Broadened Horizons in Denmark Past Review
By Alicia B (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) for
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I took home something that is impossible to teach in the US a European perspective. I feel I can now look at politics in two ways, from a US standpoint and from a European stand point. I feel that this will help me immensely as I pursue my political science major and makes me a more informed citizen of the world.
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. |
DIS does a good job of creating a hybrid that mixes European and American teaching methods so that it is not as much of a shock for students and the differences are not as stark. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The front desk staff at DIS was very nice and very helpful, DIS loans students money if their wallets are ever stolen to ensure that they are not left with no money in a foreign country. I remember one girl lost her wallet just before long study tour and DIS was quite generous with the money they loaned her so that she could enjoy the trip fully. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The neighborhood was alright, we were close to a few grocery stores which was nice and convenient. We did experience break ins but those were mostly when DIS students had travel breaks so it seems whom ever it was knew the DIS itinerary. A security camera was eventually installed by the building owner but he was not happy that students asked him to do so. Night life was primarily in the main city about 30 minutes by bus, but there was a bar down the street. Mostly there was enough dishes and other things already in the room, DIS provides bedding although many of us supplemented that. |
| * Food: |
yogurt also comes in a carton just like milk so before going to the store be sure to write down the Danish word for milk so I don't get an unpleasant surprise when you try to pour yourself a glass |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The study tours allow for a good amount of socialization, every program hosts it's own opening reception with food and drinks to let everyone start getting to know each other. My program held a final champagne reception and others held final dinners. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's a fairly safe city watch out for pick pockets, just common sense stuff like here in the US |
| 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? | about $2000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Things in Denmark just aren't cheap, try to bring a lunch as much as possible just a sandwich is at least $10, and the more you eat out the more you'll get in the habit of it and end up spending a fortune. There's a place called China Box down the street from DIS and you can pick three different things for $6 it's a good amount of food, but doing it a lot adds up over time. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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? | If you want to have travel incorporated into your classes this program is ideal, some people feel that they loose momentum in their classes because of the trips and travel break but I feel the whole point of going abroad to to get a different experience than you could get at home and DIS provides a unique experience that you can not find anywhere else. |
