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).