Alex Cachecho ’12

Major: Health Policy and Management, Class of 2012

Where did you study abroad and for how long?

Copenhagen, Denmark – Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), Fall 2010

Why did you choose this program?

I wanted to travel and study in a country that was not your “average” study abroad location. DIS also was the only program that offered a concentration in public heath, allowing me to study courses pertaining to HPM

Favorite class/academic experience while there?

My favorite academic experience while abroad was study tours provided by DIS. During the semester, two trips are scheduled into your main course of study; one that is a long weekend and another that is a week-long experience. For the short study tour, we traveled to several small towns throughout Denmark and visited several doctors’ offices and clinics. We had the chance to meet various health care practitioners and administrators and learn more about the Danish health care system. The long study tour was academically similar to the short tour, but, with more time, we had the chance to travel further and visited Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia. During both experiences, we also were given ample time to travel and explore the unique towns and cities with our friends.

Favorite outside-the-class experience?

The opportunity to live and interact with Danes and understand a different culture. Aside from the 14 cities I traveled to during the semester, my study abroad experience was marked by the opportunity DIS offers to live with a Danish roommate. I was living only a couple miles outside of the city center and was taken in by her and her family with open arms. We would eat and cook together, explore the city and all it has to offer, and, on many occasions, I was able to go to their family events. Being able to live amongst the Danes, and not other American students, allowed me to fully immerse myself in the culture and make the most out of my study abroad experience.

What did the opportunity to study abroad mean to you as a Providence College student?

Studying abroad allowed me to fully understand what the mission of Providence College means. PC shapes young men and women into successful and talented individuals, and the opportunity to study abroad aids in their endeavors. It was during my semester abroad, thousands of miles away from all of my friends and family, which opened my eyes to the world, shaping me to be the person that I have become today. Studying abroad was not only a chance for me to see the world, but also an opportunity to transform myself into an independent and prosperous individual.