As your probably getting used to by now I'm not very consistent with updating my blog. This is do to many things such as hanging out with friends or eating really good food however it is mostly my laziness which I'm starting to beat out as the days here begin to get longer. When it was at its worst the sun was down around 3 to 4 PM now it's like 7:30 or 8 PM. I'm very glad as this allows me to do more outside and my family now has a boat which means I will be out on the water quite a bit.
I have moved in with my third family and am really loving their lifestyle and becoming a real part of their family. I have a host sister and she is living at home she is 18 years old and another host sister and host brother they are both older and living in Aarhus. I hade my birthday in March and all three families came over for a really traditional Danish meal. I loved it we sang and hade a really warm and friendly time or as the danes say "Hyggelig aften." School is begining to speed up as I can understand the teacher I'm now getting more school work which is kinda sad for me as my evenings aren't completely free. Apart of being an exchange student is having exchange student friends which I have plenty of and we are all excited for the Euro Tour which is a two and a half week tour where we are together touring through Europe.
I love food as many people know but I've never really had a major weight issue. I'm begining to find out that all exchange students absolutely love food. Here in Denmark my stomach is a bottomless pit and I could eat all day if I wanted. I have gained a few kilos and at first I was quite scared and worried I was becoming obese and now I'm starting to run three to four times a week. However I know I will have to work out when I come home to the USA. As all exchange students inevitably gain weight here are the 7 stages of exchange student weight gain.
1. You have just arrived in your host country and are more stressed than you ever have been, let's eat.
2. You have gained some weight but deny it and say it's just because it's a little cold outside or I'm just breathing deeply.
3. You begin to notice how out of shape you are but are finally alerted when your host mom beats you in a bike race. You decide to work out but it's to hard and decide it's best if you stick to nutella and a hearty dinner.
4. Your told by classmates why don't you work out. And you answer dumbly thats not what exchange students do. While this is true for most exchange students there are the few who work out quite consistently.
5. Your family starts to get you excited to run and when you say your going for a run you really go to your friends house to play Xbox. After your finished you sprint for a little bit to get your heart rate up so it looks like you ran.
6. You start running and don't like it but you need to do it, because you are so unhealthy.
7. You continue to run but your missing all the great foods that won't be with you next year so you say what the hell what will a choclate bar hurt and are prepared for a long year of working out next year. This is the final stage where you finally accept that you are a little overweight but it tends to not bother you now. However I'm still continuing to run and when I'm home I plan on getting in the best shape possible.
As some of you are aware of I had the increadible opportunity of going to London with my class last week! We saw so much history and some increadible museums. However what I thought was the most amazing thing was when the class divided into small groups and we separated throughout London and toured seperately into a neighborhood in London. I went to Brixton with three others. There was an awesome thrift shop with great music and amazing books. I was also amazed by the cutural diversity of Brixton they had a market street and it was mostly people from Jamaica and the whole street had really loud reggae music and you could hear it everywhere. We also ate lunch here and it was a mix of Indian and Carribean food it was amazing. What we found really interesting was how on one street it was super loud but if you go one block over it was completely silent and very tranquil. It was also fun to hear about all the other neighborhoods that everyone else went to. We all had an amazing day seeing some of the best London has to offer.
I also was stunned at the pure beauty of Westminster Abbey and St. James Cathedral. Since we were the music class we went to see concerts and many of the churches offer a one hour concert where you can sit near the choir and see the magnificent church while hearing beautiful music. The tour was fantastic and I learned a lot about the history of World War II.
At times New York feels a little cluttered so busy so noisy and at times the buildings are so tall you can't see the sky. In London it is the opposite there are parks everywhere and many parts are very quiet and calm. I love how the buildings are beautiful but not to tall. People are friendly and the public transportation is wonderful with every tube station being in wonderful shape. I really have fallen in love with London and had a great time with my class!
I can't believe time has gone by so fast and I really am amazed at how much I've changed as a person this year. I have found an amazing passion for travelling and have continued to love food. I hope that these next two and a half months can go by slow as I want to cherish the best year of my life.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Half way through!
I can't believe it I'm already half way through this amazing year! When I look back at the beginning of the year I laugh at all the stupid things I did or said and especially all my worries. I worried if the bus would come, or even if my family would like me and treat me as there own kid. I have found that I have four amazing families in my life now! I'm switching families in a few weeks and I will start all over with my life in a new family. I have met them and they are wonderful people I'm quite excited to live with them. I've grown in so many ways that I couldn't have imagined before learned the importance of responsibility and how to party like a Dane! I've also learned from the Danes that sometimes you need to slow down and really get to know people turn off the computer and have a good time.
The one question though I have asked myself routinely is: Should I have been born in Europe? In Denmark people work on average around 1,500 hours a year in the USA people work on average 2,000 hours a year and yet Denmark barely trails the USA in GDP per capita. In Denmark you don't have to worry about losing pay for vacations as most people get 6-7 weeks payed vacation. Denmark's poverty rate is around 10% and the US can boast a poverty rate of 15%. In Denmark people care for one another and I have only seen 4 homeless people in my whole time here if you don't have a job you get one from the Government or they give you money. Denmark doesn't have high unemployment either it is around 5-6 percent compared to the 7.7 percent in USA. Denmark has strict gun laws and Denmark's murder rate is 0.9 compared to the USA's 4.8. The other thing that Denmark has done that might surprise people in USA is that in Denmark University is free. Actually you get payed to go around 5,000 DKK a month. That is a staggering difference from the US where tuition continues to rise and many poor or middle class families can't afford to go to University. The final thing that Denmark has done is establish a National health care system, many people in the US believe that this means long waits or poor treatment. I have seen a more efficient hospital in my life than that of the ones here in Denmark. If you have any health issue you can contact your doctor free of charge and they will see what they can do. The doctors don't make as much money but the few I've talked to say that for them they could never say no to anyone as that would tear them apart. Denmark has plenty of challenges but I would argue that maybe the Danes care more for there own people. Denmark has a socialist party in power now but Socialism isn't as scary as it sounds or is made to be in the USA Denmark is still a capitalist country that decided that having an Educated people is important and that every one including me and other exchange students can take part in the best health care system I have ever seen. I know the taxes are high but the Danish standard of living is almost double that of the USA and Denmark is the worlds 4th richest nation per capita leaving the US in 15th. I don't mean to come across as I hate my country I love the US but I think it's time that we catch up with the rest of the developed world.
On a brighter note Christmas here was amazing! We ate great food and lit candles on the Christmas tree we then sang around the Christmas tree and had a great time opening gifts together and talking with one another. On New Year's everyone lit huge fireworks and the sky was lit for hours imagine the Fourth of July time 10! During Christmas break I went to Skagen which is the very top of Denmark and had a wonderful time seeing where the North and Baltic seas meet.
Right now Denmark is going crazy because there handball team is in the World Championship. They have many games to go but during every match everything stops and everyone watches the match. Denmark just keeps on getting better and better!
Denmark is
The one question though I have asked myself routinely is: Should I have been born in Europe? In Denmark people work on average around 1,500 hours a year in the USA people work on average 2,000 hours a year and yet Denmark barely trails the USA in GDP per capita. In Denmark you don't have to worry about losing pay for vacations as most people get 6-7 weeks payed vacation. Denmark's poverty rate is around 10% and the US can boast a poverty rate of 15%. In Denmark people care for one another and I have only seen 4 homeless people in my whole time here if you don't have a job you get one from the Government or they give you money. Denmark doesn't have high unemployment either it is around 5-6 percent compared to the 7.7 percent in USA. Denmark has strict gun laws and Denmark's murder rate is 0.9 compared to the USA's 4.8. The other thing that Denmark has done that might surprise people in USA is that in Denmark University is free. Actually you get payed to go around 5,000 DKK a month. That is a staggering difference from the US where tuition continues to rise and many poor or middle class families can't afford to go to University. The final thing that Denmark has done is establish a National health care system, many people in the US believe that this means long waits or poor treatment. I have seen a more efficient hospital in my life than that of the ones here in Denmark. If you have any health issue you can contact your doctor free of charge and they will see what they can do. The doctors don't make as much money but the few I've talked to say that for them they could never say no to anyone as that would tear them apart. Denmark has plenty of challenges but I would argue that maybe the Danes care more for there own people. Denmark has a socialist party in power now but Socialism isn't as scary as it sounds or is made to be in the USA Denmark is still a capitalist country that decided that having an Educated people is important and that every one including me and other exchange students can take part in the best health care system I have ever seen. I know the taxes are high but the Danish standard of living is almost double that of the USA and Denmark is the worlds 4th richest nation per capita leaving the US in 15th. I don't mean to come across as I hate my country I love the US but I think it's time that we catch up with the rest of the developed world.
