Bittersweet June 17, 2025

By A student (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/10/2025 to 05/10/2025 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

While it was difficult and sometimes lonely, I learned a lot about taking care of myself. I learned a lot about self-reliance and taking care of myself not only physically but mentally. I got through some tough situations that were extremely new to me and I feel better about my ability to deal with new challenges post-grad.

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?	I was really far away from my college friends, it made it hard to balance home university friends and new abroad friends.
* 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 am glad I did the abroad experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to have done it, but I was really homesick a lot of the time. I found it hard to cope with the extremely dreary weather and limited time with familiar faces (my friends both lived in the city, walking distance to class). I was pretty isolated from the inner city, I had to factor in traveling time to meet up with people which made me late often or just decline invitations all together. The nearest metro to me was quite a walk away as well. However, I had really nice accommodations and a wonderful roomate who I love. I had a great core course, and took such amazing trips and had a lot of fun.

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?	Between $50-100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Your stipend goes a lot further than you think, use it up!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Difference is exciting! I got to see so much of Europe. Meeting new friends in class and out and about.
* What could be improved?	Housing placement in relation to friends. Mental health support for homesick students. Less subtle digs toward American nationality from instructors.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Lean into the difficult parts and learn from them, allow yourself to make new friends, and don't be afraid to ask for a little help!

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:	Prositution and the Sex Trade
Course Department:	Gender Studies
Instructor:	Deivida Vandzinskaite
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class does not count toward my major or minor, I just wanted to do it for fun, and it totally delivered. It was way outside of what I am used to learning and I was pushed out of my comfort zone in a good way. My classmates were wonderful and Deivida was the best.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No, this one doesn't go toward my major or minor.

Course Name/Rating:	Cyberwarfare
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Mikkel Storm Jensen and Ulrik Graff
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was really cool, both instructors seemed over qualified to be teaching a class and clearly just loved what they did so much. I found the class relevant for the times, just slightly intimidating to participate in.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have put in a request for transfer but there shouldn't be any issues as my home university pre-approved this course.

Course Name/Rating:	Partners & Rivals: EU-US Relations
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Martin Cleemann Rasmussen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was not very well organized and there were very few concrete assessments which made it hard to know where I was in the class. However, I loved Martin, he was so passionate about the subject, and based each class on current events and took as much time as needed to address modern topics. I liked that as I felt overall, more informed on both the American perspective but also Danish.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have put in a request for transfer but there shouldn't be any issues as my home university pre-approved this course.

Course Name/Rating:	Danish Language and Culture
Course Department:	Danish
Instructor:	Malene Thorup
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Danish is incredibly challenging, but the small class size allowed stress free participation. Basically you get out of this class what you put in. Malene won't force anyone to participate but if you do, you are rewarded for it and she wants to help! She helped me tremendously throughout the semester as I was nervous to take this course, I will not forget her kindness!
Credit Transfer Issues:	No, this class does not go toward my major or minor so it should not be too complicated to transfer.

Course Name/Rating:	Conspiracy Theories & Historical Controversies
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Maya Lahav
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Maya is so incredibly smart, I think she is probably over qualified as well. I liked her class and the premise of it, but it was slightly repetitive while also being difficult to follow at times. Overall, it was really cool though.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have put in a request for transfer but there shouldn't be any issues as my home university pre-approved this course.