Copenhagen - Smart, Safe, and Spendy Past Review
By Amalya H (Studio Art + Communications, Trinity University) for
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Yes. I want to go back to Europe!!! The time I spent in Denmark and in Europe solidified my beliefs about myself and about America. It challenged my independence but also allowed me to create relationships with people that I know will continue.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load was a little less than I was used to, but the attendance policy was stricter than I was used to. A lot of group work in my classes, which was difficult, but also a great way to get to know more people in my program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators all had office hours and their building was at the center of the academic buildings so it was really easy to go in when things came up. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a Danish roommate in her apartment. Basically I was a subletter, there was another American living with her too. DIS promised a student or working professional under the age of 30 and my roommate wasn't either of these things. She was not the experience I was expecting, but it was made clear that if I wanted to switch, I could. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself, so I ate what I wanted to eat. When we went on trips with school, they were VERY accommodating to dietary requests and restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the core programs go on a trip to Western Denmark and to another country. My Positive Psychology trip to Scotland was so fun. It ended up not being as academic as I had expected, but it was a lot of fun both culturally and socially. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Denmark is very safe. I think a few kids got mugged...but I took the bus to and from the city at night alone and never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I mostly used my food stipend (if you live with a Danish roommate or in the dorms you get a debit card for the grocery store with money on it from DIS). I spent the most money when I traveled during breaks and maybe about $30 a week on drinks, museums, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget. Denmark is pricy, but if you pay attention to how much you are spending, it is doable. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I didn't take the Danish class - I wish I did. Danish was such a weird language and I left Denmark knowing very few words. Everyone speaks English in Copenhagen, so I didn't have to learn it, but it still would have been nice to come back to America knowing more than just "Hello" "goodbye" and "cheers" |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | You have to do work at DIS. But the classes are so different from what is typically offered (at least at my university), that the work is engaging and fun. |
