Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A time that changed my life- the best semester of my life! July 28, 2025

By (Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/09/2025 to 05/09/2025 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much while abroad, it truly changed my life. It altered my perspective of medicine and healthcare, passions, and overall outlook on the world. My time spent abroad is the most valuable thing I have.

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.

I chose to take courses that were more hands on and had long hours and I felt as though the courses were rigorous but so enjoyable. I feel like I have learned so much, maybe the most I ever have in my courses I took abroad. I spent long hours in Danish, Hungarian, and Austrian hospitals learning from incredible Doctors. Although these courses were a lot of work, I feel as though I was given plenty of resources to make my semester successful.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration for DIS was so organized and made my experience so seamless. My professors were also so incredible and knowledgable.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with my living arrangement.

* Food:

The food in Copenhagen was incredible and so diverse. DIS also gave us a stipend to buy groceries from the store and there were also so many resources from DIS and events that had free food. Amazing!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated with the culture. Living in a kolligium I was able to spend time with other Danish students. I also felt like I had great relationships with my professors who were locals because of the small class sizes. Since I spent a lot of time in hospitals I got to know my professors very well and their professions. Watching their daily lives in the hospitals and their passions was extremely inspiring. I also spent a lot of time with Danish medical students that my class and I were able to meet up with them even outside of our class and lab hours.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

DIS provided us with a resident card so we were able to have free healthcare and I even had a General Practitioner I was able to visit if I needed to.

* Safety:

Copenhagen was so safe. I had never felt so comfortable in a city even when I was alone, day and night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would absolutely choose DIS Copenhagen again. I wish that I could go back and do it all over again, a million times.

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 extremely expensive but with the stipend, I feel like I was able to keep my costs pretty low.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about $150 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would say to take advantage of free food provided at events through the organization.

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

I was pushed to use Danish as much as I could especially since I was taking a Danish class.

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? Beginning French
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? Danish is very difficult so I found listening to audios to be very helpful.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Class
* What could be improved?
  • more stipend money
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew just how safe Copenhagen is so I wouldn't stress about it coming in.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.