DIS Copenhagen - An Amazing Experience Abroad Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2016 to 05/17/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about Danish culture and the important differences between Americans and Danes, making me want to be more like them in some ways but also realizing some important flaws we both share.
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. |
Great classes, great professors, good level of rigor and really great use of experiential learning, guest lectures, and study tours to make learning very engaging! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS was supportive and very good at being around if I needed any help or guidance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Fantastic housing! I loved living with Danish students and I would highly recommend a kollegium, as it gives the best of both worlds living with Danes and Americans. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself but Danish food was great too! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I love the Danes. I got to know many of them and gained some great friends, and the Danish class I took really taught me about Danish culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't ever need to see a healthcare professional, but healthcare for us was free because of Danish welfare so that was a huge plus! |
| * Safety: |
Very safe, some pickpocketing instances but overall one of the safest cities I've been to. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS was amazing, I loved almost every aspect of it and I fell in love with Copenhagen. |
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 very expensive and I used more money than I thought I would. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself and try not to eat out a lot, don't go to too many bars because they add up! |
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 |
My Danish teacher really encouraged us to use Danish but everyone in Copenhagen speaks English fluently so I didn't use it that much. |
| 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? | Level 6 Spanish at Brandeis, native Bulgarian speaker |
| 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? | Order food in Danish it's easy and fun! |
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? | Rent a bike as soon as you can it's the best way to get around, try to save your money more and ration out your grocery budget, put yourself out there with locals and other friends earlier! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
