Copenhagen: How I learned to love coffee while studying mental health Past Review
By A student (Beloit College) - abroad from 01/18/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned so much about being a more independent person. From planning travel trips by myself to learning my way around a new city, I'd say my time abroad was one of the most valuable experiences I have had in my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I didn't feel that the educational program was any more rigorous than what I have experienced at my home university. However, the classes were very interesting and I felt that I had very clear access to great resources provided by the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was amazing. Any question that I possibly could have had was answered clearly and promptly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my living arrangements. I stayed with the kindest host family I could have asked for who enriched my experience and gave me a more clear understanding of Danish culture. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious and I had more access to vegetarian options than I have at home |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as though I could have had more integration with the local culture, but my experiences at the music academy helped me to meet many new people from Europe. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had one problem with my mental health, which was addressed very quickly and easily. |
| * Safety: |
I felt so much safer in Copenhagen than I have felt anywhere else. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was incredibly organized. My host family had hosted five students before me, I was the first through DIS and they said that they had never had a student through a program as thorough or organized as DIS. Not only was I able to attend classes that enriched my studies, I was also able to engage in the Danish culture. DIS also allowed me to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, which was a great way for me to meet both local and international students who were studying music. This was one of the best ways I had to meet people who weren't also American students and allowed me to perform music with my peers from Europe. |
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) |
It was pretty easy for me, although I think that it was a bit easier because most of my meals were with my host family so the money I spent was almost exclusively on personal expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I downloaded a bank app on my phone to watch my money. One thing I noticed was that some places charged extra because I was using an international debit card, so it is important to watch out for that. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had taken three semesters of Spanish classes in high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I tried to practice my language skills as much as possible with my host family. It helped that I had two host sisters that spoke little or no English. I recommend going to the language cafe at Studenterhuset, which is offered once or twice each month. It is a good way to meet a lot of students from around the world while practicing languages with native speakers. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 wish that I had known that almost all of the students at DIS would have been Americans, and I would have told myself to go out more to meet more people. |
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.' |
