A Cocoo Danish Bananza Past Review

By Benjamin Maffa (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/15/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to travel. I learned how to make things happen. I learned how to live with another family (and failed mostly). I learned how to speak lidt danske (a little danish). I learned how to make friends! I learned how being nice to everybody always comes back around. Yes, it was worthwile.

Review Photos

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.	Program did a fantastic job of balancing academic life with freedom for the program. The semester was not overly rigorous, rather it gave you opportunities to be more academic if you wanted that.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Pretty well. I was not very satisfied with DIS's support when I lost my backpack on the train the opening week. Other than that, they were fine.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Within the homestay experience, there are many things to consider: the distance from the city can be LONG - like an hour commute. There are families that you may connect, with and others you may not connect with. Be adaptable and hope for the best! I would recommend the folkehuset, the LLC, or the homestay (in that order).
* Food:	It is what it is, its copenhagen!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Extremely integrated. It is what you make of it. I was involved in a local tennis club in my homestay town and integrated in the Royal Danish Academy of Music because I was a tonmeister.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Not sure.
* Safety:	Extremely safe city. Don't need to be overly concerned regarding safety.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The program does a great job of laying out structure for the semester. There is a great balance of stuff planned and freedom to explore the city and travel to other places around Europe. Academics were the right level of difficulty. Weekly newsletters let you know what's going on around Copenhagen!

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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Well
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	70$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Just buy it

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	A little! Perfect amount
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?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	no

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
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?	The hospitality during classes - hot cocoa during field trips at coffee shops, and nice pitstops at cafes! Great field trips provided by DIS - Royal Danish Ballet show!, Ballet class at Tivoli Gardens The location of DIS is right in the middle of the city. Amazing!
* What could be improved?	More support from DIS when things go wrong. I.e. lost passport.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The difficulty of living in a homestay. But also, I think my experience was a little more of a personal challenge with my family than most.

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 Networker An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	European Urban Experience
Course Department:	Urban Studies
Instructor:	Regitze
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Overall relaxed class. Lots of field trips and walks around the city. A pretty general overview of urban studies along with concepts of infrastructure and stuff like that. You realize Regitze is amazing after the 2nd class. Great travels.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no idea

Course Name/Rating:	Royal Danish Academy of Music - Tonmeister
Course Department:	Music
Instructor:	Peter
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very, very cool to be at the Royal Danish Academy of Music to take external courses. This was my favorite part of being abroad. The experience of engaging with international students is more than the DIS courses can offer. Do Rustur, the opening orientation trip!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Danish Language and Culture
Course Department:	Language and Culture
Instructor:	Bianca
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very good course. Learned about Denmark and got a satisfactory education and knowledge of the Danish language! Bianca is great!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology of Peak Performance
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:	Jørn Ravenholt Peterson
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Instructor can be a bit monotonous, but he has a lot of experience in the field as a mental coach on the Danish Olympic team. We learn about athlete psychology and performing arts psychology. Very interesting topic. Would recommend the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: