Hi all-
Hope the week has treated everyone well. Today is my 3rd week anniversary of my arrival in Copenhagen. Fridays seem to be a day of firsts and so now on every Friday will be dedicated to doing something new, First Fridays, which I imagine will be easy here. 3 Fridays ago was my first time in Copenhagen/Denmark/a Nordic country/Scandinavia. Last Friday was my first time attending a PhD defense (looked time consuming) and this Friday was my first attempt going on a run with Perro in the snow. (2 Fridays back I can't remember what I did but I'm sure something new was seen/done).
It was a good week here. I finalized my schedule and am now in a new class studying social inequalities. Yesterday I joined a group of students on a visit to the UNFPA's (United Nations Population Fund) Nordic office. We heard a presentation on the UNFPA's mission which focuses on sexual and reproductive health. (Check out this quick clip included in the presentation, really impressive I think!- http://www.girleffect.org/). Among the students visiting were the International Health masters students who come from all over the world, several of which were men, several of which were African. What was really interesting was to hear these men comment on examples given from their own countries. I am certainly looking forward to my course on Refugee Health in Emergencies which is through the School of Global Health and will include a diverse dynamic of students as well. That starts in April. Welcome to a short intro on my studies here :).
I also wanted to share one other thing I just received- http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/OriginalPrograms/event/Half_The_Sky.aspx. The book Half the Sky is one that also promotes a much needed focus on women. While I have not yet read it (but it's on the TOP of my list!), those who have absolutely love it (Cristin and Sandra can attest). Check out this link for a movie event that will take place on March 4...those who can, go!!
Anywhoo, I'm excited for the weekend and signed up for a student trip to a popular museum here, the Louisiana Museum. Going early to help the organizer make authentic Danish sandwiches, will be a first for me!
Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday and as a parting thought...what will you do today to celebrate First Fridays???
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sweden- the NJ of Scandinavia!
A few quick things...
It was too cold to go to Sweden on Thursday so Dorrit and I had a nice time in Copenhagen at the Rosenborg Castle. We saw the crown jewels and little mermaid statute (before she heads off to China!) and had a nice little lunch. See posted pics of the day.
Also- I did it! Today was the first day I rode a bike in the city! I only almost fell off twice (it was the ice that was tricky!) I was with 3 others from the Global Health department, on my way to see my first PhD defense. The bike seat at first seemed very tall. When I had to stop myself- I had to lean heavily- but by the end it seemed fine. The defense was also a success.
Last statement- I mentioned wanting to go to Sweden again and it was compared to the New Jersey of Scandinavia- Denmark being NY! All in good, harmless fun of course but who knew it was the bridge and tunnel country! Now I'm even more intrigued. I say this lovingly as both of my parents are from NJ and I have ancestors from Sweden (Europe's NJ!- how exciting!). Looking forward to going even more, will report back when I do.
Hope everyone is good- happy Friday!
It was too cold to go to Sweden on Thursday so Dorrit and I had a nice time in Copenhagen at the Rosenborg Castle. We saw the crown jewels and little mermaid statute (before she heads off to China!) and had a nice little lunch. See posted pics of the day.
Also- I did it! Today was the first day I rode a bike in the city! I only almost fell off twice (it was the ice that was tricky!) I was with 3 others from the Global Health department, on my way to see my first PhD defense. The bike seat at first seemed very tall. When I had to stop myself- I had to lean heavily- but by the end it seemed fine. The defense was also a success.
Last statement- I mentioned wanting to go to Sweden again and it was compared to the New Jersey of Scandinavia- Denmark being NY! All in good, harmless fun of course but who knew it was the bridge and tunnel country! Now I'm even more intrigued. I say this lovingly as both of my parents are from NJ and I have ancestors from Sweden (Europe's NJ!- how exciting!). Looking forward to going even more, will report back when I do.
Hope everyone is good- happy Friday!
