Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Decision I've Ever Made. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/17/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This time abroad was definitely worthwhile. I gained independence, experience navigating a bustling city, and the ability to connect with people from across the globe.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

* Safety:

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

This program was fantastic. They were so supportive, provided all resources necessary, and really allowed me to integrate into European culture.

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? $100-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I recommend avoiding eating out a lot. While it is definitely delicious, it is also very expensive with a 25% tax on restaurant bills. The groceries, however, are very reasonable.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I am fairly advanced in written French from taking in for 7 years in high school.
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? The online worksheets are the prime way to solidify what you know!

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?
  • The people
  • The location
  • The free time to explore Europe
* What could be improved?
  • Location for some courses
  • Distance from campus for some students
  • Ability to contact professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know that I need to be confident in myself and in my abilities. If I am uncomfortable in a new setting, then I am sure that most of the people around me are too.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Royalty in the Land of Equality
Course Department: History
Instructor: Steffen L.
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was absolutely amazing. We learned so much in an interactive way and visited many castles and had many guess-lectures/video presentations. I did not participate a ton as it is not my normal field of study. We were assessed with papers and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Danish Language and Culture
Course Department: Danish
Instructor: Catherina Rosendahl
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not challenging for me as language comes easy to me, but I do know some struggled. I loved the course. We learned basic danish while learning about the culture as a whole. We were assessed with projects, assessments, and papers. I participated quite a bit as I was confident in the subject.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Neurological Disorders and Diseases
Course Department: Neuroscience
Instructor: Bettina H. and Frederik J.
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not challenging, in fact, it was mostly a review of material I have already learned at Middlebury. We had to travel an hour to class in a hospital in which we didn't even see patients, so that was often a burden. I did participate a lot. We were assessed with exams and case assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, but this course it supposed to count towards my major as an elective.
Course Name/Rating:

Impact of Epidemic Disease Upon European History
Course Department: History
Instructor: Peter Christiansen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was great. It was not very challenging, made use of the location, and the teacher was fantastic. We did not have any field trips for this course. We were assessed by exams and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach
Course Department: Medical Practice and Policy
Instructor: Rahim and Johanna
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was not particularly challenging, but did require a lot of work and study time. The location was in a hospital close to DIS so that was great - we got to interview real patients. I participated the same as I would at Midd. We were assessed with patient case write-ups, participation, and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not done this process yet, but I predict that I will not have any problems.