A Great Experience, But Very Insulated June 11, 2024
By A student (Public Health, Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/12/2024 to 05/10/2024 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about living independently and within a city which I liked, but I'm not sure that is something unique to this program. I also just really enjoyed being in Europe!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would have preferred a program where I could get more international experience, and actually immerse myself in another language and culture. All in all, this really felt like one long school trip with a bunch of other Americans—and while I'm certainly grateful for the experience and I know I'd be wishing I had a less intense location if I was on a program in a non-majority English speaking country—I do feel like I missed out on the "study abroad experience." |
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? | unsure |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out often, cook for yourself |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate but in another lanfuage |
| 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? | order food and drinks in Danish, or try to speak it when interacting with Danes in a basic capacity. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Copenhagen is crazy expensive, prepare yourself. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
