Time is almost up for Session 3 and I’m getting a bit sad just writing this post. My summer in Copenhagen with DIS has been one of the best experiences of my life, so it’s going to be really hard for me to leave. I have learned so much in my classes (Terrorism and Counterterrorism from a European Perspective and Nordic Culinary Culture), but I have learned even more about Denmark, Copenhagen, and myself outside the classroom.
I have made so many absolutely incredible friends during my time here, and I will miss them all so much! I said goodbye to my closest Danish friend yesterday and it was really hard. Living in a residential community, I thought it would be really hard to make friends with Danes, but it actually happened pretty naturally for me. We started out just running together and eventually became closer through our common love of running, swimming, and competition in general. I learned a lot from him about what it is like to be Danish – everything from studenterkørsel to social norms.
One of my goals going into my summer with DIS was to make new friends, and it’s been so amazing to become close with people from all over the world. I feel so lucky because now I have people I can visit all over the US and beyond! Luckily today’s technology will make it possible to stay close with all of these incredible people, no matter how far apart we are geographically (and I’m also a huge fan of snail-mail, so watch out for some letters and packages, my lovely DIS friends!).
I’m really proud of myself for how much I have grown through this experience of living in Copenhagen. I will return home feeling more confident, independent, and happy! I am excited for what my last year of college will bring, and I feel more prepared for the future having gone through this experience. Thank you so much, Copenhagen and DIS, for the summer of a lifetime – it’s been a blast!
