Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great Exposure to the Happiest Country in the World Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/16/2015 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned confidence independence through living on my own and traveling. I learned to make new friends, both American and Danish. Overall I was very happy with my time in Copenhagen.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a DRC with American students, a short metro ride, bus ride, or bike ride away from school.

* Food:

DIS did not provide us with meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My RAs were both Danish and very friendly. I also signed up to be partnered with a wonderful Danish family that I saw every other week.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I needed antibiotics and I easily received them, paying a total of $15, including the cost of seeing the doctor.

* Safety:

Even though I was in Copenhagen during the shooting that occurred, I always felt safe, even walking alone at night.

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)

I only ate out for lunch and dinner once a week about. I am not a coffee drinker, and therefore saved money that way. I did 3 weekend trips, and 2 full weeks of travel. Copenhagen is incredibly expensive, and traveling throughout Europe is more expensive that many think.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? When not traveling probably $150-200, when traveling for the weekend $400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan weekend trips far in advance. Use discount airlines. AirBnB proved to be cheaper than hostelworld.com for me, but be aware of their hidden costs. Don't drink coffee. Find places with student discounts.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I loved my Danish and Culture Class!

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 have taken 300 level classes in Spanish about literature, but no Danish classes
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? I'm sure living with a host family encouraged you to use the language more, but it is helpful to try to order things at restaurants and cafes in Danish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The Classes
  • The People
  • The City
* What could be improved?
  • More student discounts
  • More wednesdays off
  • more events with danes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it is somewhat difficult to meet Danes when you live in a dorm with American students.

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Sustainable Development
Course Department:
Instructor: Mike Townsend
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was my core course, allowing me to go on both short (to Sweden) and long (to Germany) study tours. Mike was a fantastic professor, and overall this course was my favorite.
Credit Transfer Issues: