My Oh My, How Four Months Can Change A Life

Hej!

It has been eight months since I last posted and what a roller-coaster of a ride those eight months have been. Hopefully after this post, however, you'll see why my writing tonight will complete the "full circle" of the past year.

In the past week Denmark/Copenhagen/studying abroad has been on my mind for many reasons. First off, my dear friend Tara just arrived in Copenhagen today to start her four months abroad at DIS, where I studied. I feel so blessed that she and I are now able to share two adventures: L4L and DIS. After getting off the phone with her on Thursday (I had to let her know about Kulor Tuesday and packing for the fickle Copenhagen weather) I felt overjoyed for her and what she is about to experience. Second off, a friend who I recently reconnected with is deciding where he would like to pursue his abroad travels. I am pretty sure I've convinced him to do DIS with my constant and numerous, "You know, in Denmark..." phrases and I hope that he is able to experience the incredible opportunities that DIS offers and maybe realize how many great people there are in this huge world we live in.

Yet, more than ever, setting foot in the Newark Airport this afternoon is really when it hit me how grateful I am that I lived in Denmark and made the most out of my experience, no matter how hard it was at times. I visited Danny and his family over the weekend and had a wonderful time, as always. As we drove to Newark Airport, we realized that exactly a year ago we were making the same drive. This time around, however, I was embarking on a quick trip back to Boston and not an adventure to the beautiful land of Europe. This goodbye was not tear-filled or sad but rather happy and content as we get to start our last year of college together in just a few weeks. On the plane ride, however, my mind was constantly on Denmark and how much those four months changed me and more importantly, how much has changed in the past year.

This was my first summer truly living on my own. Previous summers were made up of days by the pool or lake, Wegmans trips with my younger brother, relaxing to my heart's desire, seeing old friends, and making new ones. This summer, however, was made up of working at two truly amazing internships to realize that despite my love of religious studies and all it entails, I have yet another passion for communications, social media, development, event planning, and anything else that comes with the word "development." My mentors this summer have been patient and helpful. Even more incredible, I was offered the chance to continue working with one of my internships throughout the school year, an opportunity I literally jumped at when I was given the chance. Living on my own brought me back to the days of Copenhagen. I'll never forget when Sydney and I would talk about catching the occasional homesick feeling. Hers would happen while she was grocery shopping. Mine would usually occur on Sunday nights when I thought of my family sitting down for dinner together. However, just as I made it through those Sunday nights, I made it through this summer, learning to truly take care of myself and maybe even ask for help when I needed it.

As eye-opening as this summer was, it got off to a terribly rough start with a ten-day sickness (we're talking hospitalization here) that several doctors were not able to really "diagnose." Although I had friends throughout the area who were willing to do anything to help, it was beyond difficult to get through it on my own, without the love and comfort of my mom or dad. No matter how old you are, parents still provide that tender lovin' care that is necessary when it comes to any type of pain. Getting through those ten days without them and/or without any real family made me realize the strength I did acquire while in Denmark to take care of myself and gain a deep sense of independence.

People often ask me what I loved most about Denmark. It wasn't the beautiful architecture or the friendliness of the Danes or the people I met (though please don't get me wrong, I loved all of those aspects and more). What I loved most about Denmark was the feeling I had walking around the city. I can look back on so many sunny days when I would get out of bed, camera in one hand, a delicious (and expensive) coffee in the other, and just walk around. The feeling is truly indescribable and one that you have to experience to believe. Yet I know when I go back to Copenhagen (WHEN not IF) that same feeling will come right back to me, like riding a bicycle.

The final week of my two internships begins tomorrow and it's a bittersweet feeling. Despite the fact that I'll be continuing with one of them throughout the school year I know the feeling will be different. That said, however, there is no way to describe the excitement that comes from thinking about reuniting with my amazing friends who are returning to Tufts after their own study abroad adventures. In fact, I am pretty sure the sentiment from every rising senior out there is, "I just can't wait for everyone to be back together." Those are my feelings exactly. I am determined and enthusiastic about approaching this year with a more open mind and calm attitude, as Denmark taught me just how to do that. I am excited to be thrown back into the thrill of learning about my field of study. I am even more thrilled to begin the stages of researching for my thesis (yikes!) in the hopes that the experience will outweigh the mishaps that are sure to occur. More than anything, however, I am simply happy to apply what I learned in the beautiful country of Denmark to how I am at Tufts, the other incredible place that has shaped me more than I could ever imagine. But that's surely for another post.

One last thing: If you want to go abroad, don't think about it, just do it (preferably in Denmark).

Changed.

Wow, the day (or night I should say) has finally come. At noon tomorrow I'll board a plane bound for Washington, D.C. and will say "see you soon" (not good-bye) to a city that changed my perspective on the world and changed me as a person. It may seem funny that I'm writing this entry now instead of when I'm home. However, I know that in the craze of seeing family, doing last minute Christmas shopping, and just enjoying the beautiful Christmas cheer of Upstate NY, I won't be able to get the right words out.

This past week was bittersweet and still eye-opening. I handed in my last paper on Monday night and enjoyed myself for the next six days. Kulor Tuesday was fun as always and on Thursday I spent the day Christmas shopping, walking around, and eating some delicious food with Syd (which turned into another sleep over). Friday was the DIS concluding ceremony and reception and was actually great. I was able to say good-bye to a lot of people as well as one of my favorite professors. I'll have to say it was the weirdest saying good-bye to my friend David, who I sat next to on the plane on the way to Europe. It feels like just yesterday I was meeting him for the first time and we were talking about how excited we were to arrive in Copenhagen. Friday night was my last "night out" in Copenhagen. Syd and I went to a place called Froken Nielson, which is open bar after paying a fee to get in and then headed over to A-Bar to dance the night away in Copenhagen one last time. It feels like just yesterday we were going out together for the first time in Copenhagen and suddenly four months just snuck right up on me.

Tonight Syd, Natasha, Natasha's friend Karen, and I had a nice hygge dinner at my apartment. I could not have asked for a more relaxed final night. We had a delicious dinner and then watched the Danish version of The Voice, which was both hilarious and impressive. Afterwards we sat around and talked over some apple crisp. Saying good-bye to Syd was difficult and just something I did not want to do. Despite the fact I'll be seeing her in less than a month back at Tufts, she was such a huge part of my experience. She was always my go-to person, someone I grew to be really close to and respect and a good 90% of my greatest memories involved have her in them.

The title of this post is "Changed" and for good reason. I will be arriving in the United States a different individual, with a new outlook on worldly issues and those around me. It might sound cliche to say but I suppose you need to experience a new culture in order to understand. I came to Copenhagen not knowing anyone and knowing hardly anything about Denmark and its capital. I know now that when I go home and someone brings up Denmark or Copenhagen, I'll be jumping in to talk about the city that became my home so quickly. I'm excited to tell my family about my experiences and what I've learned. More importantly, I'm beyond excited to see them. As most of you know I'm very close with my family. This is something I have come to treasure from being abroad. While it is difficult to leave the country that changed my life for the better, it is in fact time to go home and see my family and let them know how much I love and appreciate them.

While abroad I became involved, immersed myself in everything I could, made friends from all over the world, and gained recognition for it in the end, which exceeded my expectations. I can never say I became "Danish" but I can say I took advantage of everything DIS, Copenhagen, and Europe had to offer. I visited many countries, ate different cuisines, visited dozens of museums and monuments,  watched the sun come out on several nights out, and made friends who have taught me about the importance of meaningful relationships. I learned about others, myself, and this huge world we live in. Five months ago I wrote about the little things I would miss at Tufts. Now I'm thinking about the little things I'll be missing about Copenhagen when I return to the states: the friendliness of Danes, the walks around the center of the city, church bells ringing every 15 minutes, exchanging stories with Natasha, and the apartment I've become so fond of. However, in the end, I can leave Denmark knowing I'm leaving with a bang.

I know tomorrow won't be the easiest of days (traveling with two huge suitcases never is). More so, I know that saying good-bye to Natasha at the airport will be difficult. Living with someone for four months forces you to become close and establish trust with one another and not seeing her every day will odd and sad. I was blessed to have her as my roommate. However, despite the fact that I'll be saying good-bye to one home, I'll be smiling when I land in Syracuse and go to my first home. I'll be smiling even more knowing that just about three weeks later I'll be headed to my second home at Tufts. My mom makes Christmas pretty magical at our house, with everything from beautiful decorations to an amazing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Knowing that I'm going home to that is pretty amazing. Having this "home" in Copenhagen has made me appreciate my home in Syracuse a lot more. I can't express how excited I am to hug my parents, joke around with my siblings, and spend the holidays with Dan (he has no idea how great a Grosack Christmas is). I get giddy at the thought of going to Wegmans with my brother, Christmas shopping around town, and sitting with my parents at night talking in front of the fireplace. Of course this year did not go exactly as planned but my first post was about adjusting to change and going with it and that's exactly what I did and things turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I saw the world and now I plan on using what I've learned to change it for the better.

Hej Hej, Copenhagen. I can never thank you enough.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

It is hard to fathom that in ten days I will be on a plane from Copenhagen to D.C., en route to the beautiful land of Syracuse (which was just rated the #1 snowiest city, I'll have you know). When I ask my friends about their feelings towards returning home, the answer is short and simple: bittersweet. In my mind, that is the ideal word to describe my feelings. Last week was much more stressful than the others with numerous papers and random assignments and after having a nice weekend to breathe, I'm enjoying all of the time I have left in this beautiful and vibrant city.

As you all know, I have a younger brother, Nate, who is a freshman in college at Wake Forest. Of all of the people I've missed, he is definitely at the top of the list. He is such a caring, intelligent, funny, and genuine person and someone I'm proud to call a brother and best friend. Unfortunately Nate recently and suddenly lost one of his friends at Wake Forest and it was yet another wake-up call to how precious life truly is and how important it is to be thankful and appreciative of all individuals and moments in life. This entry doesn't have to do with details about an exciting trip across Europe or a visit from someone I care about. But as the holidays draw near, it is hard not to think about all of the things that have become "favorites" on my journey in Denmark and throughout Europe. Additionally, I've grown to think about how appreciative I am of every individual who has gotten me through the hard times and cheered me on during the good ones. Rather, as I sit in my hyyge-esque room, candles lit and Christmas music playing, I've come to realize how much more grateful and humble this experience has made me and how much it has made me appreciate so many things and people I once took for granted, both in the States and in Denmark.

I wouldn't be sitting here without the support and encouragement of my parents, two individuals who have emphasized acceptance of others and being grateful as key facets of life. They have been with me through every smile, tear drop, exam, paper, trip, and event. While saying good-bye to Copenhagen will be difficult, the end factor of jumping into my parents' arms is pretty extraordinary. Additionally, I realize how important my three awesome and hilarious brothers are to me. While abroad I did not get to talk to them as much as when I'm in the States. From this I realize how much I adore and miss Matt's never-ending humor, Michael and Lauren's words of encouragement, and just being able to text and call Nate whenever something funny has happened (on top of being pretty inseparable). Not only would I not be where I am today without all of them but I would not be the person I am. In addition to my family are the individuals at home who have supported me and encouraged me through this process and adventure (especially you, Danny). Any rough patch or not-so-great-day was made better by them and by knowing that I still have such a solid and amazing group of people to go home to at Tufts. I can't wait to share stories with them and see how their year has played out thus far. I've been so fortunate to stay in touch with all of my best friends who are also studying in Europe and learning more about the world around them as well as themselves. Although I wish I could have seen Hannah, Shauna, Jacob, and Stephanie this semester, I'm proud to call them my good friends and learn from them based on what they have experienced abroad. I'm beyond grateful that I was able to experience both Copenhagen and Madrid with Shelby, someone I truly admire and love and someone I know I'll be friends with for life. On top of those individuals, I've met the most amazing people here in my studies abroad, both DIS students and Danes. They've taught me so much about taking in every moment abroad and loving all that Copenhagen has to offer. There are simply too many names to list off but I'm thankful for every individual I've met in the past four months, whether we've met in Turkey, Sweden, Spain, or Denmark. Last but not least, this entire experience would not have been the same had I not been graced with such a kind, funny, and loving roommate. Natasha has been such a blessing and of all the "shocks" that I will be encountering upon returning to the U.S., I'm pretty sure not living with her will be the biggest. She has has my back here the entire time and was so patient when I was adjusting to life in Copenhagen. I truly hope every person who studies abroad and lives with a roommate of a different culture is as lucky as I have been.

But of course, this entry is also a fun one to reflect on things that have grown to become "favorites" of mine. Of course I could name 100 things already. However, just to name a few:

1. Getting hygge with it. Hygge translates into "cozy" in Danish. It is a concept/somewhat of an activity here in Denmark in which you light candles with friends, whether at home or in a bar/restaurant/cafe, and eat, drink, and talk. Denmark is actually the number one manufacturer of candles and now I can see why. Almost every restaurant or cafe is lit by candles and the atmosphere is quaint and joyful, especially during the holiday seasons. Whenever I had friends or family visit, they always commented on how nice and cozy places were. It is something I have grown so accustomed to and while I can already think of cozy restaurants in Syracuse and Boston, they don't quite compare to the ones in Copenhagen. What I've grown to love about this place is how easy going and relaxed everyone is. We get to be so busy and preoccupied with things in the US that we forget how fun and relaxing it is to just sit with friends and have a drink or a meal.

2. Bakeries. Ah, that smell. So sweet and delectable. I never walked more than two minutes without passing a bakery or coffee shop and taking in the unforgettable smell of pastries that have just emerged from the oven. It has become such a familiar smell and I still find it impossible to believe that I won't be able to go to my favorite, hole-in-the-wall bakery for a pastry and spicy chai latte.

3. Kulor Tuesdays. Everyone hears me talking about this place and for good reason. When I think about next semester, I don't think about the impending mounds of pages I'll have to read or how I'll be spending five or six nights studying in the library until midnight. No, I think to myself, "What am I going to do without Kulor on Tuesday night?" Given that we did not have classes on Wednesdays, "Kulor Tuesdays" became such a norm. Regardless of the fact that all of the DIS students were there every Tuesday, it was such a nice break during the week to let loose and experience Copenhagen nightlife...on a Tuesday. The atmosphere is grade, the price is reasonable and you get unlimited beer. What's not to love?

4. The apartment. I can't emphasize how much I've grown to love this apartment. It might be small, but it's the perfect size for two people. It's cozy and has everything I need. After a long day of classes or whenever I needed some "me" time, I knew I could simply relax and feel good in this apartment. Whenever I hosted friends, they always commented on what a great location it is and how adorable it is. Upon returning from trips around Europe, I always looked forward to walking in the door and feeling like I was home.

5. Danes. Maybe I'm bias because I've lived here for four months, but I've grown to really love Danes and how friendly and intelligent they are. Whether I was at a bar, DIS, club, or just strolling along Stroget, I always met a friendly Dane who was curious about my culture and was always willing to help. I've been so fortunate to meet many Danes here and think they are truly terrific people.

As I said, the list goes on and on. However, these are just a few highlights and I know that in the coming weeks as I sit at home thinking about Copenhagen, I'll write more about the things I miss and grew to love over my four months here. This weekend (my last full one in CPH) will be spent going out with friends, walking around the city, and taking in every last piece of Copenhagen I possibly can. No, this is not my final entry. In fact, I've grown to love blogging regardless of who does or does not read my blog. It has turned into such a peaceful outlet for letting others catch a glimpse at my life abroad and even if I'm at Tufts next semester, I know I'll have more adventures with new and unique people so why not continue blogging?

Here's to my last week in Copenhagen! This girl is going to live it up.

Danny Visits!

Since my trip to Spain things have been busy but amazing. Getting back to DIS and seeing every one was great and it sounds like my friends had some amazing European adventures. I was beyond happy to be at Kulor with Syd on Tuesday night along with probably half of the DIS students. Unfortunately two weeks of going and going caught up with me and I got a nice 24-hour bug from Thursday until Friday but luckily it did not fully ruin my weekend. I had gone so long without being sick but I guess it had to happen at some point!


After waiting for three months, Dan's visit to Copenhagen finally arrived and it was an incredible five days. I have to admit, I was a lot more nervous for his arrival than I thought I would be. I was running around like a mad man getting everything ready and was so excited I hardly slept Tuesday night. He got in at about 11 on Wednesday morning and after a long hug and being reunited, it felt like we had never been separated. Before Dan came we both agreed that we would have a "spontaneous" trip with zero planning and just "going with the flow" each day and I'm really glad we did. It made the trip that much more fun. On Wednesday I showed him my favorite spots in the city. I'm glad that Dan got to visit at this time of the year. Copenhagen is known for being really magical and beautiful during Christmastime and I can see why. The streets are lit with Christmas lights and every window in a shop is decorated for Christmas with trees, gifts, and ornaments. In addition, you can't go more than a few blocks without finding some adorable Christmas market. That night we went to a final presentation class for my Migration and Conflict program followed by a dinner with the entire group at a Turkish restaurant called Sultan's Palace. While I was beyond excited and happy to have Dan with me, it was sad to know that it would be the last time all of the MC group would be together. As we were walking together my friend Ben commented that it felt like we were back in Turkey since all of us were going in a huge group together. I can't believe Turkey was over a month ago! All of the individuals in my program made my experience very special and I know that I picked the right DIS program. Not to mention being taught my Jakob, who was such a great mentor. After dinner Dan and I went for a nice walk around the city and headed home for some much needed sleep.

