Amazing! Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/19/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
One of the main things that I learned was understanding that culture shock doesn't always come from those in another country. I think the biggest culture shock I experiences were from other American students.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the program, however, I would have chose somewhere less westernized as I would have loved to get more of a cultural difference.

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? about $6,000 for the semester total
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save, save and save some more before hand. Also make sure that you have both a weekly budget and a budget for if you decide to travel to other countries.

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

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? Spanish 32
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? I lived in a homestay so I was able to practice the language a lot more than some of my other peers.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the FOOD!
* What could be improved?
  • how grades are explained to students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I understood more about how expensive Copenhagen was.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'