Studying abroad made me a more passionate and proactive individual! Past Review

By (Sociology., Barnard College) - abroad from 08/17/2014 to 12/14/2014 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
First and foremost, I learned how to be a self-starter. Your study abroad experience--such as how many new people you meet, how many places you travel to, and how much you learn about a new culture--is dependent on how proactive you are. While studying abroad fine-tuned my ability to live independently, I more greatly value my knowledge of how to be a self-starter. Studying abroad also taught me self-reliance, which in turn gave me the confidence to do knew things. For example, I had never travelled before going to DIS, but their study breaks allowed me the time to travel across Europe. I had to learn to create an itinerary, find transportation, figure out currency rates and be a traveler. Traveling made me stand on my own two feet; it forced me to rely on myself to solve the problems and challenges that inevitably came my way.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Work hard during the summer so you can have fun while abroad!

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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • DIS classes and professors
  • the travel breaks
  • the city of copenhagen
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing!--I found DIS to be a well-oiled machine with the purpose of helping students to have the most well-rounded, safe and fun experience; in fact, DIS is better at communicating with students that my own home university!
  • nothing
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had studied a full-year at DIS rather than only one semester! I regret absolutely nothing from this experience and would recommend DIS to anyone interested in going abroad!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.