On a brighter note Christmas here was amazing! We ate great food and lit candles on the Christmas tree we then sang around the Christmas tree and had a great time opening gifts together and talking with one another. On New Year's everyone lit huge fireworks and the sky was lit for hours imagine the Fourth of July time 10! During Christmas break I went to Skagen which is the very top of Denmark and had a wonderful time seeing where the North and Baltic seas meet.
Right now Denmark is going crazy because there handball team is in the World Championship. They have many games to go but during every match everything stops and everyone watches the match. Denmark just keeps on getting better and better!
Denmark is
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
4 Months!
As I look back I do regret not posting much in the past month in a half. However I have been quite busy with everything in the exchange student life. I hope to keep up on it every two weeks.
This past weekend I was in Copenhagen with a friend of mine from Brazil named Luiz. He showed me all these wonderful sites like the Gefion fountain, Marmokirken, Amalienborg Slot (where the queen lives), City Hall, Glyptotek, and Tivoli at Christmas as well as Nyhavn! The Glyptotek is a museum full of collections from Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Egypt from Carl Jacobsen's (founder of Carlsberg's beer) private collections. We saw Egyptian tombs from 2,000 BC. I was amazed by all the history and important things that I was seeing first hand. I had read all about these statues and importance of the style that the Greeks and Romans used and I was now seeing them for myself. That night we went to Tivoli København (Copenhagen) which is the second oldest amusment park in the world! The oldest is also from Denmark but is just outside København. Sunday then came and there was talk of a snow storm and I thought if I left Sunday I could beat it but I woke up to find that they were not sure if the trains could run that day. Then I decided to leave on Monday. On my train ride I had 4 hours to think of my last four months. While time is flying and I want it to stop and stay in place I realized how lucky I am. I thought of all the teenagers who would love to be where I am but for some reason the can't whether it be money or family problems, etc. I thought of all the soccer matches I'd been to and how much I've practiced the beautiful game. I thought about the food, friends, language, and of course my love for this small but wonderful Country! As sad as I was that it's already 1/3 over at least it's happened and I'm so thankful for that.
Before I came to Denmark I didn't know so much about football (soccer) sure I knew the basic rules and knew that everyone except for the USA was in to the game. Now I'd say it's my second favorite sport just behind baseball. Here's why:
1. No sport has the drama and passion that football creates there are 90 minutes and in a close match the last 10 bring out every emotion.
2. It dosen't matter how tall our how big your biceps are you can play football.
3. You only need a ball.
4. It's the worlds sport (except for the US).
5. Football breaks down the barriers of language, creed, color, and race. We can all enjoy football no matter what separates us.
Now I know some supporters of American football says the sport is, "Boring" or, "There's not enough scoring." Sure a game can end 0-0 but it's all the almosts the chances and the strategy. Baseball fans still watch a 1-0 game and find that exciting American football fans watch a 7-0 game and find that exciting as well. Football is no different it is a game of passion that takes an extreme amount of skill and it's a sport that unites the world. If you still don't like football go to a game in Europe then you will see passion.
Here are some of my pictures from Copenhagen:
This past weekend I was in Copenhagen with a friend of mine from Brazil named Luiz. He showed me all these wonderful sites like the Gefion fountain, Marmokirken, Amalienborg Slot (where the queen lives), City Hall, Glyptotek, and Tivoli at Christmas as well as Nyhavn! The Glyptotek is a museum full of collections from Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Egypt from Carl Jacobsen's (founder of Carlsberg's beer) private collections. We saw Egyptian tombs from 2,000 BC. I was amazed by all the history and important things that I was seeing first hand. I had read all about these statues and importance of the style that the Greeks and Romans used and I was now seeing them for myself. That night we went to Tivoli København (Copenhagen) which is the second oldest amusment park in the world! The oldest is also from Denmark but is just outside København. Sunday then came and there was talk of a snow storm and I thought if I left Sunday I could beat it but I woke up to find that they were not sure if the trains could run that day. Then I decided to leave on Monday. On my train ride I had 4 hours to think of my last four months. While time is flying and I want it to stop and stay in place I realized how lucky I am. I thought of all the teenagers who would love to be where I am but for some reason the can't whether it be money or family problems, etc. I thought of all the soccer matches I'd been to and how much I've practiced the beautiful game. I thought about the food, friends, language, and of course my love for this small but wonderful Country! As sad as I was that it's already 1/3 over at least it's happened and I'm so thankful for that.
Before I came to Denmark I didn't know so much about football (soccer) sure I knew the basic rules and knew that everyone except for the USA was in to the game. Now I'd say it's my second favorite sport just behind baseball. Here's why:
1. No sport has the drama and passion that football creates there are 90 minutes and in a close match the last 10 bring out every emotion.
2. It dosen't matter how tall our how big your biceps are you can play football.
3. You only need a ball.
4. It's the worlds sport (except for the US).
5. Football breaks down the barriers of language, creed, color, and race. We can all enjoy football no matter what separates us.
Now I know some supporters of American football says the sport is, "Boring" or, "There's not enough scoring." Sure a game can end 0-0 but it's all the almosts the chances and the strategy. Baseball fans still watch a 1-0 game and find that exciting American football fans watch a 7-0 game and find that exciting as well. Football is no different it is a game of passion that takes an extreme amount of skill and it's a sport that unites the world. If you still don't like football go to a game in Europe then you will see passion.
Here are some of my pictures from Copenhagen:
Nyhavn
Tivoli
Nyhavn
Glyptotek
Tivoli
Lego Store!
War Memorial
Gefian Fountain
Varm Chocolade
Tivoli
War Memorial
Russian Dolls
Glyptotek
Mummies!
Glyptotek
Tivoli!
Lego Version of Nyhavn
Odin (Norse Mythology)
Marmokirken
Christmas market
Tivoli
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Two Months
I have just moved in with my second family and I'm loving it! I do however miss my first family a lot and hope to see htem often as they were very influential in my first two months here. My current family has a son but he is in Conneticut on exchange through Rotary. So I'm the only child and have been getting used to that.
Last weekend was my last weekend with my first family so we went to Ebletoft which is just north of Aarhus. I really enjoyed seeing it because it is such an old town and the scenery is amazing. On our way there we stopped at Kalø Slotsruin which is a castle ruin from 1313. It was great to see all that history and be with my host family.
School has been going very good and I'm begining to do things with my class mates. Last Thursday I went to Aarhus to see a concert with a friend from school. Earlier that day my class participated in a music festival that made it on national TV! Today my family took me to the second highest point in Denmark which is called Himmelbjerget (Picture above) which translates to "Sky Mountain." The view is not very high but it is beautiful. I plan to go to Copenhagen on Wednesday with another exchange student named Carlos from Ecuador. Right now Denmark is on Autumn break so tommorrow I will be going to a friends house for a party as well as Tuesday night. Two weeks ago two friends from my class took me to Aarhus to buy clothes to look like a Dane I hope that is one thing I don't lose when I go back to the US.
These past two weeks have been quite busy and each day my Danish is improving and I'm falling more and more in love with Denmark!
Last weekend was my last weekend with my first family so we went to Ebletoft which is just north of Aarhus. I really enjoyed seeing it because it is such an old town and the scenery is amazing. On our way there we stopped at Kalø Slotsruin which is a castle ruin from 1313. It was great to see all that history and be with my host family.
These past two weeks have been quite busy and each day my Danish is improving and I'm falling more and more in love with Denmark!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Hygge
I cannot believe I have been in Denmark for one and a half months. Within that short time frame I have already experienced so much and have fallen in love with Denmark. The longer I am here the more I want to live here forever. Two weekends ago I cooked a dinner for my host family and they invited another fammily that I have gotten to know quite well. The other family has three kids and their daughter was an exchange student in the US last year the most exciting thing for me however is they had a guest from Dallas. He works at the University of Texas at Dallas. I made clam chowder, mac & cheese, and apple pie.
