The best four months dissimilar to any experience I will ever have Past Review
By Audrey Paras (University of Redlands) - abroad from 01/17/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Before studying abroad, I had become comfortable and complacent to where my life was, and was not getting myself out of my comfort zone. Initially studying abroad was a complete shock to me and I felt so homesick and was second guessing my abilities to study abroad. I had wanted to study abroad for so long, so I made sure I tried my best to combat this feeling and really make the best I could make of this experience. Forcing myself out of my comfort zone made me even more proud of myself. I made amazing friends from all parts of Europe and America and become so much more independent than I thought I could be. It was definitely the best experience in my life thus far and I am so glad I studied abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS did an amazing job creating a program that balanced studies, travel, and immersion of Danish culture. I am proud to say it wasn't like many other study abroad programs where you do not learn any academics, but I had about as many memories and learned experiences of European culture as I probably would have in another program. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $50/week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in Danish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Even though you should take many of the opportunities to travel, try to experience as much as you can of Danish culture and create strong bonds with the people in your program and in your housing because that is what will make this experience worthwhile. |
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.' |
