A Break From Reality in Copenhagen Past Review
By LEAH PEARLMAN (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/13/2018 to 05/13/2018 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
The Danish culture is something to learn from in itself. The way they live their life and balance work, family, social. I have tried to integrate the concept of hygge into my life back in the U.S. This was the best experience of my life!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not as rigorous as Brandeis classes, however not joke classes. These are still courses where you need to keep up with information and actually learn. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
By the end, I got tired of meat and potatoes, but overall a great experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The DIS Medical Practice and Policy program was a perfect fit for me. I loved my host family, they are my second family. I constantly wanted to become an honorary Dane. Everyone was always very nice, spoke English, and appreciated whenever I tried to speak Danish to them. I always felt safe and secure. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100, not including travel |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay with a host family! |
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? | 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? | None |
| 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? | Practice with your host family! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How easy it was to integrate into Danish culture and how nice and inviting all the Danes are. |
