My New Home Past Review

By (Architecture., Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/17/2014 to 05/15/2015 with

DIS Summer in Scandinavia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worth it! I was only supposed to stay a semester but I ended up staying the year.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academically much easier than Wellesley but I feel like I have learned so much more. My professors all work in their field, many have their own architecture firms, some are American and some are Danish. Field studies are a great way of applying what you learned in the classroom to real life and then bringing it back to your own projects.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They are very helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

First semester I lived in a DRC. I had roommate and we had our own kitchenette and bathroom. I liked the appartement and the location was amazing and the people individually were nice but by the end I couldn' stand living with Americans. Second semester I moved to a kolligium where I have my own room and bathroom and share a kitchen with the Danes on my floor.

* Food:

Eating out is very expensive unless you get street food. The food is delicious though. DIS gives you food stipend so I cooked all my meals, and I love to cook so that wasn't an issue for me.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Its hard to integrate unless you really make the effort. There are little things you can do- like getting a bike, going to flea markets, avoiding bars that Americans go to, going to events in the city- that that can help make the city feel like your home. Living in a DRC with Americans and taking classes with only Americans made it hard at first. Then I joined the choir at the Copenhagen Business School. Now I have many Danish and International friends. Also living in a kolligium with Danes is a great way to meet other people your age.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When you get your CPR card they give you an English speaking doctor. I have never had a nicer doctor experience. I never go the doctor in the US unless for a checkup. Here I got an ear infection and a very sore throat and I was in and out of the doctor and got my prescription in less than 30 minutes.

* Safety:

I have never felt unsafe here, even at a bar at 2 am or biking alone late at night or on the metro at 5am. Never once looked around and felt unsafe.

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

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)

I spent around $60 a week on groceries and personal expenses. Sometimes more or less depending on how many time I went out each week or if I needed architecture supplies.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 250 dkk on grocerys (from the stipend) and less than 100 dkk on other things
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook your own food, drinks at bars are expensive, plan your trips well in advance because ticket prices rise fast.

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 took the Danish I class where we learned phrases that we could use to get to know people or order at a cafe. I had a terrible teacher so it was difficult to learn an already difficult 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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I have takes up to 300 level Arabic
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? If you actually care about learning Danish, live with Danes in a homestay, kolligium, or Danish roommate. If you can't have one of those options, go out of your way to meet Danes and have then help you

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The architecutre program
  • Making new international friends
  • Travel
* What could be improved?
  • More information on Copenhagen events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about Danish culture