I have been here for 7 days. A whole complete week! Here are 7 of some of my impressions of Danes and DIS from the 7 days I've been here:
7 things to <3 1. Hygge - When is comes to loving Denmark nothing else is a better indicator than the power of hygge. It is a difficult thing to translate because it is definitely a high-order concept chilling right next to karma and nirvana. It is usually inadequately translated as "coziness." This is too simplistic— my Cosby sweaters and my 100% wool socks are cosy — whereas hygge has more to do with the Danish psyche, people's behavior towards each other and an overall quality of a place for just being. It is the art of creating intimacy: a sense of comradeship, conviviality, and contentment rolled into one and wrapped in a warm blanket. Cafe's have candle-lit corners, lounges are inviting, and the best hangouts are over drinks in soft-lighted rooms with truthful conversations. 2. Pastries - I know I haven't posted enough pictures of Danish pastries but that is because by the time I remember I have to take a picture it's already down my stomach being enjoyed by my entire cell population. I specially like bread, and Denmark is a good place for it. The bakery by my apartment is a jewel with matching earrings and bracelets. 3. Fashion - I think I definitely under estimated how fashionable Europe was. Here I came with the skinny jeans and funky sweaters that usually do me justice in the US. Not in Copenhagen. Women look like they effortlessly rolled out of bed in black head-to-toe masterpieces. Guys look like they're getting it on every night of the week. The buns are high, the standards are high, and I am liking it. 4. Lifestyle - Living in a Homestay has been a great decision. I used to be hesitant about staying with a family but I really can't understand why all the sorority girls in the program seem to always want to party with each other rather than getting to know the culture. For that, I might as well had stayed at home. Specially if you find yourself with daily pictures of you and your American friends holding red solo cups in the Kollegium, just stop. Try again. People here are humble. I have really gotten a change to see just what makes Danes so happy. They wake up in the morning, despite the personal problems they have to face, ready for a cup of coffee and come at night with countless stories to be shared over dinner. They are conscious about the environment and place value, like it is in the case of my Host Father, in things like having a bicycle, going on a walk, spending time watching a movie, saving electricity, and keeping plants alive. 5. The City - There is so much history in the city. Every building has a story to tell and every streets leads to somewhere interesting. DIS is right in the heart of Downtown Copenhagen so walking to school and from class-to-class feels more like a field trip than school. You can feel the energy and feed off it! 6. Public Transportation - nothing is more satisfying than a train that came on time and a bus that aligned to its time table. Getting around in Copenhagen is no problem at all. Once you understand how the metro works there is no one that can stop you. 7. Study Tour - At DIS, studying in the city and using Europe as a classroom is a built-in principle. In many of my classes, small field-study assignments have already been set in place and I have already gotten the chance to link gaps between what I learn in school and what I see in the real world. Today I visited a housing complex for my Danish Architecture Class and tomorrow I will go see the windmill farm in the Copenhagen shore for my Environmental Policy class. These opportunities are making it all memorable so far. | 7 Things to </3 1. Winter - Even though an emphasis on light is principal to Danish design and architecture, no one told me that the sun decided to go on vacation for the whole entirety of the winter. While I don't mind the cold, since it allows me to layer like a player, not seeing the sun is not fun. I have only seen sunshine for maybe 5 minutes for the 7 days I have been here. The weather is cloudy and gray: shades get subdued into the overcast sky and you really have to imagine hard to see the colors of the city. Then, the days are very short, too. By the time I find time to head back home it feel like it's time for me to take the midnight train going anywhere. 2. Consumption - Every one praises Denmark for being one of the greenest countries in the planet. However, it is surprising to me that a country with high ethical environmental considerations can still have serious consumerist practices. Plastic water bottles and cans are a viable option instead of re-usable water bottles, here. In fact, just today, me and my friends got made fun of because a Dane could spot we were "Americans" by the fact that we carried reusable cups in our back packs. I mean, everything is clean and environmental policy is stellar in Denmark but the commodification of waste has been specially prevalent. 3. Viking Diet - This might be more of a measure of my Host Dad's habits than the actuality, but, food so far has been meat, meat and more meat. Just when I thought pork could only be made so many ways, my Host Dad showed me realness. I am used to Latin meals that involve a lot of grains and a combination of many things on the plate. Here, it is as if meat goes first and everything else doesn't go at all... While I feel like my host dad is trying hard to welcome me to his culture, I think I want to venture into other parts of the food pyramid or else I am afraid I will crumble down. 4. Morning Class - I haven't had morning class every day since Freshman year, so waking up for class at 6:30 AM has making me feeling like a biddie. I can't function properly when not even the birds are up getting the worms. In between the jetlag and trying to have an enjoyable Study Abroad experience, morning classes are one big bump in an otherwise smooth road. 5. Expense - um, $6 for a cup of coffee? I don't think so. Even if it is imported from the rarest Caribbean island and brewed on a coffee machine made out of pure gold, that's just not happening. It is true, the standard of living in Denmark comes at a high price. The nicest surprise was when I ordered water, expecting a complementary glass and a smile, and ended up with a $4 tab and a frown. For a poor soul as I, going out in Copenhagen has been more expensive than I anticipated. 6. Danish Direct - The Danish can be very direct people. Forget about talking to each other on the train. But when they do have to say something it comes to you fast and it comes efficiently direct at that. There is no beating around the bush here. No sandwiched compliments. While the key is to not get personally offended by some of the Dane directedness, sometimes it can be stressful and daunting. Especially as it has been this first couple of days living with a Host. 7. Ethnicity - Copenhagen itself is a pretty diverse city. At least much more than Sweden, where I had a layover. However, I have already experienced a lot of backlash between middle eastern, and other immigrant minorities, and Danes. Nothing as radical as some minority groups have it in most US cities, but it is relevant nonetheless. |