An informative look into a seemingly similar but quite different culture. Past Review
By A student (Urban Studies, Macalester College) - abroad from 08/15/2015 to 12/11/2015 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Besides some academic components related to my field of study (economics and urban planning), living with a large family taught me the importance of tolerance and patience. Through these realizations, I feel that I've found a second family in Denmark that I will keep in touch with in the future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt that at times certain classes struggled to meet the needs of a student body coming from incredibly diverse backgrounds. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Events and administration was well organized, but it didn't seem like the program regularly checked up on host family living accommodations. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Events and administration was well organized, but it didn't seem like the program regularly checked up on host family living accommodations. Fantastic family, although the cleanliness and crowded nature of the house could certainly have been a problem for some students. |
| * Food: |
Home cooking was fine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Formed strong bonds with my host family, but felt alienated from opportunities to meet Danes my age due to my living accommodations. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Seamless use of a local clinic in town. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Homestay made it very easy |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
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 an optional 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? | No 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? | Getting out and practicing with locals is the only way to improve. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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 wish I had known that I might have to work a bit harder to get out and meet locals and even other students given my living situation. |
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.' |
