True Independence

This was my first weekend in Copenhagen where I really got to take in the city before a hectic next three weeks. It baffles me that I've been here about a month. It baffles me even more that I'm two weeks away from going on a trip of a lifetime that I read about with such excitement back in March (Istanbul, in case you haven't realized). I've grown to truly love and appreciate the people I've met here and I realized that being abroad has made me more open to meeting and having conversations with new individuals I might not have gotten the chance to know otherwise. From all of the conversations I've had with them and from all of the great experiences we've had together (and are going to have), I know picked the right city to study abroad in. That said, I've also learned many things about Copenhagen, culturally and academically.

Since we don't have classes on Wednesdays (they're dedicated to field studies for classes), Sydney and I decided to go out and explore a bit. We ended up watching a football game at one of the bars and then sitting down for some drinks with two other DIS kids, one being the very first person I met in the program at the airport in Newark. The next day I had a round-table discussion with a professor who spoke about cultural conflict. It was interesting but since the speaker was not very open-minded when it came to the opinions of others, he was hard to follow at time. Despite the fact that we had a full day of classes the next day, I ended up going out to get a drink with three other (great) people from my program. It was so nice and calming to just sit down and relax for a while amidst a hectic week. On Thursday I had a quintessential "Girl's Night Out" with some of my closest friends here that lasted for about four hours! We ended up just sitting around and talking about anything and everything. In Copenhagen, there's a term called "hygge," which literally translates to "cozy." It's the concept of lighting candles, whether at home or at a restaurant, and sitting around with close friends to eat, drink, laugh, talk, and just be together. It's nights like those that I always look really fondly on.

I didn't have class on Friday and since it was so gorgeous out I decided to take my camera and take pictures all throughout the city. I ended up walking for three and a half hours just taking as many pictures as I could. Being abroad has made me much more comfortable about being on my own and doing things on my own. It has not only made me more appreciative of the individuals I do have in my life but really lets me get out of my comfort level in a good way. If I'm alone, whether it's waiting for the bus or simply walking around, I no longer feel compelled to take out my phone to keep me occupied. I simply just take in every thing that is around me. I've also started to let the sounds of Copenhagen be my music instead of putting my headphones on while I walk. That night two friends from my program came over for some drinks and we went out around Copenhagen.

The highlight of my week and weekend was probably Saturday night. Sydney and I made plans at the last minute and had dinner at what is now one of our favorite restaurants in Copenhagen. We then spent the rest of the night walking around and talking, people watching, having a beer, and, at the last minute, sharing a cigar by candlelight (don't worry, it won't turn into a regular occurrence). We really took in the city that night. The weather was gorgeous and people watching in Europe might be one of my new favorite past-times.

The next three weeks and weekends are already so busy! This weekend I'm fortunate enough to have Shelby visiting. This week is pretty hectic with work so I keep telling myself I simply have to make it to Friday and it will all be worth it. I'm so excited for all of my new friends here to meet someone who is so important to me. I hope everyone else is having a great experience abroad!