Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exciting, immersive, and really special! January 10, 2025

By (Environmental Studies and Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/16/2024 to 12/14/2024 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was totally worthwhile. I got to explore my own independence, experience other cultures, and meet new people outside of the Middlebury Community.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

DIS was less academically rigorous than a typical Middlebury semester, but I felt it still had the same value due to it's access to hands-on opportunities and increased cultural value. DIS is excellent at providing resources to ensure academic success, and the professors were kind and accommodating.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Living in a residential community meant being responsible for your own meals and cooking, but DIS did provide a food stipend that lasted the semester.

* 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? Yes

DIS was an excellent programs with many opportunities for immersion and travel.

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)

Copenhagen is NOT a cheap city, DIS does give some food stipends to help and covers commuter costs, but it still is difficult.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use food stipend, keep a detailed budget

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? No prior Danish experience
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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
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?
  • People/friendships
  • Copenhagen as a city
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Group work when some students are being graded and some are pass fail leads to a gap in effort.
  • Communication between housing and program.
  • Reliability of commuter card.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How group-work heavy it is, and the fact that not everyone is receiving letter grades (mostly pass fail) so there are different levels of effort being put into these group projects.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Polar Biology
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Jannik Hansen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was super hands-on and engaging. Jannik was an excellent professor, and in class participation was expected and encouraged. Papers, exams, readings, and projects made up the curriculum. Travel was exciting with this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: N?A
Course Name/Rating:

Marine Mammal Biology
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Katja
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was engaging and involved a lot of hands on experience. It was very lecture and reading based but included some very fun projects!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language and Culture
Course Department: Danish
Instructor: Christina
Instruction Language: English/Danish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Positive Organizational Psychology
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Gitte
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Leadership
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Gitte
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: