Copenhagen Adaptations Past Review

By A student (Environmental Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/17/2014 to 12/10/2014 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

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

I gained experience living in a city environment, and visiting a European country--two things that were very new to me. I also was able to get a glimpse of worldviews other than those shared by Americans.

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?	I was able to stay within the provided food stipend card, usable at certain grocery stores throughout the city. Probably about $30 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook your own food with friends -- saves time and money. One person can be responsible for a meal certain nights of the week.

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?	N/A
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?	Living with Danish people (as opposed to in a dorm with Americans) is probably more conducive to learning 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?	Field Trips Involvement in the city Friends
* What could be improved?	Professors Central "campus" facilities Cultural immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It goes by incredibly quickly. Also, the Copenhagen weather gets rainy/cold relatively early, so I wish I had taken more advantage of the summer weather in the first few weeks.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Sustainable Development in Europe
Course Department:	Sustainability in Europe
Instructor:	Inger Kaergaard
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The best part of this course was the study tours: we went to Hamburg and Stockholm. Inger is very sweet and very enthusiastic about the environment. I participated in class a bit less than I would have at home. We were assessed with 2 papers and a final exam, which were all quite straightforward and easy.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	History of Copenhagen: Structure and Design
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carsten Pape
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was the best course I took abroad. Very interesting material, spanning the development of Copenhagen as an urban center from the 1400s through modern day. Interesting field trips: one focusing more on early historic buildings, one focusing more on recent modern developments. The teacher was very knowledgeable and very well prepared--each power point and assignment sheet had been clearly given a lot of thought and effort. I participated more than I would have at home. We were assessed by 3 tests and 3 written assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Renewable Energy Systems
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carlos Garcia Robles
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course really appealed to me as I am very interested in pursuing a career in the realm of renewable energy technology. This course also featured perhaps the coolest field trip of my abroad experience: we climbed to the top of a wind turbine. The teacher was clearly very knowledgeable about current issues. I participated more than I would have at home. We were assessed through 2 tests (1 group, 1 difficult individual), group research projects, and smaller papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Danish Language and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:	Jens Christian Linde
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a great introduction to the Danish way of life. The field trips were both very interesting: a trip to the DR TV/Radio studio and a visit with a member of parliament. The teacher was very engaging, and up-to-date on current cultural issues and events. I participated less than I would have at home. We were assessed by oral recordings, a presentation, a test, and a final paper. These assignments were all concentrated in the last 4-5 weeks of class, which was somewhat challenging.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Environmental Economics
Course Department:
Instructor:	Piret Liv Stern Dahl, Sara Mohlenberg, Nina TOrm
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a somewhat disappointing course, especially considering I am an Environmental Economics major. The instruction was split between 3 professors that would cycle through week to week, which was not a conducive format to learning. One of the professors was very well organized and knowledgeable, while the other two were quite difficult to follow and seemingly unprepared. I participated less than I would have at home. Our only forms of assessment were 2 problem sets and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: