Fun, European culture exposure and learnings May 27, 2024
By Anjali K (Computer Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/18/2024 to 05/10/2024 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Yes, it was VERY worthwhile!!! It gave me a great exposure to European and Scandinavian culture.
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. |
It was not very rigorous but well rounded educational experience with a lot of outside travel exposure components. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
I wish they had a dining hall or a program meal plan or program cafeteria. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience dealing with healthcare system in Denmark thankfully. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen felt super super safe!!! I would travel late at night in public transport i.e. metros and buses as late as 3am without any fear of danger! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved all my classes, professors were from the industry, with chill Danish culture between faculty and students. The courses included a lot of travel components embedded in the coursework plus because it was in Schengen region, the travel to other Schengen countries was very accessible and affordable. The public transport in within the city itself was very accessible and convenient - I loved the fact that DIS had the transport pass included in the program that allowed us to get around the city without any fear of overspending and also, the location of DIS Copenhagen classes itself was amazing - located at the heart of the city unlike many American colleges and universities. It had good activities and gave us ample opportunities to learn while in a fun way without feeling the pressure of the rigorous academics. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook and eat at home more! Grocery is much much cheaper than eating out! Eating out especially in Copenhagen is insanely expensive. Minimize alcohol! I had friends who spent all their meal plan money on alcohol during the initial weeks and had trouble budgeting for later months. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go out, there are communal activities happening all the time. From communal dinners to boardgame nights, sports club, meditation and yoga places, to volunteering opportunities in cafes or elsewhere. Grab every opportunity to go out and mingle with locals or even meet other internationals who are interested in the immersive experience. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Tips on how to make friends lol |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
