Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best 4 Months of My Life Past Review

By (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/15/2016 to 05/15/2016 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned what full independence is. How to navigate any situation, anywhere. How to make uncomfortable situations comfortable. A small bit of corporate finance.

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.

The Finance classes I took were not as tough as at IU, but I definitely learned a decent amount in them. The other classes I took were relatively easy and relatively undemanding, which was nice for a study abroad program. I was forced by IU to take 15 credits too so easier classes were cool.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone wants to help you. Everyone is nice. No issues.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in the literal center of the city 2 minutes from DIS, I got lucky with that but the housing location was perfect. Apartment was cramped but I didn't really care

* Food:

Didn't have a meal plan or anything but DIS gives u the equivalent of $600 usd in kroner to use at the grocery stores for the semester. It lasted me until mid April, which is fine. the $600 lasts you about as far as it would at an American grocery store

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was relatively easy to meet Danes if you really wanted to. I met a few, it was fine, it wasn't crucial to my experience so idk. After 3 weeks I felt like a local, and it was easy to integrate to Danish culture. Very cool

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Heard it was good. Didn't have to use it

* Safety:

Safest god damn city in the world. You could walk around with $100 bills loosely taped to your body at 3am drunker than you've ever been and no one would take any money in any part of the city I visited.

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

I would live the rest of my life taking classes at DIS and living in Copenhagen. Truly was the best 4 months of my life, I enjoyed everything about it and would do it again a million times. DIS does good job with the program, and Denmark is an amazing country otherwise.

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)

It is an expensive city. I would estimate I spent $950-1200 a month in Copenhagen, travel excluded. I was prepared for it though. Not eating out saves you a ton of money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 275
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you need to save, don't eat out and go to bars with no cover or discounted drinks. Grocery stores are relatively cheap but in general entertainment is expensive in Copenhagen

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Everything
  • All of it
  • It was fantastic
* What could be improved?
  • Give kids who are close to DIS a 2 zone transport pass!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Go in relatively unprepared. It makes it more fun

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.