Copenhagen is amazing, but don't expect support from the administration Past Review
By Grace H (Film/Cinema/Video Studies., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 02/01/2014 to 06/03/2014 with
University of Copenhagen: Copenhagen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think I learned a lot about myself and other cultures. I made a ton of international friends and was able to travel a lot. Even though the classes could have been better and the administration sucked, the experience was amazing because of the people I met and the Danish culture I got to experience.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In Denmark, the study structure is very self-motivated. For most of my classes, there were no tests except one long essay I had to turn in at the end of the semester. There were suggested readings and one lecture a week for most of my classes, and I felt like I wasn't getting enough class time and in-depth discussion on the topics. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
At Copenhagen University, there are so many different departments that it's difficult to know which department you're in or even if you're signing up for the right classes. They do have an advisor who is assigned to the international students who is slightly helpful, but other than that you're pretty much on your own. I still don't know if I signed up to take the right exams. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived at Signalhuset, which was a little far out from the center but pretty close to my campus and right across from the mall. It was nice and quiet, although I would have preferred something closer to Copenhagen. |
| * Food: |
The cantine at the University's Amager campus is delicious and pretty affordable! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never needed to use the healthcare but I knew that if I needed it I could go to the doctor with my health card. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe in Copenhagen even as a girl going home alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It's worth it to come here, but just be prepared to be broke after you leave. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make food at home! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken norwegian, which is a similar language to Danish. |
| 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? | You don't really need to know Danish to study in Denmark. Everyone speaks really good English! |
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 had known that I can apply for a visa here rather than stressing about it in the United States. I also wish someone had explained to me how the Danish classes work and the education system here. |
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. |
