Heading Home Soon

It is crazy for me to think that I am going home next week.  This semester has sped by.  With a week left I can't help but think, what do I still need to do before I leave?  When will I be back here next?  What did I gain from my experience abroad?

Going into this semester, I honestly did not know what to expect.  I wasn't sure if I would feel integrated into Danish culture, enjoy living in Copenhagen, or learn anything from the "studying" part of my study abroad experience.  But this semester has more than met my expectations, especially academically.  Many of the courses I took focused on a subject within a European context, which tremendously enhanced my learning experience.  For example, my Business class focused on the financial industry within the EU, my Art History class focused on european art, and my Criminology class focused on crime in Scandinavia.  

Another highlight of living here has been the traveling.  By the time I leave Denmark I will have been to: Denmark (hahah), United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Czech Republic....so many more countries than I ever imagined being able to visit!  

Tomorrow I am taking my last final exam and then I am off to Prague for 2 days with some of my friends.  I hope to write another post before I leave Denmark for good, but for now...it has been amazing living in Copenhagen!

Oh, and here are some fun photos from recent trips around Copenhagen:

Tivoli at Christmas Time

FC Copenhagen vs. Arhus Soccer Game (Final Score 0-0)

My Visiting Family

Throughout the semester, I have been spending time with a Danish family.  I have gone to there house for dinner on a few occasions and we have had conversations about differences that exist between American and Danish culture.  Recently, we discussed the differences in the school systems.  In Denmark, children stay with the same class from the time they start school until the end of middle school. As an American, it is hard for me to relate to this concept, almost 10 years of schooling with the same group of kids?!?  Thinking about this idea more, it can really go either way: a class can be super tight and have amazing dynamics or a class can dislike each other and be stuck together for years.  I am curious about others opinions on this, do you think having the same class for most of your schooling is positive?

On a slightly different note, yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my visiting family.  We went ice skating together.  It was strange to say goodbye to them because I don't know when and if we will ever see each other again, but it has definitely been a valuable experience to have the opportunity to get to know a Danish Family!

Here are some pictures of us ice skating: