Cope Was Dope Past Review
By Kelly C (Economics and Art History, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/14/2015 to 12/13/2015 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about myself by being abroad. Though I'd been to Europe before, living here was a different experience. I got to live independently, fend for myself, and make friends from many different places. Traveling was definitely a highlight and I got to go to Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Hungary, and Turkey. DIS was organized and I loved each and every day I was abroad. It was a life changing experience and I would say I came out of the experience more independent, more confident of my own abilities and strengths, and more knowledgeable about the world as a whole.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Though DIS was not nearly as rigorous as my home university, I did feel challenged in some areas. I felt that there was a lot of emphasis on readings and papers. But I didn't feel like the grading standards were especially clear for some classes and not taken very seriously. However, DIS does a great job of emphasizing field studies and the importance of experience adding to one's education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS is very organized, especially when you first arrive in Denmark. They picked us up from the airport, helped us settle into our housing, and gave pretty clear instructions/suggestions for living in Denmark. The only thing that was a little iffy was the applying for our residence permits thing. The process wasn't too clear and I know of a lot of students who were frustrated with it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a kollegium in Amager and it was really nice having the experience of living on my own! I loved taking public transportation into the city (took around 15 minutes give or take) and I liked living with Danes. |
| * Food: |
Food is what you make of it. Denmark is huge on beer, open faced sandwiches, and foods not too unfamiliar with other Western countries. We were given food stipend cards to last us the whole semester and are available for use specific stores. Groceries are pretty cheap in Copenhagen especially if you go to Netto. I recommend Fotex! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Study abroad is what you make of it. I would say that DIS students are mostly integrated within themselves and it isn't hard to make friends with the other students in the programs but interacting with Danes can be more or less tough depending on where you live and who you live with. Danes tend to be more closed off but they are incredibly friendly when you talk with them! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Denmark is a social welfare state so healthcare is free for residents. I never had to use it but it was nice knowing I had that. |
| * Safety: |
Copenhagen is very safe! It's not a huge city and it is pretty easy to get around. But of course, like anywhere I'd suggest not getting into sketchy cabs, watching for pick pockets, and basic safety regulations you would follow in big cities. |
| 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) |
Money was hard to control, especially if you didn't live with a host family. Though groceries you could budget, things like coffee were outrageously expensive (pro tip: do not go to Starbucks or Baresto, it will drain your wallet really fast). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Though it's tempting to get a bike because of the bike culture, I'd say assess your living environment because if you're close to different public transportation (bus/metro/s train) or you live far away from Copenhagen, it would be wiser to not get one and save your money. Plus the weather can be pretty unpredictable and who likes to ride a bike in crazy wind and rain? Try not to spend your food stipend card on too much alcohol. Food comes first. Look into budget airlines, airbnbs, and hostels for independent traveling! Bring a reusable water bottle with you everywhere (water is quite expensive in most places). If you're craving coffee in the morning but don't want to spend 35 DKK ($5 ish) for a latte, Cafe Paludan and some other near by cafes will usually have a morning special like 10 DKK for filter coffee (a little more than $1). |
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 |
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| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | English is used in Denmark and nearly everyone speaks it. I didn't use most of the Danish I learned in class because of this. But of course, as anywhere, it's nice to at least say "thank you" and "excuse me" in the language of the country! |
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? | I would have told myself to go on more weekend trips! DIS obviously does not recommend this as you have so little time in Copenhagen but unlike being at your home university, you have way more time when you're abroad. Go with friends, go by yourself, anything. Take advantage of being 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. |
