October 3 – October 9, 2007, Number 162
This is my host family and myself. Me, Dorte, and Flemming in the back with Lasse and Sophia in the front. (Click on photos for larger images)
Living the Dream
So it's pretty hard to find anything to complain about these days. I live in Europe, with an awesome family that is more than happy to include me in all of their daily lives. They cook warm meals everyday and are finally picking up on my American sense of humor. I have loving friends, family, and a fiancé at home who are quick to encourage me and let me know I am being missed. I have enough free time to do what I want and relax when I feel like relaxing. Although I may not be the job holding, family raising, mortgage paying everyday Danish family, I think many Danes enjoy this same type of laid back lifestyle that has been such a pleasure for me to experience. Back in week two I mentioned that Danes were ranked the happiest people in the world, and I guess that myself, and others in my study program, are starting to actually notice it. But first I must note that it goes without saying that of course Danish people have troubles in their lives as much as the rest of us, and some live more hectic lives than others, but I am going to go with a broad generalization and attempt to note a few key factors that I think are responsible for this happiness. Perhaps we can all take something away from these observations as well.
Observation 'nummer et' (Danish for 'number 1', pronounced 'nawmor it'): The Way People Drive: Pedestrians and bicyclists actually have the right-of-way, which is unlike the American mentality where an attitude similar to "my truck is bigger than you and I won't feel it if I hit you," seems to be most prevalent. I am still surprised each time I make my way across an intersection by foot or bike, because cars will patiently wait for me to pass through, with no blast of the horn, or unnecessary gestures to hurry me along. People just seem to be in less of a rush than what I am used to in America.
Observation 'nummer to' (Danish for 'number 2', pronounced 'nawmor two'): Respect and Tolerance: I have been in Denmark now for five weeks and I have yet to run into a rude or unhelpful person. Everyone I have met has been kind-worded and understanding. This outlook I think is shaped by Denmark's extremely accepting government system. Hardly will you ever find Denmark as a country taking a stance in the extreme column one way or the other when it comes to any situation or subject. My Danish host family jokes that Denmark is like this because they are a very small country (5.5 million persons) and they don't have the arsenal to back up radical views. Maybe this is why Denmark, despite its small population, has the sixth highest number of foreign troops supporting the War in Iraq. It is always good to have good relations with big brother just in case. This attitude of respect and tolerance is the same attitude needed in any type of situation abroad. I am realizing the need for respect, tolerance, and patience everyday as I work with team members from France, Germany, and Latvia. We each speak different fluencies of English, and have ideas that come from different experience databases. It takes a little finagling to get the right combination of words and ideas to come together to form a useful and accepted conclusion.
Observation 'nummer tre' (Danish for 'number 3', pronounced 'nawmor tray'): The Great Outdoors: My fellow Yoopers in God's country will agree that there is something rejuvenating and healthy about being in and around Mother Nature. With 1.5 million people living in Copenhagen, that doesn't leave much room for big lawns and gardens. What I have found is that many, like my host family, own summer homes and enjoy weekend escapes to the wilderness and water to relieve themselves from the hustle and bustle of the big-city life. Even others who don't own summer houses rent garden flats. I am not really sure what they are called, but they are essentially a small plot of land, maybe 40'x40', that consists of a small sun shack and garden vegetation. They are usually fenced in and provide a secluded outdoorsy retreat. It is kind of comical to see these oases located in very near proximity to large apartment or condominium buildings. They nonetheless serve their purpose I'm sure. So, to provide a short summary, it seems that a little patience, with a side of understanding, finished off with a little greenery, may just be the recipe to finding a little of that always elusive happiness we all wish to attain in life.
I mentioned last week that I have held a couple of mechanical engineering internships. Both these opportunities took me to new cities where I did not know anyone. I find myself finally realizing that I am once again in a new place with no previous connections. These new hometowns provide a very interesting situation with them. They clear the canvas on which your life has been previously painted. For example, at school I am active in different clubs, organizations, and groups. These are combined with classes, friends, and the all important fun. It is safe to say that my ambitions outweigh my abilities. I do hope that I will always be more ambitious in life than I will ever be able to accomplish, but it does get me into trouble sometimes. I constantly have problems with overbooking myself which gets me into positions where I am unable to deliver what I promised or I find that I push myself too far and don't allow time to recover and rest. I am partially motivated to push myself because of what people expect out of me. Everyone does it, if you are expected to act or do something in a certain way, usually you do what you can to fit that mold. This is where study abroad is different; there is no mold. No one is expecting anything out of you because they don't even know you. I'm not saying that when you go abroad you can change your personality and be someone totally different. Your personality and its traits will follow you wherever you go. But what I am saying is that entering a world without expectations allows you to right the little things or big things in life that have gone astray from the vision of who you hope to someday be. I must say that I am not the first person who wants to go and see the world, to travel to new places and meet new people, but I have to be honest, sometimes, I find myself enjoying an afternoon of rest and relaxation even if I know there is something more exciting going on. I am enjoying the break from the hectic lives we live in America. I will enjoy this break from the hectic life I know I will be living when I return home to school. The same life that inevitably leads me to finding a job, get married, buy a house, and have kids. A hectic life that I, subconsciously, desire to live.
This weekend my family celebrated Lasse's 11th birthday. Lasse is my host family's son. I was very excited to have been around to observe such a celebration. I thought it would be interesting to note the differences and similarities between birthdays in the US and birthdays here in Denmark. They are surprisingly similar. Grandparents were invited over for dinner and cake. They brought presents that included portable DVD players, clothes, and candy. A much longer rendition of Happy Birthday, in Danish, was sung with multiple verses and motions. The only noticeable difference I could see was the decorations. It looked more like our Fourth of July than a birthday party. Danish Flags were everywhere. Danish flags on the napkins, tablecloth, and banners of flags. Seems patriotism is the theme for birthday parties here in Denmark.
Sorry to say it but there were no crazy traveling stories to share this week, but some friends and I are planning a weekend rendezvous in Oslo, Norway sometime soon. So I look forward to sharing more on that and other happenings here in Denmark. Also, I apologize for not including more details about the actual project work being done here. When the fun is trumped by the work of the semester I am sure I'll be sharing more on my project.
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Big smile from Copenhagen,
- Michigan Technological University
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