Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Growing Pains June 08, 2023

By (Neurobiology, Neurosciences, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/14/2023 to 05/13/2023 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Spending time alone and learning about myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed most of my courses, especially Narrative Medicine and Climate Change and Radical Political Movements. My Danish Professor was also fantastic.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Extremely disappointed, some students are in beautiful apartments in the center of the city while others are in dilapidated buildings 30+ minutes from classes. Yet, all of these options cost the same and we’re under the “Residential Community” housing option.

* Food:

No food provided directly by the program but the food around the city was amazing although very expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My feelings on this were mostly due to the homogeneity/exclusivity of Danish culture, but I also feel that Dis offered insufficient opportunities for cultural immersion.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Dis itself was not helpful with accessing healthcare but the Danish healthcare system was fantastic. I was able to go to the hospital and easily get prescriptions on two occasions.

* Safety:

Copenhagen is extraordinarily safe

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

I met amazing people through dis despite the housing debacles so I would maybe choose the program again, but I would most likely choose a location that is cheaper and more inclusive culturally. I really felt like I missed out on the cultural immersion component of study abroad and am still very frustrated by my housing experience.

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? $350
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cheapest and best coffee is at the KU cafe and always ask if there is a student discount.

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? None
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? Language cafes and finding Danish friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting people from different schools
  • Field studies and study tours
  • Opportunities to travel
* What could be improved?
  • HOUSING
  • Cultural immersion
  • Extracurricular activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have chosen the kollegium housing option and I wish I had known how emotionally challenging it would be.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity
Course Department: Neuroscience
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I did not find the course as engaging as I thought I would and did not learn much valuable information, however the projects were very fun to complete!
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Climate Change and Radical Political Movements
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Perfect level of difficulty, fascinating field studies, very thoughtful instructions, papers
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Danish
Course Department: Danish
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Danish/English
Comments: Very engaging, great field trips, amazing and energetic Professor, assessed with papers and exams
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Narrative Medicine
Course Department: Humanities
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fantastic course! Papers, presentation, and reflections. Caring and engaging Professor who bright fascinating material to class.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Ethical Brain
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging but Professor was very boring. Four papers and Professor was very available for help.
Credit Transfer Issues: No