Truly Life Changing in the Best Way May 10, 2025
By A student (Politics/Jewish Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/08/2025 to 05/08/2025 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Beyond worthwhile. I learned so much about myself and about the work I hope to do for years to come.
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. |
Absolutely spectacular! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The DIS Staff hit the ball out of the ballpark. They were so responsive, helpful, kind, and it was so refreshing to see a system function so well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Stads Kollegium and it was truly among the best parts of living abroad. I loved living amongst Danes and made so many friends for life. |
| * Food: |
Going out to eat in Copenhagen is expensive, but the grocery stores are super reasonably priced. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Between living with Danes and having a visiting host family, I felt so very integraed within the local community. It was so hard leaving knowing I had built such a homebase in Copenhagen. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the ER and they were so very helpful. DIS did such a great job supporting my health needs, it was Brandeis health services that had a hard time adjusting needed changes in the wake medical changes. The care was accessible and free. |
| * Safety: |
I have never felt more safe than while living in Copenahgen. It was really remarkable. Especially after travel, coming home would feel like the best exhale. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS was absolutely spectacular. They have studying abroad in Copenhagen figured out perfectly. They made it so easy for us to find freidns, to have spaces to nurture relationships, and to learn so much through expericial learning and hands-on pedagogy. |
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) |
It is definitely possible! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It varried so very much depending on my travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't get coffee every day out. It is extremely expensive in Copenhagen. |
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 |
I loved learning Danish! It was challenging, but really rewarding. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 30 level |
| 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? | Just jump in! Practice ordering, chatting with faculty, learning the language really is so key to feeling a sense of belonging. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | Just how transformative it really would be. I was so nervous about meeting "my people" and adjusting to life abroad, I wish I told myself that it's so very easy and that I'd be completely fine. |
