Things to do on the day of a midterm

1. Study

2. Listen to Mads Langer and dream about going back to Denmark

CPH, you’ve ruined homework for me forever.

Late night/early morning reminiscing

As the songs and music we loved in Denmark make their way to MN radio, I can’t help but be reminded of the best spring of my life every time I turn on my car. While hearing “Loca People” followed by “Somebody That I Used to Know” might seem bizarre to most, I get a little lump in my chest every time. Missing this more and more every passing day.

“Suddenly Denmark feels like the most happening place on the planet.”

And, slowly, the rest of the world realizes what Copenhagen has to offer. I love it, and hate it at the same time.

Suddenly Denmark feels like the most happening place on the planet – eTurboNews

Sights and Sounds of Copenhagen

I’ve kind of fallen off the blog train, but here’s to hoping I’ll have plenty of time to procrastinate once school starts again.

Here’s a slideshow of my time in Copenhagen, all set to the music we heard every day. It’s a little late, but late is better than never.:

Sights and Sounds of Copenhagen – Spring 2012

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKckIdKVejU&w=640&h=360%5D

 

“Livet er det bedste eventyr.”

Life is the best fairy tale.    – H.C. Andersen

Usually I wouldn’t devote an entire post to one day, but considering this day was spent at Tivoli, I think I can make an exception because, well… it’s Tivoli. And, considering that today is Tivoli’s 169th birthday, I couldn’t think of a better time to write it.

After returning from Croatia, I just had time to drop my bags off and pack a lunch before I was headed to TIVOLI for the very first time, and with my very own Danish tour guide, Peter. For those of you unfamiliar with Copenhagen, Tivoli is the place to visit. Even though it’s been open for 169 years (ridiculous, right?), it’s still one of the most visited amusement parks in the world – and for good reason! Walt Disney himself visited Tivoli and it inspired him to create Disneyland. So to say the least, it’s amazing.

But, back to my day at Tivoli. I was beyond excited to get inside the gates, and I can only remember being so completely impressed as soon as I got inside. It was one of my most highly anticipated visits of my entire time in Copenhagen, and it lived up to every expectation:

The front gates! I walked past these every day on my way to DIS and FINALLY got to go inside.

Our first mission once we got inside was eating lunch – which we packed ourselves. I’d recommend this for anyone planning to spend all day at Tivoli cause, like the rest of DK, it’s a little expensive! We had a picnic lunch on the lawn of the Tivoli Concert Center as we watched Pippi Longstocking on the stage. It was all in Danish, so I couldn’t understand, but all the same, I enjoyed it. We’d purchased the all-day ride ride wristbands (a must if you’re planning to ride any rides at Tivoli. A single ride can cost you 75 kr., so the 199 kr. is more than worth it), so we hit all of the rides! My personal favorites:

Himmelskibet – The Star Flyer : Like the flying swings, but with an amazing view of Copenhagen. But, it gets ridiculously windy up there!

Den flyvende kuffert – The Flying Trunk: Probably the most inherently Danish of the rides, on this ride, you ride in a flying trunk (imagine that) through animated scenes 32 of H.C. Andersen’s fairy tales. Think “It’s a small world” a la DisneyWorld, but cooler. And, the trunk has all different languages so no worries! My favorite part of the ride is the quote at the end, which inspired the title of this blog. But, just a heads up, it does take pictures, so make sure you aren’t completely zoning out cause they get posted right outside the ride. Speaking from experience here.

Can you guess the fairytale?

H.C. Andersen in his flying trunk

Det Gyldne Tårn – The Golden Tower: For my Minnesota readers, it’s the CPH Power Tower. So much fun. But definitely not Peter’s favorite, since he doesn’t like heights. But I convinced him to ride it with me once, so I’m happy!

Ballongyngen – The Balloon Swing: Always have a soft spot in my heart for ferris wheels. And balloon rides. So, naturally, this was the first ride we hit.

Dæmonen – The Demon: The biggest rollercoaster in the park. It’s no Six Flags coaster and it’s a short ride, but it goes upside down 3 times in about 45 seconds. I loved it! The best part was trying to keep a straight face for the pictures; they definitely get you at a bad time!

Dragen – The Dragon: Peter’s favorite ride, and it grew on me. Think more spinning than you could ever handle in a ride, and multiply that by 2. Then you have The Dragon. The best part is you can never guess how much it’s going to spin; some rides you’ll only spin a few times and never go all the way around. Other times, you’ll spin all the way around several times in a row. Just a hint, going on it a few times in a row might not be the best idea if you have a weak stomach. It definitely gets to you!

Peter’s favorite ride!

Minen – The Mine: A shooting game, which I usually dominate. However, in typical Danish fashion, they do things a little differently. Instead of a gun, you’re given a magic wand (wut?) Good luck with that. I did bet Peter that I’d win, but lost. Although I’m blaming this on the poor choice of weapon, not my personal skill.

Rutschebanen – Rollercoaster: So original, so Danish. One of the oldest working rollercoasters in the world (c. 1914), each train has its own operator who runs the brakes, so it’s about as real as it gets. Probably the ride where my stomach dropped the most, so make sure to give it a fair chance!

Vertigo – Vertigo: Supposedly a flight simulator, you get to control your car as you fly in huge circles and get 4G’s. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance the day I had a ride wristband (apparently it’s frequently closed… really makes you want to ride it, huh?), but I heard that it literally leaves your eyeballs spinning when you get out.

While the rides are a huge part of the experience, the park itself is what really blew my mind. Peter and I spent the majority of the day just walking through the various areas of the park. The gardens are gorgeous, and everywhere you turn, you find a new area to explore. The little details everywhere just make it that much more amazing. I fell in love with Tivoli almost immediately, and I don’t think it’s hard to see why. The Tivoli Boy’s Guard is made up of a select group of Danish kids that march around the park playing instruments. It’s a huge honor to be chosen and they take it really seriously too! Plus, Tivoli has this running “little toy soldier” theme that kind of goes with the soldiers – from the handrails, to the ride height sticks, they’re everywhere! And, in the hidden back alley behind Rutschebanen, theres tons of tiny shops and foot stalls – like a little Diagon Alley for all you HP fans out there. Everywhere I looked, I was amazed. It was maybe a little annoying for Peter to have me taking pictures of every little detail, but Tivoli was one experience I wanted to document every second of.

