An influential experience personally, academically, and for my career. Past Review
By A student (Biology, Scripps College) - abroad from 08/14/2015 to 12/12/2015 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned so much about myself as I was able to have experiences and be able to form my own opinions. I became even more independent, and with the incredible public transportation system, I had the freedom to go where I wanted to, when I wanted to, and with whom I wanted to. I learned how to have a better work/life balance, because you are there to study, but also to travel and explore. I learned the value in maintaining friendships and I hope to bring all this back me to my home institution.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned the most I have ever learned in a semester! My instructors were the leading researchers in their respective fields and the accompanying field studies allowed for hands-on experiences of what we were learning in the classroom. |
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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? |
I lived right next to a canal only a 20-25 minute walk away from classes. Being in the city center was incredible! I lived with a roommate and our floor shared 2 and a half bathrooms, a common area, and a kitchen, which as a collective, we had difficulties keeping clean |
| * Food: |
I grocery shopped for myself, so meals mainly consisted of eggs or PB&Js but when I did get to try Danish food like aebleskiver and risengrod and of course the rye bread - it was all super yummy! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish I could have learned more of the language, but I definitely adjusted my style to the local norm and individuals would come up to me and start speaking Danish thinking I was a local |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally did not have any health issues, but the fact that we were assigned Doctors and could use the medical facilities for free was super nice - only downside is that some of my friends mentioned that normal American cold and coup medicine was not available in local grocery stores and had to be obtained from the Dr's. This program did not require any vaccines. |
| * Safety: |
The city itself is lit up super well - I was out at all hours of the day and night and I never once felt unsafe. The authorities are good about taking precautions as well, because after the Paris incident, there was a potential threat at one of the Metro stations, so the station was closed and investigated. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Denmark itself is one of the most expensive European countries, but if you don't care about eating simply and buying drinks at the grocery store rather than 10$ beers at a bar, then you will be fine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $65 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use sky scanner to find cheap ryanair flights for additional travel. If traveling with 1-2 people, use hostelworld.com to find cheap hostels, especially ones that include breakfast. If traveling in a larger group, airbnb's may be a cheaper option. Remember that all the little things add up when doing additional travel like museum admission tickets can be 17 euro and public transportation to and from the airport etc |
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 |
I wish the introductory Danish Language and Culture class had more class time hours, and taught more of the basics, so that we could formulate our own sentences, rather than just teaching us basic phrases like how to order a cup of coffee and express what you like and don't like |
| 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? | No prior Danish |
| 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? | Download the language app duolingo and start learning basic words and phrases before going abroad |
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? | I did not realize that we would have two independent travel weeks in addition to our core course study tour. I also did not realize how many additional field studies we would have - I had at least one every Wednesday of the semester except for one - all amazing experiences! I wish I had more/better information about the living options. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
