Orientation and integration are complete. Classes began today (tomorrow for me). I'm ready to start because this is why I'm here. My classes--political and economic in nature--are going to be great I am sure. Tuesdays and Fridays will be long, with class from 8:30-1, then 2:50-4:10.
This past Tuesday's city tour was fun and I saw some good parts of the city I want to explore later, like Nyhavn along the harbor. We visited the Folketinget (Danish Parliament) which I am visiting later this semester. Danish politics is fascinating, coming from the US. They have 7-8 political parties and the current Prime Minister is from one of them. It's still early in the year and I don't know much of anything about the makeup of Parliament. I guess it's the European model itself that is much different. The US directly elects its President, whereas in Denmark and Europe the ruling majority party chooses the Prime Minister. Members of Parliament can vote "no confidence" in the PM and he must resign or call election (elections can be called whenever). I will learn a lot looking at this model, and it will interesting to compare the two (US v. Danish model).
On Wednesday, I was walking along myself, getting lost in Copenhagen and I met a peace protester in front of the Folketinget. His name is Thorlief and he is with Peace Watch. He comes everyday from 10-6PM and hands out flyers to interested passerbys like me. Protesting the Afghanistan and Iraq War, he has come for more than 2100 days since October 2001! That's a lot of protesting for sure. He was nice and I took some pictures of his display. I will put them up soon. At night, Chad's host family invited me to a football match with FC Kobenhavn v. a team from Portugal. It was awesome and the stadium was nearly packed. The devoted fans in one section were loud the entire game. It was a great time, but unfortunately we lost 1-0. But it was a great experience, nonetheless.
I learned some more about the city today, where some roads, buses, trains go, etc. I'm getting pretty good at this navigation thing. Haha. I did some reading for tomorrow when the fun begins! Tomorrow night is a party for DIS students at this club Luux. Hope it's good.
- TAD
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
A little of this, a little of Danish
Monday, Monday, so good to me...Yes it was fun here. It rained for a little bit, but it was a soft, steady rain with no significant downpour. Weather here looks to be in the 60s for the time being; it's manageable.
The Danish language is tough. What you see on paper or on a sign is nowhere near the pronunciation. It can be quite absurd at times. I learned that my name is also Danish and the "g" is silent, so it's pronounced "Tae" while dragging out the "e" for a bit. Think: Tay. It's weird to get used to that. My Danish language teacher refused to call me by my name, saying "I can't do that." The Danish way sounds good to me. Haha.
She took us on a tour of the area which was nice. Downtown Copenhagen is neat. There are lots of restaurants, shops (on the main pedestrian street Stroget, there are a ton), pubs, and fruit stands which is awesome. Everyone whom I asked for directions was friendly. My limited experience with Danes is pleasant. I also bought some clothes today, finally!, so now I am good for a few days. I am still optimistic about my luggage showing up; in fact, tomorrow would be wonderful. If not, I guess it's back to the stores for more shirts. Ah!
I finally saw Chad today at the opening ceremony. It is great to see a familiar face. His homestay sounds nice, with great parents and a little boy with which to become acquainted. My dinner may become a staple for me. Since I spent a lot of money today, I thought I should go cheap and I did. Calzone and a coke from 7-11. Dkk30.75, which is about $6. Unorthodox, yes? But will it work? Of course. It's still strange to see soo many 7-11's in Copenhagen. I have seen at least six already. It works for me!
Tuesday is a bus tour around the city and some sessions on "coping with Copenhagen." They should be alright. Each day is blessed and I'm happy to be here.
-TAD
The Danish language is tough. What you see on paper or on a sign is nowhere near the pronunciation. It can be quite absurd at times. I learned that my name is also Danish and the "g" is silent, so it's pronounced "Tae" while dragging out the "e" for a bit. Think: Tay. It's weird to get used to that. My Danish language teacher refused to call me by my name, saying "I can't do that." The Danish way sounds good to me. Haha.
She took us on a tour of the area which was nice. Downtown Copenhagen is neat. There are lots of restaurants, shops (on the main pedestrian street Stroget, there are a ton), pubs, and fruit stands which is awesome. Everyone whom I asked for directions was friendly. My limited experience with Danes is pleasant. I also bought some clothes today, finally!, so now I am good for a few days. I am still optimistic about my luggage showing up; in fact, tomorrow would be wonderful. If not, I guess it's back to the stores for more shirts. Ah!
I finally saw Chad today at the opening ceremony. It is great to see a familiar face. His homestay sounds nice, with great parents and a little boy with which to become acquainted. My dinner may become a staple for me. Since I spent a lot of money today, I thought I should go cheap and I did. Calzone and a coke from 7-11. Dkk30.75, which is about $6. Unorthodox, yes? But will it work? Of course. It's still strange to see soo many 7-11's in Copenhagen. I have seen at least six already. It works for me!
Tuesday is a bus tour around the city and some sessions on "coping with Copenhagen." They should be alright. Each day is blessed and I'm happy to be here.
-TAD
New Beginning
Good morning!
It's Monday and the official start of the DIS study program. I have "opening ceremony" at 11:15 then some more orientation group meetings. It was a good first day here as I met some different people around my kollegieum (read: dorm). My neighbor across the hall is Nepalese and he attends a school in Maine. It will be fun living by him. Went out to the neighborhood Norrebro by us. It has a lot of ethnic flair, with many Middle Eastern shops and restaurants along the streets. Oh, and we saw four 7-11s on the same street within an hour's walk or so. (Side note: landing at Copenhagen airport, I felt like I was still in America with Starbucks and Burger King. Then driving here, I see a BK and McDonald's). My room is nice too. I compare to a studio aparment: small bathroom;- kitchenette with small stove, fridge, and sink; desk with this computer, and a bed. My window view is the train. All in all, I am happy with it, especially having a single is nice.
The Copenhagen experience is nice, but I have no luggage. My flights got changed and I imagine my bags are just lost in the states. I hope! If I don't get them today, I'll have to do a little shopping. Frustration!
Three days of orientation/integration, etc. then classes start Thursday (Friday for me). Looking forward to it all, yet missing familiar faces. Time takes time you know.
-TAD
It's Monday and the official start of the DIS study program. I have "opening ceremony" at 11:15 then some more orientation group meetings. It was a good first day here as I met some different people around my kollegieum (read: dorm). My neighbor across the hall is Nepalese and he attends a school in Maine. It will be fun living by him. Went out to the neighborhood Norrebro by us. It has a lot of ethnic flair, with many Middle Eastern shops and restaurants along the streets. Oh, and we saw four 7-11s on the same street within an hour's walk or so. (Side note: landing at Copenhagen airport, I felt like I was still in America with Starbucks and Burger King. Then driving here, I see a BK and McDonald's). My room is nice too. I compare to a studio aparment: small bathroom;- kitchenette with small stove, fridge, and sink; desk with this computer, and a bed. My window view is the train. All in all, I am happy with it, especially having a single is nice.
The Copenhagen experience is nice, but I have no luggage. My flights got changed and I imagine my bags are just lost in the states. I hope! If I don't get them today, I'll have to do a little shopping. Frustration!
Three days of orientation/integration, etc. then classes start Thursday (Friday for me). Looking forward to it all, yet missing familiar faces. Time takes time you know.
-TAD
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