Everyone at DIS-Copenhagen has a different daily schedule depending on where they live, their classes, and their class schedule. I planned my courses, so I only had a few breaks throughout the day to avoid random long breaks. This also makes it easier for me when traveling to class. As I mentioned, DIS students live all over the city in various living situations. I personally live about a 25-minute commute that involves the metro and walking. The commute is something to get used to, especially since GW has a small campus and we can walk everywhere – this is not the case at DIS. The class buildings themselves are close together; however, housing can be far. This is one of my favorite aspects of the program. At GW, I am so used to living close to my classes, near all my classmates, and in a big part of the city. Here, though, I live in a smaller, quieter section on the outskirts of the city, and I love it. It is a good break from GW and living in the inner city. Going home to a quiet, more residential area is also nice because it helps separate school and home.
Classes here are also very different from GW. They are far more hands-on and experience-based. For example, every class has field studies where we visit companies or areas of the city to learn more about the subject in a more real-life environment. This is the best aspect of the academic program at DIS because it allows you to learn more practical knowledge and see how things apply in the real world versus simply learning theory. We also have week-long study tours for our core course, which is fun socially and a great learning experience. I am a business student, and we have met with at least ten startups or larger companies to learn from their experiences. On top of that, we are creating our own startups. All of these opportunities are great learning experiences that are unique to the academic program at DIS.
Finally, I have learned a lot about myself and what I want and value in life. Studying abroad in Copenhagen has taught me much about where I want my career to go. It has solidified my desire to work in the sustainable and environmental field and highlighted the importance of work-life balance, a huge aspect of Danish culture. I have learned so much from the Danes about their way of life, which has resonated with me a lot, and I plan to implement it in my life back in the States.
Marin Thomas
Fall 2024
DIS Copenhagen: Study Abroad in Scandinavia
GW School of Business
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Major