Studying Abroad: Best Experience of My Life Thus Far Past Review
By Jane P (Psychology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/18/2015 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Studying abroad will allow you to study topics that interest you in a new light, meet people from all over the world, and change your perspective on things you never even knew you had opinions on. I wish studying abroad could be mandatory for all students. If you are willing to go out of your comfort zone you will make lasting memories that will shape the rest of your outlook on life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor of classwork/tests was less than that at Wellesley. However, the field studies and program tours were invaluable parts of the classroom experience that I don't think can be adequately characterized as rigorous or not. DIS resources are abundant whether it is for classwork, exploring Copenhagen, meeting locals, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS Administration was very helpful during my study abroad experience. I had to contact various individuals about finances, travel, my visiting family, health, etc. and each question I had was promptly addressed whether through email or in person. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a kollegium which was 4 bus stops away from DIS which made it a very easy commute to and from class. I also loved the mix of Americans and Danes I was able to interact with at my kollegium. I had a shared kitchen which could get messy but overall contributed to a great immersion experience for me. |
| * Food: |
Cooking for myself was fun when done together with other people on my floor. I also ate out a lot in order to explore what cuisines Copenhagen had to offer. The stipend DIS provides will last you about 2-3 months depending on how much you cook/eat out. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the local culture of my kollegium but I could have done more to meet more locals outside of my kollegium. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Once I had my CPR number, healthcare was easily accessible. I made appointments with my doctor online and visited my doctor twice. I was prescribed medicine which was easy to pick up at the nearest apotek (pharmacy). |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is probably the safest city I have ever lived in. I would come to and from my kollegium at all hours of the night and I would never feel like I was ever in any danger. Of course, having common sense is a given, such as having some form of communication on your person when going out, knowing your address, not misplacing your belongings, etc. are up to you. |
| 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) |
This is highly dependent on which living situation you choose (i.e. homestay vs. kollegium) because food will cost differently depending on where you live. Your budget will also depend on how much traveling you intend to do. Overall I would say that living on a student budget is fairly doable with the stipend DIS provides for food and the covered transportation cost. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$100 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving up about a year to a half year in advance depending on how much you make (if you have a job/workstudy). Also, look into scholarships. DIS has several scholarships that you can apply for that can really help cover your study abroad costs. Also, visit the OIS to see what other funding resources they can recommend for you. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I was encouraged somewhat to use the language because I lived in a kollegium with Danes who were willing to speak Danish with me. If you are interested in Danish language and culture and really learning about them I encourage you to live with a homestay or in a kollegium. You won't get much cultural exposure through a DRC or LLC. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had not taken any Danish before attending DIS |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make Danish friends who will be willing to practice your Danish with you! |
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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| 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? | I wish I had researched more about Copenhagen so that I could have explored even more while I was there. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
