Not a True Danish Experience Past Review
By C D (Physics, Scripps College) - abroad from 08/21/2015 to 12/11/2015 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Studying abroad is always worthwhile, but if you truly want to get in touch with local culture and really learn from the experience, this is not the right program for you. I only met a few others who were truly interested in learning from study abroad, and we had to seek out experiences ourselves. Field studies were supposed to be one of the ways DIS had us explore local culture, but only a few were actually informative. Several were cancelled or just watching a movie or such.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not even remotely intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Food stipend to the grocery markets were more than adequate, as long as you don't blow all of it on alcohol. I ended up having more money than I needed on the card. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Most of the integration with local culture I did was me trying to involve myself, and not from DIS supported functions. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The first general practitioner's visit cost me about 500 DKK, but subsequent visit and hospital visit + X-ray was free under Danish healthcare. Physical therapy visits were about 200 DKK, with extra fees for the first visit. Most DIS teachers are great about accommodating physical issues. And many showed genuine concern, asking me how my leg was doing. But do NOT take Anders Larsen and Charlotte Dalsgaard's class if you have even slight physical problems. They made no accommodations and even docked my grade since I could not physically keep up, even though DIS informed them about my situation. DIS was also helpful when for my medical reasons, I needed to return to the States early to see my specific surgeon. They contacted my teachers and arranged everything for me. No vaccinations needed for this program. You may want to bring cold medicine though as it's hard to find here (I did find one brand at Mata's though). |
| * Safety: |
No issues that I know of. Just be aware that Danes sometimes say things that are a bit racist, but generally don't mean to be hurtful (ie, forgetting that not all Americans are white) |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
Food, books, and housing were provided for. Studenterhuset (The Student House), a coffee shop down the street had regular events for students in the city (mostly KU, but DIS students were invited as well). The city itself also has some events that could be minimal or free. If you drink though, you'll be burning through your money very quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't drink just because you can. It adds up very quickly. The Starbucks at the Netto on Vestergade accepts Netto cards if you are on the food stipend. If you are okay with risking a flight delay and missing Thursday morning classes, you can travel Tuesday night and come back Wednesday night/Thursday morning if you don't have field studies as a cheaper way to travel. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Only was encouraged if you were in the Danish class, and then, only in that class. |
| 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 in Danish (several years of other language) |
| 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? | Duolingo |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The people happiest with their living situations were those in homestays. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
