I feel like at this point I am most definitely getting into a routine here in Copenhagen which is really comforting. I now know the coffee shops I like (and which have student discounts), the bus routes I can take, and for the most part, I can navigate without Google Maps which is honestly just a fantastic feeling.
Today, I have officially finished my first full week of classes here at DIS and I also rented a bike for the semester so you could say BIG things are happening. I have to say it is definitely going to be an adjustment getting myself to call my teachers here by their first names, which they are insistent on, but I am up for the challenge. I knew going into DIS that the teaching style in Denmark is noticeably different than the teaching style back in the states and I was pleasantly surprised with the differences. Teachers here at DIS take a more hands-on approach and really encourage discussion and collaboration with your peers. I wouldn’t say I am a shy person, but I am definitely not the first person to raise their hand in class discussions back at my home university, but here I find myself always wanting to participate. Another difference between teaching in Denmark than in the states is that teaching here is definitely more hands-on than I am used to which I absolutely LOVE. On the first day of my class about urban European transportation, my teacher brought us out of the classroom and took us around downtown Copenhagen so we would not only talk about Danish transportation but also see it. DIS really wasn’t kidding when they said the city will be our classroom and so far I am loving my new classroom.
I also had my first study tour this week which was just fascinating. At DIS, no one has classes on Wednesdays, and instead these are reserved for “study tours” where you and your class venture out into Copenhagen to have hands-on experience in the field of study your class is based in. For my first study tour, I got to meet and hear a member of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation (which is one of the most influential NGOs for environmental conservation here in Denmark) talk about agriculture policy in my Politics and Ethics of Food class. The talk was very informative and really helped to set the tone of what I will be studying in this class and why it is important.
Besides school, I swear other exciting things have been happening in my life. This past Sunday I met up with my visiting host family for the first time. We all went out to brunch together and when we were finished my family took me to the Parliament building which is actually just down the road from where I live in Copenhagen and we went to the top of the tower. The view at the top was incredible as it was an uncharacteristically gorgeous day here in Copenhagen with the sun shining and not a single cloud in sight. It was so nice out that I was able to see Sweden across the city from me. After we came down from the top, my family and I walked around some of the shops in downtown. My visiting host mother and sister made sure that they showed me Royal Copenhagen which is a very famous brand here in Denmark that I wouldn’t have know about if not for them. The whole afternoon with my visiting family was truly such a great time and I really was able to get to know them well and also learn more about Copenhagen and see the city through their eyes. I am so glad I decided to sign up for the visiting host program and can’t wait to visit them at their home and see them more throughout the semester.
That’s it for now, hej hej!
CopenHANGIN' in Denmark 