DIS: Denmark Is Superb Past Review
By Colleen R (Global Studies/Health Policy & Management, Providence College) for
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
I still haven't fully grasped all the ways I've changed while I've been away, but I know that nothing can begin to compare with my experience abroad, and I fully believe that everyone should make an effort to do any study abroad program they're interested in.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS is a wonderful program, but any transition is hard- I felt like orientation should have been more helpful than it was, and support services should have been made available/publicized. The program overall was big and I think that may have taken away a bit from individual learning and experiences that would've been available in a small class/program size. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a kollegium in the norrebro district of Copenhagen- it was a mixture of a dorm and an apartment, but in hindsight, I don't think it was the best choice for me because trying to establish relationships with the people I lived with didn't take off, since it was a very independent-style living kollegium. I think others in the program that lived there had different experiences than I did, but I missed the college dorm-life style of having roommates around and knowing people on your floor. |
| * Food: |
We had a food stipend card, which enabled me to go to the supermarket to learn how to do grocery shopping on my own and how to cook various meals, but I would have appreciated more cooking classes! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The study tours to Russia, France, Estonia and Finland were amazing experiences that I will never forget |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Denmark is a very safe country, and so even walking around late at night, I never really felt unsafe at all, yet as a group we almost always travelled in groups anyways out of habit. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was under the impression that travelling would have been cheaper in Europe than it was in reality, and I wish there had been resources available through my program to assist with independent travel plans. |
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make like Nike, and Just Do It. It will definitely not disappoint. |
