An Incredible Danish Study Abroad Experience Past Review

By A student (Geology, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 08/14/2015 to 12/13/2015 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

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

I gained a new outlook on the world, from traveling and being exposed to so many cultures, especially during the current refugee crisis. I learned about how Americans are viewed by Europeans and how we can act to change that outlook. It was definitely worthwhile.

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.	I felt challenged by the courses, but they were much more centered around hands on experience and discussion rather than lecture and written work. There is a broad network of faculty and staff at DIS who are always available to help, and teachers are willing to meet outside of class time to help or chat about academics in general.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Very helpful and available for questions.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Very nice and modern, with all necessities supplied by DIS.
* Food:	Money was given to us on a card to use at the grocery store, and it lasted me until the end of the semester.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I lived in a building with mostly Danes, and by renting a bike, I was able to join the special biking culture in Copenhagen. Danes keep to themselves, so I wish I would have been exposed to more ways to integrate into Danish culture
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Every student is issued a CPR card, which allows them to use the free healthcare in Denmark.
* Safety:	I felt very safe in Copenhagen. I was never cat called or approached by strangers. You still need to be alert while in crowds, because pick pocketing is still a threat, as it is in any big city. It is part of the Danish culture to follow the rules.
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)	A lot was provided to us in the program, but if we wanted to go shopping or go out to eat on our own it was very expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Set a budget for yourself before you go, and make a plan to stick to it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* 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?	The field studies/study tours The experienced faculty The resources provided by DIS
* What could be improved?	More opportunities to meet Danes More printers/copiers More opportunities for extra curricular activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It is very expensive to live in Copenhagen. DIS covers transportation and food costs, but to go out in the city is costly.

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:	Ice Cores & Ice Ages: A Greenlandic Climate Change Case Study
Course Department:	Environmental Science of the Arctic
Instructor:	Trevor Popp, Sune Rasmussen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was an incredible experience that helped me grow as a student and citizen of the global community. The instructors are professionals who are actively pursuing their own research interests, and often share their personal studies with the class. This makes for a really special learning experience. Field studies to the Centre for Ice & Climate in Copenhagen will give you first hand experience with ice cores and all the lab equipment they use to study them. The long study tour to Greenland allows hands on experience on the Greenland Ice Sheet and in an arctic climate. I don't believe I would have been able to find such a great opportunity if it weren't for DIS.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This course transferred easily as an elective credit in the Environmental Studies minor.