Tivoli Boy’s Guard

From the handrails….

… to the height signs.

Diagon Alley, Tivoli style.

While we planned on not eating in the park, Peter couldn’t resist showing me some of his favorite foods as a child. We had to try Waffel Is, which is exactly what it sounds like – a waffle with ice cream and strawberries, and Danish churros.

Danish churros!

It was a long day of exploring the entire park from top to bottom, but the best part came when the sun went down. If you think Tivoli is gorgeous by day, just wait until night time. Once all the lights come on, it’s a completely different experience. While it makes the day a little long, I’d 110% recommend staying until it gets dark, just to see everything lit up; I guarantee you won’t forget it. My favorites were the little china town surring The Dæmon, the hotel/restaurant Nimb, the game stalls, Himmelskibet, and, of course, the entrance – they go all out here with flames and everything!

Nimb hotel/restaurant

Luckily, this wasn’t my last trip to Tivoli; I was able to go back a week later for Fredagsrock with none other than MEDINA. But that’s a new blog! And, I know I’ll be back someday; somehow, my Tivoli obsession wasn’t satisfied with two visits.

Until next time.

Things I’ve Learned in Denmark

• Only in DK would they sell beer in an amusement park… and for cheaper than you can get it on the street. Maybe that’s how they get people to buy the food.
• It’s definitely a rare thing for a theme park to be known more for its location and gardens than for the majority of its rides. Tivoli is the epitome of this.
• A rollercoaster completely run by a driver, not a machine? Definitely Danish.
• CPH Lesson #145: Ilium (scarily expensive Danish department store) can be found anywhere. Even in Tivoli. Although, I did not find a 7-Eleven. Might be the only block in Copenhagen without one.
• Danes have some of the best ride security I’ve ever seen. And maybe it’s because they’ve had 169 years to figure it out, but you never had to worry about someone stealing your backpack while you were on a ride. Pure genius.
• In the US, when you think theme parks, you think crazy, screaming kids on a sugar high, right? Can’t say I saw that at Tivoli.
• Oh, and trade all the chubby kids in mo-hawks for trendy kids in designer threads that look like the spawn of the gods. No pre-matched Walmart clothes here, folks.
• Never, ever have I taken so many pictures of flowers. Tivoli, you win this round.
• Ironically, there are no bicycle themed rides. Maybe that’s cause bike riding in CPH is a thrill in itself. Or a death wish. Tomato, tomahto.

“To travel is to live.”

– H.C. Andersen

If this doesn’t make you want to visit DK, I don’t know what will.

Copenhagen in the summer

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPSHZYd2y7c&w=640&h=360%5D

One final month

Returning home from an exhausting two weeks of travel, I was ready to settle back in to life in CPH. But, with only a little more than a month left in Denmark, it started to hit me that I still had so much to do and see before returning to the US (see last post).

After an interesting, late night commute to Rungsted following our flight home, it was back to classes as usual at DIS on Monday. But we were in for a big surprise during our Welcome Home dinner that night: Rete had gone on a diet while we were gone and, when Rete’s on a diet, we’re all on a diet, aka salad for dinner (and leftover salad for lunch). I know I’d said that I missed fresh vegetables while in Denmark, but this was a bit more than I expected. Luckily, I was able to escape a night of the diet by heading to Peter’s for dinner – homemade hamburgers and french fries. Beats salad any day!

The rest of the week passed in a whirl of classes, what would end up being our final night all together at Billy Booze (sad day!), and relaxing before a big Buddy Network event on Saturday. My buddy network combined with six others to rent out a canal boat for an evening cruise around the canals of CPH… how cool is that?? Leslee and I had spent the day decorating our flasks (purchased from Tiger for her 21st birthday and potentially one of our best investments) so tonight was the perfect night to break them in! We boarded the boat to discover that one of the Buddy Network leaders had invited drag queens to be our “ship attendants” during the tour (I may or may not have already known this – the perks of having an in on the Buddy Network). The canal tour itself flew by, although I remember spending more time talking with my friends than enjoying the tour. But, with only a month left with the some of the greatest people I’ve ever met, I can’t say I regret a second of it.

Cuties on the canal.

CPH at its finest – at dusk on the canals.

Already miss this.

Once we disembarked, it was time for a quick dinner before heading to Leslee’s favorite bar (ha), Kulør, for its birthday bash. It made for a perfect Saturday – free drinks, no cover, and spending time with my all-time favorite people. I was even able to finally meet up with Henriette and Sabina (from waaaaaay back at the CPH Fashion Festival) – quite a feat after three months of trying. And just in time since they were headed to Australia shortly afterwards! And I managed to find Arielle before heading home for the night. All the components of the best nights in my favorite city.

Sorority girl Tim.

Love, love, love my roommates! And the Danish birthday balloons – Danish flags are HUGE for birthdays. Expect one at your place at the table if you have a Danish birthday party!

Reppin’ the Buddy Network!

After such a fun-filled weekend, Sunday was used fully for recuperation… and a little homework. Luckily I had a good week to look forward to: on Tuesday, Peter and I went to Halifax burger for more delicious food – and to cross something off my Danish bucket list! AND I finally purchased my plane tickets for Croatia (2-5 May) with my MPP girls and London (8-10 May) flying solo! Two such paradoxical locations: exploring a gorgeous country I never had plans to see with a some of my favorites, and roaming the one city I knew I had to visit, all alone. But, along with London came the Harry Potter Studio Tour – my #1 goal when I knew I was headed to Europe. (Check back for these blogs soon!) And, to top off a perfect week, Carlsberg had decided to give away free Copen*hagen 56°N all week! While it’s a traditionally “girly” lager (or so Peter told me), free beer is free beer. So Yana and I stopped by the Glass Markets on our way North after class at RUC – and went through the line twice for a grand total of 8 bottles. Much needed after another frustrating Bioinformatics lab courtesy of Ole, our Friday norm.

