A Much Needed Update

Hej venner,

Sorry about the little delay. But I'm back and ready to tell you more about my time in Denmark. :)

So let's see... where did I leave off? Ah, Tuesday. Well, Wednesday was our last real day of orientation so we had a few more meetings and such. I reread my reading assignments and got ready for classes. Thursday was great! My first class began at 1:15pm so I let myself sleep in a little, take a nice shower, and eat breakfast outside (toast with strawberry marmalade, yum!). I can't express how amazing my classes are! I have the nicest professor for Biomedical Ethics, and even though the room felt like a Texas summer, we discussed our expectations for the class and some of the issues we were going to discuss. It looks like I'll have a lot to talk about in that class! My next class was "Complexity of Cancer" which is being taught by two oncologists - where in the states do you see that happen very much?? I'm so excited to learn more about how cancer really works and what research is going on today to help patients. We have a few field studies in that class where we get to see diseased tissue and then see patients undergo chemotherapy. Probably doesn't sound too much fun to you guys.... but...... I'm very happy. After classes on Thursday, I met up with a friend at his kollegium and we went to the party that they hold the first day of classes each year. I really like the Danes on his floor and got to hang out with them a bit more which was fun.

Friday was my second official day of class.... and I started out by going to my Epidemic Disease (Upon European History) class around 11:40am. Firstly, I can't get used to having such late classes because at WM they always scheduled my electives at 8, 9 or 10am. But I do see quite a few of my flatmates getting up early for their 8:30am classes, so I guess I just lucked out. Also, Danielle?!?! Taking a history class?!?! What?? Haha, well, it seemed like a very fascinating subject on paper, and when I went to the class that morning, I found out I was correct. The professor is so enthusiastic, the topics have exactly the historical content that fascinates me, and our book talks about the Tudors! :) My core course was next at Amager Hospital, which is a very old building on an island of Copenhagen. We're being taught by doctors so it actually feels like we're medical students. I can't wait for the study trips to Stockholm and Tallinn.... everything is much more hands on in Europe, and it's made me really think about extending my studying here. Obviously I can't do more study abroad as a neuro major nor finish my undergrad degree here.... But I've found English programs in Europe that are the equivalent to a Masters in America and such. Or maybe I can do an internship in Germany next summer..... the opportunities are endless!

But anyway, i'm getting ahead of myself at the moment..... The DIS welcome party was Friday night, and after scoping the place out for an hour or so I ended up leaving to go to a concert at the Tivoli. Nik og Jay are two Danish "hip hop/pop" artists that I actually knew of before coming abroad. I met up with the Finnish girls and had such a fantastic time. I really believe that every student should try to go to a local concert during their time abroad - just imagine yourself in a crowd of 44, 000 Danes screaming Danish lyrics, jumping and clapping...... it just really makes you feel like you're part of the community. It was also only 125 kroner (about 25 dollars) to attend. Afterwards, the three of us went to their regular bar called Kassen. It was filled with locals and had a fun vibe. The Danes are definitely more reserved and harder to approach here than in America, so it was fun to "people watch" and observe their culture again. After a few laughs, I went back home to get ready for my early day at Elsinore the next day!

Saturday was spectacular. The bus left at 10am right near my apartment, and the hour long commute to Helsingor was full of picturesque scenery. The Danish countryside is beyond beautiful. We got to the little town around 11am, and a few friends and I went off to search for a traditional Danish lunch. We ended up at Cafe Lindhart and I ordered frikadeller.... danish meatballs! I just learned yesterday that they are lamb and veal.... thank goodness I didn't know that then! But they were delicious and came with rugbrod (rye bread?), veggies on salat (lettuce), and this sauce that tasted like salsa. I was told to try the ice cream there and was not disappointed. The gelato in Helsingor is a must! I might have to go back. :) After lunch, we explored the streets and found a massive cathedral hidden in between rows of colorful houses. The three of us went into Skt. Olai and had a fun time looking at the architecture, danish bibles, and quaint designs. Then we rushed off to the Hamlet's castle for our guided tour! Hamlet's castle is beyond anything I've ever seen.... It's majestic. I would sell my soul to get the chance to perform Shakespeare in it's courtyard....... and Jude Law is playing Hamlet there this fall! Too bad the tickets are all sold out. :( Anyway, our tour guide was an adorable Danish woman who gave us a lot of insight into the Danish monarchy's history. Any explanation I give you about the castle could not do its justice. So I guess I'll have to show you a few pictures. Don't be too jealous!

Finally, Sunday was full of relaxing and reading for class..... I can't wait to study at the Royal Library this week.

Now it's a Monday morning, and I'm getting ready for a productive and fun-filled week. Tonight our Danish survival class is going to meet at a cafe and order coffee in Danish..... that should be entertaining! On Wednesday, I'm having dinner with my visiting family at their house... I'm VERY excited to meet them! Finally, this next weekend, I'm going hiking and canoeing in Sweden! Of course I also have class all this week and lots of interesting reading to accomplish, so my second week here in Copey should be even better than the first! I'll stop babbling.... The pictures will be in my next post, because I'm having a few technological difficulties..... :P

Skaal,

Danielle