Intersting Past Review
By A student (St. Olaf College) - abroad from 01/18/2016 to 05/17/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Yes
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The field studies were a very important component of my learning experience. I enjoyed the hands-on approach that they allowed for. Talking to professionals in the field was useful and interesting. However, the academic rigor and intensity was basically non-existent. All the theory that I applied towards the practical. hands-on material came from my previous knowledge at my home university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It would have been nice to have some sort of bonding activities between all St. Olaf students going to DIS prior to leaving St. Olaf. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host parent, and I think that DIS needs to do a better job of pairing students with host families. The host families should be given some sort of training on American culture and the idea of being politically correct. Danish humor makes for some very uncomfortable situations where, often I (as a person of color) is left feeling very awkward and uncomfortable. |
| * Food: |
Very dependent on who you live with of course. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not applicable, but I liked that DIS pushed us to work out our CPR cards so early on |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose a less expensive city, and a program that allows me to interact with the local students and culture more. My extreme immersion into the Danish culture was via my host family, and I don't think that I would have learned anything about the Danish culture if it wasn't for the host family experience. |
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) |
Copenhagen is a VERY expensive city. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not go to cafes and bars as often. Studenterhuset is your life saver. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
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| 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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | Lack of Danish Culture immersion |
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.' |
