Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An experience that helped me to be independent Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/17/2018 to 12/14/2018 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really learned to be open to all the new cultural perspectives around me and to reflect upon the cultural preferences that shape who I am.

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Free health care in Denmark and extremely accessible.

* Safety:

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

I loved the opportunity to be in Europe and travel throughout the region. I think DIS was amazing in that really encouraged students to use the world around us as our classroom with its hands-on approach and field studies.

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? probably around 100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep track of what you spend typically per week. Minimize eating out.

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

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? Danish Language and Culture I
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? Use each other!

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Travel Time
  • Field Studies
  • Professors
* What could be improved?
  • Major assignments were all due around the same time.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That not every day is going to be the best day of your life and there it takes time to adjust, but give it time and be flexible.

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:

Globalization and European Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Michael Hedegaard and Mikkel Godt Gregerson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a challenging course, yet extremely relevant to the modern global economy. Our field studies and assignments in class challenged us to apply economic theory to real life.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Urban Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Angel Vidal-Alonso and Ed Romein
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was interesting in that it very much felt like an Urban Studies class and used a lot less microeconomic theory than I thought it would. Nonetheless, the assignments allowed us to really dive into cities and the problems that underly them.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language and Culture I
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Nina Honoré Lahav
Instruction Language: Danish and English
Comments: This was a very challenging class that required you to really stay on top of your work, but very much enjoyed taking it. It was definitely a participation-focused class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Leadership Across Cultures
Course Department: Business, Leadership Studies
Instructor: Morten King-Grubert
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This professor offered a lot of his own work experiences in dealing with intercultural management, which was interesting to hear. We were assessed through papers, participation, and a final exam, which challenged us to apply the leadership and intercultural management skills we had acquired.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History of Sexuality in Europe
Course Department: Gender Studies, History
Instructor: Sara Gjermandsen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I absolutely loved this class. We were graded on essays, discussion posts, participation, and presentations. The professor was extremely knowledgable and incredible. We had a variety of workshops and guest lecturers that really contributed to our learning.
Credit Transfer Issues: