An American in Copenhagen Past Review
By A student (Tulane University) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/17/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I gained a more well rounded / international perspective about the way people see the world. Also, I now better understand the cultures differences between the attitudes of Americans versus Danes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were slightly easier than my home university; however, the grading and what was expected was not always clear. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
If you had a problem, they didn't necessarily work with you to fix the problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family. My host family was amazing; however, I lived an hour outside the city with no other student living near me. This restricted meeting up with people and going out at times. |
| * Food: |
I ate mostly with my host family, and they made amazing food. If eating out though, food was extremely expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Danes, although initially cold, were really welcoming once you got to get to know them. By the end, I felt integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only went to the doctor to get a prescription filled, and it worked out easy. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is extremely safe. |
| 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) |
Copenhagen was an extremely expensive city. Since I ate all meals with my host family, I was affected quite as much. People in other living situations spent a lot though. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Living with a host family greatly reduced my costs and also provided a great opportunity. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It's not really important. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Danes love and hate Americans at the same time |
