Danish Dream Past Review
By Kate Caldwell (University of Tennessee - Knoxville) - abroad from 01/15/2016 to 05/14/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
To not be embarrassed about not knowing things and to take risks! Yes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Compared to my home university, the DIS program was much less intense academically. I don't know if it was because I was a senior and one year ahead of most other students or because they placed such a high focus on cultural exposure as well. Overall, I learned much more about culture and myself than I was challenged academically. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administration, on the other hand, was extremely strict. Their policies on missing class for travel are hard to work with. This could be frustrating at times- it is especially hard to plan weekend trips if you have class on Friday (understandable, but since they put such a high priority on travel and exposure to other countries as well, it is a bit frustrating). |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family experience was outstanding- I don't know how much DIS works on pairing students with families (I am a vegetarian and allergic to dogs and DIS paired me with a heavy meat eating family with two dogs). But the family and I were a perfect fit. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Incredibly. They do field studies almost every Wednesday that are dedicated to cultural integration and discovery. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a. However I did get sick on a study tour and the faculty directors were less than accommodating. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Denmark is such a different culture than America, especially the South. It is harder to get to know people, but it gets you out of your comfort zone. Also, pick a place to study where you don't know anything about the language. It is so challenging, but so fun! |
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) |
Denmark is extremely expensive. Some days if I forgot to pack my lunch I would end up spending 100-150dkk just for a sandwich and a coffee. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$75, when I was not traveling and eating out a lot. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pack a lunch and try not to buy coffee when you are out! Take advantage of student discounted cafes. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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| 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Live in a homestay. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | n/a |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
