My New Home Past Review
By A student (Architecture., Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/17/2014 to 05/15/2015 with
DIS Summer in Scandinavia
It was definitely worth it! I was only supposed to stay a semester but I ended up staying the year.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically much easier than Wellesley but I feel like I have learned so much more. My professors all work in their field, many have their own architecture firms, some are American and some are Danish. Field studies are a great way of applying what you learned in the classroom to real life and then bringing it back to your own projects. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are very helpful |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
First semester I lived in a DRC. I had roommate and we had our own kitchenette and bathroom. I liked the appartement and the location was amazing and the people individually were nice but by the end I couldn' stand living with Americans. Second semester I moved to a kolligium where I have my own room and bathroom and share a kitchen with the Danes on my floor. |
* Food: |
Eating out is very expensive unless you get street food. The food is delicious though. DIS gives you food stipend so I cooked all my meals, and I love to cook so that wasn't an issue for me. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Its hard to integrate unless you really make the effort. There are little things you can do- like getting a bike, going to flea markets, avoiding bars that Americans go to, going to events in the city- that that can help make the city feel like your home. Living in a DRC with Americans and taking classes with only Americans made it hard at first. Then I joined the choir at the Copenhagen Business School. Now I have many Danish and International friends. Also living in a kolligium with Danes is a great way to meet other people your age. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When you get your CPR card they give you an English speaking doctor. I have never had a nicer doctor experience. I never go the doctor in the US unless for a checkup. Here I got an ear infection and a very sore throat and I was in and out of the doctor and got my prescription in less than 30 minutes. |
* Safety: |
I have never felt unsafe here, even at a bar at 2 am or biking alone late at night or on the metro at 5am. Never once looked around and felt unsafe. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I spent around $60 a week on groceries and personal expenses. Sometimes more or less depending on how many time I went out each week or if I needed architecture supplies. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 250 dkk on grocerys (from the stipend) and less than 100 dkk on other things |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own food, drinks at bars are expensive, plan your trips well in advance because ticket prices rise fast. |
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 took the Danish I class where we learned phrases that we could use to get to know people or order at a cafe. I had a terrible teacher so it was difficult to learn an already difficult 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? | I have takes up to 300 level Arabic |
How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | If you actually care about learning Danish, live with Danes in a homestay, kolligium, or Danish roommate. If you can't have one of those options, go out of your way to meet Danes and have then help you |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | More about Danish culture |