I came to know myself so much more. Past Review

By (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 05/23/2016 to 07/02/2016 with

DIS Summer in Scandinavia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As I've said, I learned so much about myself and who I am as person. Certain experiences I had while abroad really taught me more about what my values are, and what it takes to make me happy. But I also learned that happiness and positivity are a state of mind; you have to choose it for yourself. That point was really driven home for me in my Positive Psychology course I took while abroad.

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?

DIS has two options for living arrangements while abroad with the program. Residential communities, where you will be surrounded by other U.S. students participating in the program, or kollegiums where you have the option of living with many international students from different countries. I was put into a residential community, which is what I wanted, but instead of being surrounded by lots of other students in the program, there were only 4 of us living in one apartment and were otherwise surrounded by no other students international or otherwise. This was deeply disappointing for me as I had gone on the trip expecting to meet lots of other students. It left me feeling very isolated and it made it fairly difficult to meet new people. This was the biggest disappoint of the program for me.

* 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? Yes

There were some rough parts for me, but overall Copenhagen was a lovely city and I met a lot of really great people. I learned a lot about who I am and how I interact with the world and I don't think I would've been able to do that had my experience been any different.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My Positive Psycholoy course
  • The 2nd session study tour
  • The Professors
* What could be improved?
  • Living arrangements
  • More preparation before leaving
  • More activities to meet other people in the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That if it doesn't turn out exactly how you thought it would be that doesn't mean you're going to have a bad time. Remember to give things time, and that bad situations almost always resolve themselves.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.