Hej!
So...today was my last full day in Denmark. I can't believe I'm actually saying that. I can't believe how quickly this semester went. To continue my end of the semester reflecting, here are some lists of favorites from my semester abroad: Favorite Sites 1. Kronborg - Otherwise known as Hamlet's castle. There is no way I could come to Denmark and not go to Hamlet's castle, and I'm really glad I did. It's a really nice castle with a gorgeous view of Sweden right across the water. The coolest part was probably going through the tunnels underground. I don't even know why I found it so cool, but it was really fun and I felt like I was in the middle of an adventure movie. Definitely put it on your list of places to go if you're here in Denmark. 2. The Louisiana - Sometimes, a museum looks like every other museum you've ever seen. Other times, you go to ones like The Louisiana and receive an amazing art experience. Whether you're an art lover or you just like seeing things that are cool and different, it's a really great museum. I loved the variety, from photographs to paintings to sculpture to installation art. It can be really inspiring. 3. ARoS - The museum in Aarhus, well known for its Rainbow Room, was one of my favorites. Again, the art was more modern, some really interesting and provoking. I liked it because it was something I'd never seen before. It's definitely a place I could've spent several more hours walking through. Favorite Foods 1. Kanelsnegl - It's not like cinnamon rolls are something that don't exist in the US. Yet somehow now, for me there is something so Danish about eating them for breakfast or a snack when I feel like treating myself. Definitely not the healthiest snack, but hey, sometimes you've got to give yourself a little indulgence. 2. Remoulade - More of a condiment than actual food, I am in love with remoulade. It can go on literally anything, from fish to potatoes to your hot dog. I'm also in love with the Danish version of doing a hot dog. I don't know if I ever want to eat a hot dog again without remoulade and fried onions on top. 3. Aebleskiver - This Christmas dessert is one of my favorite discoveries of Denmark, and similarly to the cinnamon rolls, I've probably had way more than I ought to have. What's even more awesome is that my amazing host parents recognized my love of this Danish treat, and as a goodbye present they actually bought me the special pan that you use to make æbleskiver, so I can make my own when I go back home! I'm super excited, and I'm so glad I got to spend four months with such a sweet and thoughtful family. Favorite Assignments 1. Final Film Project - I love creating films, and the final project for my European Documentary Film class allowed me to work with film in a way that I hadn't before. It was a little frustrating at times, working from a bottom-up approach with these seemingly random shots, but I'm really happy with the final product, and I've received such good feedback on it. It was definitely one of my favorite assignments this semester. 2. Ordering Food in Danish - One of the big assignments I had to do for my Danish class was to go to a cafe and record myself ordering in Danish. It was slightly nervewracking, mostly because I had to record it, but due to speaking Danish a lot with my host siblings, I was pretty comfortable trying out my Danish and did very well. The main reason I liked this project so much was that we got to do it in groups during class time, and our teacher gave us money to buy food or drinks with. It was a very...delicous assignment! 3. Bringing Hamilton to Denmark - Okay, so this was actually part of my Child Development Practicum assignment. As part of practicum, we were supposed to pick a day and do a particular activity of our choice/design with our practicum students. There were no real guidelines for what sort of activity, it just had to have some sort of intentional purpose. Being as obsessed with the musical Hamilton as I am, I decided that I was going to teach the fifth grade class at my site the lyrics to the song "Alexander Hamilton." To help with english language learning and teaching them some about American history. It was really fun, and honestly, it won't be long until this American musical is being seen worldwide. Favorite Danish Words/Phrases 1. "Jeg er færdig" - It just means "I'm done," but my little host sisters both shout this phrase in a sing-song tune to let people know when they are done using the bathroom. It's really cute, and writing it out on a blog can't really demonstrate how amusing it is to me, but this simple sentence is now one of my favorite Danish phrases because of this. 2. "Fødselsdag" - It's the Danish word for birthday. First of all, it's just a fun word to say. Here in Denmark it also means that the birthday person will be woken up with singing and flags, and there will be cake and nice celebration. I'm really glad I got the chance to attend many fødselsdagsfester (birthday parties) this semester. 3. "Hygge" - This is a word that I'd never heard before coming to Denmark, and as I prepare to go back home, it's a word that I want to always be a part of my life. A simple translation of hygge is "cosiness," but it is really more than that. It's lighting candles, sitting with friends and family over a meal or dessert and sharing good conversation. It's curling up together on the couch with a bunch of blankets and a silly show on television. It's all the tension of a long day melting away, because when it comes down to it, all that really matters is being here with people you care about. That is what I've learned "hygge" to be. That's what I want to take back with me from this experience. I am so thankful for this amazing experience, all the moments, good and bad. So Denmark, tak for et fantastisk semester. Det var hyggeligt! Vi ses! <3
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AuthorOn ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. Part of my heart I'm leaving behind in the United States. Join me as I take the rest on an amazing adventure to Copenhagen, Denmark! ArchivesCategories
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