Metamorphosis July 20, 2026
By Alondra R (HSSP, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2026 to 05/14/2026 with
DIS Copenhagen: Semester
Some of the many things I learned: - Suturing - Reading CT scans - How to write a patient case - Performing an abdominal ultrasound - Danish - CPR - IV insertions - The structure of different healthcare systems - Etc. Was it worthwhile: absolutely
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I received so much clinical exposure and hands on experience that you usually wouldn't get in your undergrad, and I was really grateful for the pace of my courses as well. It was almost impossible to feel behind because they don't assume you know everything from the get go. They really focused on making it an immersive and education experience rather than a stressful one. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Whenever I ran into any issues or was confused about anything at any point of my trip I was sure to receive a timely response. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an incredible housing experience. I can tell that they really did take our housing preferences into consideration when assigning roomates/suitmates. I was in the culinary LLC and it was incredibly clean, we had cleaners once a week, a gym, and a sauna. The only downside in the beginning was adjusting to the commute to class, but you eventually learn to appreciate it (especially if you bike!). |
| * Food: |
You cook the majority of your meals. Eating out in CPH gets really expensive really quickly. It's definitely a different cuisine to what used to as a Hispanic, but the pastries are top tier!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I participated in hygge, learned Danish, biked, and put an active effort into immersing myself into their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Denmark is known to be one of the safest places in the world, and I can vouche for that! Even when I was commuting back to my dorm around 3am I never felt unsafe and the trains are pretty reliable. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Looking back to my experience is so incredibly nostalgic. I made amazing friends who I keep in touch with til this day and met such passionate professors and clinical specialists who I can use as references in my future career planning. My confidence in my clinical skills increased significantly and this program really reminded me that medicine is not just stressful but so rewarding and fascinating. I arrived very intimidated, thinking I wasn't as prepared or experienced as my peers but my worries quickly vanished. Theres so many stories I can tell and I highly recommend DIS. |
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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | As uncomfortable or scary as it may seem, try using what you know in conversation and eventually your confidence and vocab will expand. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would've been more financially prepared for how expensive living in CPH would be. Near the second half of the semester I had to be pretty scarce with my money. Whatever you think you'll need, double it if you can. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
