DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad: Copenhagen - Various Programs Photo

Denmark: An Often Overlooked Treasure

Program Information

Copenhagen as your home, Europe as your classroom

Enhance your major, engage and immerse, broaden your horizons, and acquire valuable cross-cultural skills with other motivated, curious, and energetic students from American universities.

Academically Challenging Courses Taught in English

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Provider: DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad
Location(s): Copenhagen, Denmark
Year Founded:
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Lauren F. (Neurobiology, The University of Texas at Austin) on September 11, 2010

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2010-05-21
* End Date: 2010-06-29
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was high. The Danish instructor I had was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed going to class. The Danish style of instruction is a lot more relaxed and involves a lot of discussion and projects rather than tests.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I really don't know. I didn't have any interaction with the on-site administration.

* Housing:

The housing location was amazing! And they really matched up the roommate I had well. However, when we moved in the apartment hadn't been cleaned at all. Dirty dishes were in the sink, the shower was broken and the carpet was crunchy.

* Food:

Food is very expensive in Denmark (along with everything else)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved going out in Denmark. It was easy to make friends and CPH is a very safe city.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Copenhagen is one of the worlds cleanest and safest cities. Moms feel so comfortable that they leave their strollers (babies still inside) outside of a store while they go shopping because they wouldn't ever imagine someone taking their child.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did The University of Texas at Austin prepare and support you for your time abroad?

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? I wish I knew that Denmark has a ridiculously high tax on everything.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? Yes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A student who is willing to put in time for the school work and doesn't expect to be going out every night. A student who may not be comfortable in a country where they must know a foreign language
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? I came to Denmark with what I now see was a skewed view of the world. I realized how uncultured I really was at often felt embarrassed when the Danes knew more about political on goings in my own country than I did. It was an eye opening experience. The Danes are also a very honest,trusting and genuine people. I loved every minute of my time abroad.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Cross Cultural Psychology

Course Department: not sure
Instructor: Chris Boyatzis
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course itself was amazing (the content and the study tours). There was probably too much work for students who were there only the second session to experience Copenhagen. I don't know if it was a difference in sense of humor, but I sometimes found comments the professor made offensive
Credit Transfer Issues: Still in the process of transferring the credit
Course Name/Rating:

Positive Psychology

Course Department: not sure
Instructor: Helle Harnisch
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was challenging but not too overwhelming. The teacher was very knowledgeable, very friendly and just all around amazing. She brought in a lot of anecdotes about her childhood in Denmark and made sure to try and always let us know of special events happening around Copenhagen. I participated more than I would at my home university because the class was really small and she made everyone feel that they had important thoughts to contribute.
Credit Transfer Issues: I'm still working on the credit transfer