Denmark: It's Really Cold Past Review

By Graham N (Physics., The University of Texas at Austin) for

University of Copenhagen: Copenhagen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My study abroad experience was extremely worthwhile. It helped me to figure out a lot of things about myself and about my wants and desires. Traveling to another country and being immersed in a foreign culture will make you re-evaluate yourself and your world-view. It is an invaluable experience.

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.	The grading system is specific to Denmark. The professors are much more interested in your progress and recognize that you're an individual student and not just a member of the student body.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The on-site administration is very hands off in terms of their involvement. The Danish system is highly bureaucratic though. It is simply the nature of the beast.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Had to buy all items myself except for cookware.
* Food:	I think I'm a good cook...
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Danes are extremely nice but they will always be kind of distant in how they interact with you.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Danish health system is ridiculously superior to the US's. If you get sick anywhere, get sick in Denmark.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	No I wouldn't. Copenhagen is simply an extremely expensive city in an extremely expensive country. Things are just expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	N/A
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Bring a jacket and find a job.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Waves and Optics
Course Department:	Physics Department
Instructor:	Jan W. Thomsen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Dr. Thomsen is a wonderful professor who is earnestly interested in the student's understanding of optical and wave phenomenon. The course will be much more advanced than expected by American students though.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Scandinavian Identities
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Jes Fabricus Moller,
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very interesting lecture series on the nature of the Scandinavian sense of identity and whether it exists or not. Would recommend for history or anthropology students.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.