Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Content in Copenhagen! September 11, 2024

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/13/2024 to 05/10/2024 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to balance the want to explore a city with the want to settle into a city as my home. Taking this back to Boston I have a newfound desire to go to museums here and explore the city rather than just accepting it as a fun place to live.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The roommate I shared a physical space with was the best roommate I've ever had (and it was a mutual feeling). However there was another DIS student who shared our suite (she lived in a single) and none of her life habits or hobbies aligned with us; she was messy and demanding of the space and her time, and not very accommodating to living with others.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I found that I need to be somewhere a bit lighter, though I would miss the bike-ability.

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? Was given a food stipend of approximately $600 for the semester and did the appropriate math to keep a weekly budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Math! Do the math per week expenses at the start of the semester so the purchasing habits become routine.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The location of my housing and the school itself
  • The travel opportunities within classes
* What could be improved?
  • Be more selective with how many students come from the same school; things felt very cliquey
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That many people come to DIS with an already established group of friends, rather than going with the mindset that they will meet new people and form new friendships.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.