Glamorous excuse to travel Europe Past Review
By A student (Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 08/17/2017 to 12/12/2017 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Didn't change my life. Danish culture is very similar to western culture and everyone speaks English, so it won't "change your life" or make you grow. It might, however, be the best time of your life. Program isn't rigorous so it's possible to travel every weekend and see Europe, but you won't feel any attachment to Denmark. Stay in a host family since that's the only Dane you will ever actually get to know. Cultural integration is 1 on 10.
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. |
My school was much more rigorous. Students in the classes were mostly uninterested which created a boring environment for learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Do everyone a favor and choose homestay. You don't have to cook and they will be the only Danes you'll meet. |
| * Food: |
Host cooked very well |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You take classes with Americans. Danish culture is pretty western. You will not know a single Dane apart from your hosts. You can't possibly know the culture by studying The Law of Janet or history from a textbook. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I sought medical help. Long waiting times on the phone since it's "free" but it was good |
| * Safety: |
SO SAFE |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
As a study abroad, 5/10. As an experience of traveling Europe 10:10. |
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) |
Homestay people! Excluding travel |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Depends on travel week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Copenhagen is expensive! |
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 |
They encouraged you but it's difficult since every Dane speaks English and you can't speak Danish well enough to have a conversations unless you choose intermediate. Even then, it doesn't work |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fluent in 5 languages |
| 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? | I tried everything. Doesn't work. |
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? | It'a an excuse to travel Europe |
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.' |
