It's official!

Okay, okay... it's official: I am now totally and completely excited! Since arriving home for winter break, I have taken the time to let the fact that in three weeks I will be arriving in Copenhagen sink in. I've been doing lots and lots of reading about Denmark and about DIS (my program). Some things I've been learning have been adding to my excitement, and other things are making me a tad bit nervous. For example:

Exciting things about Denmark:
The DIS website boasts that:

• Denmark is a modern democracy and the world’s oldest existing monarchy, making for a charming blend of tradition and modernity. 
• A free market economy and a social welfare system with relatively low social inequality contributes to the low crime rate.
• Denmark ranks top internationally in terms of trust and confidence between citizens
• Denmark is the second-most peaceful country in the world, trailing only New Zealand
• Denmark is the most egalitarian nation in the world in terms of income differentials
• Wind energy is Denmark's third largest industry, producing 40% of the world’s power-generating wind mills (and is sustainable in many, many other ways)

There are SO many things that I can't wait to explore and experience: 

• Life with a host family
• Meeting the Danes and (hopefully) making Danish friends
• Biking everywhere (weather permitting), and living in a city where everyone does the same
• Taking awesome psychology classes (I'll post my schedule later)
• The food, street art, the architecture, and getting to master another foreign city
• Understanding the Danish way of life and the ways it differs from an American lifestyle
• The proximity to the rest of Europe=endless opportunities for adventures

I've been receiving emails from DIS confirming my course registration, check-in/arrival procedures, and information about signing up for my bicycle. It's all very promising. However, there are also some things that make me a bit nervous...

Nerve-racking things about Denmark: 

The DIS "ABCs of CPH" and various other guidebooks/websites talk about the following things that require adjustment for many students upon arrival:

• There will be less than 7 hours of daylight on my first day in Copenhagen. The sun won't come up until 8:30am and will set around 4pm... yikes!  
• Danish is a difficult language to learn (for example, it includes unpronounceable vowels: Æ, Ø & Å). Luckily, many/most Danes also speak English and are very willing to help if you ask.
  
• Winter is known to be mild, but dark, rainy and windy. This can apparently impact everyone (even the Danes)'s mood.
• The Danes are known as very blunt and therefore may come across as rude (though that is not at all their intention, or how other Danes see it). They don't believe in small-talk. If this is true, this will be a big change from the US where I love having silly little conversations with a stranger in line at the grocery store or while waiting for a bus. 

• And of course there are the typical things that require adjustment: 
• Learning to navigate a foreign city with many modes of transportation
• Making sure to keep to cultural ideas of manners (i.e. promptness is very important, there are very specific components of table manners) 
• Hoping that I mesh with my host family
• Worrying about balancing my classes, time exploring Copenhagen, and time traveling elsewhere in Europe 
• Wanting to really meet and become integrated in Danish life and culture 
• Hoping that I make friends (both Danes and Americans) 

Luckily, even though there is an extensive list of things that are contributing to some pre-departure anxiety, the main thing I feel is excited! I know there will be challenges (i.e. cold/windy weather and little sunlight) and things that require learning and adjustment (life with a new family, learning to navigate public transit, learning to speak basic Danish), but I really am looking forward to experiencing something different from what I am used to. I have to keep reminding myself that the challenges are what will make the experience interesting and worthwhile.

More soon!