First Day of Class

Classes began at DIS today.  Here's the lowdown of my day...

European Sustainable Development 8:30-9:50:

I think I'm really going to like this class.  This is my core course, so pretty soon we have a week dedicated solely to this class where I take a trip to Southern Sweden, then there is also a long study tour to Devon and London.  My professor (Deborah) is originally from the States, studied in the UK, but married a Dane and has lived in Denmark since 1982.  She doesn't believe in exams so all our assignments are papers.  In class we went over the syllabus, introduced ourselves, and discussed sustainability vs sustainable development as a brief introduction to the class. 

Scandinavian Classical Music 10:05-11:25:

My professor is a Danish composer (Knud) who seems like an interesting guy, a little awkward, but interesting nonetheless.  I don't really know what to expect, but I know I have to write a research paper, do a presentation on a song, and write critiques on 4 music performance field studies.  He explained that the history of Scandinavian music is just Germanic music up until the 1900s.  Anything written after the 1900s is technically called "contemporary" music, so most of the course will focus on that.  

Quick Lunch Break (good thing I live 5 minutes from class)

Renewable Energy Systems 1:15-2:35:

This class seems extremely difficult.  My professor (Carlos) seems like a nice guy, but made sure we knew right off the bat that many people drop the class because of the intense workload.  DIS apparently believes this class should span over a year, but he crams it all into one semester.  We have 2 exams, a group energy presentation, a 1-page proposal and final research paper, and an individual presentation, along with a massive amount of reading and a 1-page reaction assignment every night.  All of my classes have a lot of reading, but this one definitely has the most.  The class is 50% engineering/physics and 50% economics/politics, with a little technology thrown in there.  Me + economics + politics = disaster.  I'm not too thrilled for more physics either.  Ok I'm done complaining, I'm in Copenhagen for goodness' sake.  

Tomorrow I have one 3 hour class Environmental Policy in Practice. 

After classes I went exploring by myself to sign up for a bike which I pick up on Monday, and just to walk around the area.  Little did I know that awesome tea shop A.C. Perch's Thehandel is right around the corner from my house.  Also, when I was trying to find the gym (to figure out if it's worth paying for a membership) I stumbled upon a really cute cafe/bookstore that is perfect for doing homework in.  

Everything is going great so far.  My floor and SRA are so nice, I found out about so many activities going on this weekend (The Little Mermaid's 100th Birthday, Pride, Yoga Fest), and we are starting up the Green House dinners and organization projects soon.  I'm looking into Øko Caféen 32, a 100% organic cafe run by students at the Organic Production School in Nørrebro. 

Move-In Day

Well, today (August 18th) marks the official start date of my study abroad Fall 2013 with DIS.  I moved into the Green House Living and Learning Community around 10:30am and got an hour introduction talk about what our packets included and how the rest of the day will go - pretty much unpacking, relaxing, and meeting all the new housemates before a 6pm tour of the surrounding area and a dinner get together.  I have 2 roommates.  Makayla is from Boston but goes to school at Tulane, and Zisiga is from Kenya (!!) but goes to school at Mount Holyoke.  They both seem really nice and I'm excited to get to know them better.  I also share a kitchen and living room with 4 other girls and an SRA (so 8 of us total.)  I live on the ground floor but the whole house includes 26 people (but only 2 guys.)  Most of the house seems to be in the Sustainability in Europe Program (surprise surprise) but there are other people in different programs like Architecture, Sociology, Medicine, etc.  The house is 300 years old and is absolutely gorgeous, probably the nicest apartment I will ever get to live in right in the center of a city like Copenhagen.  However, because it's so old there are many preservation rules and regulations.  We will go over more of this tomorrow night with our floor meeting, where we will also make a cleaning shift list.  This next week is jam packed with activities before classes start on Thursday.  

Monday: 

• Opening Ceremony
• Student Affairs Session
• Book Pick-Up
• House Meeting

Tuesday:

• Amazing Race around Copenhagen

Wednesday:

• Academic Program Session
• Housing Session
• Sports Session (optional but definite for me)
• Activities and Immersion Fair
• Green House get together

More updates to come!

