I live my life through documentation. For me, it’s not enough to live through a moment; I have to feel it, remember it, and keep it safe in my little memory box (aka my phone) for the rest of time. Is that a little dramatic? Perhaps. But let me be honest with you: in just over two weeks I’ve taken 370 pictures and 20 videos. Even for me, that is… a lot. I think it has something to do with the fact that I only have three weeks left in this magical city. Even the most mundane activities have felt so special lately, I’ve come to treasure my Danish routine and all the people in it with such love and care. So, without further ado, I thought I might share my routine with you the only way I know how: from the perspective of my wonderful Nikon.
I love Mondays. Is that weird? Theres just something really exciting about having the whole week ahead of you… so much potential, so much promise! This Monday started as most do: I wake up at 8:15 (only 30 minutes after the sun has come up!), pick out what I’m going to wear, get ready, and tidy up my room before I head out for the day. I live in Nimbus, a kollegium (meaning I share my apartment with Danish and DIS students) in Frederiksberg (about 15 minutes away from DIS by bike). My roommate and I have a pretty small room, so we try (key word: try) to keep the area clean and the decor minimal.
Commute to DIS! Rain or shine, I’ve biked to class everyday since September.
I arrive at DIS around 9. Don’t be like me and remember to lock your bike!
My classes begin at 10:05 every Monday and Thursday, so I to try and enjoy the morning by arriving at DIS about an hour early. This extra time allows me to relax in one of my favorite coffee shops (pictured here: Emmerys, right across the street from DIS!) to ~start the day with hygge time~, catch up on my journal, and have some coffee.
Pictured: Emma (also in my Core Course!) and I on our way to our first class of the week, Meaning of Style. This is one of my favorite electives— we explore the world of fashion and the way meaning is ascribed to clothing.
After Meaning Of Style, my girl Caroline and I stopped by the Christmas market right next to DIS. Without Thanksgiving, the Danes have no excuse but to jump into the Christmas spirit as early as the first week of November!
Christmas market gouda has been secured! We should not be allowed to shop for ourselves.
We met Lindsey at Starbucks to share the Christmas spirit and amazing cheese!
I hustled up to one of the DIS lounges to get some homework done before my second class of the day.
Next up: Travel Writing. Today I’m “workshopping” with my group and professor to review and offer constructive criticism on our final paper due next week. Everyone in my class has been broken down into a smaller group to meet with the professor; this class style allows every student to receive hands-on, in-depth feedback on their work at least twice during the semester.
Third class of the day: Innovation in Design Thinking. I love this class so much— we only meet once a week for three hours to work on our semester-long project. My team is designing an app that helps to alleviate travel stress for students studying abroad!
By the time I get out of class and commute home it is completely dark… so in absence of my bike, please enjoy this photo of me and my camera in the elevator almost home!
With the sun setting before 4 P.M., exercise has been so important in keeping my spirits high. I try to fit in a run every day after class (rain or shine!).
Every Monday my apartment gets together to make dinner, clean, and catch up. This week, Colby and I have the challenge of cooking… somehow we came out the other side with loaded baked potatoes, salad, and spaghetti with pesto and mushroom. I expect a call from Master Chef soon.
Here’s the team! From the left: Cynthia (my amazing roommate), Sophie (who I spoke to on Day 1 and made me feel so at home), Colby (goes to Georgetown University, expert loaded-baked-potato chef), Jens (studying economics at University of Copenhagen, also just a wonderful human), and Amelia (the sweetest lil traveller who lives right next to me).
We finished off the evening by watching the Denmark Vs. Ireland soccer (football?) game. Later this week Cynthia and Amelia are traveling to Ireland… but Sophie and Jens are both Danish. The apartment is divided! Sometime around 10:30 I settle back into my room to watch a few episodes of Gilmore Girls before turning off the light.
And that’s all for Monday; it may be my longest day, but it’s also my favorite day. I’m so lucky to have a schedule that is jam-packed with the best classes, people, and food that Copenhagen has to offer!
240 Days in Denmark 