During this meal I began to understand something in Danish culture and that is the word, "Hygge". There is no direct translation but it is almost a state of complete relaxation. You have no sense of time and it is common for dinners to go on for hours. When someone is experiencing hygge it does not have to be anything special it is just a cozy warm feeling that you get when you are with great people and everyone is enjoying being with one another. I think this has lead to the Danish lifestyle which is very relaxed and calm I must say that the only time that I have felt this before was Thanksgiving. You don't need to be with anyone to experience hygge as you can watch a movie and make a cup of coffee on a rainy day and if you feel good comfortable and relaxed it is percieved as hygge.
I hope to start a weekly Danish course soon that way I can learn the language a lot quicker. Ï fallen in love with the Danish style and my friends from class are taking me to Aarhus next week to buy some new clothes. School is going good and this weekend I'm going to visit a good friend of mine named Carlos. He is from Ecuador and is living on an island off the west coast called Fanø. I'm going with my host mom's knitting club and when they get to the island I will be joining up with Carlos.
To be consistent I will be updating this blog every other Sunday.
During this meal I began to understand something in Danish culture and that is the word, "Hygge". There is no direct translation but it is almost a state of complete relaxation. You have no sense of time and it is common for dinners to go on for hours. When someone is experiencing hygge it does not have to be anything special it is just a cozy warm feeling that you get when you are with great people and everyone is enjoying being with one another. I think this has lead to the Danish lifestyle which is very relaxed and calm I must say that the only time that I have felt this before was Thanksgiving. You don't need to be with anyone to experience hygge as you can watch a movie and make a cup of coffee on a rainy day and if you feel good comfortable and relaxed it is percieved as hygge.
I hope to start a weekly Danish course soon that way I can learn the language a lot quicker. Ï fallen in love with the Danish style and my friends from class are taking me to Aarhus next week to buy some new clothes. School is going good and this weekend I'm going to visit a good friend of mine named Carlos. He is from Ecuador and is living on an island off the west coast called Fanø. I'm going with my host mom's knitting club and when they get to the island I will be joining up with Carlos.
To be consistent I will be updating this blog every other Sunday.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
One month
I've been in Denmark for a month now. One month ago I could not even imagine all the things I would be doing come September. One month ago it was hard for me to say goodbye to those back home and now I can't imagine saying goodbye to my friends and family here in Denmark. It's only been one month but yet I've seen and done so much. Things that you could only dream of like meeting 150 other exchange students like yourself or being completely accepted in to a new culture and a new way of life. Now I realize why exchange is so special for those who are brave enough to go it is the best time of there life and now after one month I can understand why. I've been here for one month and can't even imagine leaving. If all of these amazing things can happen in one month that makes me even more excited for the whole year! One month ago I was dreaming today I'm living that dream.
Last week I had the greatest week ever! Rotary brought 150 youth exchange students together for an Intro camp where we learned Danish and a lot about what we will be going through this year. I made new brothers and sisters and learned some Spanish, Portugese, and Danish. Two of my friends tried to teach me how to dance Salsa and they know I still need quite a bit more practice. We sang and performed for each other (my class did a great version of Don't Stop Belivin'). A Danish band called, "Quick Quick Obey" stopped by and performed for us. We went to Aarhus and toured stuff that I had already seen several times. All the activities were great but what truly made this camp special were all the friends I made. Most of them from Latin America and I hope that in a couple of years I can visit them and maybe live in South America. These friends that I made are some of the nicest and happiest people I have ever met! To be a youth exchange student takes some courage some flexibilty but really you have to be very outgoing! Because if your not your going to be quite lonely. Everybody at this camp was outgoing and very energetic you really felt that we were all one! When the camp ended on Sunday everyone was sad because we knew that we might see each other for maybe 2-4 more days this year but we wanted to see each other more. I stood back and thought and what I realized is in one week we became brothers and sisters! What if the whole world could do that. What if everybody went on exchange we would have a world that was united all together and all one people! Because what I found out this week was we are more similar then different we all like good music, food, and we all want the best for humanity!
After the camp I came back home sad because I had to say goodbye. However I came home and we went to the Hammel Horse market. It is like one giant flee market in my town I was amazed at all the crap people buy it reminded me of the US. After that I went home and celebrated my host moms birthday with family coffee and lamb. It was a wonderful evening. Now I'm getting ready for a smaller Rotary camp that is just for my district MidtJylland. It will be good to see some of my friends again!
I'm going to start putting a quote at the end of every blog post.
This weeks quote:
"Don't cry because it's over smile because it happened"
-Dr. Suess
Last week I had the greatest week ever! Rotary brought 150 youth exchange students together for an Intro camp where we learned Danish and a lot about what we will be going through this year. I made new brothers and sisters and learned some Spanish, Portugese, and Danish. Two of my friends tried to teach me how to dance Salsa and they know I still need quite a bit more practice. We sang and performed for each other (my class did a great version of Don't Stop Belivin'). A Danish band called, "Quick Quick Obey" stopped by and performed for us. We went to Aarhus and toured stuff that I had already seen several times. All the activities were great but what truly made this camp special were all the friends I made. Most of them from Latin America and I hope that in a couple of years I can visit them and maybe live in South America. These friends that I made are some of the nicest and happiest people I have ever met! To be a youth exchange student takes some courage some flexibilty but really you have to be very outgoing! Because if your not your going to be quite lonely. Everybody at this camp was outgoing and very energetic you really felt that we were all one! When the camp ended on Sunday everyone was sad because we knew that we might see each other for maybe 2-4 more days this year but we wanted to see each other more. I stood back and thought and what I realized is in one week we became brothers and sisters! What if the whole world could do that. What if everybody went on exchange we would have a world that was united all together and all one people! Because what I found out this week was we are more similar then different we all like good music, food, and we all want the best for humanity!
After the camp I came back home sad because I had to say goodbye. However I came home and we went to the Hammel Horse market. It is like one giant flee market in my town I was amazed at all the crap people buy it reminded me of the US. After that I went home and celebrated my host moms birthday with family coffee and lamb. It was a wonderful evening. Now I'm getting ready for a smaller Rotary camp that is just for my district MidtJylland. It will be good to see some of my friends again!
I'm going to start putting a quote at the end of every blog post.
This weeks quote:
"Don't cry because it's over smile because it happened"
-Dr. Suess
Friday, August 17, 2012
Week two
It has been nearly two weeks since I have arrived in the fabulous country of Denmark. I started school on Monday and have as classmates some of the greatest people I have ever met. The food has yet to disappoint me. Last night I had some wonderfully prepared salmon and last week I had one of the greatest things I have ever eaten which is called tarteletter. It is chicken with a white sauce in a wonderful crust, and unlike the common perception that Danish food has a lot of spices and flavor. The only dish that I absolutely cannot stand is the liver paste.
Last week we went to Tivoli in Aarhus it is much smaller than the one in Copenhagen but me and my host brother still had a great time. School has been difficult with the language barrier but English is a class I excel in. The only problems that I have ran into is the difference between British English and American English. I'm very excited for tomorrow because I get to spend the whole day with my other host brother who lives in Aarhus his name is Niels he is a teacher at a boarding school in Hadsten. I go to school in Hadsten but at a different school than the one Niels works at.
The moment I stepped foot on Danish soil I could tell it was a special place. The one thing that I have noticed however is, Denmark does not have mountains like those of the alps, or forests like America, it dosen't even have a city as powerful as Paris. Danish food is great but not as popular as Italian. The castles are gorgeous but nothing like the castles of France or Germany. Howeve Denmark has something that would be hard for any place to beat, and that is some of the greatest people in the world! Every country has amazing people but the Danes are the most down to earth people you will ever meet. It dosen't matter how you are dressed or the manners that you have (unless you are dining with the Queen). The people will still treat you with the utmost respect. No one has ever welcomed me like the people of Denmark. The Danes are quite reserved but are very friendly at the same time. Everyone in my music class has made sure that I knew what was going on and how to get from one place to another. The people truly believe that all are equal that no one should have special privelages becuase of there income, or family name. I have yet to see one homeless person in the second largest city, everyone is offered free University. Denmark has socialized medicine and the Danish system has been recognized as the best health care sytstem in the world! This is what makes Denmark great the people and how they have a sense of community and they help everyone. If you ever want to meet amazing people come to Denmark.
