Living in a Homestay has definitely been an experience. I come home every night to a hot dinner like the one in the pic. It's never anything overly fancy or worked up, which makes it feel even homier. I come home to someone who cares at least a little about where I've been and what I've learned. We sit over the table almost every night and talk about all sorts of things, leaving the small talk of the city behind and welcoming the big topic items that make conversations memorable and charming. Last week, after having heard of the Danish X-Factor and other funy stories of danish reality tv shows (which btw is apparently addicting in these lands too, not to my surprise), I told my host dad that I would love to watch a Danish TV show some day. He listened. He made meaty pizza and borrowed the complete series of "Monopoly," which translates to "Matador" in danish. It's a very very cute show set in vintage Denmark in the post-WWI era of the 20s and 30s. It featured a set of very dapper suits and fedoras, gentlemen speaking like gentlemen, a 20s flapper nostalgia of beaded dresses and jazz music, small town settings, and the post war time relief of funny characters. It was very nice to corroborate that the history of Denmark is relevant.
In between comments of the effects of war in German-Danish relations, and reminiscing different eras, me and my host dad got into a conversation about the cultural differences between The US and Denmark. We compared things like culture, food, immigration, the train, and even the way substitute teachers are treated like by mischievous students! Living with a host means these conversations are embraced, and I really liked it. 3 wine glasses each, 2 hours discussing things over the couch, and 2 episodes of Monopoly later and we were ready to call it a night. We both went to each other's room feeling satisfied.
Here is the main difference that I think there is between the U.S and Danish cultures that we discussed based on the ideas and experiences I've recognized by being foreign in both the U.S and Denmark :
In between comments of the effects of war in German-Danish relations, and reminiscing different eras, me and my host dad got into a conversation about the cultural differences between The US and Denmark. We compared things like culture, food, immigration, the train, and even the way substitute teachers are treated like by mischievous students! Living with a host means these conversations are embraced, and I really liked it. 3 wine glasses each, 2 hours discussing things over the couch, and 2 episodes of Monopoly later and we were ready to call it a night. We both went to each other's room feeling satisfied.
Here is the main difference that I think there is between the U.S and Danish cultures that we discussed based on the ideas and experiences I've recognized by being foreign in both the U.S and Denmark :
The U.S has a peach-culture. Being a foreigner in the U.S is easy. You will find a group of people to identify with; you will find just the perfect mix of food you'll like; you will meet people who are going to help you and be vocal about your decisions. And all that will be easy. Biting into the peach is easy. First attempts to make friends in the U.S were no problem. You will get bullied, you will laugh, you will make memories and it won't take much effort. But, once you get to the core, it will be different. The core of the peach is hard. People can be very superficial; they will talk behind your back; and you will start asking yourself if you've made the right friends. At the core, people can be quick to hide their emotions or their personal struggle. In the U.S, having one good trust worthy friend is easy to find but hard to keep. See: Mean Girls | Denmark has a coconut-culture. Being international in Denmark is not easy. People are pretty private and they value small places where they can have intimate conversations and hang out in tight groups of friends. At first glance the Danish can come off as cold and removed. The coconut is hard to crack. You will have to be the first one to make the moves here. No hidden complements or unnecessary banter. To get to know a Dane requires effort and a little willingness to pay. But, once the coconut is cracked, all the juice comes out. And it will come all at once. Once you've made meaningful attempts at trying to understand perspectives and points of view, the Danes are warm and friendly. They will be interested in engaging in meaningful conversation. Making it in into the Danish culture isn't easy, but cracking the coconut feels rewarding. |
I haven't cracked the coconut yet, but I'm getting there (hopefully!)