Oh! Leslee and I decided to continue our Thursday tradition and test out a new bar. This time, we headed north to Helsingør’s Cafe Manhattan. The difficult part about going out on Thursdays is the lack of public transit, so we had to be on the train home by 12.05. Since we’d finally perfected the true Danish fashion of not leaving home until after 11, this made our night very short – especially when we neglected to notice that Hørsholm is exactly halfway between CPH and Helsingør, meaning a much longer commute than we’d planned. It seems that not much seems to happen up north on Thursdays, but we managed to meet some new friends (one that was a Packer fan – they’re everywhere in Europe. So disappointing, but fun to debate with!) and have a great night as usual.

To continue our bucket list fun, Leslee and I decided to buy some discounted tickets to Legoland in Billund – Legos were created in Denmark; who knew? “Lego” actually comes from leg godt or “play well” in Danish. The main attraction of the park is MiniWorld, where billions of Legos were used to create some of the most memorable landscapes and attractions from around the world. Unbelievably cool! We spent the day testing out every ride and attraction in the park, despite the rain. Ironic because we’d checked the weather the day before and thought it was supposed to pour in CPH while we’d be warm and dry in Billund. How wrong we were. We even went to a 4-D movie to dry off and warm up for a bit… before realizing that 4-D meant we’d get sprayed with water in the movie too. Luckily we were already pretty wet! Even though we froze (and my Toms managed to get even more destroyed), it was one of my favorite trips of the semester.

Nyhavn – Lego style

Amalienborg – they’re really all Legos!

Inside the aquarium – the most interesting (and driest!) place in the park.

Since our bus returned to CPH early due to the weather, Leslee and I decided to give Helsingør a real try on a weekend. We grabbed a cheap dinner of chips and wine to tide us over on the train ride before heading up north. Unfortunately, the highlight of our night happened relatively early – finding a feline companion we named Albus while we finished our dinner on the harbor overlooking Kronborg Castle (real life??) We’d decided to head to Club Retro at the suggestion of a friend (and because it was 90’s night!) Sadly, Helsingør seems to do retro nights a little differently, because I don’t remember hearing a single 90’s song the whole night. And, we guessed it must have been a high school post prom party because everyone was young and dressed to the nines – even more than usual Danes!

Albus the cat

The streets of Helsingør at 1 am. Notice how empty they are. Oh, and Leslee.

The next week was probably one of my favorites of the entire semester – this one week sums up all the best parts of my entire Copenhagen experience! On Monday, Leslee and I set out to dominate our bucket lists and hit Østerport to finally see Den lille havfrue (The Little Mermaid). While she’s maybe a little overrated, I loved seeing her for up close after spending so much time hearing about her! But, just a heads up for anyone thinking of heading to Langielinie to see her, be warned that she’s not easy to find!

In all her glory.

Love spring in CPH.

Once I made it to class that afternoon, we had a relaxing day discussing the role of drugs and alcohol in the US and DK, which turned out to be very different given the role alcohol plays in each culture. It was the perfect last day of class before my week long vacation – I don’t think I could have focused on any real topics!

Tuesday is one of my most memorable days of the entire semester. I started out the day exploring Vesterbro on my own, since it was the final “bro” of CPH I had left to explore. I walked from Frederiksberg all the way to København Central Station along Vestrobrogade (a 4 km walk, but the perfect way to see a city!) It really set the tone for the rest of that afternoon! (see below)

May 1st is Labor Day in Copenhagen. So, like most countries, the majority of the country has the day off (a common thing in DK – way more holidays than the US, that’s for sure). But, instead of spending it grilling or at the beach like Americans would, the majority of young Danes in CPH head out to Fælledparken in Osterport for a day of Tuborg, live music, and good company (oh, and political speakers, but we ignored most of them). I got to see Mads Langer, my new Danish obsession (thanks to Peter) for free too! It ended up being a gorgeous day, so it was amazing to sit outside, drink beer, and enjoy the weather!

After an amazing start, it might seem like the week couldn’t get any better. But, the next morning, I got up bright and early and boarded a plane to Split, Croatia with five of my closest friends in DK for a long weekend of beaches, lemon beer, and sunburn! But, that deserves a post all its own, so for now:

Things I’ve Learned in Denmark

• While I thought I loved CPH in January, February and March, the onset of spring transformed it into a completely new city that was even more difficult to leave in June.
• Hamburgers are a completely different experience across the ocean. A Greek-inspired burger is something I’ll never forget.
• Holidays in Denmark beat every single holiday in the US. Traditions > Consumerism, every time.
• The build-up to seeing the Little Mermaid is bigger than she is. A lot bigger.
• Danish men make beautiful women too, a la drag queen steward(esses?)
• My future birthdays won’t feel like birthdays without Danish flags adorning every part of my day.
• There’s no escaping Packer fans – I think I met one in every country. Why choose to support such an awful team?
• Free beer does taste better.
• The only way to interact with pets in Denmark is to find strays. Americans love it when you cuddle their dogs or cats. Danes… do not.
• The Danish 90’s were apparently a lot different from the American 90’s.
• Estonian vodka and Danish drinking do not mix.
• I would have to advise against riding a roller coaster in the rain – it’s a little painful.
• Lego merchandising has reached literally every level – back packs, water bottles, candy, you name it.
• Danes often start drinking around 11-13, but stay away from the vast majority of drugs as a result. Really leaves you questioning what the greater evil is.
• My Toms have an uncanny ability to predict (or cause) rain. This wasn’t the first time, and it definitely wasn’t the last. I was surprised they made it to June.
• I never, ever wanted to leave.

To Do in Denmark

After returning from travel break, it really hit that I only had a little more than a month left in Denmark. Even after traveling Europe for two weeks, that’s never a good feeling. So, I decided now would be a good time to share the bucket list I created for the remainder of my time in CPH. While it’s definitely  not everything worth seeing, it should give you a glimpse into my mindset as I prepared to leave this country I’d come to love so much. Check out the links on some of the places to read a bit more about my experiences with each!

1. The most obvious: Tivoli Gardens. The second oldest theme park in the world (only after Klampenborg’s Bakken), Tivoli is what inspired Walt Disney to create Disney Land. And, from what I’d heard from anyone and everyone who had ever been in Denmark, to miss Tivoli would be the worst thing possible. While it isn’t known for having many groundbreaking rides ala Six Flags (minus Vertigo, which supposedly gets you 4Gs), the beauty and history of the park is unrivaled.

The main entrance to Tivoli – I walked past this every day on my way to school. Unreal.

My favorite ride – The Star Flyer. Like the flying swings, but with an amazing (but windy) view of Copenhagen.

I’d recommend coming in the afternoon and staying until it gets dark. While Tivoli is gorgeous during the day, it’s a completely different experience at night.

2. Carlsberg Brewery. Having been an expat for the past four months, I’d taken quite a liking to the beer of beers, Carlsberg. As their old slogan boasts, it’s “Probably the best beer in the world.” So, naturally, I had to visit the home of all things Carlsberg to pay tribute to this amazing brew.

The giant Carlsberg elephants guarding the entrance to the brewery.

The Bottle Collection – 21,811 unopened beer bottles from around the world.

Truer words were never spoken.

And you get free beer after your tour! Worth the 80 kr., trust me.

3. Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid). Easily Copenhagen’s most recognized tourist attraction, the statue is a tribute to the fairy tale of the same name by H.C. Andersen. While my host parents didn’t think we’d be too impressed by the mermaid, it was a stop that had to be made.

A lot smaller than you’d think, but a big part of CPH.

4. Drinking in the park. Now that “spring” had finally arrived in Copenhagen, it was time to embrace open container laws and “do as the Danes” – enjoy a good beer in one of the many parks in CPH. Two favorite parks: Fælledparken and the King’s Gardens at Rosenborg Castle.

Celebrating May 1st (Labor Day) at Fælledparken.

Some post-class fun in the King’s Gardens.

5. Church of Our Savior. You think we’d be sick of all the churches following the spontaneous church tourism of travel break, yet this was one I knew I had to see. The church is famous for the long winding staircase on its spire that can be climbed by the brave tourist. Rumor has it that the architect of the spire, upon completing his work, realized that the spire turned the wrong way. He was supposedly so upset that he jumped to his death from the top of the spire. (Not actually true, but a good urban legend to share after a visit).

The infamous spiral. The steps are a lot smaller than they look.

The view from the top! You can see Nyhavn and the Marble Church in this one.

6. Christiania. Following their use in WWII, the military bunkers were taken over by hippies/squatters/what have you and turned into what is today “Freetown,” a self-governing community and the only part of Denmark that is not in the EU. Known for its relaxed rules and open marijuana trade, a visit to Pusher Street is pretty necessary while staying in CPH, if for no other reason than to admire Freetown itself. Of note, there are three rules in Christiania: 1. Have fun 2. No pictures 3. Don’t run – it scares people.

No pictures inside, so here’s the entrance.

7. Flea Markets. While I enjoyed window shopping in CPH, my wallet couldn’t really handle most of the prices. Luckily, there was a solution: the weekly flea markets held in various neighborhoods – and the most “student friendly” one at Studenterhuset on the first Saturday of every month. If nothing else, this would be a great way for me to absorb some great Danish style at a price I could actually afford.

8. Roskilde Cathedral. A UNESCO World Heritage site (a status that pretty much automatically requires a visit), the church is known for being one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s the burial site of the majority of DK’s monarchs, so there’s a lot of history behind the cathedral as well. Plus, I had class two days a week at Roskilde University (RUC), so there was no reason not to visit.

I never got to see the inside, but the outside alone is amazing.

9. Halifax burger. After spending a semester away from America, if there was one thing I was missing, it was a good burger. Halifax is supposedly the best burger in Denmark. Being the burger connoisseur I am, naturally I had to give it a try.

Amazing burgers. I had the Crete burger, which is Greek inspired with tzaziki, tomato, alioli, and feta.

10. The Meat Packing District. Home to some of Copenhagen’s biggest and best clubs, the meat packing district is the place to go if you want to stay out and dance until 5 am, if you can get over the smell.

Jolene – one of the most popular clubs with DIS students.

11. The big one: Biking in the city. While it seems terrifying watching the masses of bicycles driving right alongside all the traffic, I knew it would be a tragedy to miss out on fully embracing the Danish experience. I’d biked plenty in Hørsholm and Rungsted, but it was time to play with the big kids in CPH.

DSB bikes – free to use after 20 kr. deposit!

Real life Dane, Peter, demonstrates perfect bike etiquette near the Old Stock Exchange in CPH.

With all of this information, my best advice is to get out and do everything as early as possible. Your time abroad will fly by, and you don’t want to be left with any regrets when you leave – even though I think some of that is inevitable. Keep a list, stay on it, and have fun!

“Advice is a form of nostalgia…

… dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.” – Baz Luhrmann

While you’ve all no doubt read and memorized my accounts of my time in Europe for your own future travels (or not), I decided to dedicate a post to those preparing to spend a semester abroad – specifically in Copenhagen, but I think some of it can be applied to every country.

General Tips:

• Blog! Or journal. I know I’ve sucked at keeping up with mine, but at least it forces (or did for a while) you to write things down. You’d be surprised how quickly everything gets forgotten. Plus, your friends and family back home will love reading it – and you won’t have to repeat the same story of what you did in London fifty different times. WordPress has an iPod app, which I wish I would’ve gotten my hands on sooner. But anything that works for you!
• Make a “Bucket List” within the first week of arriving (or start it at home). Put it somewhere you can keep adding to it – iPod, cellphone, etc. – cause you’re gonna come up with new ideas at all times of day/night. And start crossing things off ASAP! (A guidebook is never a bad idea)
• Spend one day a week being a “tourist.” I know you think you’re really cool and well adjusted, but embrace the fact that you’re only going to be abroad for a few months so make sure you do everything – don’t pass up an opportunity because you’re too cool for it.
• Wander! Copenhagen was literally the perfect city to just go out and walk to see where you end up. Most of Europe is easily traversable by foot. I saw some of my favorite sights by just walking. Plus, it helps you get a much better understanding of each city as a whole. Bring a map so you don’t get horribly lost, but other than that, just go wherever the wind takes you. (Keep your maps as souvenirs later!) And take advantage of “free” days at the Ny Glyptotek on Sundays and the City Museum on Wednesdays!
• Live with a host family! Signing up for one was one of the most nerve-wracking things I did while preparing for Denmark, but as soon as I got my e-mail from my host family, my fears disappeared. Yes, you will be expected to spend time with them, contribute to cleaning, be home for dinner, etc. but it’s so worth it to have the real cultural connection and a place that feels like home. Plus, they’re always open to giving GREAT advice on places to see and things to do, even outside your country or city! And they’ll take great care of you. As you read earlier, I got really sick in March and my host mom took me to the hospital and took really good care of me until I felt better.
• Talk to your bank before you leave and learn about the fees associated with your money abroad (and tell them you’re going!) Try to find a card with little-to-no fees so you don’t have to withdraw cash often (it’s a hassle). Also, calculate the cost of withdrawing vs. using your card to minimize $$ wasted on fees, and make sure you have a 4-digit pin! Euro credit cards are a little weird.
• Churches, churches, churches. Visit them! They’re so gorgeous, usually the oldest buildings in the city, and almost always free! Plus, they’re a nice quiet place to rest after a long day of sightseeing.
• Pick out one small thing to get in every country. I decided to do flags, but you can do magnets, shotglasses (cliché, but fun), or even thimbles – apparently they’re a big deal; we saw them everywhere! It’s a really fun idea because it gives you a little something from each place you go, plus it can be really fun tracking them down. Keep your maps too – mine are all going up on my wall!

Daily Life:

• For those of you in CPH, I took a little time to put together a map with my favorite places, and many of the places I didn’t get to see but wish I would’ve. All yours! : Copenhagen City Map (or, if the link doesn’t work: http://goo.gl/maps/TMdn)

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=202176473676662520123.0004c1d924619745eadef&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=55.825724,12.541955&spn=0.441486,0.923733&output=embed&w=425&h=350%5D

• Learn to love walking. While DIS gives its students transportation passes, you’re still going to walk A LOT. Enjoy the extra exercise, and invest in comfortable shoes – Ladies, that means stilettos probably shouldn’t make the trip. The cobblestones will destroy them anyway.
• Learn about public transportation. Denmark has this awesome website (rejseplanen.dk) that will become your best friend – it even has an app! Check it before you leave, and plan which trains to catch home so you’re not stuck waiting at the train station for an hour – or missing a train completely.
• And, just a note. It’s not uncommon for someone to jump in front of a train on a biweekly basis. Danes are pretty used to it, so you’ll only really hear them complain about being late to work, etc. while the police clean up the mess. Again, use Rejseplanen to avoid this!
• Denmark is VERY safe. You’ll be fine walking around in basically every part of town at any time. That being said, don’t be stupid. Don’t be a dumb American and wave your money around or wander the city blackout drunk (yes, we know you’re going to get like that at least once). Go out with a friend and stick together. Your mom will thank you.
• Learn some Danish! (or your respective language!) Key words in Denmark: Skål! (used like “cheers!” except eye contact must be maintained). Øl = beer. Enough said. Tak, tusind tak, tak for mad, etc. = thank you, a thousand thanks, thanks for the meal, respectively. Hej = hi, although when used twice it means bye (Hej Hej). Tog = train. Nej = No (a personal favorite). Undskyld = Excuse me (use sparingly – Danes don’t usually comment when moving though crowds… they just work their way through!) Just a heads up, Danish words are nearly impossible to pronounce; they’re super long, but half the consonants are silent. Good luck!
• Get out of CPH a bit. It was easier for me because my host family lived further away and I had classes in Roskilde and Hvidovre, but take a trip up to Helsingor to see Hamlet’s castle, to Klampenborg to see the world’s oldest amusement park, or to Roskilde for one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe!
• Try to avoid the UNICEF/Amnesty International volunteers in Radhuspladsen. Trust me. Put in your headphones, put on your poker face, and do the Danish power walk around them. Or, if all else fails, tell them you’re a) just a tourist or b) you only speak English.
• Busses are difficult. Many of them around Europe don’t have any signs or announcements telling you which stop you’re at. So, to fight this, take a picture of the sign at the bus stop so you can at least guess when you’re supposed to get off. Sounds dorky, but you’ll thank me when you don’t have to ride the bus in a circle for an hour, as I did many, many times.

Food:

• Eat local foods. I lived with a host family, so didn’t get to eat out much. One thing I semi-regret is not exploring more of the cafes/restaurants in the area. I’m not saying blow all your money, but give it a fair shot on a Friday night before going out. And break down and eat a pastry once in a while. It’s what Denmark is known for, after all.
• For buying lunches, stick to Netto. There’s lots of great things that can be heated up quickly for WAY cheaper than the food on the streets – 5 frikadeller (like meatballs but better) for 12 kr. YUP. And, if you do go out to eat, be aware of student specials (Mondays at Peder Oxe) and use buffets to the max (Riz Raz – vegetarian, but so good)!

Danish Culture:

• Be aware of cultural differences. Danes are very reserved in comparison to Americans, at least until you: a) get to know them, or b) get them drunk. You’ll hear the “ketchup bottle” analogy a lot during O-week. So the public in general is very calm and quiet, with little contact with strangers. However, most of them really enjoy talking to Americans, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation when you’re out. They all speak English – even though they’ll be embarrassed about how “bad” it is (it’s nearly perfect) – so there’s nothing stopping you! In addition, it’s not out of the ordinary to see sleeping children parked outside cafes in their carriages. I’ll admit I was quite shocked when I first saw this. In the U.S.? Never. But in Denmark it’s the norm to give the kids a little space. But, don’t try interacting too much with children and dogs. Danes are even more reserved when it comes to their family.
• And prepare yourself for THE question: “Why did you come to Denmark?!” You’ll get it a lot, almost daily, and every time you go out to bars. Come up with a solid answer, and prepare for the rebuttal, but hold your ground. Living in DK their whole lives, Danes don’t understand how just how good they have it.
• For the best introduction to Danish culture (and to laugh your ass off): How to Piss off a Dane. I promise they’re not as scary as the article makes it sound, but you’ll appreciate this so much more when you’re back in the US aching for DK. Trust me.
• Open container laws. Use them to your advantage. And enjoy cheap wine, good beer (Carlsberg or Tuborg are going to be your #1 options), and FISK shots – they’re almost always readily available and cheap, but drink with caution.
• Get used to 7-Eleven (there’s 197 in CPH alone), but use it sparingly. A lot of the stuff there can be bought at Netto/Fakta/etc. But be aware! Danish hours are VERY different from American. Grocery stores close early (~8pm), regular stores even earlier (around 5pm and earlier on Saturdays – most don’t open until late morning, too), and nothing is usually open on Sundays!
• Tip: If you forget a Danish guy’s name, call him Christian. There’s a pretty good chance you’ll be right. Christian/Kristian/any other derivative is a ridiculously popular name in Denmark.
• Get a BIKE! Yeah, it’s expensive. But there’s no better way to see the city – or travel to and from the train station in my case. Plus, you’ll fit in better and probably save your boots from the cobblestones! (see below) When the weather is nice, DSB has bikes you can rent for a 20 kr. deposit (which you get back when you return them). They’re definitely hard to find, but so much fun.
• Embrace hygge. There’s no way I could explain it, but you’ll learn to love it and miss it even more when you leave. Trust me. (Plus, it’s really fun to say).
• A country with Royals is AWESOME. Learn to love them as much as the Danes do. The Queen is kind of a badass. And the Danish love her for it. Queen Margrethe II is Denmark’s first female monarch since the 1300s, a chain smoker, and known for her brightly colored clothes (some of which she designs herself). She recently celebrated her 40th jubilee and has maintained a steady loyalty throughout her years on the throne. In addition to making herself accessible to the public, she’s managed to cultivate a colorful personal life, which includes releasing art under the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer (her illustrations appeared in the Danish edition of The Lord of the Rings) and designing costumes and sets for stage and screen productions. Our host mom was obsessed with the royalty, so we learned a lot! Take the time to do so – it’s so interesting to be in a country with a monarchy.
• They’re one of the world leaders in gender equality, with many laws in both the public and private sectors to reinforce their beliefs. This attitude has trickled down to the everyday habits of Danish men so, ladies, don’t expect them to fetch your coat or hold the door open. And you’ll probably have to take the reins at the bar too. It’s not as common for Danish men to approach women as it is in the US. So put your game face on!
• The Danes are modest by nature, and this can be attributed to the cultural concept of janteloven, which negates individual success and deems it inappropriate to draw attention to oneself. This has to do with how calm and reserved everyone is. So keep your American bragging in check (except when joking with Danes). They love sarcasm and have some of the best dry humor I’ve ever found.
• That said, Denmark is a country of superlatives: It’s the happiest country on earth. It’s home to the smallest hotel in the world and the largest hotel in Scandinavia. It has the longest pedestrian street on the planet. It was the first country to legalize civil unions. The list is endless, but if you’re curious, ask a Dane. They’re a proud and patriotic bunch

Studying at DIS:

• Take the consortium courses at University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University. As much as I hated the trek to Trekroner twice a week and the difficulty of the course, it was cool to be in a Danish University and experience “Danish” courses – and hang out with Danish classmates. At schools in Denmark, they have Friday Bar where a portion of the school is converted to a cheap bar (think happy hour) and students meet up to drink and hang out before heading out to the city later. It’s a great way to meet Danes, since you’re completely surrounded by them!
• Don’t kill yourself doing homework. I know it was hard for me (… not), but you’ll still do well if you write your paper the night before it’s due instead of three weeks in advance (unless you’re planning to travel – get it out of the way). If you got into DIS, you’re probably smart, so don’t worry your butt off when they pound into your head how rigorous it is at orientation.
• Take advantage of some of the DIS-organized events and activities: Buddy Networks, Legoland, Beer Tastings. There’s a lot to see and do, and you can do it for cheaper if you do it through DIS! And they sponsor a Tivoli trip (which is mildly cheaper I think). You’re gonna want to do it, so buy your spot fast!
• The big jar of silver packets on the front desk is not full of mints. Or candy. Or lotion. Just a heads up.
• Get to know your core class. You’ll be spending a ton of time with them between classes, projects and study tours. Plus, they probably share a ton of interests with you if you’re in the same core – for me, the MPP kids were all driven, but super fun and some of my favorite people in CPH, while Tricia’s Humanities class were history buffs and Leslee’s IB core preferred to drink… a lot.
• On that note, check out the DIS student blogs from the past few years to get advice on classes and CPH in general: Past Bloggers at DIS

Adding and elaborating on advice from Leslee Mahoney:

Living in Denmark: (My remarks will be in italics)

1. Denmark is EXPENSIVE. A beer could run for $10. And a flat bike tire for $60 (yep, still bitter about that one). – Account for it and embrace it. You’re only abroad once so save up now so you don’t miss out later! But, there’s a lot you can do to save money: shop at Netto, “warm up” before going out by stocking up on beer/wine, book travel in advance (unlike us) to avoid last minute fees coming into effect.

2. LIVE IN A HOST FAMILY. Save money, get advice, have great conversations, eat Danish food, and take full advantage of riding the trains. The further away you live the more zones you have on your transportation pass and the more places you can explore in Denmark, for free. I loved having roommates who were going through this same experience with me, request roommates if that interests you. I was totally against having a host family, but it was the best decision I made while in Denmark. If you’re worried about freedom, don’t – they know you are here to learn and experience other parts of the culture. – Ditto. See above.

3. Sure, you know Denmark is cold. But hey you go to school in Minnesota, no big deal right? Not. You walk outside a lot more in Denmark then in MN. Well actually you walk everywhere in Europe, just accept it. Get some good walking shoes and warm clothes. – And make sure to bring a hat and mittens! Forgot to pack that one. Sweatshirts aren’t exactly “in” in Denmark, so invest in a few warm sweaters and a good winter jacket. You’ll be wearing them probably the entire time you’re there as the temperature doesn’t get above 50 often in the spring/fall. I wore my winter coat (liner and fleece insert) until I left on June 1st.

4. Bring warm boots. And be prepared for the cobblestones to rip them apart. And you will of course want to buy new European boots when this happens (wait for the sales in the spring). Don’t bring your Uggs, you will stand out from the Danes with them. – Ruined two pairs of boots in DK, but got to buy a really nice pair to replace them.

7. Only pack one big suitcase and don’t bring too much (easier said than done, I know). You will probably be bringing home a smaller one on your way back anyways (you can buy a cheap duffel or suitcase when you are traveling outside of Denmark). – The majority of stuff you think you have to have while abroad, you don’t really need. You’ll appreciate it a lot more if you have space to buy new stuff rather than bringing that old shirt you sort of like and might wear. Plus, it’ll make traveling from the airport A LOT easier.

8. Get a backpacking backpack. For travel break, short study tour, other trips, etc. Avoid check bag fees. And you can use this to help pack your stuff going to and from Denmark. – Perfect for a carry-on. Although, when traveling, don’t overload it. You’re gonna hate carrying it if you do. I’d recommend one that has front zippers (like a normal backpack) rather than one that’s top-loading (like mine). Get one with the straps that latch in front too!

10. Get a watch and set it to the train times. – My watch quickly became my favorite accessory. You could always tell who the study-abroad kids were when we were out at night because they all had watches to make sure they caught the trains home. On that note, make sure you know your last train/bus/metro home! They usually stop around 3 and don’t start again until 5 (even worse hours on the weekdays.) Learn how to use the NatBus, too. It’s difficult, but usually the only way to get home if you want to go out on a Tuesday or Thursday night.

11. Bring your iPod, especially for traveling so you don’t have to bring your computer while traveling. – Ideal if it has WiFi – saves you a lot of space!

12. TOILETRIES: Don’t bring your hair appliances, they will just blow out. Check the voltage or ask your host mom/sister if you can use theirs…or buy it there. Bring contact solution. One bottle was enough for me and I wore my contacts almost every day. You have to go to an optical store to get it in Denmark. Girls, bring tampons. Europe does theirs a little differently. Sorry for this tip guys. – Shampoo and conditioner are expensive if you buy them at MATAS (the cosmetic store), but if you don’t care about quality, hit up Netto for considerably cheaper, albeit not as good brands. When I traveled to Spain, I bought shampoo and conditioner there since I was almost out in DK and it was so much cheaper. Think about where you’ll be traveling and what you could buy there since it’s usually WAY cheaper in other countries.

16. Don’t spend all your time at Kulor bar. A couple of times it’s nice to see all the Americans there and get some great drink deals, but there are so many other places. – See the map at the end of this post for great ideas. Ask a Dane for recommendations. Or, just wander and see where you end up!

17. Go out on Thursday nights. The Danes love their Thursdays. And of course I have some good place recommendations… message or email me if you want to know more.

Studying at DIS:

18. DIS can be rigorous: expect to do a good amount of homework. I had almost the same amount as if I was at Gustavus. – I didn’t have this same experience (but I only took 3 courses), except all the work seemed to pile up in one or two weeks of the semester. Stay ahead of your work, note deadlines, and make sure to avoid traveling on busy weeks!

19. Danes love group work, be prepared to take part in it (and everyone has different motivation because of how their classes transfer back home…have fun). – Learn how to use GoogleDocs. Did 90% of my assignments on there to collaborate with my classmates.

20. Participation in classes is a big deal (and it will bring your grades down).

22. Your fellow DIS students are smart. And I mean very smart and sometimes over dedicated.

23. Take Dynamic Project Leadership, a hands-on, interactive, easy, and just fun class with information that is actually useful in the real world. – Didn’t take this class, but if you need any recommendations on courses or professors, don’t hesitate to ask. Chances are I know someone who took the class/professor you’re questioning.

24. Any International Business (IB) students – take your core class from Karim. He will have fun with your class but watch out for all the homework pilled on at the end of the semester. – MPP students: Take Jesper and Anita Linde. They were amazing and even offered me a research job if I make it back to DK. Try to get to know your core profs. They’re all so awesome, and they’re usually professionals in the field you’re studying so they have great advice (even if they live in DK).

25. TAKE DANISH (with JC). I hate learning another language but it was again one of the best decisions I’ve made. You don’t really have to do your homework, you can cram before exams, and the professors can be distracted for the whole class time with simple questions about Danish culture. You aren’t expected to actually learn the language and the Danes would rather speak English too you anyways. Danish is one of the hardest languages to learn and even if you lived there for 30 years, they can tell right away that you aren’t a native Danish speaker. And Danish is an funky language that sounds like they have a potato in their mouth. Sorry Denmark. – Couldn’t reiterate this one more. TAKE DANISH. TAKE IT! I know it’s not required; I didn’t take it myself. And I feel like I missed out on a bit of Denmark because of it. Yeah, I picked up some (and by some I mean almost none) of the language on my own, but it might have been nice to come home with a little knowledge. Plus, the Danish courses have lots of field studies which equals free tourism. I heard of classes going to soccer games, touring the museums, and just learning more about the city in general. DO IT.

