A Potentially All-American Experience in Copenhagen Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/18/2016 to 05/17/2016 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about living on my own, cooking, cleaning, and shopping while living in an apartment. Being abroad also encourages you to think reflectively about the US and what it means to be an American citizen.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Most of my classes at DIS were fantastic. The professors were not just academics but experts in their fields. The coursework is engaging and interesting, but not so rigorous as to prevent one from exploring Copenhagen and traveling. Many of the courses utilize access to Copenhagen with guest lecturers and field studies.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

DIS organizes everything! Housing, transport, airport arrival, class registration, visa appointments. The DIS housing affairs and front desk team were available almost 24/7.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a Danish roommate in a rented room. This arrangement offers a lot of independence, but also very little support in the beginning, so I would recommend considering this option only if you're comfortable being completely on your own sometimes.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

DIS is an all American program, so you really have to make an effort to integrate into Danish culture. Living in a homestay or with a Danish roommate, being in the visiting program, and getting involved in local organizations all really help you break outside the American abroad student bubble.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I needed to refill my birth control during my time abroad, and it was a really stress-free experience. Before you get your CPR, DIS has a list of English speaking doctors you can contact. I made an appointment and was able to see a doctor that same day. Her office was located near DIS, and she saw me in about fifteen minutes and gave me a Danish equivalent of my birth control for free (three months supply).

* Safety:

Copenhagen is a very safe city and locals will tell you you can walk anywhere by yourself any time of day or night.

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

Although DIS limits opportunities for local integration and interaction, it is a fantastic program academically with a unique travel/ study program.

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)

Copenhagen is a very expensive city, but making your own food and grocery shopping severely cuts down expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Grocery shop!

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

Outside of Danish classes, using Danish is completely self directed.

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
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? Unless you study at DIS for a full year, it is incredibly difficult to become proficient in Danish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Classes
  • My Visiting Host Family
  • Study Tour/ Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Local Integration
  • Organized Classes
  • Program Support Early On
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How it really is all American students...

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

European Clinical Psychology

Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Lars Rossen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I would highly recommend this course to all psychology majors interested in clinical work. The course and accompanying practicum offer an amazing look at the actual work clinical psychologists do as well as the practical/ logistical side of working in the field. The study tour to Vienna was fantastic, and Lars is a passionate, committed and engaged professor with a lot of real world experience. The coursework consists of daily readings, two exams, and three papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have had no credit transfer issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Gender and Sexuality in Scandinavia

Course Department: Gender Studies
Instructor: Deivida Vandzinskaite
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I would not recommend this class to anyone majoring in GSFS as the coursework is fairly basic. The best part of the class is the final project, a creative project where students get to research and present on any topic related to gender and sexuality in Scandinavia. The class is interesting as a point of cultural comparison, and many of the readings and topics covered were interesting, but lectures were too big and disorganized. The coursework consists of three reflection papers and a final project.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not had any issues thus far.
Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language and Culture

Course Department: Danish
Instructor: Ivan Hauser
Instruction Language: English/ Danish
Comments: Middlebury requires this class for all abroad students. The class consists of workbook exercises, a few quizzes, two cultural projects and a final written and oral exam. The class is absolutely what you put into it. Several field studies and assignments allow students to practice Danish (but to be able to speak, you have to put in work outside of class) and learn more about Danish culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not had any issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Pornography in Scandinavia

Course Department: Gender Studies
Instructor: Karen Theilade
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was fantastic! Professor Theilade is fantastic, and I would highly recommend this class to all GSFS and FMMC studies majors as it is very unique and not a class that we can take in the US. The workload was mostly reasonable with occasionally long reading assignments. The assignments consist of several reflection papers, a focus group project, and a final story board project.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not had any issues so far.
Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Human Sexuality

Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Debra Quackenbush
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was amazing, and I would highly recommend to all psychology majors. Professor Quackenbush has incredible experience as a sexologist and clinical psychologist, and the DIS context means the class discussions can be different than in an American context. The class offers a lot of opportunity for cultural comparison with several unique field studies. The class does require weekly discussion posts, which can feel like busy work, and some of the textbook readings may feel pretty basic to psych majors, but all in all the class is well-structured so that the workload is spread out. The class includes two exams and one research paper. Like all DIS classes, the course also featured two guest lecturers and two field studies.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not had any issues so far.