Lots of traveling and friends (and some class stuff too) Past Review

By (Vassar College) - abroad from 01/16/2016 to 05/17/2016 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned lots of stuff about myself and my capabilities, which is cool.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I didn't enjoy most of my classes. They were rather uninteresting and not intellectually rigorous enough. Other people enjoyed their classes though, so maybe I just picked the wrong ones. The study tours, however, were amazing and an integral part of the study abroad experience!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My favorite part of the program was living in the Social Justice LLC because we created such a great community, and the activities we did together we're all quite fun! Best part of be experience.

* Food:

Buying out in Cooenhagen is expensive, so I learned to cook for myself, which was really cool and I learned to enjoy cooking much more.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not because of anything DIS did (I only met with my visiting host family twice) but because we had Danes over at our house for dinner pretty often, that we were able to talk and discuss with them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It takes a long time to get our CPR info, but once we have it, we get free health care!

* Safety:

Some people got pick-pocketed, but otherwise I felt really safe walking around alone at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would just try to pick different classes, but otherwise I really enjoyed it.

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)

I had money on my food card left up until the last week

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? Cook your own food!

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

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? There is really no need to use Danish since everyone speaks English

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Travel schedule
  • Study tours
  • Meeting friends
* What could be improved?
  • Classes
  • Wifi
  • Showers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It will all be okay

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.'