Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I want to go back! July 13, 2022

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/21/2021 to 05/15/2022 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad was absolutely worthwhile. I have learned so much about myself and feel much more confident in my ability to live on my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Wide variety in intensity of courses. Weekly field trips allowed for plenty of opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The building is new and clean and the location is perfect! Nimbus Kollegium is less than a 10 minute walk from the nearest Metro station and is within a couple minutes walk of multiple grocery stores.

* Food:

Students living in a Kollegium were given a food stipend card to use at certain grocery stores to cover some of the costs for cooking at home. Many students used all of the money on the card long before the end of the semester in addition to spending money on dining out which is quite expensive in Copenhagen.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt that I became very integrated with the local culture by the time I left, outside of speaking the Danish language. Since many of the people I interacted with spoke English, I didn't have to speak Danish to communicate and thus did not need to practice my Danish skills outside of the classroom very often.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I unfortunately tested positive COVID the day before I was supposed to fly home to the US in December 2021. DIS had a full system in place for students who tested positive and an emergency line for students to contact. Within hours of testing positive and contacting DIS, I was able to move into quarantine housing and start recovering. Since I needed a negative COVID test to return to the United States, I had to see a doctor and was able to easily navigate the Danish medical system and because I had a CPR card, I was able to see a doctor without being charged.

* Safety:

There were very few times in the 8 months I was in Denmark that I didn't feel safe. As a girl who sometimes traveled alone a night, there were moments that I felt uneasy, so I often asked to be walked home by a friend or opted to take a taxi rather than use public transport.

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

I am so thankful for the experiences I have had with DIS. The study tours were the highlights of each semester and provided the opportunities to travel to places that I otherwise would not have been able to visit.

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)

Visiting museums and eating out was very expensive.

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

It was easy to get without speaking Danish since many of the locals are fluent in English.

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? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Living and learning in Copenhagen
  • Study Tours/Field Trips
  • Variety of courses
* What could be improved?
  • Roommate selection
  • Facilitating more social events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learning how to cook for yourself is very important! Practice simple recipes before going abroad.

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.'