The Northern Gate Past Review
By Gregory Garcia (Grinnell College) - abroad from 01/16/2016 to 05/17/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I got a chance to feel what it is like to be a world traveler and how easy it is. I earned credit toward my major which justified my time abroad. I feel that it was worthwhile because of this.
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 do consider the classes I have taken to benefit my learning and that i deserve the credits I received toward my major. However the courses that I took may not have reached the bar that my home professors would have liked. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We received regular newsletter emails from the administration regarding events and warnings for our own safety. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, who became a second family for me and were very supportive and friendly. |
| * Food: |
My host family fed me very well and the food they cooked was very delicious. For lunch I would bring a sandwich from home but my only complain is that if I wanted to eat out, food at a restaurant would be very expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My only cultural connection was my host family and people I met in field studies, but I found it difficult to talk to other Danes outside of formal settings. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Because of Europe and Denmark's well-established healthcare system, small injuries were not a problem for my friends who experienced that. While I did not experience any major health issues, I found it easy to get help for even the most minor problems. |
| * Safety: |
Crime is rare in Denmark, and while traveling, the program made it a point to know where every student was and to advise them on proper traveling practices. In the event of an emergency, DIS staff is helpful in resolving issues with the students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program offers a wide range of core courses that do not need to pertain to my major, and the program gives students a chance to travel frequently. |
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) |
I rarely had to buy my own food and typically saved for the times I wanted to go out. For traveling, I also had saved a certain amount and budgeted accordingly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Since you will likely not be employed and earning money, if you intend to travel, make those budgets way in advance and set the money aside where you cannot spend it. |
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 |
Everyone in Denmark spoke English, but because our teacher was so good, she encouraged us to use Danish when we could, although most Danes could tell when we would much more easily speak English. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 5 years of Spanish |
| 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? | Use Duolingo well before entering the country, although be warned that it may not be 100% accurate. Once you enter the country then you'll get a sense of correct language use. |
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? |
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 knew how easy it was to talk to people who may not appear open but actually are. |
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! |
