A challenging, eye-opening semester that pushed me to grow in every way May 28, 2026
By Briyant B (Computer Science, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2026 to 05/14/2026 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
It was completely worthwhile. I learned how to live more independently, including cooking for myself for the first time which was a real adjustment but something I'm grateful for now. Academically, the group projects and the intensity of the courses pushed me in ways I hadn't experienced before and I genuinely learned so much through the process. More than anything, I grew as a person and built relationships with amazing people from all over.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic experience was genuinely strong. There were a lot of group projects which was something new to me and while the courses I took were a bit overwhelming at times, it ended up being one of the best experiences because I actually learned so much throughout the process. I appreciated how much the program emphasized learning through real engagement rather than just lectures. The resources available to students were solid and the teaching style pushed me to think differently than I would back home. Overall it was one of the more rewarding academic semesters I've had. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was honestly the standout part of my experience. DIS is incredibly well run and the staff were responsive, organized, and genuinely invested in students' well-being. When I ran into a housing issue early on, they handled it quickly and made sure I ended up in a much better situation. That kind of support made a real difference and gave me a lot of confidence in the program throughout my time there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was a little rough at first because I had a roommate situation that wasn't a good fit but honestly this is where DIS really showed how well the program is run. Their staff were incredibly quick to help me out and got me set up with new housing where I had my own room and new roommates. The turnaround was fast and they genuinely cared about making sure I was comfortable which made a huge difference in my overall experience. |
| * Food: |
We had to cook our own food so meals were really up to us. That was a bit of an adjustment since I didn't cook much before this but it ended up being a great learning opportunity. I came out of the program a lot more confident in the kitchen. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had a really good experience overall and met so many amazing people. The connections I made were one of the best parts of the whole semester. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any major health issues during my time abroad so I can't speak much to the local healthcare system. No specific vaccines were needed for this program. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen felt very safe throughout my time there. I'd encourage future students to stay aware of their surroundings like anywhere else but I never had any safety-related incidents. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS is incredibly well run and even when things didn't go perfectly like my early housing situation, the staff handled it so quickly and genuinely cared about my experience. Between the people I met, the academics, and learning to live more independently, it was one of the most rewarding semesters I've had. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $50/week when I cooked and bought groceries but up to $100/week during the weeks I ate out more. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking your own food is by far the biggest money saver in Copenhagen since eating out adds up fast. I kept my weekly spending around $50 just by buying groceries and making my own meals. Bike everywhere you can since the city is built for it and it's free, and take advantage of student discounts, free museums, and parks whenever possible. |
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 |
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| 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? | None |
| 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? | I took a Danish course since it was a requirement for my school but honestly you don't need much Danish to get around because everyone speaks English fluently. The course is still worth taking seriously since it gives you a foundation and some fun cultural context. The best way to actually practice is to use what you learn in small everyday moments like ordering food or reading signs since you won't get a ton of natural pressure to speak it otherwise. |
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? | I wish I'd known how much I'd be cooking for myself since I would've come in with a few basic recipes and kitchen skills ready to go. Honestly, I also wish someone had really explained to me just how cold Copenhagen gets. Pack way more warm layers than you think you need because the cold is no joke. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
