Copenhagen: The city of the tall, blonde, and beautiful Past Review
By A student (Villanova University) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/20/2012 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
This is a tough one to sum up, but here it goes. I learned a lot about myself and who I want to be as a grown responsible member of society. I also learned that America isn't the only cool place on Earth, and other people live very different lives but are still very happy. To me Denmark is the utopia I wish we could have here in the states (it is routinely atop the happiest places in the world). And yes, it was the best four-five months of my life and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While the classes weren't that difficult (coming from a pre-med major) they were all extremely interesting and you actually wanted to learn, every class was taught by someone actively in that field. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS really goes lengths to make the culture change easy. They pick you up from the airport and take you to your housing, they give you money for food (to make living in Copenhagen actually affordable), and they give you a semester long transit pass which makes getting around a breeze. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an international dorm and met some really great people. Also, it was only a half hour bus ride to class and the buses came every five minutes. |
| * Food: |
The food is fine once you know what you're looking for, its just very expensive (which makes the food stipend that much better). |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I really got to become a Dane, my friends in other european programs seemed to be travelling on weekends all the time, but I never left except for spring break, and I was actually looking forward to going back "home." |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Great, you get set up right away with a Danish CPR card, which gives you full access to their world renowned universal health care. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is constantly listed as one of the safest cities in the world, and you really feel that living there. There was no time I ever felt uncomfortable and unsafe, and I don't know anyone who was robbed or pick pocketed. |
| 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) |
Copenhagen is a VERY expensive city, (I think number two in the world) but the food stipend and travel pass make it bearable. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would say eat at home as much as you can, or pack lunch if you're going to be on campus all day. This will make your extracurricular spending more bearable. |
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 |
They definitely try to teach the language in a practical way, and frankly, I did learn a lot more than I thought I would. That being said, Danish is a very hard language and basically every Dane you talk to speaks English very well, so it wasn't a necessity. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Using it definitely helps. I tried to use it just to be respectful (most Danes laugh and answer in English) but living around it definitely speeds up taking in the language. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I could have definitely packed less stuff |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Medical Biotechnology and Drug Development |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Suana Dietrich |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Good class; I felt like I could have learned more but overall it gave you a good feel for the feel of research biology and we went on tons of visits to different places. Plus, Susana really knows her stuff and if you make the effort to talk to her she will gladly help. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
