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

The Danish Experience of a Lifetime

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:

Alyssa H. (Environmental Studies, Pacific Lutheran University) on August 18, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-01-15
* End Date: 2011-05-19
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.

It was difficult at times to deal with certain professors Danish teaching style. One professor did not use powerpoint or write on the board, it was just talking at us and expecting us to be able to write it all down.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There was usually good administration. Though it was frustrating that sometimes students never knew who to go to, if they went to one department they would get sent to another and so on.

* Housing:

I loved my host family. There were a few small things, in some ways I was treated like a family member, but in some ways I felt more like a guest, like sometimes I was walking on egg shells. Certain discussions never happened and I wasn't sure how to approach it. One particular discussion was food, what was I allowed to eat, how was I to ask for a food that I might want, should I cook a few meals? I wished we'd had the discussion.

* Food:

If you are living with a host family be prepared to try many new things!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program did try to incorporate cultural events and field trips, and they did a good job of it. The only problem was that for people who lived far away it was difficult to get in the city and out again late at night.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The healthcare system in Denmark gives you full coverage which is awesome, but the program could have helped a little more when it comes to maneuvering the system. I often felt safe in Denmark, I felt safer walking around at night there than I ever did at home.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did Pacific Lutheran University 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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

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  • Host Family

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? Don't be worried about making friends if you are living with a Host Family. Just talk to them about having a get together with other host students in the neighborhood. Learning to maneuver public transit is a powerful feeling, don't let having to use public transit everyday deter you from the program!
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? I had opportunities in Denmark that were once in a lifetime. I was able to become a more self-sufficient and independent individual. It was a semester that encouraged me to think and live differently.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Environmental

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: