Officially back in Copenhagen!! It is so amazingly different being in this city than it is traveling to western Denmark and being on the mainland.  As soon as you get outside of Copenhagen its like you step into a whole different world.  It suddenly becomes farm country interspersed with little historic towns.  

Our short study tour was basically just a time for us to get closer with our core course class and go on both academic and cultural visits.  Among the many awesome places we visited were Egeskov slot (another beautiful castle), we went on a monkey trail (aka a ropes course where I some of the time feared for my life), and a scavenger hunt in the town of Ribe (the oldest town in Denmark- oh and we won the scavenger hunt)!  While in Ribe we also visited the Cathedral and the Kunstmuseum (art museum).  

Ribe Harbor

A cemetery/body they found during the Ribe Cathedral remodeling

The Ribe cathedral (sorry he was too tall to be able to cut out!)

This cathedral shows how it was remodeled during the Romanesque, medieval, and Rennaissance architectural periods

Inside the Ribe Cathedral

DIS' booth at Copehagen International Day

Copenhagen International Day

Eating lunch at Egeskov slot

Egeskov Slot

The moon over the harbor in Svendborg

Egeskov Slot (second oldest remaining castle with a moat in Scandinavia) 

These were the cultural visits, and throughout these we visited the Svendborg Kommune (which is like a municipality building).  The Kommune was starting "The Brain Injury Project" which focused on rehabilitation of brain injuries.  This allowed us to see more of the policy and administrative aspects of medicine in Denmark.  The entire system is so unbelievably different from anything we have in the States, it's hard to believe.  We also went to Kolding Sygehus which is the pediatric ward of a hospital, and along with learning what its like to be a pediatrician in Denmark, we also got to learn how to do CPR, both on adults and children, and then use some other emergency equipment.  They're a lot more hands on than we usually are allowed to be in the States, especially with patient interaction (definitely not complaining about that)! Our last academic visit was to Rødding Lægehus, which is a private clinic for General Practitioners.  This was interesting because GP's are viewed completely different in Denmark- they are like the gods of the medical field.  I loved this trip because it really allowed me to see just how different Denmark's medical system is from the United States and how it's better and worse: there are obvious benefits and flaws to both, and I truly think both systems could learn a lot from each other.  

Just a real quick post to let you know that yes, i'm still alive!
Sunday was an awesome day that I volunteered at International Day as a DIS ambassador.  It was a lot of fun because I got to talk to Danes of all ages and try to recruit them to participate as host families, visiting families, and to be part of the DIS Buddy Network.   I basically loved talking to the Danes, and they truly are so curious about Americans and our culture.

Monday and today consisted of our study tour, where we traveled from Copenhagen to Svendborg, and today we went to Ribe.  This whole study tour thing is such an awesome experience because we spend time in clinics, hospitals, and private practices throughout Denmark and talk to doctors about their specific job and the medical policy processes with respect to their specialties.  In addition, we get to meet patients and talk to them, and then get a whole new (and extremely honest) perspective of what it's like to be a doctor (or doctor-in-training) in Denmark.  I'll add pictures and elaborate more tomorrow night, just wanted to give a brief overview!

til imorgen!

"I can see Sweden from my backyard..."

Friday was an amazing day.  I woke up early in the morning and did some work, then I headed into Copenhagen where I finally got my bike, basket, lights, helmet, and bell- DIS likes to make sure we won't be taking advantage of their insurance policy haha.  I then actually made it from the place where I rented my bike to the center of Copenhagen and walked around, just kind of exploring until it was time for my shift at Studenterhuset to begin.

The event at Stduenterhuset was a big "after party" after the Opening Ceremony for the University of Copenhagen students (especially the freshmen).  There was the main event at Studenterhuset and then four other locations throughout Copenhagen the students (including DIS students) could go to.  I was at one of the outer locations, so my job was working the bar and checking to make sure the people who came in were students.  Of the other volunteers, three were DIS students, and two were KU students (one from Italy and one from London).  The entire shift was an awesome experience.  I've learned from working the bar that after the Danes get a few beers in them, they get much more friendly and are actually fascinated with Americans, always wanting to ask more questions and chat.  I'm going to love this job, because it will definitely allow me to meet more international students instead of all the American DIS students.  

Verrrrry early this morning, I woke up and met the bus in Copenhagen which would take me to Sweden to rock climb on the coast!  Definitely some of the best money I have ever spent.  Not only was the view beautiful, but it is such an experience rock climbing, overcoming your fear of heights, and bonding with the people in your group, helping each other and cheering each other on.  After progressively increasing the climb difficulties, I also learned to belay, so I was actually holding other people's lives in my hand. Slightly intimidating but no mishaps!  

We climbed the vertical rock to the left- so much harder than it actually looks

My friend, Hannah and one of the many awkward positions you had to do to make it to the top

If it were warm enough, we would normally jump off this red cliff into the ocean :)

Success! 

Just another view from the top- pretty beautiful.. if you look close enough you can see Denmark in the distance

Wednesday was a beautiful day, even by US standards, so after doing a lot of homework in the morning I decided to go for a nice long run, and spent the time exploring my neighborhood.  Believe it or not, for the first time I didn't get lost (which is good because halfway through I realized I had my iPhone for music, but it would be no help in placing an actual call to my host mom).  The rest of that day was spent going grocery shopping, where I actually can tell that my Danish vocabulary is increasing, and then we had a nice dinner of something similar to an alfredo sauce over fresh fetuccini.  It was an overall relaxing day for me, and I spent a lot of it getting ready for class on Thursday.

Yesterday was a very long day, but not necessarily in a bad way.  I got up early and got ready for school, and headed into the city early, grabbing a tea and hanging out in the Library going over the readings before class.  I have figured out that I'm really going to enjoy this semester of classes, especially seeing my professor's views on certain American customs and past (political) actions.  I've learned (especially in my political science class), not to get offended with some of the jokes about America that they tend to say, and in actual reality they are kind of funny.  Even though my professor has smart comments to say, they still respect our country greatly and make sure to acknowledge that fact.  Either way, it's definitely entertaining.

Last night, for the first time, I had a dinner that wasn't necessarily my 'cup of tea.'  I've been very good at not being picky, especially because I never eat ham or pork when I'm in the states, but realized that its a big staple in the Danish diet.  Dinner last night however, was veal and pork meatballs boiled in water with curry sauce served over white rice.  I was able to get down enough bites to be polite, but it wasn't on my list of favorites (although it was probably just the fact that it was baby cow and if I hadn't known, I'd have probably liked it).  Sooner or later I had to run into something I didn't particularly love anyway.  I did find out there are three types of chicken you can eat in Denmark though- the hen, the rooster, and the chick.  I learned the other day that the lunchmeat I've been eating on my sandwich (known to me as general chicken) is the third option.  That one definitely caught me off guard, but luckily they have a pretty big supply of lachs (salmon) that I've been making sandwiches for lunch out of too, and I'm sure i'll get over it and keep eating it anyway.

Today will be my first day of volunteering at Studenterhuset and I can't be more excited!

Til imorgen!

Getting into the swing of things

Monday was my second real day of school, and we definitely hit the ground running.  My lectures are about 1.5 hours long, but its nice because they give a short break in the middle to make them more bearable.  I've also discovered that here at DIS, they really like to do group projects, so for my EU-US relations class I've already been assigned a research project and a group (although we didn't actually get a chance to meet for that yet).  I was a little nervous about my medical ethics class because I am about the furthest thing you can get from being philosophical, but its actually a pretty good class, and I'm doing okay with participating in the class discussions (which are already getting heated about certain topics- that class will definitely keep me awake).  

My European Storytelling class is going to be an interesting situation because my professor actually just talks about the old fairytales/wondertales and then explains how Disney basically butchered them so that they no longer serve their purpose (to educate children of morals by scaring the crap out of them).  I know more than one of us in the class had a very hard time listening to someone telling us our favorite childhood stories are lies haha. Definitely will be an interesting one.

And finally, I had my Human Health and Disease class at the Hospital and we had our very first patient!  We got to take the patient's history and do a full clinical examination all on our own- kind of intimidating for only the second day of class, but the patient was the sweetest old lady who was such a trooper.  I definitely love being able to have the hands-on clinical experience, and I think this class is going to be absolutely amazing!!

After that class, I thought it was a great day... until I realized I got on the right bus... heading in the wrong direction.  My newly developed city girl decided not to panic (due to the fact I had been oblivious and had absolutely no idea where I was) and just get off at the next stop and take a bus going in the other direction.  Of course it doesn't work like that and there's a separate station for the opposite direction that was nowhere to be found, so I basically took a bus to the nearest train station and took that home instead.  Definitely a little mess up, but I got home safe and sound and that's all that matters!

Today was pretty relaxed.  I went into the city pretty early and got a lot of work done while sitting at Studenterhuset just relaxing with my tea.  I also attempted to get my bike, although they didn't have my bike basket and I figured I should wait to pick it up until I had that because me biking in Copenhagen for the first time while holding onto my schoolbag didn't seem like the smartest idea.  I then had my volunteer meeting at Studenterhuset and I am so ridiculously pumped to start working!  Not only will I learn to bartend and be a barista, but we get ridiculously good discounts and free coffee/tea whenever we want, along with free admission to any events they have, and all of this is a result of putting in only 3 shifts a month, anywhere from 12-15 hours.  Definitely can't complain about that one.  And the best part is, when the University of Copenhagen classes start in a week, even more Danish students will be coming in, so I will definitely have more opportunities to meet Danes my age!!!!

Til imorgen!

Saturday I was finally able to get into a groove I was used to: I woke up early, had some breakfast and relaxed, doing reading for school still in my pajamas.  I eventually took a break and got a shower and then made Rice Crispy Treats for the birthday party I would be attending for Sigrun's grandson, Alfred.     We headed over to the party in the afternoon, and I experienced for the first time the Danish birthday traditions.  We all sat down at the table and had hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top (obviously in my opinion it was amazing).  We then had rolls with butter.  After the rolls were done, we sang happy birthday to Alfred, although the Danish song is, without exaggeration, at least four times longer than the English birthday song.  Also, the traditional Danish birthday cake is more like strawberry shortcake with a filling similar to that in Boston Creme Pie.  I ate every last bite!

After that, Alfred opened his presents then little by little all the guests left until it was just a few of us.  I spent a lot of time becoming Alfred's new friend (with the obvious language barriers), and then we sat down to watch TV, and you can imagine my surprise when "Grease" came on in English and everything!  We just hung out watching that, and I taught Tonje how to do the waterfall braid on her sister's hair.  Definitely a night you can describe as hyggeligt :)

This morning was similar, waking up and doing some work while having a relaxed breakfast.  I also ran to the grocery store for the first time (I should have paid more attention to what the Danish words for various foods were)! I somehow made it out alright though.  I then went into the city and applied for what is equivalent to a Danish Social Security Card, except this card would also provide me with free doctor visits and prescriptions (although free in this case is relative because of the enormous taxes the citizens of Denmark pay for this benefit).  I almost didn't make it on the bus to take us there in time because I decided to try finding my way without a map.  Not the best idea I've had.  After that, I just shopped on the walking street for various essentials I'd been trying to live without.

A view walking home from getting the Danish SSC.

Love how it's a typical Danish view, but is gorgeous.  I'll never get used to it..

When I got home, it was determined that I would be cooking dinner for the night as I had previously offered.  This was determined to be Chicken Parmesan-a dish every guest had never had before! I actually couldn't believe it!  Although the ingredients weren't the specific brand Mom-mom always uses, I was able to make do with the Danish versions and I think it turned out well!  Sigrun had her nephew Nikolas over and it was nice to talk to someone my age- Tonje is still a teenager and is a little shy when it comes to talking to me still.  The night was an overall success, and it has been decided I will cook dinner once a week for everyone, if possible!

Til imorgen :)

A day of relaxation?

Today I didn't have any classes, so I was planning on sleeping in, doing some work for next week, and then going to my Program Social later tonight.  Instead, I woke up at 8 and Sigrun had gotten some homemade Danishes for me to try.  We then got ready for the day and went grocery shopping, because she needed to buy ingredients to make... Chicken Pot Pie!  Is it me, or is it a little ironic that the first hot meal I have with my DANISH host family is chicken pot pie? Definitely not what I was expecting, but I can be sure it's something I will really like.

After getting groceries, we went into Copenhagen and I finally broke and bought a straightener.  After breaking the converter and then breaking the one my mom sent me, I decided my straightener just isn't supposed to function in Denmark.  The rest of the day was just spent catching up on work until my Program Social, which was very classy: there were real glass wine glasses, both red and white wine, different cheeses and crackers, and fruit.  We played a game to meet people and then after that, some people from my specific group in the program decided to explore Copenhagen for a real dinner.  This consisted of us going up to look at random restaurants and looking at the prices on the menu.  Once we found a cheap one, although we couldn't read the actual menu, we just arbitrarily picked an entree and pointed to it for the man.

It is fun to go around Copenhagen and discover new things every day.  After dinner we wandered around in an attempt to discover what is a typical night life.  Sorry today's post was so short but I'm really tired!

Til imorgen!