An exercise in Independence Past Review

By A student (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/17/0014 to 12/14/0015 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

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

My experience was absolutely worthwhile. I was given the opportunity to learn how to truly live on my own in a way that just moving away from home for college does not afford you. I came out of the experience feeling more independent and capable as an adult, and with a broader view of the world and a better understanding of what kind of environment I wish to live in as an adult that resulted from the extensive travel I was able to undertake.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* 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)	Denmark is incredibly expensive and it was difficult to keep the cost of living down
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	200 $ / week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook dinner at home! After settling in I rarely went out to any meals, and ended up improving my cooking skills.

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?	a 200 level Spanish course, but no Danish course
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?	Speak to the locals in their language even if they speak english!

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Travel opportunities Hands on learning opportunities and field studies Location
* What could be improved?	administration accessibility integration into local culture rigor of professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The importance of engaging with local culture and making an effort to interact with this culture. I knew this was important going in, but could have prioritized this kind of engagement with the Danish culture from outset.

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 Urbanite A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Women Art and Identity
Course Department:	Art History / Humanities
Instructor:	Andrea Homann
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Great class, excellent field studies. Professor Homann sparked interesting discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	The European Game of Politics
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Jacob Buksti
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Interesting subject matter, great field studies, but instruction was a bit dry.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Terrorism and Counter terrorism
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Jasper Lohmann
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Interesting subject matter. I participated the same amount as I would have at Middlebury. I was assessed based on papers and class participation.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Equality in Scandinavia
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Kristian Weise
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Teaching style was dry and engaged little discussion, but the subject matter was interesting. I was assessed based on a midterm exam and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Danish Language and Culture
Course Department:	Danish
Instructor:	Christina Knudsen
Instruction Language:	English/Danish
Comments:	This was a great class. The professor was very helpful and always well prepared, and though it was not too challenging in terms of work outside of class, we were pushed in class to hone a basic set of skills in the Danish language.
Credit Transfer Issues: