Week One...Down.

One week in…

This past week has been SO full of ups and downs, I’m not even sure where to begin.  I’ve been more emotionally shaken than I ever thought possible, and out of left field at that.  I’ve been unsure of myself and my surroundings.  I’ve gotten lost, found my way, laughed till I cried and cried till I laughed.  I’ve been wind blown and wet.  I’ve been COLD. But above all, I’ve challenged myself in a way that I was not at all prepared for, and for that I am incredibly thankful.

When people back home asked me why I chose to study abroad in Copenhagen—in the middle of winter—I didn’t have much of an answer.  I’d nervously laugh, smile, and repeat for their sake as much as mine: The program came with great recommendations, the location seemed cool (honestly, when will I EVER go to Copenhagen again…?!), and the people are “the happiest in the world.”  Though these all seem like good answers on paper, I’d be lying if I said that I was 110% ready to just up and move to another country.  In reality, I was scared s**tless on the plane and wondering why the hell I was doing this in the first place.

The first few days were not kind either—I had a very unique first day (missed the bus, forgot my train pass, was yelled at by the police and charged 750 DKK ($150) for it, lost the PIN # for my phone, cried…all day), and was having a hard time coping with the social re-adjustment.  I have never, EVER in my life been homesick, and feeling that emotion was very strange and sad.  I come from an unbelievable group of friends and “family” at Elon and the first few days I felt incredibly lost without them.  “Lonely” is not a feeling I have ever really ascribed to myself. 

But in fact, it was what I felt the first few days.  Once I accepted it, got it out of my system and reminded myself that it was only the first week, I felt a little better.  I talked to more people.   I put myself out there.  I—dare I say it—smiled.  Laughed.  Enjoyed the remarkably beautiful city where I’m so privileged to go to school.  Walked around the perfect, quaint town that I live in.  Appreciated the beauty found in such a small area: fields, forests, and lakes by my house and renaissance era cathedrals and cobblestone streets filled with history in the city. 

And wouldn’t you know?  The sun started to shine.  The wind stopped blowing.  I caught my breath and realized…I’M IN FREAKING DENMARK.  THIS. IS. AWESOME.  It might have been difficult the first few days, but it can’t always be bad.  Though I was initially shaken, I’m still the smiling, outgoing, Kaitlin that loves to live and laugh.  I have a feeling I can do both here.   :) 

Highlights of the past week:

-BONDING WITH FAMILY.  Oh, they are so great.  SO great.  They welcomed me with open arms from day 1, and I truly feel like I am slowly becoming a part of the family.  We’ve been shopping (realized I am VERY American…), played with the dogs, made decorative candles, eaten wonderful meals, and had great conversation.  This is just what I needed. 

-Finding my way to St. Peters, home of the best wiernerbrod ever and only 2 minutes from school

-Learning the ins and outs of water/energy conservation

-Wandering around aimlessly after school…just getting acquainted with the neighborhood.  Exploring.

-Going into the city alone on my class-less Friday and shopping for hours.  Walking down Stroget, the world’s longest pedestrian-only shopping street, in search of leather boots.  **I literally have not met a local wearing anything other than boots or black sneakers.

-Trying on countless pairs of said boots, only to find the PERFECT pair on the way home.  Soft, supple, brown Italian leather.  Beautiful construction.  MAJOR splurge.  Well, they say if the shoe fits…

-Wearing said boots with an all-black outfit, Carlsberg in my hand, and finally feeling very Danish on a way to a club with friends on Friday night.  Having to crash on a friend’s floor in the city because the trains and busses stop running around 12.

-Boots are made for walking…and I do. A LOT.

-Switching classes around.  Currently: News Media in Transition, International Advertising, Danish Language 1 (oh heyyyy GPA drop…), and Hans Christian Anderson and the Danish Golden Age.  Pretty sweet set up, if I do say so myself.

-Taking a walking tour of the city on a sunny day.  Being caught in the harbor in the perfect late-afternoon light.

-Finally finding that place you see on Copenhagen postcards, the one of the pretty buildings in the harbor.  It’s called Nyhavn (New-houn) and is even better than you’re imagining it.

-Visiting a GIANT cathedral from the middle ages in the town of Roskile, about an hour away by bus.  Meeting other DIS people on the trip.  Seeing old viking boats.  Playing dress up...as a viking.

-Hygge (hugh-glee): The Danish feeling of coziness.  Often accompanied by tea, good conversation, and lots of candles.  Experienced every evening.  LOVE. 

And the best highlight:

-Realizing that I can do this.  I am going to have a great semester, day by day.  I expect to be challenged again, and I expect to encounter missteps and frustrations.  But I also expect life-changing experiences that I will carry with me forever.  I expect to form solid relationships with my new family and friends.  I expect to be see things that I never will again, and I expect to take some home with me.  I am a daughter, sister, friend, and Elon student living in a brand new country for the next four and a half months.  I’ll do my best to live up to our school’s favorite saying:

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Vi ses,

Kaitlin  :)