Copenhagen: Best 4 Months of My Life. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The system was similar to the American system since it is a program meant for International students, overwhelmingly American in majority. The workload was appropriate but challenging. Much of the learning experience happened outside of the classroom but still organized and structured, which is something great about the academics at DIS.

On-site administration of your program

Like pretty much everything else in Denmark, DIS runs like a well oiled machine. Any member of the administration that I dealt with was knowledgeable, helpful, and accessible. They are very used to dealing with American students and are familiar with our education system. The program was surprisingly large at 800+ students. But, the classes were a good size, usually around 30 students. It really didn't feel as big as it was and I never felt lost in the crowd. One thing to note about DIS is that because it is a program meant for American students it very much holds your hand throughout the abroad process. This can be nice and convenient at times but at the same time American students there can fall into a trap of reliance on the program by not asserting any independence while living in a foreign country.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Comment on the language acquisition in the living situation. Even people I knew who lived in host families did not acquire much of the language, so this is not a hit against dorm living. This is because of the nature of the Danish language. No one really goes to Denmark expecting to learn a significant amount of it. It is incredibly challenging and everyone in Denmark is 100% fluent in English. My neighborhood, Osterbro, was a family orientated neighborhood and like the rest of Copenhagen, was incredibly safe. It had all of the conveniences and amenities one would expect, like grocery stores, cafes, etc. It was about a 20 minute commute by bus from class, which made it one of the farther shared housing options but I didn't mind it. It is still closer than most housing options like host families, and my neighborhood was great. The facilities were nice, though the kitchens were definitely as small as they possibly could be and still be functional. We were provided with all of the necessary items. Our RA's were fantastic and helpful as well and the other students living there got along remarkably well.

Kitchens could be larger, even putting in one more cabinet would make a difference.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

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

We took Danish class. While a challenging language and not practical outside of Denmark, it was interesting to pick up a few phrases that could be used in everyday interactions on the street or in a store. I practiced occasionally with Danish friends and in class with American students. Overall English was the language I spoke in 95% of interactions since most would end in switching to English anyways. Denmark is an incredibly English friendly country. But, I still found Danish class and learning some of the language to be worthwhile.

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• Dorm

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• Americans

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• Americans