The Beginnings of Seeing Copenhagen

 One week in... DIS has kept us pretty busy all week with different lectures to go to, information sessions, and social events.  I feel like this was a good way for us to get on a schedule and to get over our jet leg better.  I'v met lots of new people and have already seen a lot of places throughout Copenhagen. Wednesday I had what DIS called the Amazing Race where they had us find significant landmarks throughout Copenhagen where we were met by a faculty member who would tell us about the history.  Despite the cold this was a really nice way to see the city.
Here are some places that I went to:

                                                               Our Saviour's Church  

                                                          Canal in Christianshavn

                                                                Amalienborg Castle

                                                                    Kongens Nytorv


On Friday my Urban Design Studio went for a bike tour to different public spaces.

Matrikel No 8

                                                                    Sønder Boulevard

Temporary Urban Space at Carlsberg- I think that this is really cool.  Its just a bunch of ropes hanging down from the ceiling.  But it responds to the windy weather of Copenhagen and people tie a bunch of knots in the ropes.  Its a very creative jungle jim.  

Frederiksberg Plazas- there is usually water fountains in the area that is gated off

Green Cycle Routes

Ravnsborggade Action Spot

Biking is a very good way to see the city and be more like a dane.  However by the end I couldn't feel my toes...

New Horizons

Yesterday I set foot in Copenhagen.  My new home for the next four months: scary and exciting thought... Before boarding the plane I was extremely nervous and felt unprepared,  but then I met my first new friend on the plane.  We immediately found comfort in each other because we were doing the exact same thing, studying abroad at DIS.  As we began to talk more and more about our time abroad she not only is in my orientation group but is also going to Portugal during one of the travel breaks to learn how to surf too!  A pleasant and coincidental surprise.  As the day went on I met more and more people, everyone eager to be here.  Some I may not see again, others are in my building.  But the more and more awkward first encounters I've had, the more comfortable I've been.  Although the day was a little rough from not sleeping the night before, I powered through it overcoming my jet leg.  Which in return made my nights sleep a lot better.  

The title of this entry is called New Horizons because thats exactly what this semester is.  I woke up to a different sunrise this morning to the sound of a rooster.  Definitely wasn't expecting that.  Each and everyday will be a new experience, new people, new routes, and new discoveries.  This semester really will be about stepping outside of my box.  I feel like the first major accomplishment was finding my way around downtown Copenhagen (at least around DIS) and then finding our way back to the Kollegium.  The bus ride felt a lot longer when no one else is leading you.  The only way to find out where to go is to try and find your own way.  I find that I remember where I am better that way.  They say it only takes a week in a new place to remember how to go places.  We'll see if thats true by the end of the week.      

Nerves

With only a week left here in the US, the nerves are kicking in.  I don't think that I will ever feel fully prepared.  Studying abroad will be challenging, but I feel in all the right ways.  I believe that it will be a great experience and teach me some important lessons for life.  I feel like this isn't something that I just want to do but something I need to do. The more and more that I have learned about Denmark and Copenhagen over the past couple of weeks, the more and more I believe that I couldn't have picked a better place for me to study abroad.