To the Editor:
John Campbell hit the nail on the head yesterday when he noted that students should be aware of the independent nature of exchange programs before deciding to participate ("Study abroad programs leave some students embittered," Feb. 1). I participated in the first year of the University of Copenhagen exchange program in the fall of 2000 and consider it to be one of the best four-month periods of my life. It is precisely the independent nature of the program that allowed me to extensively explore Copenhagen, the rest of Denmark and elsewhere in Europe without having to get permission from professors or other administrators of the program.
As for the issue of paying to attend the University of Copenhagen while resident students attend for free, Kapil Kale '07 ("Just Say 'No' to Copenhagen," Oct. 19, 2004) and others would be wise to remember that those residents and their families have been paying substantially higher taxes for their entire lives so their government can afford to provide an education free of charge (among other benefits). In fact, that's one of the greatest parts about the sociology exchange program in Copenhagen -- gaining first-hand experience living in a welfare state.