Monday, February 8, 2010
New post- week 2
Hi everyone,
Greetings, hope all is going well. Things are still exciting and new here. I'm now into my second week of classes and as of last Friday, I've started working by assisting with projects within the School of Global Health. To start, I'm helping with a proposal for a sanitation project that would take place in Ghana and also another project concerning mental health in Africa. We shall see from there.
The weekend was good, very low key. I picked up a cold in this weather so had a lot of quality time inside with Perro. I did get out to do some exploring and met the director of the Global Health program (the connector between this University and mine) and his family for dinner in Hellerup (just north of the city). His kids are incredibly cute and while they don't speak much English and I'm without Danish skills...there was a lot of smiling at the table. The youngest one apparently was worried I wouldn't like sushi and had picked out alternative options on the menu (how cute!). I was also shown around this area which is home to the World Health Organization (European regional office), UN and UNICEF offices (health nerds reading might appreciate this!)
From the past week:
Sightings - while I've not met an American yet in any of my classes, I spotted a GA bulldogs sweatshirt moving through the halls during a brief class break. I awkwardly pointed and stuttered at my hallway neighbor until I finally asked if she'd gone to Georgia. She did! Last year for a year on scholarship, we talked briefly about our love of Athens before heading back to class- how funny.
To do - heading to Sweden on Thursday with my precious neighbor. Malmo is Sweden's third largest city and only 40 minutes from Copenhagen by train, will take pics and report back!
Words of the week (dedicated to Rachel)
- mange tak - this means "many thanks" in Danish, a twist from the previous word tak, this adds a bit more emphasis to the "thanks"
- hygge - this is more than just a word, it's a whole concept. My guide book devoted an entire page to explaining the notion of "hygge." In short, it means "cozy" but my book goes on to say it's "so much more than that," it refers to a "sense of friendly, warm companionship of a kind fostered when Danes gather together in groups of two or more" but also "you can actually 'hygge' yourself if there is no one else around" (yay!)...interesting right?
Exciting moment- Laura T and Cristin are coming to visit the second week in March- confirmed today as Laura bought her ticket!! Bring your sweaters ladies, very excited!
Note: I realize my Danish vocab has yet to flourish. It's a wee hard to pick up an ear for this language, much easier to read. Most times it's difficult to repeat what's been said, especially when trying to learn people's names during introductions. For an unfamiliar name, if the situation's right I'll ask for a repeater. But you can only ask for one repeater, then it's just smiles. If I so choose and can fit it in my schedule, I can start taking Danish classes next week. It's time consuming but would be great for learning the basic sounds, reading menus and navigating stores.
More soon!
Greetings, hope all is going well. Things are still exciting and new here. I'm now into my second week of classes and as of last Friday, I've started working by assisting with projects within the School of Global Health. To start, I'm helping with a proposal for a sanitation project that would take place in Ghana and also another project concerning mental health in Africa. We shall see from there.
The weekend was good, very low key. I picked up a cold in this weather so had a lot of quality time inside with Perro. I did get out to do some exploring and met the director of the Global Health program (the connector between this University and mine) and his family for dinner in Hellerup (just north of the city). His kids are incredibly cute and while they don't speak much English and I'm without Danish skills...there was a lot of smiling at the table. The youngest one apparently was worried I wouldn't like sushi and had picked out alternative options on the menu (how cute!). I was also shown around this area which is home to the World Health Organization (European regional office), UN and UNICEF offices (health nerds reading might appreciate this!)
From the past week:
Sightings - while I've not met an American yet in any of my classes, I spotted a GA bulldogs sweatshirt moving through the halls during a brief class break. I awkwardly pointed and stuttered at my hallway neighbor until I finally asked if she'd gone to Georgia. She did! Last year for a year on scholarship, we talked briefly about our love of Athens before heading back to class- how funny.
To do - heading to Sweden on Thursday with my precious neighbor. Malmo is Sweden's third largest city and only 40 minutes from Copenhagen by train, will take pics and report back!
Words of the week (dedicated to Rachel)
- mange tak - this means "many thanks" in Danish, a twist from the previous word tak, this adds a bit more emphasis to the "thanks"
- hygge - this is more than just a word, it's a whole concept. My guide book devoted an entire page to explaining the notion of "hygge." In short, it means "cozy" but my book goes on to say it's "so much more than that," it refers to a "sense of friendly, warm companionship of a kind fostered when Danes gather together in groups of two or more" but also "you can actually 'hygge' yourself if there is no one else around" (yay!)...interesting right?
Exciting moment- Laura T and Cristin are coming to visit the second week in March- confirmed today as Laura bought her ticket!! Bring your sweaters ladies, very excited!
Note: I realize my Danish vocab has yet to flourish. It's a wee hard to pick up an ear for this language, much easier to read. Most times it's difficult to repeat what's been said, especially when trying to learn people's names during introductions. For an unfamiliar name, if the situation's right I'll ask for a repeater. But you can only ask for one repeater, then it's just smiles. If I so choose and can fit it in my schedule, I can start taking Danish classes next week. It's time consuming but would be great for learning the basic sounds, reading menus and navigating stores.
More soon!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
First days of school...
Hi friends,
Hope the week is treating everyone well. The quick update here is that it's snowing tons and I've now started my classes. Apparently this is the coldest winter Copenhagen's had in 14 years, who knew? Not me, but luckily I'd assumed all along that the weather would be intensely cold so it is living up to my expectations rather than exceeding them. Last year, it didn't even snow but then we couldn't marvel at these pics I've included.
I have a new friend. Her name is Doris, she's the neighbor and she is the nicest lady. She's retired and so comes to the apartment everyday to walk Perro. Yesterday I joined her, then we had coffee, chatted, looked at pics of her grandkids and recent trips to NY, Vancouver and Amsterdam. We're hoping to make a trip out to the beach for some good walking soon.
Had orientation yesterday which was good. I met 5 more friends there- the 5 girls sitting in my row. They were from Austria, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and Denmark (the mentor). We ended up leaving together with a plan to make dinner but sadly I had to skip out early for Perro's sake. Everyone here has been so nice. I met a girl in my first class today who all but took me by the hand to help show me around, helped me buy books, find the study rooms and student "cantina" for eats. She's studied abroad twice (Italy and Holland) and I get the feeling that many to most of the students here have. Everyone knows what its like to be "new" and people are generally interested in you. Being from the U.S., I'm one of the more foreign of the foreigners- interesting I hope!
Hope all are well!
Hope the week is treating everyone well. The quick update here is that it's snowing tons and I've now started my classes. Apparently this is the coldest winter Copenhagen's had in 14 years, who knew? Not me, but luckily I'd assumed all along that the weather would be intensely cold so it is living up to my expectations rather than exceeding them. Last year, it didn't even snow but then we couldn't marvel at these pics I've included.
I have a new friend. Her name is Doris, she's the neighbor and she is the nicest lady. She's retired and so comes to the apartment everyday to walk Perro. Yesterday I joined her, then we had coffee, chatted, looked at pics of her grandkids and recent trips to NY, Vancouver and Amsterdam. We're hoping to make a trip out to the beach for some good walking soon.
Had orientation yesterday which was good. I met 5 more friends there- the 5 girls sitting in my row. They were from Austria, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and Denmark (the mentor). We ended up leaving together with a plan to make dinner but sadly I had to skip out early for Perro's sake. Everyone here has been so nice. I met a girl in my first class today who all but took me by the hand to help show me around, helped me buy books, find the study rooms and student "cantina" for eats. She's studied abroad twice (Italy and Holland) and I get the feeling that many to most of the students here have. Everyone knows what its like to be "new" and people are generally interested in you. Being from the U.S., I'm one of the more foreign of the foreigners- interesting I hope!
Hope all are well!
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