August 22nd (departure from USA!!!)
We're delayed because of the worsening weather conditions and take off in an alternate flight pattern to try and avoid the weather. Other than that, no major complaints about the plane ride...typical ride. However, I decided to take my ambien after dinner was served and it didn't work! I didn't know this, but I guess if you don't fall asleep while taking it you begin to hallucinate.... well that happened to me for sure! Very weird.
August 23rd (arrival in Copenhagen!!)
So around 7 in the morning, we finally arrived. We went through customs and all that jazz--I hate myself for how I packed, almost impossible to manage! Yet, I see no other option. Thank goodness for that man not officially weighing my bags :) After a little bit of waiting, we loaded buses which took us to the DIS IT university (Which they told us we'll never see again) around 8 AM. We had to unload our bags again and store them in a bike room. Then we went to pick up our arrival packets, cell phones, and money stipend to purchase our train tickets. Then we had to wait until 1:30 or so to LEAVE! So, some of us went to an empty room that had some fold down movie theater style seating and slept (including myself). Then we were off to our respective housing!
We arrived at Orseunds, which is where I live and were able to unpack. We had the afternoon off until 7, when they were holding a pizza party for us in the restaurant downstairs. I live on the seventh floor of Orseunds. They're are about 20 DIS students living here and there are about 1000 residents...so definitely a minority! My hall seems pretty quiet, haven't really met many people except a really nice Danish girl, Caelia (sp?) and a guy who I call Lars because I can't remember his name.
Before the pizza party, myself, Ashley (a girl from Richmond), Dom (a boy from Richmond), and Danielle (a girl from Loyola MD, friends with Dom from before) went to visit another guy studying in Copenhagen from Richmond, Mike. We went to his apartment in the city center and hung out on his roof. We definitely had some awesome weather. It was so beautiful and relaxing up there.
Monday through Wednesday we had different orientation stuff, like a scavenger hunt (where my feet and lower back wanted to kill me after the first hour), an opening ceremony with a string quartet, survival danish (hej!=hi!, hej hej!=bye!), and academic program things. All basic.
On Monday night, we all went out to two bars, first called the Happy Pig (but I prefer to call it Bar with an Arrow, since that was it is...pictures to follow!) and the Australian Bar. Both were very American, probably because they were like 10 yards from our school...
The school is set up in an interesting manner. There is a "main building" where there is the front desk where our packages go and the offices are for different departments like housing and study tours as well as the library and lockers. Then across the street there are two buildings (A and B) where almost all the classes are held...at least all of mine are held here except for the one in the main building. A and B are very tall buildings and it is annoying to have to climb 5 flights of stairs into a room with no air conditioning--everyone is literally sweating bullets afterwards because it's just so humid and hot. It seems to me that air conditioning is not popular here. It's either heat or windows open.
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And now my room. It's definitely very spacious, I can't complain about that at all. I also have a great full wall of windows that I can look out of for weather . The view isn't ideal, but not bad. I look at the other section of our building and parking. They supplied me with a desk, 2 chairs, a bed, and like four shelf sets and awesome closets! Of course, when I moved in no lights worked... I think I have been able to make it a bit more homey now, by hanging my 89 photos haha.
As for the bathroom....oh man. It reeks!!!! Our RA type person, Mimi was telling us that Copenhagen passed some law that all buildings built before a certain year can't be repaired or have work done...including ours! Basically, there is a problem with the sewage system and the smell just stays there. I've already tried to buy a fabreeze type project and a toilet scent thing and no luck. I also bought shower shoes because it grosses me out what may have been on that *concrete* floor since we shower on it! I refuse to go in the bathroom barefoot. It's very interesting using this utility bathroom, but fortunately the person before left a shower curtain so I can prevent half the bathroom from getting completely soaked. But I must admit, the shower pressure is nice, the water gets hot, and it is very convenient to brush your teeth in the shower :)
On Thursday we started classes, my schedule is as follows:
Monday, Thursday:
10:05-11:25 (EU)
11:40-1:00 (Danish)
4:25-5:45 (Terrorism)
Tuesday, Friday:
2:50-4:10 (Leadership Across Cultures)
Friday only:
11:40-1:00 (Turkey)
So far the classes aren't too bad, definitely not a joke though! There is a lot of reading, especially for my EU core class.
And now for the cultural differences I have noticed:
- Danes seem unfriendly, but they really just don't talk to people they don't know, unless they talk to them first--> public transportation is basically silent
- Public transportation is so popular, but not as popular as bikes!!! Bikes are EVERYWHERE! And beware of bikers, they are vicious and hold no mercy to those in their way
- There is public transportation etiquette, i.e silence, you don't really sit next to people you don't know, bikers have desginated bike seats and if you're in the way, be prepared to get stared at evily...
- When going out to dinner, not only is it expensive, it is also a long ordeal. You must ask for your check or be prepared to be sitting their until closing...
- Danes have no word for "Excuse Me" or "Please"--> again, not because they're rude, just it's not their nature. You have to shake your bag to get through--it really works! I tried it in a crowded grocery store, I shook my bag and everyone moved to the side like clockwork
- Alcohol is VERY present. Everytime I have gone to class, no matter the time, I see people drinking wine by the metro station...even at 7:45 AM....
- Last, but not least.....the fashion!! It's so crazy. Basically throw all your neons together and some leggings and you're good to go
- Things to have: leather jacket, HAREM PANTS!, way oversized shirts, leggings, opaque tights, boots, comfortable walking shoes that seem cute, prints, and of course, scarves! OHH and definitely some wacky sunglasses....like thing aviator style with cheetah print or something....they love wayfarers, but even spicier looking ones
- I can't wait to get some Georg Jensen earrings though :) Not too pricy.....
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