"Tak famel & hygge": How Danish culture changed this American Girl :) Past Review

By (Dickinson College) - 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?
I learned so much about myself and that traveling is truly the most rewarding experience I have so far in life. I wish I could go back and do it again and again, I can't express how refreshing and eye-opening this experience was.

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.

I don't think the work was too challenging, but it was engaging in a way that I had been missing in my college experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had the best host family in the entire world! Please continue to give them great students, they're AMAZING!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never once did I feel unsafe.

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

I loved Denmark and my host family, I just think I would have traveled a lot more if I stayed in a city that was closer to the rest of continental Europe, like in Northern Italy or France

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)

I planned very well, but Denmark was extremely expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I can't remember but not much because my family cooked for me all the time.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend it all in the beginning! When you first get to your host country you'll want to buy everything, but if you pace yourself, you'll be able to pay for more experiences rather than just things.

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

The language course was optional, but I took it and lived with a host family, so they were always encouraging me to speak Danish

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? SPEAK!!! You have to make yourself uncomfortable and just use the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • MIN VAERTSFAMILIE (My host family!)
  • The American friends I made
  • Seeing the world
* What could be improved?
  • I wish our finals weren't weighted so heavily
  • I wish the semester could've been longer
  • One extra travel week would have been a bonus :)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much I would love it so that I would have done a whole year instead of just one semester

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.