Best time of my life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt as if the program provided around the same amount of work as my home university, but many of my friends thought it provided less work.

On-site administration of your program

It's hard to find an organization as organized as DIS. I've had some of the best experiences, and it seems like the staff has an answer for everything, from immigration to insurance to academic help and more. The school was proactive in crises (I was in Paris during the November attacks) and tried to provide the best experience for everyone. This was consistent from early application stages to my last day there.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in an Living Learning Community (Green House) that wasn't necessarily green, but was right in the center of the city and provided us with many sustainable programs and a community of like-minded students. Beautiful place, and there's a huge selection if LLC's aren't your thing. Housing can really define your time at DIS, and some of my best friends were those I lived with.

You provide your own food, but DIS makes sure you eat well (very well, in fact) during school events like Long Study Tour, and Copenhagen is truly a foodie city, sporting Danish cuisine and more. Eating out comes at a price, however!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This is really all up to the student. I will say the one negative part of DIS is not taking classes with Danish students, but this can be more than corrected if you choose to live with a Danish family (Homestay), live with a Danish Roommate or in a Danish Kollegium, or get a visiting family. I chose the last option, and had the best experience with my Danish family. This included excursions to the west of Denmark, weekly meals at their place, and other Danish traditions that feel just right in a Danish home.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Though I never had any serious health issues, Denmark is one of the most progressive countries in the world, and health care comes free with residency. From my understanding, DIS also provides some sort of healthcare for students before you get your residency card.

I never once felt danger in Copenhagen, but one must always be vigilant. It is a large city, and that comes with some dangers. But it is relatively very safe.

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

Copenhagen is expensive, but DIS does a good job of helping you. As a student living in a DIS house, I got a 4000dkk food credit, which took care of 95% of groceries. This was not enough for everyone, however. Transporation is very affordable, including mass transit and semester bike rental. Dining out and entertainment around is generally expensive. Think $15 for a movie ticket, $30 for a good meal dining out, and $5-8 for a good European beer on tap.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I did not take the foreign language course, but was still highly encouraged to use it. Danes are extremely good at English, so you can easily get away with it. But learning some of the words is good fun, and Danish people always like to see foreigners use the language.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Organization of academics/student Life
• Study Tour
• Living Situation in the middle of Copenhagen

• More connections with U. of Copenhagen to have Danish/American classes
• Describe in more detail what living situations are like
• More service/volunteer opportunities within the city

The Outright Urbanite