Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I learned more about myself than about Denmark Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/13/2016 to 05/15/2017 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Stronger design skills, more confidence and independence, travel skills, to enjoy life more for what is happening presently around me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

DIS has very open office hours and responded quickly to meet any questions or concerns we had. They also promptly and effectively addressed any widespread issues that would affect the entire student body.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great-- I was very centrally located in the middle of the city, but it was challenging to share an apartment with 10 other people...

* Food:

We were given a food stipend which was adequate for someone like me (small person who does not eat very much), but other students ran out about halfway into the semester.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We were given Danish CPR cards which granted us full access to medical care that Danish citizens received. No prevalent health issues/ vaccines.

* Safety:

Low crime rate, though there were 2 major tragedies that occurred in the city during my year there.

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

I don't think it's healthy to regret/ dwell on the past, but overall my experience was really incredible and I learned a lot about the world and even more about myself.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Book flights in advance, hostels instead of hotels, don't believe all the hype of a fancy restaurant/ bar.

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

Everyone in Denmark speaks english, so students did not have to use the language unless they were taking a Danish Language class.

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? Meet Danes, don't be shy to practice with them. Work on your accent, do all the homework.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Classes
  • Study Tours
* What could be improved?
  • Engagement with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you really have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to meet locals and engage with the culture.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Design Thinking
Course Department:
Instructor: Mikkel Fuhr
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Design thinking was an incredibly dynamic and fast-paced class. We learned a framework for problem solving that is widely applicable. Intense collaboration was challenging at times, but taught a lot about the importance of communication.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language and Culture I
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English and Danish
Comments: The course was challenging but not too difficult. Field trips were very relevant and enriched my understanding of Danish culture. I participated less because I was not confident in my pronunciation of the new language. Danish is difficult to learn in a single semester, however, especially since the population speaks English.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Architecture Foundations Studio
Course Department: AD
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was challenging and engaging. I felt like I gained a comprehensive understanding of Danish design, and how to implement those principles in my own work. Assessed on 2 major projects.
Credit Transfer Issues: unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Who's Watching? Art, Culture, and Surveillance
Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Karen Louise Søilen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This is my favorite college course I have every taken. The readings were engaging, the field trips to museums and architectural works were relevant and exciting, and we had freedom to explore complicated works combined with our own experiences in a series of essays.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure