My time to grow, explore and breathe Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/13/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I gained relationships and exposure to new types of learning that were much more hands on than I could have ever imagined
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I went into this program as someone who is pre-med and was still looking to take some classes that were a bit more challenging, and was definitely given that in most aspects of my classes. I can't lie and should say that some classes definitely were easier than others and that could have just been a professor aspect. So while I might not have felt as challenged or stressed all the time during this program as I would back at Wellesley, I definitely got a rigorous experience in a different manner. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty helpful. Some issues in clarity with homestay networking team because of miscommunication but overall fine. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a wonderful time with my host family and that's because I was brutally honest about what type of experience I wanted and what I expected from a host family and myself in the initial letter. The more detailed you are about yourself and who you want to be on this abroad journey, the easier it is to be matched with a host family you actually enjoy. This goes for other living arrangements as well because you have to be honest so that you can enjoy the experience you have for the next four months |
| * Food: |
I had my first hot dog in 10 years in Copenhagen and they are not like American hot dogs and were incredible. Ate a lot of pastries too and it was delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had an advantage because I had a host family and one of my friends who lived 3 streets down was also in a host family so I got to hang out with them often and learn about Denmark through their eyes. Going on trips with friends to just explore the city was also nice |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I would bike from the metro station back to my home stay after midnight sometimes and felt safe and fine. I do have a friend who was pickpocketed on the train once and in that scenario just keep an eye on your belongings all the time especially in a crowded area. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I was lucky enough to be placed in a great family and enjoy the people I was with so I would do it over again, but change certain things like some of my classes and make myself extend out of my comfort zone a little bit more |
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) |
Copenhagen is an expensive city and while you can get 2 for 20 kroner (around 3 dollars) croissants, going out to eat is expensive, buying snacks all the time, needing to get gifts, going on trips all the time etc. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | maybe around 15 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | one thing might be to save trips to the designated breaks the program gives you. DIS gives us a lot of vacation time so make sure you use those to your advantage and the earlier you book these trips the better and more money you save. Pastries are great and all but don't buy them all the time or you will slowly go broke |
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 |
if you took Danish your professors wanted you to sometimes practice out in cafes and such but that would only happen sometimes. my host parents encouraged me most to us it |
| 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? | a 200 level college course |
| 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? | duolingo is helpful, but honestly most people speak English so even if you don't know any Danish or don't take a Danish class, you'll either be fine or be able to pick up on small useful phrases to use |
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? | the metro is your best friend, biking can be your best friend, cheap things are only cheap if you don't buy them in excess, get a kebab box sooner rather than later, reach out to those beyond just your homestay network, plan your trips earlier |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
