Take me back to Copenhagen December 20, 2023
By A student (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/18/2023 to 12/15/2023 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot from my experience abroad! In terms of academics, I learned a lot about sustainability advancements in Denmark, as well as colonization's impact on our current structures and environmental governance. I also learned how important it is to step outside your comfort zone and do things that you normally wouldn't -- you never know what memories you will make! I also made a lot of new friends that I will stay in contact with!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall, DIS is an academically rigorous program comparable to my home university. Of course, it depends on what courses you are taking, but I would say most of the courses expect you to keep up with the readings, be an active participant in class, and either complete assignments throughout the semester or submit a midterm and a final. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a two-bedroom apartment shared between 3 people. I shared a room with someone and shared the living space and kitchen with a roommate who lived there year-round. We were all matched really well and got along the whole semester. Laundry is included, and so are household goods like soap and toilet paper. There was also a sustainable boutique with free items left from previous semesters. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's a bit hard to "integrate" with Danish society as someone in a US-based study abroad program. However, since DIS is in the center of the city, it felt like I was just a regular university student in Copenhagen. It's also easier to feel part of the culture when you have a host family or a visiting host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is known to be an extremely safe city. It didn't feel scary to walk home in the dark or late at night. However, pickpocketing does still happen and I recommend being very careful of your belongings. It is well known that American students come to study abroad every semester so at the beginning there are a lot more reports of stolen phones so just be careful (especially when going out). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS is a great program and provides many opportunities for experiential learning. Being able to travel together with my core course to other places in Denmark and Spain was a wonderful experience that bonded my classmates and took the class material outside the classroom. It's also great to have a main student hub with a lot of resources and information for the semester. I also appreciated the workshops in the beginning, such as budgeting and going out in Copenhagen. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Copenhagen is VERY expensive!! It is extremely costly to go out to eat, and most people only go to restaurants for special occasions. The coffee is around $8-10. The cost of groceries makes up for it though because they're very cheap (I spent $20 a week). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy coffee and/or lunch out every day (bring your lunch!!), try to book your trips beforehand if you already know where you want to go, when going out, don't go to the places with cover charges every weekend, find free alternatives for popular tourist attractions, don't use up your DIS provided grocery card in the first couple months -- try your best to save it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Everyone I met in Denmark spoke English, so there was not a language barrier. I was encouraged by my Danish teacher to order coffee in 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had booked some of the trips I was taking in advance so they wouldn't be as expensive. I also wish I had known that I would not need to pack as many summer clothes as I did. I also wish I would have rented a bike because it is the easiest way to get around. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
