Hej!
My name is Olivia Flemming, and I am a rising senior at the University of Minnesota. I am studying Political Science and English and am particularly interested in education policy. I am thrilled to be studying with DIS this summer! I will be in Copenhagen for Sessions 1 and 2 and Stockholm for Session 3. In Copenhagen, I am living in a residential community in the Vesterbro neighborhood with fellow DIS students.
The first week has brought new friendships, experiences, and muscles. On arrival day, my roommate and I lugged my 51-pound suitcase up five flights of stairs. Each step made me regret not listening to family members who encouraged me to pack light. If there is one thing I’ve learned from living in Minnesota, it’s that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Luckily, this week has brought rain, sunshine, and chillier evenings, and I am pleased with my plethora of jacket and layering options.
I chose DIS because of the diverse course offerings and ability to Mix and Match sessions between studying in Copenhagen and Stockholm. I am so excited to take ten credits over ten weeks and to experience four different cities.
During Session 1 I am taking Children with Special Needs. The course compares the Danish school system to the school system in the United States. We discuss how children with special needs are accommodated by teachers and schools, and learn about education policy in Denmark. This week, my class will visit Snoezel Multisensory house and a Danish school called Asgårskolen in Ringsted, Western Zealand for our Field Studies. Next week, we will observe a Danish forest kindergarten and learn more about outdoor education.
In Session 2, I am taking a political science course called Prostitution and the Sex Trade. My classmates and I will travel to Amsterdam for a week at the end of June for our Study Tour to learn more about the sex trade in Holland. I am taking Migration in the City during Session 3 in Stockholm. I look forward to visiting Sicily, Italy for our Study Tour.
One of my favorite parts of this week was stumbling across the Danish Design Museum. The museum boasted a Bauhaus exhibit, an elegant porcelain collection, and a furniture display that explored the history of Danish chairs.
I am so looking forward to sharing my journey of living and learning in Scandinavia this summer!