Kira Hamilton: Fingerprints Never Fade from the Lives We’ve Touched

summer study abroadName: Kira Hamilton
Home University:
 University of Texas at Austin
Summer 2014 Courses at DIS:
Health Delivery and Prioritization in Northern Europe (Session 1), Children in a Multicultural Context (Session 2), and European Genocides (Session 3)

Wow!! I can’t believe 10 weeks is nearly over…I am writing this post from my kollegium room as I am in the midst of packing up my things. It’s amazing to me that I will be heading back to the States soon because even though my first home is ‘across the pond’, my second home is right here. Writing this post is very bittersweet, so bear with me.

kira canals

This summer has given me adventure, friendships, independence, exploration, the ‘travel bug’, and much, much more! It’s hard to believe that some of the amazing friends I have made here who have lived so close to me all summer will soon be across the country from me. I know many of these friendships will last longer than DIS and that we will have many other travels and adventures to come, but for now, it means that we won’t see each other on a daily basis which is hard to fully grasp.

Bornholm Bike Trip. Biked 33 km to Dueodde Beach and enjoyed the soft, white sands

As I pack and reflect on this amazing summer, I can’t help but think what it will be like to be back in the states with my friends and family. I am so excited to share my stories with them and here about their summers although there is no way I will be able to put into words how wonderful and special this summer has been to me.

kira is

As I fill my suitcase with my belongings and countless souvenirs, I know I will be taken home a lot more than just the material things that I have accumulated. I will be taking home a broader perspective of the world, some bits of Danish culture and style, and all the incredible things I have learned from my Danish instructors in my classes. It will be very interesting to see how I will feel taking my classes in the fall after my somewhat Danish schooling this summer. All-in-all, this summer has given me the adventure of a lifetime. I can’t wait to come back to Copenhagen and bring hopefully bring my friends and family so I can show off this amazing city I am proud to call a second home.

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