Denmark: Lulu Fregoso
Program: DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia, Summer
Lulu’s Majors: Conservation Biology, Economics
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW–Madison?
One way that the program academics at DIS were different from UW–Madison was through the different courses that they offered. Through DIS, I was able to take Arctic Ecology, a course that is not typically offered at UW–Madison. By having the opportunity to take Arctic Ecology, I was able to further explore my passion for conservation on a subject that I am extremely interested in and would otherwise not be able to pursue. Another difference in the academics is the ability to take a “study tour”. In DIS Session 2, all classes took a one-week-long study tour to another country or location that is related to their studies. For Arctic Ecology, I was able to travel to Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago that’s north of Norway. While there, I was able to identify first-hand the different species and processes that we had learned about throughout the course. I loved being able to expand my knowledge beyond the classroom and truly see the direct connection between course content and conservation.
Studying abroad has been an invaluable experience and I was able to expand my horizons both academically and socially through my time with DIS.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
One of the biggest things that I am taking away from Copenhagen is the concept of “hygge”. This lifestyle refers to the idea of “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people”. While in Copenhagen, hygge was apparent in everyday life through cozy cafes, long bike-rides, and time spent outdoors. Back in Madison, I often find myself getting overwhelmed with managing school and work. As I go into my final year at UW, I want to take forward the tradition of “hygge” and remember to enjoy and find peace in the little things!
What advice do you have for someone considering your program?
My advice to someone considering this program would be to go for it! DIS is the perfect program for anyone thinking about studying abroad. They have a variety of different options for you to choose from so that you can create the experience that’s perfect for you! For summer programs you can choose between three different sessions (or choose to participate in more than one session) or you can also choose a semester-long program! All of the sessions have a wide variety of different classes to choose from for all different unique interests and passions. Studying abroad has been an invaluable experience and I was able to expand my horizons both academically and socially through my time with DIS. Copenhagen was such an incredible city to explore with so much to offer in terms of history, culture, food and so much more! I would advise anyone considering this program to go for it, you won’t regret it!