An Experience that Taught Me a lot About Myself Past Review
By Malia Lakatos (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/15/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I learned a lot about the universal welfare state and how growing up in a place where you don't have to worry so much about healthcare, violence, rights, poverty, etc. influences the culture. I think it was extremely worthwhile and it helped me gain such an appreciation for the culture and the general way of thinking that exists in Denmark. I also gained a more worldly view and am able to think about the globe as a whole more and truly feel interested in international cultures, politics, news, etc.
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 |
I never really interacted with administration besides being sent e-mails from the program periodically. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose the rented room program and was very grateful to have been able to live with young Scandinavian people. We got along extremely well and I learned much more about Scandinavian culture by living with them. |
| * Food: |
I received a food stipend and was able to cook for myself. The grocery stores that the food stipend was usable at always had everything I needed. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think because I lived with Scandinavians I was able to integrate myself more into the culture and have more of an understanding of the lifestyle of Danes. I think many American students associated mostly with other Americans because that is who they were living with. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe while walking around and when I was alone. I never felt like any sort of violence towards me would be a concern, but I did have my wallet stolen while shopping in a busy store. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I am very grateful for the experience that I was able to have and the insights I was able to gain about Scandinavian culture and the welfare state that will definitely stick with me for the rest of my life. I enjoyed that we were given time to travel and that immersing yourself into the local culture was strongly promoted. Also Danes are extremely kind people even if they are quiet at first. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
If I had not traveled as much I think it would have been very easy to live on a student budget, but as I wanted to travel as much as I could afford I definitely spent much more than I typically would during a normal semester at my home university. But my costs outside of travel were manageable and I think I was able to handle my money well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to eat at sit-down restaraunts as it is extremely expensive in Copenhagen. Don't feel the need to go out to clubs/bars and buy drinks because that is also incredibly expensive. Drink at home with friends to save money. Shop at Netto because it's the cheapest and although it doesn't have the best selection ever- it probably has everything you need for much cheaper than at the bigger grocery stores. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That the transition will be more difficult than I think and that it's ok to be lonely and spend time alone. And that even if it's difficult sometimes it will be so worth it and such an amazing opportunity to not only learn about different cultures, but to learn about myself. |
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.' |
