Spring 2022: DIS May 02, 2022

By A student (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gettysburg College) - abroad from 01/14/2022 to 05/14/2022 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It definitely gave me a form of independence that I hadn't had. It also gave me a new perspective on other culture and so much travel experience. There is no doubt in my mind that it was worthwhile for me!

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.	The classes are rigorous, but the professors do understand that you are here for an experience not just to learn. They aren't out to get you and want you to succeed.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I personally didn't have much interaction with them, but everything seemed to be very organized
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I stayed in a homestay (due to my college making us chose this option) and it was a great experience! It was really interesting to be fully immersed into danish culture.
* Food:	Danish food is good, but it takes a second to get used to it
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	It was nice having a host family to help me get used to the local culture
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I felt so safe in Denmark, even out at night when trying to get home from a night of drinking.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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)	Denmark is a very expensive country

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

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 International Students
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?	types of classes offered
* What could be improved?	certain types of communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	To bring more money for personal expenses than you would expect!

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Medical Biotechnology and Drug Development
Course Department:
Instructor:	Shelley Edmunds
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was super interesting and informative all while not being extremely hard to understand. Classes were interesting and interactive and I learned things I wouldn't necessarily learn at my home university
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Danish Language and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:	Anne Gross
Instruction Language:	English/Danish
Comments:	Anne is amazing. She always has amazing things to say, and even if you aren't the best at Danish she always finds a way to say something positive about what you say in class. She is super understanding and a lovely professor.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Nordic Mythology
Course Department:
Instructor:	Morten
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	He is so funny and always keeps us involved in class. He also has the best tangents.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Ethical and Scientific Legacy of Nazi Medical Crimes
Course Department:
Instructor:	Torben Jørgensen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Torben is amazing. He is so well informed about what he is talking about, and knows how to talk about the dark information in an informative way without scarring you. He knows so much about this time, and I could listen to him talk about all of the things he knows for hours (I would 100% read a book if he wrote one). If something does get too dark, he lets you know you can reach out and talk to him about anything. He is an amazing professor.
Credit Transfer Issues: