Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unexpected Experiences Past Review

By (Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis / IUPUI) - abroad from 05/23/2016 to 07/05/2016 with

DIS Summer in Scandinavia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can do wonderful things under pressure without anyone to help me. Languages are best learned by immersion. Getting lost in a city is wonderful.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were incredibly interesting and challenging. However, the staff could care less about you. They really would rather you choke on all your work than enjoy your experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

If I could give a zero, I would. Student affairs continued to threaten students with sending them home for having any negative opinions of the school or the program. I was threatened for a Facebook post from before I was in Europe by student affairs for complaining about a student I met in the states.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Not great, but I was able to sleep.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Kollegiums were great for meeting Danes!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any problems, but I worked in a hospital and loved it.

* Safety:

I had my phone stolen and my hotel broken into, losing a little over $1500 USD in items, electronics, and such. Police were nice and everyone was so interested in my safety and well-being. Stay away from places with lots of Americans: that's who stole most of my stuff.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Copenhagen was beautiful. I fell in love with the city. But DIS needs to figure out what they feel is more important: money or student well-being and safety.

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? $275
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy a few minimal groceries.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Copenhagen as a city.
  • Transferable credits.
  • Time was appropriate.
* What could be improved?
  • Student affairs.
  • Faculty.
  • DIS in general.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? DIS wasn't going to help me while abroad. I was a victim of theft twice. And no one helped me.

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:

Cognitive Neuroscience of Fear
Course Department:
Instructor: Bettina Hornball
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Hornball is the only teacher I have ever met that tells students that they don't care what they're particular interests are in a subject. She told students that she wouldn't talk about something because she wasn't interested.
Credit Transfer Issues: Transfer still hasn't gone through.
Course Name/Rating:

Human Health and Disease
Course Department:
Instructor: Various
Instruction Language: English
Comments: LOVED having the clinical trials and having specialists teach each section.
Credit Transfer Issues: