The First Weekend, Full of Firsts

24.01.10:

Hi family and friends! It has been a few days and I have so much to tell you. I have gotten lost on the train; tried beets (yuck), enjoyed wonderful meals and laughs with my host family, visited the famous Kronborg's Castle, experienced the nightlife of Copenhagen, and have caught up on my OC, homework, and sleep!

I have had my first couple of classes here in Copenhagen and I am happy to report that they are all taught by English speaking professors. For those of you who do not know, I am a Psychology and Sociology double major. Therefore, I am taking Psychology of Happiness (core course), Developmental Disorders, Human Trafficking in Europe, and Human Rights in Africa. I have only had two of the four, however, both have been very interesting and contain many exciting trips throughout the semester. Some include traveling two Scotland, the other side of Denmark, and even visiting the Red Light District here in Copenhagen. But who want to hear about my education right? Hehe

I can not even begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed staying at the Klaus. Some of you have emailed me asking more about the family ... Here it goes! I have two wonderful host parents, Klaus and Annette. Klaus, speaks the best English and we have been getting closer and closer to one another every day. Today, we watched X-Factor together (which is the Danish, American Idol) and he continued two make fun of me and my eating habits. For example, today at the dinner table he Poked fun at me because I did not eat my onions. Similar to my own father, he acted as a kid and said, "you do not like onnnnnions, you do not like onnnnions!":) Annette Cook fabulous meals and always asks if I need anything. She tries to speak as much as she can in English, Which I appreciate here trying. She often says, "sleepy, you?" or short words to get this point across. My host parents and I had an hour and a half conversation last night (with an English / Danish Dictionary), after a wonderful chicken dinner (with French Fries Yay), about Psychology, Judaism, my family, my grandma's and mother's visit (they will be coming in March!), and about school. I am very Fortunate two have such an inviting family. They ask about how my day was, we watch t.v. together, enjoy learning about one another's lifestyle, they have an English / Danish dictionary to the table at all times, and say good night every night. It's so nice to feel like I am a party of their family when I am missing my so much at home. The children are ages 24 (Tanja), 18 (Tim), and 13 (Terese) (girl, boy, girl). Tanja is just graduating from Sign Language School and is very fun to talk to. She is very sweet / beautiful, short blond hair, and often times tells me what the family is talking about at the dinner table. She does not live in the house but eats dinner with her family every night Which is something that I admire and wish Ben could do to our house. Tim, is in high school (if I can recall the education system that correctly) and is very fun. We talk about music, play wii, and often times when he is at school, will facebook chat me and ask how my day is going! Terese is your typical teenage girl. She is in love with Taylor Laurent from Twilight (which we talk about a lot together) and is a very beautiful girl. She is blonde and blast here Christina Aguilera and Black Eyed Peas music. She is bubbly and has cooked my favorite Danish pastry after I tried to explain it to the family to the table (it is like our cinnamon rolls, but even better!). Since Tim and Terese live in the house with me, we have: played Wii together, looked two Tivoli (an amusement park right downtown) and all of the scary roller coaster Terese claims she will MAKE me go on, Listen to Music, and do the dishes together. The Klausens make me feel right at home and have been such great people to live with so far throughout my adventure abroad.

This weekend I had the chance to be a part of the nightlife in Copenhagen. I experienced my very first $ $ 28 hamburger (yes, U.S. money, and yes that expensive), that was plain and nothing special, yet cost so much. It was delicious, thankfully, but I winced at the thought of my bank account slowly diminishing each and every meal. I ordered the burger two an Irish Pub with another Dickinson student, Caitlin, and some friends. After the juicy, yet pricy, burgers, we all headed to experience the bars in Copenhagen. Jumping up and down to the fact that I can drink in Denmark (sorry Mom and Dad), we ordered shots all around and began the semester off with a kick! After this, we simply went to a sponsored (by my school, DIS) party that was in a Disco Club. It was so much fun and there were over 650 students who attended. Again mentioning alcohol, sorry, they provided free drinks and food for those who hate DIS ID's and we danced the night away. I was so happy that the music was in English and there were disco balls / neon lights! I met a ton of people there (for the family: meet Christian Remmel, Darin's frat brother. He was so sweet and customs me how Darin was his favorite sophomore!) And everyone seemed to be having a great time.

The following day I visited Kronborg Castle with my friend Caitlin. It was such a gorgeous castle. For those of you who have facebook, I uploaded more photos of the chambers within the castle, if you are interested. For those of you who do not know, the setting for Shakespeare's "Hamlet" was inspired by this castle. Outside of the castle walls you could see Sweden and the other islands of Denmark. It was brutally cold that morning, but a gorgeous / educational trip. This castle is one of the top ten most beautiful castle's in the world.

Due to all of the excessive eating, I was thrilled to find a workout facility right next to my school! It is the Coolest gym for they have a DJ who spins his own music every morning to get the people of Copenhagen going. Thank the Lord I like waking up early! The gym has neon lights throughout the facility and you sign in by fingerprint. Not to mention, there are personal trainers who will work with you on a set exercise schedule and give you their preferred smoothie / power drink (for your workout) from the "Caffe" inside the gym. I have had a ball deciding what dance class two-and-take Whether or not I should go into the "ice bath" (literally a hot tub full of ice in each gender's bathroom!).

I have had such a wonderful first week. I have experienced different foods (some I never thought I would eat), enjoyed a night on the town, have grown closer to my host family, met new people, gotten lost on the subway train, enjoyed alcoholic beverages, purchased an expensive meal, and have received communication with you ... and oh yes, gone two classes! I hope you have enjoyed my blogs. I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with you and can not thank you enough for the support. I never thought I could do a semester abroad, but so far, so GREAT! I look forward to next time.

All my love and more,

Chelsea