Denmark
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) in Copenhagen

Advising: Mary Beth Falkner, Education Abroad Advisor, x2532, XAVR 181

Academics:   DIS, established in 1959, is a non-profit educational foundation affiliated with the University of Copenhagen. DIS is known to be intensive, demanding, and rewarding with a unique academic environment that includes study tours and significant hands-on learning.

Students can choose courses from across the disciplines available in order to form a program that best suits you. Most courses meet twice a week for an hour and a half and tend to be fairly small. Students should expect the workload to be similar to that at SU. Students will be expected to complete written assignments, group presentations, and a midterm or final. There are opportunities available for students to participate in a Comparative Field Project, Research Project, or do an Independent Study.

Courses are taught in English and designed for upper-level undergraduates. Courses in a foreign language including Danish are available. 

Programs at DIS include:

• Architecture & Design
• Biomedicine
• Child Diversity & Development
• Communication & Media
• European Humanities
• European Politics
• Global Economics
• International Business
• Justice & Human Rights
• Medical Practice & Policy
• Pre-Architecture
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Science & the Environment
• Sociology
• Sustainability in Europe

DIS integrates study tours into the course curriculum. One short tour and one week long tour with locations based upon the students program are included as part of the program.

The best way to truly experience your new country is by becoming involved in your new community. Students can get involved with a variety of different sports or choose to volunteer. Students can volunteer in many different areas including schools, youth activities, social projects, political organizations, sports and coaching, nursing homes, or NGOs. Students also have the opportunity to travel on their own during the weekends and the three week break during midterms.

For more information visit the DIS website at www.dis.dk  

Credits: This program is on the semester system so credit transfer is 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits. Students will enroll in a full semester load.

Housing: DIS offers five different housing options that entail different degrees of immersion with Danes.

• Host Family- This option allows for the best cross-cultural experience as you become a member of the family. You will be provided with your own room but will share facilities with the family. All food is provided however you are expected to make your own lunches. Danish families allow you to go out with your friends and travel on the weekends, but they do want to spend some time with you so be prepared to interact and spend some weekends and evenings at home.
• Kollegium- This is the Danish equivalent of a student residence hall. The kollegium used by DIS is also shared between many Danish universities and colleges and thus allow you to meet a variety of students from many disciplines and backgrounds. In most cases you will have your own room with a private bathroom and share a kitchen with about 15 other students, or you may share an apartment with another DIS student.  Kollegiums offer different social events that you can participate in to meet other students.
• Shared DIS Housing- These rooms are all centrally located and come furnished. Two students often share a room and will either share a kitchenette and bathroom with a roommate or share a common kitchen and bathrooms with fellow students living in the same building.
• Danish Roommate- Your Danish roommate is between 18-30 years old, lives in a centrally located apartment and is either a student or working professional. The room you rent comes furnished and you will have shared access to a kitchen and bathroom. Your roommate will help to acquaint you with the local area and get you settled, though the level of interaction with your roommate will vary.
• FOLKEHØJSKOLE- Students will live at a small rural liberal arts college with about 80 students. The Danish students live at the school and participate in a wide spectrum of courses and extracurricular activities with the idea of becoming 'educated for life'. With this option, you will participate in a dinner meal plan during the weekdays. You will live and eat alongside Danish students and commute to DIS. You will have your own room with either a private or shared bathroom and access to a shared kitchenette.

Program Cost Estimates: Students pay a specialized semester tuition rate ($16,000 based on 2012-13 rates). Room and board fees (estimated at $4,500) are paid by the student to DIS. Participants maintain all financial aid including SU institutional scholarships. Round-trip airfare, medical insurance, and personal expenses are not included.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.  All majors may apply.

Application Deadline: Applicants must complete the online SU Education Abroad Global Application (available November 1, 2012) by February 15, 2012. Please read the directions carefully and make certain to submit all supporting documentation with your application. Students may also want to consider applying for a DIS Scholarship. Scholarship applications should be submitted directly to DIS.

For more information, see the One Page Flyer for DIS!