Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Copenhagen was amazing! Past Review

By (Bryn Mawr 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 gained everything from going abroad. The chance to study in Europe was amazing - all the art and history was stunning. I want to go back for graduate school.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

N/A - food was not provided by the program; only a food stipend for a grocery store was.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

DIS made healthcare easily accessible and helped with every step of the process. However, the healthcare received was not like what I am used to at home. I have had pneumonia in the past and I got it again when I was in Denmark; however, the Danish doctors did not do any of the necessary tests to diagnose it or prescribe the necessary medication to treat. Another friend was coughing up blood and experiencing multiple other symptoms of TB and was told it was a cold, without being fully examined or any tests being performed.

* Safety:

Extremely safe city. Felt very comfortable walking around alone late at night, even with earbuds in. Don't even feel that safe back home in a small Midwestern suburb. Some students did experience petty thefts, mainly related to leaving things unattended in bars.

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

Administratively, everything ran very smoothly. They helped you go through all the student visa type stuff - all you had to do was show up at the right times in the right places. They handled any problems quickly and with care and diligence.

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 was able to live on a student's budget (less than $100/week when not travelling), but only because I lived very frugally - I did not go out to eat, even for lunch, only got coffee once a week, etc.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Most weeks, under $50/week on food, toiletries, etc. During travel weeks, number was much higher.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Copenhagen is an extremely expensive city, particularly eating out or just getting coffe (coffee will typically set you back a minimum of $5). Eat in, using the food stipend provided by the program.

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

Frequent encouragement to use the language.

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 completed an official language course; I was using an online program to learn Danish.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • well-run administrative support
  • the thoughtful plan to the semester - the study tours and travel breaks!
* What could be improved?
  • academic classes could be more rigorous
  • could do a better job matching students to live together (put quiet students with quiet students and loud students with loud students)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I really can't think of anything.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!