Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best 4 months of my life! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/18/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Abroad was very worthwhile. I learned more about myself and how I can navigate through the world and impact it every single day. I made friends to last a lifetime, got to visit and learn from doctors and hospitals all over Europe, and so on. Couldn't recommend this experience more. Especially because I was someone who was unsure about going abroad. I mostly went because all of my friends from my home University were going. And now, it holds some of my fondest memories.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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:

Was very nervous about the food in Copenhagen before I arrived. The food was the BEST part. Eat out, try new things, and be ready to spend money because it is very expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every Danish person I met was very welcoming, happy to meet me and other Americans, and ready to show me their culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Out of everywhere I traveled during my 4 months abroad,I felt the most safe in Copenhagen. I always felt 100% safe, even when walking home very late.

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

DIS was very organized, which made you feel safe and taken care of in a foreign country.

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)

It was very hard to live in Copenhagen on a student's budget and be able to fully take advantage of the city. Although I'm sure it's possible, I did not live on a students budget and I firmly believe that I wouldn't have been able to live in the city and experience everything it had to offer without that support from my parents.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 562.5
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Trying to cook dinners and other meals at home, limit coffee (coffee averages $8 a cup), split meals with friends, try to not order a lot of drinks.

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

I guess the program encouraged us to speak Danish outside of the classroom. However, the English is so good in Copenhagen that if you spoke to a waiter or someone in Danish they would reply in English because they could tell you weren't Danish. So, therefore it was hard to use outside of the classroom.

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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? N/a

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?
  • Safety
  • Organization
  • Classroom Discussion
* What could be improved?
  • Treating us like adults (in a housing sense - we don't need an RA)
  • a larger stipend for groceries (everyone runs out of money before the 4 months are over)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I really have no idea what to say here! Maybe don't bring so many clothes. You wind up buying a lot and then it is hard to get home.

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:

Social Brain
Course Department: Neuroscience
Instructor: Lone Vesterager Martinus
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very rewarding, challenging, interesting class. Professor Lone was one of the best professors I have ever had, including my time at Middlebury.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Human Health and Disease
Course Department: Pre-Med
Instructor: Torben Lykke Sørensen, Patrick Terrence Brooks
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was very challenging - not the classic study abroad course. The exams require a lot of preparation, time, and class attendance. Very rewarding and success is definitely achievable. Loved the study tours and exposure.
Credit Transfer Issues: