Friday morning I woke up eagerly to my alarm at 3:30 am to leave for the airport to start my travels to Copenhagen! I hugged my mom, sister, and friend Cate (who were all unbelievably kind to come with me that early in the morning!) and was on my way.
During my 8 hour layover in Newark where I became BFFs with terminal B, it was wonderful to slowly have other Elon and DIS students meet me at my gate to share in our excitement. The time slipped by fast, and I was soon on my flight to my new home for the semester.
Thankfully I got lots of sleep on the plane to be as rested as I could for my morning arrival. I met up with the other DIS students when we landed, attended our orientation, and waited with expectantly for my family to arrive.
I heard my name called and was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness, but the nerves soon slipped away when I was greeted by my incredible host family, the Rosendals: Katja and Per, my host parents, and Silja and Nuka, my host sisters.
Their warm welcome made me so thankful to have them as my family for the semester. We quickly became friends as we drove to their beautiful home in Birkerød.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw their charming house. The inside of their home looks like you picked it out of a furniture magazine. The windows light the house with the natural sunshine, and the mixture of antique and modern decorations make for the most inviting and warm interior. We sat down for coffee and enjoyed getting to know one another, and they toured me around the house and the gardens. The gardens are incredible, and we picked some of their grapes from the vine on the way out. Pictures of this to come when the rain gives us a break (but that might be while!).
Thankfully I got lots of sleep on the plane to be as rested as I could for my morning arrival. I met up with the other DIS students when we landed, attended our orientation, and waited with expectantly for my family to arrive.
I heard my name called and was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness, but the nerves soon slipped away when I was greeted by my incredible host family, the Rosendals: Katja and Per, my host parents, and Silja and Nuka, my host sisters.
Their warm welcome made me so thankful to have them as my family for the semester. We quickly became friends as we drove to their beautiful home in Birkerød.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw their charming house. The inside of their home looks like you picked it out of a furniture magazine. The windows light the house with the natural sunshine, and the mixture of antique and modern decorations make for the most inviting and warm interior. We sat down for coffee and enjoyed getting to know one another, and they toured me around the house and the gardens. The gardens are incredible, and we picked some of their grapes from the vine on the way out. Pictures of this to come when the rain gives us a break (but that might be while!).
I was then shown my PERFECT room. My room is the coziest nest that I could have ever asked for! Katja made my bed with soft pillows and a warm duvet. I unpacked and then joined my family around the table for a traditional Danish lunch. We had bread with an array of food to choose from to top it with: salmon, herring, avocado, capers, butter, cheese, and more. I then got some much needed rest after being exhausted from traveling! After I nice nap, I cuddled up with some tea with Katja and Silja.
Katja and Per went to a birthday party that night, so Oskar (my host brother), Silja, Nuka and I made dinner together. We had spinach lasagna and some tomato salad (tomatoes with mozzarella and basil), and it was all delicious. The time flew by as we had so much fun laughing around the table and getting to know one another more.
Today we enjoyed a sleepy Sunday and woke up late to peaceful rain. Silja and I were up first, and we watched some Beverly Hills 90210 as we woke up. I thought it was hilarious that she enjoyed this show that I used to watch re-runs of at home! We then enjoyed a delicious brunch. The Rosendals gather eggs from their own chickens and they were the best scrambled eggs I've ever had! We also had grapes from their garden, as well as blueberries, watermelon, bread and cheese.
Katja and Silja then showed me around town. We went to the station near their house and they showed me all of the steps to make my first Danish transportation experience a success. It was so kind of them to show me step-by-step! We even looked inside a parked bus to get a feel for how the bus system works.
Next we went to the town center in Birkerød and went for a quick grocery run. It was so fun to see their favorite Danish snacks and some familiar ones as well! We then went to the town athletic center to watch Nuka play handball for a little while. She's amazing! I'm looking forward to going to see her play some more games.
When we got home we warmed up with some tea and Silja showed me how to use the Danish transportation app called Rejseplanen. WHAT A GIFT! It's like a GoogleMaps just for Denmark, aka my saving grace for the next few weeks as I learn the commute from home to DIS.
We then had an amazing dinner- Chinese food! The Rosendals are incredible cooks- I mean they should open up their own restaurant. Everything was homemade and had me asking for seconds. We also had cokes! How fun for a little kick of good ole American soda.
Today we enjoyed a sleepy Sunday and woke up late to peaceful rain. Silja and I were up first, and we watched some Beverly Hills 90210 as we woke up. I thought it was hilarious that she enjoyed this show that I used to watch re-runs of at home! We then enjoyed a delicious brunch. The Rosendals gather eggs from their own chickens and they were the best scrambled eggs I've ever had! We also had grapes from their garden, as well as blueberries, watermelon, bread and cheese.
Katja and Silja then showed me around town. We went to the station near their house and they showed me all of the steps to make my first Danish transportation experience a success. It was so kind of them to show me step-by-step! We even looked inside a parked bus to get a feel for how the bus system works.
Next we went to the town center in Birkerød and went for a quick grocery run. It was so fun to see their favorite Danish snacks and some familiar ones as well! We then went to the town athletic center to watch Nuka play handball for a little while. She's amazing! I'm looking forward to going to see her play some more games.
When we got home we warmed up with some tea and Silja showed me how to use the Danish transportation app called Rejseplanen. WHAT A GIFT! It's like a GoogleMaps just for Denmark, aka my saving grace for the next few weeks as I learn the commute from home to DIS.
We then had an amazing dinner- Chinese food! The Rosendals are incredible cooks- I mean they should open up their own restaurant. Everything was homemade and had me asking for seconds. We also had cokes! How fun for a little kick of good ole American soda.
After dinner we gathered around the computer and watched some quality 80s music videos, and then songs from Dirty Dancing and Greese. Ah, I wish I recorded us singing to these! We had a blast.
Nuka and I then played soccer in the yard with Milo (the doggie).
Now, I'm off to sleep for my first day of orientation activities at DIS! I can't wait to start the week.
Nuka and I then played soccer in the yard with Milo (the doggie).
Now, I'm off to sleep for my first day of orientation activities at DIS! I can't wait to start the week.