Amazing Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2016 to 05/17/2016 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I gained both intellectual and personal growth from studying abroad, growth that could never have occurred had I studied at home. DIS was an incredible study abroad experience, and I would definitely recommend this program to other students interested in studying abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
DIS was an incredible experience because I immersed into a new society and culture. DIS enabled me to undergo tremendous intellectual and personal growth. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of the DIS program in Copenhagen was excellent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements in the Bispebjerg Kollegium in Copenhagen were overall very good. My only concern was that I requested in the housing application to be placed in a housing option near the Chabad of Copenhagen. Instead I was assigned to housing in an area of Copenhagen called Norrebro, an area with a history of anti-Semitism. Despite this, the living arrangements were very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
DIS enabled me to immerse into a new culture that helped me undergo intellectual and personal growth. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The universal health care system in Denmark was much easier to navigate than the health care system at home. I was able to obtain prescribed medication and see doctors in a relatively timely and cost-efficient manner. |
| * Safety: |
Overall Copenhagen was safe. My only concern was that Norrebro, the section of Copenhagen where I was living, has a history of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic assaults. I could not walk in this area while wearing a yarmulke without fear of getting assaulted. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
DIS was an amazing experience that enabled me to see the world through the eyes of a society and culture completely different from mine. I learned new intellectual perspectives about a variety of issues, ranging from European politics to history, that challenged my own preconceived notions and allowed me to undergo intellectual growth as well. Immersing into a new culture also enabled me to appreciate elements of my home culture that I had previously taken for granted. I also underwent tremendous personal growth. |
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) |
I was provided with a food card with about 4,000 DK ($600) on it. This greatly reduced my food expenses because I could use it at several major grocery stores throughout Copenhagen. Eating out tended to be expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out as little as possible. |
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 |
Although most Danes speak English fluently, I took a Danish class in order to learn more about the Danish language and Danish culture. My professor actively encouraged students to speak Danish as much as possible. |
| 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? | N/A |
| 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 Danish outside of the classroom as much as possible. |
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? | I wish I had received official recommendations from DIS as how to undertake independent travel most effectively. I received many recommendations primarily from my professors as how to do this, but I wish that DIS had issued some recommendations to help assist students directly. |