26. Join the DIS Facebook group for your year. Other students have good tips and information (FYI you can turn off the notifications…you will see why eventually). – Definitely. It’s annoying, but good tips, and a great way to network with the other students, especially right when you arrive. Also, like/add “Studenterhuset”, “Kulor Bar”, GlobalStudent CPH, “Sukkerbageren” and other CPH companies/bars/etc. on Facebook to stay up to date on specials, events, and the like happening in CPH. It can save you a lot of money, or give you good ideas of places to go out on a given night. Plus, Danes love Facebook as much, if not more, than Americans.

27. There are plenty of East Coast students at DIS. And they often come from prestigious schools and expect you to know their school and hometown… oh and all the girls have the same purse in different colors, you could probably make a drinking game out of it. – You’ll become well versed in Greek culture if you aren’t already. I sure wasn’t, and now I could recognize a frat boy a mile away. Definitely a different experience from UST.

28. Join a Buddy Network. It’s hard to meet Danes your age, take advantage of this opportunity. – One of my best experiences in DK. I met my absolute favorite people through my network. Do it, and don’t be afraid if you don’t know anyone in your network at first. That’s the point. Go, have fun, and take advantage of the (usually) free activities. Plus, you’ll pick up some Danish friends for life that will have no problem showing you around the city.

29. When applying for financial aid, check that you would consider working abroad. You work at DIS like 5 hours a week. Request the front desk, the job is not hard, flexible hours, you work with young Danish students, and you learn a lot about DIS. – Another woulda, coulda, shoulda.

30. There is no need to go early to Denmark…you probably don’t know anyone yet so it’s won’t be as fun. – Not sure I agree with this. I went early (not super early.. like 5 days) and I enjoyed having the time to explore the city on my own. Yes, you will be alone, but use the DIS group to organize meet-ups with other students, or just hoof it solo. You’ll get to do and see only what you want, and you’ll be more familiar with the city come the first week when everyone else looks like lost puppy dogs.

31. STAY AFTER THE SEMESTER ENDS. Sure you think you will do weekend trips but DIS and your friends will keep you busy on the weekends, and Denmark will make you too broke to travel that often. Get a buddy to travel with after the semester ends or convince your family to bring their backpacking backpacks and hit the town. – Agreed! Plus, you’ll be well versed in traveling by then, so you’ll know exactly where to go and what to do. Think about booking your flight home from a different country if you wish to stay longer than DK will allow (we got kicked out June 3rd). That way, you don’t have to fly back to CPH just to leave again!

32. Go on DIS adventure and day trips. They are a good deal and planned with things you would never get to do otherwise. Norway fjords was by far my favorite! If you really want to go on one, sign up right away. Otherwise wait to sign up with friends, people are always selling their spots as the date get closer. I went to Legoland and skiing in Sweden with DIS! – I only went to Legoland and definitely enjoyed it. Take advantage if you see something you like, but like Leslee said, don’t feel bad waiting til the last minute. Everyone tries to sell in the week before an event and you can save some serious money. Another tip: Americans are huge flakes. At least by European standards. Think about this before planning any large/expensive activities and make sure people are committed before throwing money down!

33. Get a PicCell phone, almost everyone gets one. Get insurance, it’s like 16 cents a day. (Oh btw all the Danes have iPhones) – Worth it. It’s nearly impossible to communicate without. Free WiFi doesn’t exist in Europe.

34. Get a Euro Sim card (from PicCell). Didn’t use mine very much but worth it to communicate when traveling and avoid high roaming fees. – If nothing else, get it for security and to make your mom feel better about you traveling the world.

I know this was a lot to process, and I could go on for days.  I had the most amazing five months of my LIFE in Europe, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail, facebook, text, whatever! I loved being in Copenhagen and I love talking about it even more.

God rejse!

*Keep checking back frequently as I’ll probably be updating this on a regular basis! I wanted to get it out while people still had time to read and prepare before leaving.

Feet on Minnesota ground

… but heart still in Denmark.

I’m officially home (well, have been for about two weeks). Can’t believe it. I keep vacillating between not believing I’m in America and not believing I ever left, since everything seems the same. It’s going to take some serious getting used to – and I definitely understand what they said about Reverse Culture Shock during all our orientation sessions. Feelin’ it pretty bad already.

Just wanted to post a quick blog as a distraction from my MCAT studies. I hope to spend some time catching up on everything I’ve missed since April (yikes…), but it might have to wait til August. For now, here’s a quick summary:

Study Abroad by the Numbers

• 16 flights
• 17 train rides
• 3 bus rides
• 1 unforgettable cruise
• 12 countries
• 30 cities
• 2 insane roommates
• 1 amazing host family
• 1 pickled herring sandwich tried (and one only)
• Too many rides on the regional train
• 3 classes
• 2 trips to Tivoli
• 1.6 km walked/biked daily to the train
• 4 dips in different bodies of water
• 22 kr. cherry wine
• 1 encounter with a jellyfish
• 14 scoops of gelato
• 192 miles run around Rungsted
• 1 free fall from an airplane
• 4 liters of German Dunkel
• Millions of Legos
• 3 hours spent in “Harry Potter” bliss
• Pounds of Nutella
• 1.6 hours of new “Danish” music
• 8 tall buildings and more than 1,500 steps climbed (and 1 elevator)
• 2 Danish concerts
• Countless Kulør Tuesdays
• 5 minutes in a plastic bubble
• 1 haz-mat suit
• 3 shots of whiskey and 1 perfect pint
• 8 bells rung in unison
• 6 hours stuck in Milan
• 2 bike crashes
• 1 stolen bike
• 1.5 km of art
• 2,970 m scaled in cable cars
• 3 gallons of Croatian wine
• 4 games of curling with 2 bruised knees
• 104ºF of torture in Sevilla
• 1 wish in the Trevi
• 2 annoying dragons
• 24 blogs
• 1 3-legged race
• 3 hockey games
• 5 weeks traveling Europe
• 5, 095 pictures
• a few nights in Copenhagen I don’t remember
• so many people I’ll never forget

all adding up to one incredible way to spend five unforgettable months. America, you’ve got a lot to live up to.