Owen Bauer, DIS: Study Abroad in Scandinavia Fall 2024
Studying abroad in Copenhagen has opened my eyes to a new approach to education. My program, DIS, offers small classes taught by professors from across the world. (Although coincidentally, my only American professor is from my hometown!) I enjoy having the chance to learn from their cross-cultural experiences and gaining a greater world view. Since DIS is a Danish organization, it incorporates some aspects of Danish education into its design. For me, the biggest difference is calling my professors by their first names. Denmark has a flatter hierarchy compared to America, so there is no need to call educators by their titles. The culture emphasizes equality and personal connection, which I strongly value in the classroom. I’m also able to meet professors one-on-one over tea or coffee, which is not culturally encouraged at Pitt.
Another difference for me is the emphasis on class discussion. I study Psychology and Business, so I am used to having 200+ person classes at Pitt. At DIS, every class is capped at 25 students. This allows me to get to know my classmates and contribute to our collective education. My classes are much more discussion and project based too. This creates an inclusive environment and encourages me to work in teams to demonstrate my knowledge. I find that students from smaller schools are used to this approach, so it is refreshing to work with them and achieve resoundingly positive teamwork. I am learning more in my classes and bridging larger concepts instead of memorizing facts for tests. I wish other students in large majors at Pitt can experience this learning environment.
One of the main reasons I chose DIS is because of the field trips and guest speakers we have. Instead of having classes on Wednesdays, I go on one or two field studies, which are field trips to speak with influential leaders or learn about Danish culture throughout the city. I have met with the general manager of the largest street food market in the Nordics, Danish high school students, an anthropologist, local business leaders, and an expert on Denmark’s role in World War II, to name a few. This has allowed me to better understand Danish history, culture, and industry.
We also have study tours, which are class overnight trips outside of Copenhagen. I went to both with my core course, Cyberpsychology. My first study tour was to Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark. Over three days, my class met with professors at the local university, toured an art museum, visited a welfare technology exhibit, and explored the food scene together. When we returned to Copenhagen, we visited a virtual reality company that spreads awareness of public and social issues. On this study tour, I enjoyed bonding with my classmates and learning course content in a local context.
Our second study tour was a week-long trip to Amsterdam. We met with local researchers, visited an internet infrastructure NGO, toured the National Gallery, took a canal boat tour, experienced the Anne Frank House, and visited historic towns outside of the city. The trip could not have been better. We had ample time to explore the city, understand the city’s history and learn from experts in related fields. Ultimately, I love that we have so many experiential learning opportunities at DIS. My classes have been crucial in my development as a student and global citizen.
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