow myself time to appreciate life, how to live in the moment, how to learn with stress, how to talk to strangers, and how to make a home in a foreign city. I learned how to slow down and appreciate simpler things in life. I learned to take life less seriously and love more fully. I know this all sounds cheesy, but truly I am not the same person after my experience. This experience was much more than worthwhile.

Review Photos

DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad: Copenhagen - Various Programs Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Most of the professors were experts in their fields, so I would say they were the greatest resource. I learned so much this semester without feeling overwhelmed. It was refreshing.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The staff were all very friendly. I went to see a counselor while I was there to deal with culture shock and she was beyond wonderful. I ended up going to see her several times to talk about my experience and the stages of loving/hating Denmark and America.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family was wonderfully loving, welcoming, and hilarious. They, and their extended family, treated me as if I was a member of their family. I will likely keep in touch with them throughout my entire life. They made my experience the incredible adventure that it was.
* Food:	My host family made great meals. There were lots of great places to eat in the city. Danish food is a little meat heavy and rich for me, but it was great food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	By the end of my tie in Denmark I was starting to feel like a local. I rode my bike everywhere and studying in the National library with Danish college students. I participated in city events, Danish birthdays, holidays, and a confirmation. I felt like a member of my host family by the end. I only wish I would have made more Danish friends my age. It's particularly hard to break into their social circles, but more events mixed with Copenhagen University would have been nice.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I got a CPR card almost immediately upon arriving and this card will last my entire life, so if I ever go back to Denmark I'll have health insurance.
* Safety:	Copenhagen is one of the safest cities in the world. People leave bikes, dogs, even babies unattended outside of cafes. Guns and weapons of any sort are illegal and because of the limited access, crime rates are extremely low. I can't think of a single time I felt unsafe while abroad.
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)	Living with a host family helped a lot, but Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in the world. But I came back to the US with money in my account still so it's definitely doable.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	On average I spent 30 to 50 bucks a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Live with a host family and eat all your meals with them. Then you'll have more money to spend on beer, coffee, touristy stuff, and random meals out.

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	Almost everyone speaks English really well in Copenhagen, so its really up to you to take the opportunities to practice 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?	4
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?	Order meals, coffee, and drinks in the language. Ask native speakers questions about how to say words in their language. Try to take every opportunity to speak the language that you can.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	My Glaciers/Iceland course and the trip to Iceland that goes with it My host family Riding my bike with my friends in the city
* What could be improved?	There could be more opportunities to meet Danes our age Space out work more so finals are less stressful and our last few weeks can be more enjoyable Advertise things happening in the city
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Get a bike immediately. Even though it's bitter cold and looks a little miserable, biking in city was one my favorite things about being abroad and it really makes you feel like a local.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Environmental Science of the Arctic - Iceland Case Study
Course Department:	Environmental Science
Instructor:	Susanne Lilja Buchardt
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Susanna was an incredible teacher - always presenting information in new and memorable ways. She made sure everyone understood a topic before moving on. We went on two field trips, one to western Denmark and one to Iceland. Both were a great mix of educational and cultural activities. I really got so much more out of these educational trips than I could if I had gone on my own.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Nope!