In love with Copenhagen, wish the program had been a little different. Past Review

By A student (Neuroscience, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/16/2014 to 12/14/2014 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I loved living in Denmark. I definitely see my home and life in the US from a different perspective after being abroad. I would love to do it again but would prefer a program with more integration.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I was not at all pleased with my academic experience abroad. I was in a number of medical classes that were being taught for the first time and the teachers (who were doctors) did not know how to instruct us. When I went to DIS to ask for help the program was not very responsive but rather said they were planning on changing things for the following year.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Loved my homestay!
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I only felt integrated because of my homestay. I think if I had done a dorm I wouldn't have met many Danes or gotten to experience their culture.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Had no health issues while abroad but Denmark offers universal healthcare.
* Safety:	I loved Copenhagen. Always felt safe!
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)	Denmark is really expensive. It's hard to keep under $100 a week. It was easier for me because of my host family who provided the strong majority of my meals per week.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	around 100 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Do a homestay! DIS does not give student living in dorms enough of a stipend to cover costs. A lot of my friends in dorms ended up spending a ton of money.

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 was in a Danish class which had me practice Danish especially with my host family.
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?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Try to find Danes to be friends with and practice Danish with them. Using Danish in cafes gets a little tricky because everyone speaks English but you can definitely try it there as well!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* 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?	My host family Copenhagen The social welfare system
* What could be improved?	Academics Communication within the Program Integration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That time flies by. I wish I had done another semester.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Neurological Diseases and Disorders
Course Department:	Neuroscience
Instructor:	Mai Bang Poulsen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was very challenging in that the teachers did not test us on things they taught. They expected us to read every page of a textbook and tested us as if we were med students. When I asked for help they were unwilling to look back at grades and reconsider where lots of points were taken off for small details. I did not feel like the course allowed me to show what I had learned at all.
Credit Transfer Issues: