Joy when you're there, nostalgia when you're not March 15, 2022

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My courses and instructors in the Design program were excellent. However, because Middlebury's studio art courses are not recognized as design classes, I was unable to enroll in the DIS Advanced Graphic Design Studio and needed to instead take the introductory Graphic Design Foundations studio. The studio was delightful, but for beginners. It consisted almost entirely of material that I had already learned at Middlebury. Future students considering this program might benefit from connecting with our Study Abroad Office to discuss how they can request placement in DIS classes that properly reflect their academic background.

On-site administration of your program

DIS Copenhagen had a hard job—government border and travel restrictions complicated attempts to welcome and house students in the country. Still, they made their best effort to ensure I was comfortable. I spent my quarantine in a comfortable hotel and had ample access to logistical support and virtual social events.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was a delight. They were generous, kind, and were a highlight of my experience staying in Copenhagen. Even though my time with them was brief, I felt cared for—even loved—as I navigated an unfamiliar country.

The bakeries in Copenhagen are world-class. I recommend taking the train into town and walking around until you wander into a cafe. Order whatever item on the menu seems most interesting, and relish how delicious it inevitably is.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because my stay was just two weeks, I don't have much I can contribute here. I felt welcomed and celebrated by my professors and my host family. I did not have many opportunities, however, to 'integrate with the local culture.' I suspect this had less to do with the program and more to do with how brief my stay was.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The ease of access when it came to COVID testing was impressive. The system was efficient and humane, and DIS went out of its way to explain potentially confusing parts of the process.

Copenhagen's emphasis on walkability meant that its streets were filled with comfortable crowds of pedestrians at almost all hours. I never felt unsafe or isolated, and even the darkest alleys had some combination of people, plants, and lights.

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

Copenhagen is expensive! I'm grateful to my host family for covering so many meals, but I had to be very conscious of my spending day-to-day—even grocery stores could wreak havoc on my wallet.

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

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• The professors and students were sincere, kind, and inspiring. The city was vibrant and humane. I'm grateful the program places such an empahsis on building relationships—between people, place, and self.

• I wish I had been able to take more advanced classes in my field. My takeaways from the program were more social and existential than they were academic.

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer