Fun! But definitely culture shock. Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/17/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was! I learned that people really do operate differently in different cultures. In Denmark, emotions are something very personal. It’s weird to say how are you to someone, even a friend.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Bikes get stolen yup.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I think I’d go somewhere more exotic. Danish people are also gerrrry hard to get to know well, very reserved. Norway tho, definitely visit Norway, most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Go hiking. See fjords. DIS administration was often poor. They messed up too much.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Unsure but a lot. Denmark is extremely expensive. The cheapest towel I could find was like fifteen USD.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Experiential learning in the classroom
  • Travel
  • City life
* What could be improved?
  • DIS administration
  • More food places covered by card
  • More programs that involve us with danes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That adjusting takes time.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.