The next morning I took Dan to DIS to show him the school and introduce him to some friends. We then headed over to Nyhavn, where the streets were lit with lights every where. We had a late lunch at an adorable and cozy restaurant called Nyhavn 17. I was so content having hot chocolate with a nice meal and seeing all of the Christmas markets outside. Dan and I both agreed that it was easily our favorite meal during his visit, both because of the food and atmosphere. After admiring the Christmas markets, both in Nyhavn and along Stroget, we headed over to Tivoli, where I had never been before. If you're looking for a Winter Wonderland in Copenhagen, then look no further than Tivoli.  It was so incredibly festive and every one was joyful. There were cute shops all around that sold cider, Christmas decorations, and food, and there were lights of every color all around. We spent about two hours in Tivoli just walking, talking, and admiring how beautiful it was. We then headed over to one of my favorite places, Stella's, for a late Thanksgiving dinner. Both Dan and I commented on how weird it was to be away from home on Thanksgiving, however, I was very thankful to have him there with me. On Friday we explored the city more and had lunch at a place called Dalle Valle. Once again, it was a nice, cozy restaurant. After more walking around the city and showing Dan The Cathedral of Copenhagen, I took him to Sankt Peders Bageri for some hot chocolate and cake. The bakery is probably my favorite in all of Copenhagen. It is small, delicious, and not at all expensive. Plus the girls who work there are so friendly. Afterwards we headed back to my apartment to have dinner (and wine) with Natasha and her boyfriend. It was really nice to be able to stay in and talk with both of them. That night Syd and Katherine came over for some drinks and food before heading over to Kulor. After talking non-stop about the place to Dan, I was glad he finally got to experience it. It was also incredibly fun to be able to dance together again after so much time apart and I'm really glad he got a glimpse at the nightlife in Copenhagen.

On Saturday we went for a walk along the canal and over to Norrebro, which is a trendy and artistic area in Copenhagen. After more walking around the city and admiring all of the festive stores, we headed to a cafe for some hot chocolate and just sat and talked. Though the cafe was a little pricey, but it was definitely worth it. The atmosphere is cozy and fun and the drinks are delicious. We headed back to Nyhavn to admire the Christmas markets once more and then had an early dinner at a place called Cafe G where we both had a delicious meal. Since it started to rain and Dan was leaving in the morning, we headed back to my apartment and spent the night relaxing and watching movies. Despite the fact that I'll be seeing Dan in three weeks for Christmas, I was so sad that he was leaving. Not only did his trip go by too fast but we had such a great time together that I really did not want it to end. However, I'm so thankful he was able to see Copenhagen and that we were able to spend time together after being apart for so long.

It truly baffles me that three weeks from now I'll be back in Syracuse. This is my last week of classes and I can so vividly remember my first day and how new everything was. I never expected this semester to go by as fast as it did. One day I was writing about being in Copenhagen for only a week and the next thing I know I'm writing about having only three weeks left. Despite the fact that a lot of those weeks will be spent writing papers, I still plan to take in every last moment that I can while I'm here. While I heard about what everyone was thankful for this Thanksgiving, I thought about how thankful I am for this experience and all that it has taught me. I honestly feel I'll be traveling back to the U.S. as a new person with a different perspective on so many things. 

Family and Tapas

Of course the travel break FLEW by.

These past two weeks have been busy but amazing and rather than go day-by-day (that's a lot of writing for this girl), I'll highlight two big parts of my two-week break, which was my family visiting and seeing Shelby in Madrid. Mike and Lauren arrived on Friday afternoon and it was so great to see them and just have family around. We spent a good three hours walking around Copenhagen, where I showed them DIS, my favorite places in the city, and Nyhavn, which is where all the famous canal pictures are taken. Since they were tired and I had just finished paper/midterms week, we had an early dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Stella's, and both called it a night. On Saturday we visited the Rosenborg Castle, where the crowned jewels of Denmark are kept. I won't lie, those were some insane diamonds. I made sure to let Mike and Lauren that I wanted just a few for Christmas. We then headed over to Christiania and had a traditional and delicious Danish lunch at a quaint and adorable restaurant on the water. Afterwards we spent time walking around Christiania. Christiania is an autonomous neighborhood in Copenhagen that houses around 900 residents. They put a large emphasis on community living, which was really unique to see. After Christiania we headed back to the center of the city for some drinks and cake, where I had the most incredible chocolate banana cake. I swear, Danish desserts never cease to amaze my taste buds. That night we had a late dinner and went to Kulor, one of my favorite clubs/bars in Copenhagen. We met up with Syd and Ben and had a great time dancing, talking and drinking.

After a much-needed morning of sleeping in, I walked the Round Tour (free tickets come in handy) and got to overlook all of Copenhagen. It was such a beautiful sight. I then met Mike and Lauren and we walked around and had a late dinner at a small but amazing Italian restaurant. The pizza was incredible and the three of us split a bottle of wine. It was so nice to just relax after a hectic week. I then took both of them to The Dubliner for some drinks and people watching along Stroget. It still baffles me that The Dubliner was the first place I ever went to in Copenhagen. That first day seems like ages ago. It's so incredible to realize that I know my way around the city so much better compared to where I was in late August. The next day we headed over to Roskilde, which is a town just outside of Copenhagen. We walked around the town, went to the Viking Museum, and I finally had sushi for the first time in three months. I then took them to my apartment to relax for a bit and meet Natasha. They loved the apartment and the location. That night we went out for drinks at a restaurant in Norrebro. The atmosphere was great. Everyone was simply joyful and content with life and the beer was pretty awesome as well. I'll definitely go back before I leave. It was then on to yet another amazing dinner at a Thai restaurant that overlooked the canal. I forgot how much I love Pad Thai.

Between being with Mike and Lauren and going to Madrid, I had some free time to myself in Copenhagen and took full advantage of it. I went to the Art Museum, The National Museum of Denmark, and a Holocaust Memorial Museum in Copenhagen. They were all pretty amazing, especially the Holocaust Museum. It was quite a treat to just have a few days to relax and take in this beautiful city. I promised myself that studying abroad in Copenhagen meant more than just going to class and going out. That said, aside from visiting sites, I did all of the Copenhagen-y things I could such as walking around the canal, eating a pastry, sitting and people watching with a cup of coffee, and going out for drinks with a Danish friend. Being here has made me realize how incredible it is to be comfortable with being on my own. I sometimes used to dread the thought of having a job after college in a new city knowing absolutely no one. However, after living in Europe for three months and realizing how great it is to be independent and comfortable with just walking around alone, I'm pretty happy with the possibility of living in a new city.

It has always been one of my dreams to go to Spain. I'm not sure why Spain is THE country but after having visited so many countries in Europe, I always wanted to experience Spain. I let myself have one big trip this semester where I could spend a good amount of time in a new city and spend money on food, drinks, nightlife, and other things to take in the culture. Of course, since my best friend lives in Madrid, I thought, "Well, now's my chance" and wow, am I glad I went. I arrived around six on Tuesday and was all giddy when I saw Shelby, both because it was great to see such a good friend and because it shocked me once again that we were just hanging out in Europe together. We went to her adorable apartment to meet her Senora and get her things and then headed over to the hostel. The people there were really friendly and there were so many DIS students staying there and partying in Madrid in general. I ran into someone I knew or had a class with every day I was there. That night we had a late dinner and glass of wine at an amazing restaurant and then went to a bar to meet Shelby's friends from her program where I had my first glass of sangria. It was delicious. Shelby's friends are all so nice and easy-going and what a plus that they go to Syracuse University!

The next day we slept in and I had my first bite of chocolate churros (yum) and a calamari sandwich for lunch. The food in Madrid was so amazing. I couldn't get over it. Wednesday was mostly devoted to shopping and we met Elena, Shelby's good friend from home, to walk around and take in the incredible stores around the city. We did such a crazy amount of walking the whole time I was there and I loved it. After saying good-bye to Elena, we headed back to our hostel to get ready for dinner and Shelby brought me to an incredible tapas restaurant. I have to share that I wanted to knock four foods/drinks off my list in Spain: churros, sangria, a mojito, and tapas. I was unaware of the fact that tapas is a concept and not an actual food. After much confusion at dinner from Shelby telling me that we were having tapas, I finally understood it all. Aside from that embarassment, however, dinner was once again beyond delicious. Afterwards we met more of Shelby's friends at a bar and headed over to a club. Despite the fact that the club was empty at first, we ended up dancing our hearts out and having a great time.

We woke up on the early side Thursday to visit the Shelby's school, have lunch, and visit the Reina Sophia, a modern art museum in Madrid. Some of the art was pretty incredible and interesting. Afterwards we walked around and got some snacks. Shelby and I were pretty tired and needed a little rest time before going out so we watched a movie in the hostel. We then met her friends at a tapas bar called El Tigre, which is a place I wanted to visit since I saw so many pictures of it from Shelby's experience abroad. At the bar you get a huge plate of tapas and an even huger drink for just six euros. Let me remind everyone that although Copenhagen is an amazing city, it is certainly not cheap so being in Spain for five days and not having to pay 14 dollars for a drink was great. After El Tigre we went to a club called Joy and danced the night away. Once again, I bumped into more DIS students. DIS really took over Madrid!

I'd have to say my last day in Madrid was my favorite based on everything Shelby and I got to do. We ate lunch at this amazing restaurant where you paid 12.50 euro to get a drink, appetizer, meal, and dessert. It was so delicious and pleasant to have a nice meal and just sit and talk. Afterwards we visited the Prado, which is a beautiful art museum in Madrid. I was astonished by all of the art work. Not only was it beautiful but it had so much religious history behind it. After the museum we went to Retiro park, where I was reminded of how beautiful fall truly is. We sat and had a cup of coffee and walked around before heading over to the cathedral near Sol. It was honestly one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever seen. It was so detailed with gorgeous colors and I loved every minute I got to spend in it. We headed back to the hostel for a little while before getting pizza for dinner and spent the night going to different bars with Shelby's friends. I finally got to have a mojito and it was delicious (I wonder how many times I've used that word so far). After a few hours of sleep, I left the next morning and had to try hard not to cry on the metro after saying good-bye to Shelby. It was hard knowing I won't see her for so long but I'm beyond thankful I got to have such an amazing time with her in Europe once again. I was so grateful to spend time with her and have her show me around her city.

Being able to visit Madrid opened my eyes again to how many extraordinary cultures and people there are in the world. Spain has such a vibrant and colorful culture and lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed having a delicious late lunch, walking around, shopping, relaxing, and then having dinner at 10 at night. The people there are gorgeous and so full of life. All of the buildings are gorgeous and detailed and I found myself always looking left, right, up and down to take in the structures and city as a whole. More importantly, experiencing it with someone I'm really close to made the trip that much more special and memorable. I was talking to one of Shelby's friends on my last night in Madrid and caught myself saying, "I'm excited to go home tomorrow." It's so funny to me that I consider Copenhagen to really be my home now. Every time I travel to a different place, I always look forward to coming back to the city and my apartment. I have five weeks left in this marvelous country. While it's sad since five is a small number, I know that it will motivate me to appreciate and love the time that I spend here.

Next on the agenda is Dan's visit in ten days. It honestly feels like yesterday that I was saying good-bye to him at the airport and now I get to see him so soon and it's little crazy in my mind. We don't really have a set agenda as to what we want to do since we're both content with walking around the city and going places as we walk. However, our plan is to go to the Carlsburg Brewery and the Christmas Market at Tivoli, which I've heard is incredible this time of the year. I'm so thankful he's coming to visit and don't know how I'm going to be when I see him at the airport (probably still in disbelief).

I'm excited to get back to class tomorrow and hear about everyone else's adventures! Syd and I already made plans to have our Kulor Tuesday this week and I'm so excited to see her and hear about everything she did in the past two weeks. I hope everyone is continuing to have an amazing time abroad! These past three months have made me appreciate things so much more and have opened my perspective so much. While I know leaving will be difficult, I can't wait to go back to the States and Tufts with a whole new outlook.

Only 52 days left?! Where has the time gone?

Yes, I actually counted how many days I have left here and am in disbelief that it's only 52. I have no idea where the time has gone. The college years are beyond amazing, yet they go faster and faster each year. Not okay, in my opinion. I just want to be able to take everyone I've met here home with me (both Danish friends and American friends).

Nothing too exciting has happened in the past week or so but I think that's just in preparation for the crazy and fun two weeks that are about to come. My brother and Lauren arrive on Friday afternoon and I have to constantly remind myself that I'll be with them in Europe and that they will get a glimpse into my life abroad. I'm so excited to go out with them and just be with family (plus I can't wait to see Lauren's beautiful engagement ring). I'll be traveling with them to Stockholm for three days and then I'll come back to Copenhagen to greet Elena, one of my best friends from home who is studying abroad for the semester in France. We both agreed that we're going to have more of a "date night" her first night here since both of us will be exhausted from traveling. However, I can't wait to show her how amazing Copenhagen nightlife is come Saturday. The next Tuesday I'm jetting off to Madrid to spend five days with Shelby and see how she has been living for the past two months. Despite the fact that I saw her about a month ago, I can't wait to see her again and spend more time with her. The weekend she spent in Copenhagen went by way too fast. Once my trip to Madrid is over, I get to see Danny ten days later. I can't even describe how excited I am for him to be here. It's a mix between pure excitement and disbelief that I'm actually going to be with him in Copenhagen. I feel so blessed and happy to be able to spend time with so many people who mean so much to me. In addition, I'm so thankful for everyone who is visiting Copenhagen. I'm pretty lucky.

I've already started looking at classes for next semester at Tufts (WOW) and I'm excited and anxious to see what next semester will offer. I already have an idea of the classes I'd like to take and they seem really interesting. I'm looking forward to just being back on campus and having Boston right outside my window. I of course love Copenhagen, but I will admit I miss Boston quite a bit. Being here has made me appreciate the fact that I go to school so close to such an amazing and vibrant city. I plan on really getting to know the city next semester, even if it means walking around by myself on a Saturday (I've become a big fan of doing that here).

It is obvious that my plans changed a bit this year as I'll be returning to Tufts. People sometimes ask me, "Aren't you mad that you're not staying a whole year anymore?" and if we're going to play the honest game, I'm not. I came to Copenhagen on a pretty big whim. It was really a matter of my future sister-in-law saying, "You should look into Copenhagen, you'd like it." I did and got in to a fantastic and life-changing program. I had never been to Copenhagen before and knew no Danish. It was simply a place on a map to me. Now it has become the place that changed my life and made me realize in order to really be content in life, you have to make your own decisions based on what you want and are passionate about. Coming here has made me more independent, more passionate about my field of study, and more appreciative of the people in my life and the abilities I have. At first when I decided to go back to Tufts, I was a little frantic and uneasy. I talked to my mom and dad over and over. Finally, my dad said something I'll never forget: "Laura, don't worry about anyone else around you. You do you." So it's true, maybe my plans did change a bit, however, what I look forward to most about next semester is taking everything I've learned here and applying it to home. Maybe this means changing my perspective when reading about Islam or different religions. Maybe it means sitting next to a person I wouldn't normally talk to in class. Maybe it even means putting aside time for myself to just "do me" and not worry about what everyone around me is doing or not doing. It all sounds cliche, I'm well aware. However, I think too often we become worried about what others think, say, and do and forget that they're not the ones living our life, we are. I'm thrilled to be returning to Tufts with a new perspective on just about everything. I'm thrilled to be able to see some great friends who will be on campus. Additionally, I'm thrilled for my good friends who will be abroad second semester, learning about themselves and hopefully gaining new perspectives as well.

I plan on loving every minute of the next 52 days. This has been quite an adventure already and I know the adventure will continue even after I land in the U.S. in December (can't wait to see you, Mama and Papa Grosack).

That's all for now. I can't wait to post about what I'm sure will be an unforgettable travel break. Hej Hej!

I Love Me Some Copenhagen Culture

Hello all!

It was a great first week back in Copenhagen after the study tour to Turkey. Syd and I had a lovely dinner in my apartment last Sunday (which included apple crisp...oh how I miss fall in the States) and I was so excited to see her and everyone on Monday and find out how amazing their study tours were. My friends traveled all over: Milan, Scotland, Stockholm, and even Estonia. It was really interesting to hear about their experiences and compare them to my time in Istanbul.

One thing I've really grown to love about Copenhagen is how easy-going everything and everyone is. I love being able to talk to Danes when I'm out or have them find a fascination with the States despite the fact that their culture and country is what is the most fascinating. I love how going out on a Tuesday night is the norm (not just for DIS students since we have no classes on Wednesdays) whereas in the States that would be unheard of. On Tuesday Syd and I headed to Kulor Bar, in the heart of Copenhagen, and had a blast meeting new people and dancing until the early hours of the morning. Wednesday I had no field study so I spent the beautiful and sunny day walking around and once again taking in this amazing and culturally rich city. It baffles me that the semester is almost halfway through. However, I'm grateful every day that I've done the most to immerse myself in the culture and have the time of my life while learning about any and every topic DIS or Copenhagen throws at me.

Friday night was Kulturnatten or "Culture Night" in Copenhagen. You buy a 90 kroner ticket and get in to hundreds of museums, events, and bars for free. I started out my night by meeting Syd at the DIS Halloween/Fall event, where there was cider and pumpkin carving. I love those fall activities and it put me in such a great mood. I then got to meet some of Syd's friends, who are incredible people. I'm so happy I get to keep meeting such great kids at DIS who are interesting and hilarious. We then headed to the zoo (which is normally 140 kroner for admission), which was an unforgettable experience. We all kept talking about the fact that we were in a zoo at Copenhagen at 10 PM for free and how great an adventure it was. Not to mention we were such a great group.  Next we headed to a bar in the center of the city where there was a live band. The band was incredible! They really got the crowd into their music and the atmosphere of the bar made me want to go back sometime very soon. All of the songs they played were ones that we thankfully knew so singing and dancing to them was no problem. We ended up meeting some terrific and friendly Danes who joined our group and talked to us for a few hours. Next we headed to a bar/dance club near DIS and, once again, danced until our feet couldn't handle any more movement. It was a night I'll never forget, not just because of the event but because of the people I got to meet and spend time with.

This post is short compared to my others, however, I have two papers due next week so I'll use that as an excuse. On one last note, I finally have my two-week break figured out one-hundred percent. Next Friday (the 28th) my brother and my future sister-in-law will be coming to Copenhagen for five days and then I'm spending three days with them in Stockholm. One of my best friends from home, Elena, will then be coming here for the weekend, which I'm beyond excited for. After a few days of rest in Copenhagen (and exploring the city even more), I head to Madrid to see Shelby and see just how loco Spain is. I feel so blessed to be able to see my family and spend even more time with my close friends in Europe. It's truly a dream come true.

Time for this world traveler to write her heart out in essay form.

Hej Hej!