Last week we went to Tivoli in Aarhus it is much smaller than the one in Copenhagen but me and my host brother still had a great time. School has been difficult with the language barrier but English is a class I excel in. The only problems that I have ran into is the difference between British English and American English. I'm very excited for tomorrow because I get to spend the whole day with my other host brother who lives in Aarhus his name is Niels he is a teacher at a boarding school in Hadsten. I go to school in Hadsten but at a different school than the one Niels works at.
The moment I stepped foot on Danish soil I could tell it was a special place. The one thing that I have noticed however is, Denmark does not have mountains like those of the alps, or forests like America, it dosen't even have a city as powerful as Paris. Danish food is great but not as popular as Italian. The castles are gorgeous but nothing like the castles of France or Germany. Howeve Denmark has something that would be hard for any place to beat, and that is some of the greatest people in the world! Every country has amazing people but the Danes are the most down to earth people you will ever meet. It dosen't matter how you are dressed or the manners that you have (unless you are dining with the Queen). The people will still treat you with the utmost respect. No one has ever welcomed me like the people of Denmark. The Danes are quite reserved but are very friendly at the same time. Everyone in my music class has made sure that I knew what was going on and how to get from one place to another. The people truly believe that all are equal that no one should have special privelages becuase of there income, or family name. I have yet to see one homeless person in the second largest city, everyone is offered free University. Denmark has socialized medicine and the Danish system has been recognized as the best health care sytstem in the world! This is what makes Denmark great the people and how they have a sense of community and they help everyone. If you ever want to meet amazing people come to Denmark.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Arriving in Denmark
I have now been in Denmark for 2 days. I have already met a lot of wonderful people. My first host family has a very large house right in the center in town. They are very nice and have three kids one of which lives at home. The flight to Denmark was quite long but I was seated next to very nice people.
After I landed in Denmark I was greeted by my second host family as my first family was on vacation. That night we had pizza and barbeque as we watched the Denmark handball team lose to Croatia.
On Sunday I went to my first host family's house they had the whole family over for dinner. We enjoyed great steak and drank coffee.
Today I had bread for breakfast and was able to practice my trumpet! My host family said that their cousin plays euphonium and is a part of a brass band that I could join. We also had frikadeller (Danish meatballs) they were delicious!
Tomorrow we plan on going to Aarhus which is the second largest city in Denmark. We will look at an apartment for my host brother. Right now I'm having the time of my life!
After I landed in Denmark I was greeted by my second host family as my first family was on vacation. That night we had pizza and barbeque as we watched the Denmark handball team lose to Croatia.
On Sunday I went to my first host family's house they had the whole family over for dinner. We enjoyed great steak and drank coffee.
Today I had bread for breakfast and was able to practice my trumpet! My host family said that their cousin plays euphonium and is a part of a brass band that I could join. We also had frikadeller (Danish meatballs) they were delicious!
Tomorrow we plan on going to Aarhus which is the second largest city in Denmark. We will look at an apartment for my host brother. Right now I'm having the time of my life!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Getting ready to leave
I have begun the process of getting ready to leave for Denmark in only 8 days! I'm super excited but as you can imagine I have quite a bit of nerves as well. I will leave on August 3rd from Portland at 1:25 PM, from there I will have a non stop flight to Amsterdam and then I will arrive at the Billund airport in Denmark.
I have been making sure to visit and see anyone that is close to me as I won't be able to see them for a whole year. Right now I'm at my grandparent's home in Port Townsend Washington. Today we had a woderful family hike in the Hoh rainforest apart of the Olympic National Park.
It has been such a joy getting to email back and forth with my host family and my Rotary Counselor in Denmark. It makes me more and more excited every time I hear back from them. The town I will be staying in is Hammel Denmark. It is on the Jutland Peninsula and it is only 30 Minuets from the second largest city Aarhus. I truly am grateful to be able to have this experience!
I have been making sure to visit and see anyone that is close to me as I won't be able to see them for a whole year. Right now I'm at my grandparent's home in Port Townsend Washington. Today we had a woderful family hike in the Hoh rainforest apart of the Olympic National Park.
It has been such a joy getting to email back and forth with my host family and my Rotary Counselor in Denmark. It makes me more and more excited every time I hear back from them. The town I will be staying in is Hammel Denmark. It is on the Jutland Peninsula and it is only 30 Minuets from the second largest city Aarhus. I truly am grateful to be able to have this experience!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
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