DIS: it is what you make it Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics at DIS fall much below most American universities. Many students found DIS professors to have vague expectations, and assignments and expectations weren't explained in depth like I'm used to. This made it easier to get by with a lower level of effort, but also made it tough to feel confident in whether or not you completed the assignment successfully. I found the professors to have less control over their classes and lower expectations than American professors. The field studies can be useful (I highly suggest crime and criminology in Scandinavia), but some of them can be downright pointless. Most people aren't looking for tough academics anyway, however, so it could be a positive if that's what you're looking for. Only exception to this: the design and architecture classes are killer.

On-site administration of your program

A huge perk of DIS is they organize all the confusing international logistics, like visas and healthcare cards.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

One of the highlights of the program for me was my homestay. They can be hit or miss- I know some people who were unhappy, and I still had to commute almost 1.5 hours to get to DIS, which can be quite normal for homestay students- but if you don't live in a homestay or kollegium, the truth of DIS is that it's just like freshman year of college abroad. Stay away from LLCs and DRCs- you will literally only ever hang out with Americans and it will become an extremely Americanized experience. Despite my long commute, my host family was amazing, and I actually went away from the semester feeling like I made lasting connections and had a true Danish cultural experience. Plus, DIS can always switch your housing if you don't like it.

My food was amazing because my host family cooked excellent meals. All other living arrangements you have to cook for yourself.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated through my host family and was able to hang out with my host sister's friends as well. It's super hard to make actual relationships with Danes because DIS is so isolated, but a homestay is one of the few ways to guarantee you'll have built in Danish connections.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

DIS helps you sign up for CPR card, which gets you access to free Danish healthcare. It takes a few weeks for it to get processed, but you can get your money back through an insurance claim if you pay before you have the card. I saw a doctor once I had the card and it was fairly easy. Just ask for someone who speaks English, which shouldn't be a problem.

Copenhagen is generally super safe. Just practice standard safe city behavior.

Great to be supported by a knowledgeable program like DIS, but easy to fall into the trap of only doing American things and hanging out in only American circles.

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

Copenhagen has really high taxes and is a very expensive city.

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

Danish is impossible to learn in a semester and everyone knows English anyway. Still fun to learn a bit since you're there, though.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• My homestay

• I think the option to live with only Americans should be eliminated

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer