Very different from Wellesley, but a lot of fun and a lot of personal growth February 13, 2024
By A student (Education, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/18/2023 to 12/16/2023 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned how to live completely on my own and stand on my own two feet. I discovered that I love travel, how to live life slowly and take time for the things that I enjoy. It was a huge confidence boost to build a life completely from scratch and thrive in that new environment on my own.
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. |
I really enjoyed my time with DIS. I found the program to be very hands off with students. I could see how this could go poorly for somebody struggling, but I was lucky that my abroad experience went very smoothly. The classes were very easy compared to what i am used to and I was easily able to take an overload of classes with plenty of time to travel and explore. I really enjoyed the experiential aspect of learning with DIS, including my practicum, field trips and travel. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not interact with my DIS admin at all. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very happy with my living situation. I lived in an apartment with all American study abroad students, but was able to meet and spend time with my Danish neighbors. |
| * Food: |
The meal stipend was not nearly enough to survive in Copenhagen, but I was able to budget and meal plan with my roommates to make it work. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because I lived with all Amercians and studied with all Americans, I don't feel like I got a chance to interact very much with the local culture unless I actively sought out opportunities. I really enjoyed the visiting host program that allowed me to connect with Danish families and friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not interact with Danish health care at all because I did not need to. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Copenhagen! It was a comfortable city with plenty of lighting and public transportation to get around! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There are a lot of things that, if I knew more about DIS, I probably would not have chosen this program. However, to say that i would not do it again would mean not having all of these friends and experiences i never expected and I would not want it any different now. |
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) |
My budget swung wildly depending on when and how I was travelling. On a typical week at my apartment, my budget was not much more than a typical student budget. However, when I was travelling, I spent more. As the semester went on and I began to run out of money on my meal card, I spent more of my own but the later onset of those costs made it manageable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book ahead, don't be afraid to take a flix bus for travel (they are actually pretty nice) and cook with your friends! |
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 |
No encouragement. Everyone in Denmark speaks English |
| 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 completed my college's language requirement in a different language |
| 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? | Learn the basic phrases before you go (please, thank you, yes, etc) and don't be afraid to ask locals for help |
Other Program Information
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* 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? | That the classes would be so easy. I had to seek out opportunities to learn and be challenged because DIS courses were not equipped to do that for me. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
