An Amazing European Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses at DIS were incredibly easy to do well in, compared to American academics. You never had to do any of the readings, and often times professors fully knew that students weren't even opening their readings. Most of the big assignments were group papers and group presentations that required little work to do well.

On-site administration of your program

The administration was generally unorganized. People from different departments would often give you completely contradictory information when you asked for assistance.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The kollegium I lived in was great. We had single apartments with our own kitchenette and bathroom. The building I was in could be really isolating though if you are not fortunate enough to meet and connect with other DIS students during orientation. It was almost impossible to meet and actually befriend the Danes living with me.

DIS provided us with a food stipend in the form of a debit card. It worked at most of the big supermarkets and you could buy anything you wanted in those stores. If you spend smart right from the start, it might last you the whole semester, assuming you go out for lunch/dinner a few times such as on weekends.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really didn't get an opportunity to meet and befriend Danes. The only integration I got was commuting on the bus/train and generally being around local Danes when out for meals or shopping. Since most DIS students are American, it is easy to stick with fellow DIS students when making friends since they are the most familiar.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues that needed medical attention, but I am confident that I would not have had a problem getting the help I needed if I had needed it during my stay. It's great that all legal residents of Denmark get free access to health care. However, registering with the government to get access to the health care was a nightmare, mostly because DIS organized it poorly. DIS simply had too many students (all 1200 of us) trying to register within such a small frame of time that the lines to register would take hours, and many people didn't even get a chance to do so during the assigned hours.

I never felt threatened while in Copenhagen, even at night if I was alone. DIS kept us updated via text message when they got word of a shooting incident that happened near DIS buildings.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It was easy to live on a student's budget if you packed a lunch everyday and at dinner at home everyday without going out on the weekend... But of course no one really does this. Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities, so if you ever buy lunch/dinner or go out, you'll be spending a lot of money.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans

• bike culture
• accessibility of European destinations
• incorporation of field studies to classes

• administrative organization
• less group work

The Academic or Linguist