Will all students who wish to enroll in this program be eligible to participate?

It is anticipated that most students interested in participating will be able to do so. Visa and travel issues for some students may be a deterrent. Some students' academic goals may not be well served by the program and they may be advised to pursue other deferral options. As indicated to students in initial communications, space and stipends are  limited. Timing of the reservations will be considered when confirming student participation.

Why did Kenyon choose this semester-long program with DIS Copenhagen?

Kenyon has a longstanding relationship with DIS Copenhagen. The College has been sending students to participate in the program for more than 30 years, and has been institutional partners for 23 years. Of our 200 off-campus study programs, DIS Copenhagen is one of our most popular among Kenyon students due to its liberal arts academic program and co-curricular travel opportunities.

Why is Kenyon-Copenhagen particularly well suited for first-year students?

Kenyon-Copenhagen gives first-year students the opportunity to take courses that mirror a typical first semester at Kenyon, including a Kenyon course taught by Kenyon faculty members in residence. First-year students also get to experience a different culture first-hand while forming a close community of peers early on in their Kenyon careers, preparing them for success when they return to Gambier. 

What is the schedule for Kenyon-Copenhagen?

  • August 18-20, 2021:  Kenyon-Copenhagen Orientation in Washington, D.C.
  • August 20, 2021: Depart U.S.
  • August 21, 2021: Arrive Copenhagen
  • August 22-25, 2021: Arrival workshop
  • August 25, 2021: Classes start
  • November 24-28, 2021: Study break
  • December 13-16, 2021: Finals
  • December 17, 2021: End of semester, first chance to depart DIS
  • December 18, 2021: Last day of DIS housing

What will be included in the Kenyon-Copenhagen orientation in Washington, D.C.? Are accommodations and food covered, and are parents invited to participate?

Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet members of the Kenyon community, including faculty and students, the president, provost, dean of academic advising, dean of admissions and vice president for enrollment, interim vice president for student affairs and the director of the Center for Global Engagement, along with Kenyon alumni from the greater Washington, D.C., area.

Our time together will begin with a casual dinner and dessert receptions. Orientation topics will include traditional orientation activities as well as sessions specific to Kenyon and to the Kenyon-Copenhagen program and travel abroad. Hotel accommodations and food will be provided. 

The orientation will take place at the Westin Dulles Airport, 2520 Wasser Terrace, Herndon, VA 20171. Please plan to travel to Dulles Airport (IAD) on August 18. 

How will students travel to Copenhagen and is transatlantic airfare covered?

Students will travel together with with Kenyon staff from Washington, D.C., to Copenhagen. A roundtrip transatlantic ticket will be booked and purchased by the College for all participants.  

Please describe academic advising for students enrolling in the Kenyon-Copenhagen program.

Ten members of the Kenyon faculty advised program participants on Kenyon-Copenhagen course selection. All new students will also be matched with an academic advisor by Tom Hawks, Dean of Academic Advising.  While students and their advisors can expect to be in touch during the Copenhagen semester, Resident Directors also can assist students with the transition to college-level work and with spring course selection.

What classes will be available to Kenyon-Copenhagen students?

Kenyon-Copenhagen students will take one Kenyon class taught by Kenyon faculty.  As part of the registration process, students rank their interest in:

  • Making a Life in the World (ENGL 103)
  • Introduction to Environmental Studies (ENVS 112)
  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100)

All students will take the DIS course Danish Language and Culture.

The Provost, Dean of Academic Advising, the Registrar and the Director of the Center of Global Engagement carefully selected DIS classes that correspond to the Kenyon curriculum ensuring smooth transfer of credit and achievement of distribution requirements. Kenyon-Copenhagen students will take three additional DIS courses.  As part of the registration process, students rank their interest in:

  • Environmental Impact of Humans
  • Environmental Policy in Practice
  • Politics and Ethics of Food
  • European Art of the 19th Century: From Classicism to Symbolism
  • Gender and Sexuality in Scandinavia
  • Travel Writing
  • Ways of Seeing: Storytelling Through Photography

Please describe housing and meals for Kenyon-Copenhagen students.

Students will live in either collegiums or residential communities with other Kenyon and DIS students. They will be provided a meal stipend for groceries and will do much of their own cooking. Bedding and towels will be provided.

What is the class schedule in Copenhagen?

Classes run on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is set aside for projects and experiential work.

If students spend their first semester in Copenhagen, can they still study off-campus during the junior year?

Yes, students can elect to study off-campus their junior year if they participate in the Kenyon-Copenhagen program. Students should familiarize themselves with Kenyon graduation requirements and consult their advisors about academic goals.

What are the medical insurance requirements for Copenhagen?

All students are required to be adequately covered by an insurance policy. Kenyon's medical insurance plan will be billed automatically in July and provides coverage for students studying abroad. If students already have alternative medical coverage and elect not to take Kenyon's insurance, the waiver process must be completed before August 26, 2021. The charge for insurance will not be removed from a student's bill unless the waiver is received. Each student must verify that any alternative coverage chosen will remain valid while off campus. 

What medical resources will be available in Copenhagen?

Given the transitions and adjustments students experience while studying abroad, it is important to have support. If students have, or develop, mental or physical health issues, they’ll have access to DIS Care Team staff who are trained to help students during their time with DIS. If a case demands professional assistance, the Care Team will advise students on how to see appropriate medical professionals.

Before departure, students will be asked to complete an online pre-departure course which includes important health and safety information. More information is available on the DIS website.

How will fees be assessed for Copenhagen and will financial aid be available?

Students participating in the Kenyon-Copenhagen program pay Kenyon tuition, room and board to Kenyon. These fees cover program tuition, accommodations in Washington, D.C., and Copenhagen, metro/bus pass, a meal stipend and all co-curricular travel.

Student financial aid packages will apply to this program. For the purpose of scholarships and loans, Kenyon-Copenhagen students are considered full-time Kenyon students. Financial aid recipients will receive detailed information on how their financial aid package (including any accepted loans) will be applied towards the program.

Will students enrolling with the Tuition Remission or GLCA benefit be able to attend Kenyon-Copenhagen?

Students enrolling with either one of these benefits are not able to use the benefit for off-campus study. Instead, students would complete a financial aid application and would be eligible to receive need based aid.

When will the stipend be distributed?

Very likely, the stipend will be distributed to students at the Kenyon-Copenhagen Orientation in Washington, D.C.

What if COVID-19 affects students’ ability to travel to and study in Copenhagen? 

DIS is committed to welcoming students to Copenhagen for a pandemic-resilient fall semester, especially in light of ambitious vaccine plans in Denmark. Throughout the pandemic with adjusted programming, DIS has successfully hosted several student cohorts in Copenhagen. Its mitigation team is carefully monitoring the pandemic in Denmark and the U.S., making modifications as needed and regularly updating institutional partners and student participants.

When students arrive in Gambier for the spring semester, where will they live? 

Kenyon is committed to housing new students with first-year students and in close proximity to the Copenhagen cohort.