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!
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