Don't be afraid of being afraid Past Review

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

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am a much better cook! I can navigate foreign cities and decipher foreign language signs. I know I can move to a country without a single friend and leave having made a community.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

I was in the biggest kollegium in Scandinavia, in a single room with a shared kitchen. While the building was not the prettiest, the kollegium had many opportunities to socialize, including a bar and a cafeteria. I loved having my own space while also having a common area to meet the 14 other people on my floor. Most of the Danish people I met while abroad came from my floor. I highly recommend a kollegium with a shared kitchen for anyone who wants to make friends with Danish students.

* Food:

Living in a kollegium with a shared kitchen, I cooked for myself. DIS gave us food stipends to help offset the cost, but everyone I know (including myself) ran out before the end of the semester. Conversely at Wellesley, I am on a mandatory unlimited meal plan so I don't have to spend money on food during the semester. That being said, learning to cook for myself was an integral part of my study abroad experience. It's what the Danes do, and I developed my life skills a lot.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All of my closest friends were Americans from my DIS classes. Danes are definitely more reserved about talking to new people, especially outside of a bar/party context. It is really easy to stay in an American bubble at DIS. However, thanks to a few of my DIS teachers, my SRA, and the Danes on my floor, I did learn a lot about Danish culture. Through my classes, I got to experience Danish art spaces, residential collectives, community gardens, parks, and more. My SRA arranged a Fastelavn celebration, celebrated people's birthdays with Danish treats, and showed us parts of Copenhagen beyond downtown. The Danes on my floor answered questions about Denmark and showed me how Danes socialize. Living in a kollegium with a shared kitchen was invaluable for social and cultural integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was denied a CPR number because both DIS and the Danish government seemed to have issues with my forms. One was processed a week later than the minimum duration required to be eligible for a CPR number, even though I submitted things on time. I was told that this happens to some DIS students every year, which was also frustrating. Because of this, I did not go to doctors while abroad as the DIS insurance requires students to front the money and then apply for reimbursement. If you simply can't afford to pay, it's difficult.

* Safety:

Copenhagen is a fairly safe city and I felt fine going out with friends. However, there were several incidents where I felt unsafe, including numerous instances of racial harassment. DIS administration was not supportive regarding my friends' experiences with racism, so I did not even bother to try talking to them.

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

I met some invaluable friends and gained life skills. DIS also gave me so many great opportunities to travel with my classmates. The nonchalant racism and discrimination from some of the Europeans was upsetting, but learning how to cope with it was important for my future life.

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)

The DIS food stipend helped a lot but did not completely cover groceries for the semester. Copenhagen is a very expensive city, and since there isn't a campus life like at American schools, going out to restaurants, bars, and clubs were often the only way to make friends, particularly during the Danish winter. To make friends, it was almost mandatory to spend money every weekend even if you budgeted groceries for the 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? Netto is the best budget grocery store!

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

I took Danish I, but every Danish person I met admitted that it is much easier for Danes to speak English than to try to understand our faltering Danish. I did learn how to read signs, which was helpful. Understanding grocery store labels was important. And, of course, "tak!"

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? No Danish
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? Duolingo is pretty good. Also, try speaking to your Danish friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International 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?
  • Travel
  • Low-stress work load
  • Kollegium living
* What could be improved?
  • Support with discrimination
  • Budgeting help
  • More social events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To fit in and meet people, you have to go out a LOT, and being drunk is expected. Denmark is also very Danish and homogenous, so the lack of diversity can be a shock.

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.