Why did you choose this program? I chose this program because it offered classes that helped fulfill my major and minor requirements. In addition, this program had travel weeks built into the semester where you have the opportunity to travel with  your class around Denmark and other countries in Europe.

Describe your favorite class(es) abroad. My favorite classes abroad were Child Development in a Multicultural Context and Photojournalism. Both of these classes were taught by amazing professors and gave me a unique perspective of Denmark that I would have not experienced unless I had taken these classes. They were interactive and forced me to push myself out of my comfort zone.

What was the housing like on your study abroad program? I lived in an apartment style residence hall with all American students who were also attending DIS. My room came with a fully stocked kitchen and full bathroom. In addition, our common area had two fully stocked kitchens, dining area, and living room.

What advice would you like to give to future study abroad students? Explore the city that you live in as much as you can because when else will have the opportunity to live in a foreign country for 5 months. Also, don't be afraid to talk to the locals, they are the ones who can help you find that amazing coffee shop or hidden beach.

What’s your best memory from your time abroad? My favorite memory from studying abroad was the week-long trip that my class took to Istanbul, Turkey. This trip opened my eyes to so many social issues that students in different countries face everyday.

Describe your experience with culture shock or reverse culture shock. I did not know that reverse culture shock was something that I would experience. It was very hard for me to come back from such an open-minded country to a very small town in Indiana. It was also hard for me to convey to others the amazing experiences I had abroad.

“If I could do it over, I would…” I would rent my bike sooner in the semester. I rented my bike halfway through the semester and it made my life 100 times easier. It also allowed me to see so many different parts of Copenhagen. I would also try to explore more cities in Denmark, because each of them is so unique.

What do you wish someone had told you before you left? I wish someone had told me to pack less stuff. Throughout the semester I had accumulated so much extra clothes and souvenirs that I had to leave some stuff behind because I had no more room in my luggage.

What was your greatest challenge? My greatest challenge was trying to communicate with the kids in the pre-school where I did my service-learning. None of the children spoke English and I do not speak any Danish so I had to find a different form of communication. Although this was the most challenging part it was also my most rewarding experience.

Discuss: “Going abroad vs. staying on campus.” Going abroad everyday is an adventure where you can explore a completely new place and meet new people.

What fact about your host country do you think people would be surprised to learn? Copenhagen has been rated the happiest city in the world for 5 years in a row!!

Would you recommend other students pursue any specific scholarship opportunities? I would apply for the OVPDEMA, Hutton Honors college, and DIS scholarships. All of these scholarships had very easy applications and helped fund most of my trip.