Wait, I’m leaving already? Can I’ve 5 extra minutes?
Two lessons and 6 weeks later, my expertise with DIS is coming to an finish. It’s been lots of journey, lots of museums, and lots of laughs, and I’m leaving Scandinavia so glad that I used to be capable of immerse myself in Swedish and Danish tradition, even for a short time. I really feel so grateful that I used to be capable of be taught extra about myself and develop within the course of.
The primary change I seen inside myself after I arrived overseas was how assured I turned when doing issues independently. I’ve been lucky sufficient to make such superb mates by means of DIS that I used to be not often compelled to do issues alone, however I turned rather more snug going out and exploring, each on small errands and large adventures.
I additionally respect extra issues in my life that I took with no consideration earlier than. When exploring the totally different cities I traveled to, I’d take into consideration how loopy it was that locals would stroll proper previous issues that had me staring in amazement. My digicam roll is full of pictures of fascinating streets and scrumptious plates of meals, and lots of people wouldn’t look twice on the issues I felt compelled to take footage of. My constructive psychology class additionally taught about mindfulness and meditation, so I felt extra current within the second and would take a minute to replicate on what I used to be experiencing whereas the world moved round me. I do know that after I land again in Chicago, I’ll preserve this behavior of being grateful for experiences that usually I’d take as a given.
I keep in mind staring on the spice aisle of a grocery retailer in Stockholm for over ten minutes looking for salt, simply to find that the Swedish phrase for salt is “salt” and I ought to have been wanting three toes to the left of the place I used to be staring. In Copenhagen, I attempted to leap within the canal like different Danes do and let the water rise up to my ankles earlier than I noticed it was the coldest factor I’ve ever skilled and left for dwelling instantly. And in Edinburgh throughout my Examine Tour, I hiked all the best way up Arthur’s Seat only for the view to be a giant cloud. A whole lot of my private progress from learning overseas got here from gaining a humorousness about issues not going the best way I deliberate them to, however persevering anyway and having a superb story to inform by the top of it.
Having this expertise with DIS is one thing I’ll always remember. I believe it’s simple to fixate on solely the constructive experiences, however the pleasure I had all through my six weeks overseas makes it tough to put in writing about the rest.
For anybody contemplating learning overseas, critically entertain the concept. The explanation why I began my software to check with DIS was out of curiosity – to see if my dream to see extra of the world than my small nook of it may very well be a step nearer. Just a few months later I boarded my first worldwide flight, suitcase packed and passport prepared. And now, six weeks after that, I’m leaving once more.
So take a look at streetwear from Copenhagen vogue week, strive a Swedish recipe, learn some journey blogs (this one is a superb begin). Actually think about your self dwelling overseas, shopping for groceries in a language you possibly can’t perceive, and strolling dwelling after class with the group of mates you met every week in the past who you possibly can’t think about life with out now.
The simple factor to say I’m leaving DIS with is course credit score for my dwelling college. I’m leaving with three extra stamps in my passport. I’m leaving with my 4 fridge magnets and postcard I purchased as souvenirs. And whereas all of those are issues I’m excited to deliver again with me, the intangible issues I’m leaving Scandinavia with are a lot extra essential.
Last Copenhagen Statistics
- Images in my “Copenhagen!” album: 736
- Iced teas consumed from Tante T: 5
- Variety of close to demise experiences involving a bicycle owner: 13
- Instances I used to be mistaken for Danish: 8
- Common steps per day: 14,224
- Flies killed: 18 (11/18 with a Birkenstock)
- Searches for “DKK USD conversion”: 61