My side of the triple room (we all share that desk)

Kitchen

Living Room

View of our enclosed courtyard from the living room

Week #3

Friday, August 9:

GERMANY!  This meant a total of 6 hours traveling time.  2 hours driving to the ferry, 2 hours on the ferry, and 2 hours driving after to reach our first destination Berlin.  Germany is notorious for their highways with no speed limit, so it was interesting being passed while driving 85+ mph.  Our apartment is right next to where the Berlin Wall used to stand (we are technically on the West side.)  When we arrived, we did some grocery shopping, made currywurst (classic German dish) and salad for dinner, and called it a night (except not really because our apartment is haunted I swear.)

Ost-West Cafe

Saturday, August 10:

Today we went on this really awesome Fat Tire Bike Tour around Berlin.  Everywhere you look there is a piece of history, which is usually linked to WWII and the Holocaust.  We saw so much, including the Berlin Wall, Hitler's Bunker, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and more.  This link explains the major highlights of the tour. After the bike tour, we walked back to Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall to read more about the history and see the exhibit behind the wall.  It's amazing to think that the wall didn't come down until 1989!  After this we went to a street vendor and got bratwurst for dinner, then hopped into Einstein Cafe to split some chocolate cake and a Belgian waffle.  We took the metro home and Shona and I went out for the night which was really fun!  We ran into some street stalls and then went to a Weekend Rooftop Bar with spectacular views of the city.  Of course, Berliners don't come out at night until around 2am, but us Craig's always have busy days planned so we got the metro home before then.

Checkpoint Charlie

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Berlin Wall

Weekend Rooftop

Sunday, August 11:

Today, we walked around one of Berlin's top tourist attractions - the Mauerpark Flea Market.  This market was the most crowded market I've ever been to, it took hours just to get down a few isles.  For lunch we found this food cart in the center of the market called Vegan Day Burger.  Probably the best non-meat burger I've ever had.  In the park right next to the market they had karaoke on this massive stone stage which we ended up watching for 4 hours it was so hilarious.  We then walked a trail in "no-man's land" (the area between the inner wall and the Berlin wall which made it nearly impossible to escape East Germany.)  There was information about this area, memorials, and markers where the successful and unsuccessful underground escape tunnels were.  We then grabbed some delicious pizza and went to a wine bar where you pay what you think your wine is worth.  This place was packed for a Sunday night. 

Karaoke

Helping Shona escape

Monday, August 12:

We left Berlin this morning and drove to our next destination in Lübeck.  Along the way, we stopped at Charlottenburg Palace and the 1936 Olympic Stadium (these Olympics had a lot of controversy because they were run by Hitler.)  We ate our pack lunch in the King's Sans Souci (No Worries) garden, then drove approximately 3 hours to Lübeck.  We did some grocery shopping for the apartment, made dinner, had toblerone cake for dessert (it exists!!), then I had to sort through a lot of DIS emails about classes and orientation week.  I'm starting to get nervous there's so much I have to do before move-in day on Sunday, but also so much to see here in Germany. 

Charlottenburg Palace

Olympic Stadium

Sans Souci

Tuesday, August 13:

Hamburg was our destination today!  We took a 45 minute train from Lübeck and then took a walking tour around the city.  I came to the conclusion that I like Hamburg better than Berlin.  It feels more European and the people are friendlier.  All day the weather was crazy!  Very cold, windy, and rainy, with random bursts of sunshine to slightly warm our faces.  After the walking tour, we walked through the red-light district Reeperbahn (where the Beatles played when they first started) which was interesting to say the least.  We then had hamburgers in Hamburg.  I can check that off my list. 

The Craig Family as the Beatles

Wednesday, August 14:

In the morning, we walked around a cute little beach town near Lübeck and ate our lunch on the waterfront.  We walked around Lübeck in the afternoon and ventured into marzipanland.  Literally everything marzipan.  We shared some marzipan cake and marzipan hot chocolate and walked around a marzipan museum.  We ate dinner in a classic German-style restaurant that was underground and looked like a dungeon. 

Beach Town

Marzipan Cake

Thursday, August 15:

LEGOLAND!!!  So excited for this day!  We left Germany and drove 3 hours up to Billund, Denmark.  Legos were invented in Denmark, so this is a big deal.  The last time I went to a Legoland I was 8 and it was in San Diego (so not as legit as the real original Legoland in Denmark.)  As a kid, I had a huge desire to drive, so when I went to Legoland I'm pretty sure all I did was drive the lego cars all day.  This time, sadly, I am too old to partake in that activity but it was fun to watch the little kids and reminisce.  We walked around Miniland and went on some different rides.  Fun fun fun.  We then drove to meet some of my Dad's colleagues for dinner which was really great because we got to meet her kids and talk to them about travel and everything that is SO much better in Denmark than the US - for example the students actually GET PAID to go to school.  The government pays you to study.  Why was I not born here?  There are lots of other things like free health care, paid maternity and paternity leave, etc etc I could go on forever about how awesome this country is.  After a delicious dinner, we drove to our new apartment in Aarhus.  

Legoland!

Nyhavn made out of legos

Friday, August 16:

We didn't do too much today in Aarhus, just strolled down the main shopping street (everything in Denmark is so expensive) and then went to the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum which was really interesting.  They have a circular rainbow walkway at the top of the building so you can see the city through different color screens.  Not sure what the plan is tonight exactly but we will probably walk around the harbor and get some dinner.  

ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

Crouching Boy

Tomorrow we head back to Copenhagen (another 3 hour drive) with some stops along the way at Hans Christian Andersen's House.  Our house swap family has invited us over for dinner which will be fun (and interesting being guests in the house we lived in for 2 weeks.)

On Sunday,  I move into the Green House Living and Learning Community, meet my 2 roommates as well as 20 other housemates, and start my orientation which continues through Wednesday with various activities and sessions.  It's always sad when my family adventures come to an end, but I'm excited (and really nervous) to start my own adventures in Copenhagen. 

Week #2

Wednesday, July 31:

COPENHAGEN!  Finally.  I am in love with this city.  

Today was jam packed with activities.  We were able to drive in to the city and park at my dad's work (which used to be the Danish company Danisco but just recently got bought by DuPont... ironic because that company is based in Delaware.)  We met his colleague Charlotte who showed us around the building.  We then walked to Nyhavn, the classic landmark in Copenhagen with all the colorful buildings along the harbor.  It was surreal actually standing there after seeing so many pictures.  We went to see the changing of the guards at Amalienborg Slot (where the royal family lives) which is right next to a beautiful marble dome church called Marmokirken.  We met up with Nigel and Fiona at the Little Mermaid statue, another great landmark in Copenhagen.  Swarms of people were crowded around her, which made it difficult to get a picture, but it had to be done.  We walked past Gefionspringvandet (which means Gefion fountain) on our way to lunch, where we had Denmark's famous smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches.)  After, we got traditional Danish pastries which were DELICIOUS.  The best pastry I have ever had.  My sweet tooth will be dangerous here.  We of course had to go to A.C. Perch's Thehandal, a very old traditional tea store that has not changed since 1835 - the oldest tea store in Europe.  I love tea.  I tried their best selling tea (white temple) across the street yum.  We walked down Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street,  saw the Hans Christian Andersen statue, found a Scottish Pub, walked through the back streets to find my DIS building on Vestergade, and then drove home in time to watch the Celtic soccer game on the computer.   Good day.  

Nyhavn

The Little Mermaid

Danishes!

Tea House

Hans Christian Andersen

DIS

Thursday, August 1:

Since yesterday was so hectic and exciting, today was slower than usual.  We took an audio tour of Frederiksborg Slot.  I think this is my favorite castle.  We also walked around the castle garden which was french-inspired and really pretty.  We then drove to the Louisiana Modern Art Museum and spent a couple hours walking around.  The two things things we did today were very juxtaposed.  

Frederiksborg Slot

Meeting the Queen of Denmark

Louisiana Modern Art Museum

Friday, August 2:

We went into Copenhagen again today because there is so much to do in the city.  This time, we borrowed 4 bikes from DuPont and Charlotte which was awesome experiencing the bike highways!  I'm definitely getting a bike for the semester.   We rode through Nyhavn and saw where Hans Christian Andersen lived, up past the Little Mermaid to the harbor, to the barracks, then the King's Garden and Botanical Gardens.  I love how everyone was laying out on the lawns soaking up the sun - I will definitely be spending my sunny days there.  We returned our bikes at 4, and continued on foot back to Nyhavn for a beer on the side of the harbor just like the locals.  Since it was Friday afternoon, the harbor was really hip and happening.  We walked through Slotsholmen, the government center of Denmark which has remained the center since the Middle Ages.  All of our feet were hurting from so much walking, so we figured ice cream might take our minds off things.  We ended up getting the best ice cream EVER ugh it was so good.  I got coconut and hazelnut.  On top, we each had a traditional Danish flødeboller - a delicious chocolate covered fluffy marshmallow with a cone base.  While eating the ice cream, we walked through Christiania.  I don't even know how to describe this area of Copenhagen.  It's pretty much a huge hippie squatters town where drugs are legal.  Yeah.  When we went home, there was a Karlebo Sommerfest right across the street with a DJ and beer which was a good time.

The King's Garden Castle

Biking to the harbor

Nyhavn

Delicious ice cream

Saturday, August 3:

Today was one of the best days so far.  We started out by seeing the Frilandsmuseet (Open Air Museum) which is an area in Lyngby featuring more than 100 buildings from rural environments and dating from 1650-1950.  All buildings are original and have been moved piece by piece from their original location.  Then we headed over to the Carlsberg brewery.  Tickets included 2 free beers, a walk around the original brewery, and the world's largest collection of beer bottles.  For the rest of the afternoon/evening, we visit Charlotte and her family for a tour around their town South of Copenhagen, as well as a delicious dinner with smørrebrøds from a store that has been making them since the 1800s.  Charlotte also made the classic Danish dessert rød grød med fløde, which is the big joke to ask non-danes to pronounce it.  I failed miserably.  It was a really great night of talking and eating, and I now have a contact Cecilie while I'm here in Copenhagen.  

Filandsmuseet

Carlsberg Brewery

World's largest beer bottle collection

Smørrebrøds

Sunday, August 4:

This morning, we went back to the Karlebo Sommerfest for an all-you-can-eat herring breakfast (brunch in our case), walked around the little stalls, and watched the local soccer tournament going on.  We biked around our neighborhood and then to Nina's Natur Cafe (where Karen works - the daughter who lives here.)  They had a whole cake buffet!!!!  It was hard to restrain myself to one piece it was so good.  We took a little rest at home, then drove to Bakken, the first amusement park in the world!  It was really fun soaking up the atmosphere.  We of course had to go on at least one ride, so we picked a roller coaster as a family.  Then Shona and I went on this crazy twisty turny ride "Extreme" that was so much fun.  I don't even remember the last time I went on rides but I absolutely love them.  We came home for dinner and to pack for our 6 hour drive up the coast of Sweden to Oslo, Norway!

Herring Buffet

Cafe

Bakken

"Extreme" ride

Monday, August 5:

NORWAY!  Today we drove to Oslo, Norway with some stops in Sweden along the way.  The trip took us 7 hours driving alone.  We drove over the Øresundsbroen (Øresund bridge) which is a 12 km bridge/tunnel combination connecting Denmark and Sweden.  It's the world's longest single bridge!  It doesn't come cheap though... the toll was around $40 USD one way.  In Sweden, we stopped in Malmö and Göteborg.  We finally reached Oslo around 10pm and called it a night.

Øresundsbroen

Malmö

Lilla Torg, Malmö

Tuesday, August 6:

Today was rainy, but we made the most of touring Oslo.  We stepped inside the Oslo Rådhus, where the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies take place.  Right across the street is the Nobel Peace Center which was really inspirational.  We then walked to the Norwegian Resistance Museum and learned all about WWII from Norway's perspective.  Today's two main events were also very juxtaposed - peace vs war.  We also went to the Opera House just as the sun decided to come out.  Shortly after, the clouds came back as we walked down Karl Johans gate, the main street in Oslo.  At the end of the street is the Palace, then we grabbed some dinner at a little Norwegian Cafe and had Norwegian meat cakes.  

Oslo Rådhus

Nobel Peace Center

Resistance Museum

Opera House

Wednesday, August 7:

We took a few stops outside of Oslo's city center before heading home today.  First, we went to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump which was SO COOL.  It's the world's most modern ski jump updated in 2010, but they have been using this location as a ski jump since 1892.  It's also the world's only steel ski jump.  We spent time walking around the museum and went up the tower, then came across this massive troll statue.  Gustav Vigeland's Sculpture Park at Frogner was our next stop.  This is Oslo's #1 attraction, and rightly so.  After 3 hours of driving, we made it to Boras, Sweden to watch the Elfsborg vs Celtic Champions League qualifier game!!!!  So much fun even though the game ended scoreless.  This still means that Celtic goes through to the next round woooo.  Another 3 hour drive later, plus a ferry, we got home around 2am.  Tomorrow is our last day in the home exchange house before we leave for our week in Germany!!!  Bittersweet.  

Top of the Ski Jump

Does not do it's size justice

Sculpture Park

Georgios Samaras!! Celtic vs Elfsborg