<p>My top 2 choices are Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen, and IES Amsterdam. Can anyone give me some advice between these two?</p>
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<p>My daughter did IES Amsterdam last semester, and from a parent’s perspective I thought it went fine, but she saw it through different eyes, and she doesn’t go on this website to respond to your question. I’d recommend you try to find students outside of this website who have gone to Amsterdam (like the IES FB site has ambassadors that you can write to, etc.) so that you can find out the plus points and minus points for each program. Getting info from the students who have actually lived through the program can help you a lot. I know that of course life is different in Amsterdam; my kid had to cook her own meals, and she had to buy her own pots/pans (and only got one, I think, because we aren’t rolling in money), live in an apartment, and learn a lot about being on her own, and there was no oven or microwave, so for her, that is ‘different’ but that is life. Food was expensive (even groceries); the university is ‘hard’ and grading is quite different from here, but all colleges are hard. She had one teacher that transformed her life forever, and then another that made her crazy. She got to take classes that connect to one her majors in the U.S.A., which is wonderful. The tram was very expensive, and even though she was told she could get a discount if opening a Dutch bank account, she reported it not to be true. She is not a bike rider, so she relied on the tram. When she needed a medical appointment, the IES people helped her right away. Thus, from my end it seemed good. She also had enough breaks from classes that she could go with new-found friends to several other countries for short trips. It was a life-changing experience for her. </p>
<p>As for the Copenhagen program, I do not know about it. Again, I’d encourage you to find students who have been there. Perhaps the program’s directors/liaisons can connect you with actual participants who are there now or who have just returned. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision! :)</p>
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<p>I did DIS, and I’m free to answer any specific questions</p>
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<p>My son did DIS in the spring of 2013 and had a wonderful experience. Can you give a little more information about what you are looking for in terms of academic programs, social experiences, etc?</p>
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<p>^ yess that! I was there spring 2013 also </p>
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